Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in California

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As the most populated state, California also has the highest number of drivers on the roads. With over 27 million licensed drivers, the state takes a hard line on violations like DUIs, at-fault accidents and speeding. Drivers with these infractions, along with inexperienced drivers, typically pay much higher premiums for insurance coverage. In some cases, drivers might struggle to find insurance providers willing to extend them coverage, but shopping around, avoiding future tickets and looking for discounts could help you save. 

High-risk car insurance rates in California

A driver with a clean record in California pays an average rate of $76 per month, for state-mandated minimum coverage, while full coverage, which includes optional collision and comprehensive insurance, averages $260 per month. Rates for high-risk drivers are generally higher, since insurance carriers see them as more likely to file claims.

The rate of increase varies depending on the severity of the violation and the number of violations occurring within a certain period of time. For example, while someone with a single speeding ticket will still see a rate increase, they usually aren’t considered a high-risk driver.  And they are unlikely to see as much of an increase as a driver who accumulates several speeding tickets within a year.

Because car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in California can be pricey, it’s important to shop around when looking for affordable coverage, asking for quotes from several insurers to see who offers the cheapest coverage for your situation.

How do I know if I am a high-risk driver?

Every insurer assesses risk in its own way, relying on unique data, pricing models and business priorities. You may be considered a high-risk driver with one carrier and a standard driver with another. Typically, drivers with three accidents or moving violations within five years are more likely to be classified as high-risk. Most car insurance companies in California also consider drivers with a DUI conviction or license suspension to be high-risk.

California’s points system for violations is one of the stricter in the country. Many states may suspend or revoke your license after accumulating six points. California could suspend your license after getting four points in one year. Considering that one at-fault crash may cost you three points for driver negligence, your license could be suspended after a second accident or ticket.

How to lower your rate as a high-risk driver

High-risk drivers may have limited carrier options and higher premiums. Once you find a carrier willing to write you a policy, there are a few steps you can take to help lower your premium:

• Compare rates: Shop around to find the cheapest car insurance company and most affordable policy based on your current needs. You may want to use the same coverage types and limits when requesting quotes so it’s easier to compare your offers. You might also want to shop around every time your policy is up for renewal since rates fluctuate.
• Look for discounts: Take advantage of as many discounts as possible, like low mileage, student driver or multi-line discounts. Some insurance providers automatically apply eligible discounts to your account, while you may have to specifically request discounts or do an account review if they aren’t automatically added.
• Consider telematics: Enroll in your provider’s telematics program, which collects driving data to support your rededication to safe and responsible driving. Be aware that some insurance providers reserve the right to raise your rates if the program reveals unsafe driving habits.
• Look into a driving course after an infraction: Complete an approved, eight-hour traffic school course to keep points off your driving record.
• Raise your deductible: Increase your deductible to a higher amount that you can reasonably afford. Raising your deductible lowers your premium, but you will be on the hook for higher out-of-pocket costs should you need to file a claim. You might consider how much you have in emergency savings before selecting a deductible you would feel comfortable paying.
• Drive safely: Maintain a clean driving record by avoiding car accidents and traffic violations. Getting even just one or two points can significantly increase the price you pay for coverage, so prioritize safe driving practices.

Car insurance for high-risk drivers in CA who can’t get standard insurance

If you are considered high-risk and have struggled to find coverage, there may be state resources that can help you. One important one is the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP), which is administered by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. CAARP is not the same thing as California’s Low-Cost Automobile Program (CLCA), which provides insurance for state residents who cannot afford regular insurance.

CAARP provides liability-only auto insurance to California residents who cannot find regular coverage due to past infractions on their license. When you apply to the CAARP program, you are assigned to an insurance company that will work with you. All the companies working with CAARP are required to charge the same premiums, so there is no need for you to shop around. Once the infractions have dropped off your record, you should be able to find a standard policy.

Note that CAARP is not an insurance company itself. It simply connects high-risk drivers with companies that are required to extend liability coverage to them. 

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best car insurance in California?
  

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  No single company always offers the best car insurance in California to every driver. To find the best policy for your own needs, you may want to start with a list of companies writing excellent policies in the state and ask for quotes from several of them to see who offers you the most affordable coverage. Consider your priorities, as well. If you have a teen driver in the house, for example, consider a company that is known for writing robust policies for young drivers. If you’re retired or work from home, on the other hand, you may benefit from a company that offers low-mileage insurance. Other considerations might be related to the quality of the company’s customer service or whether the company has a presence in your town. Once you’ve thought about the most important factors for your policy, you should be able to find an insurer that excels in those areas.

• What is an SR-22?
  

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  Although it’s typically referred to as SR-22 insurance, an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. Rather, it is a certificate your auto insurer files on your behalf with your state’s DMV that confirms you carry the minimum amount of car insurance required to drive in California. An SR-22 is generally required after a severe moving violation, like a DUI or reckless driving, to reinstate your driving privileges. The goal of an SR-22 is to ensure high-risk drivers are properly insured in the event they become repeat traffic offenders — data from the NHTSA reports that one-third of all DUIs are actually repeat offenders.

• Do I need extra car insurance if I’m a high-risk driver?
  

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  As of January 21, 2025, all California drivers are required to carry liability insurance with minimums of at least $30,000 in bodily injury and death per person, $60,000 total per accident and $15,000 in property damage. Some high-risk drivers may need their insurers to file an SR-22 form on their behalf, but this is proof of financial responsibility, not an additional insurance coverage.

• How many points do I get in California if I cause an accident?
  

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  California assigns zero to three points if you’re a negligent operator (responsible for a car accident). The DMV may suspend or revoke your accident after you accumulate four points on your record in 12 months, six points within 24 months or eight points within 36 months. This results in a one-year protection that includes a six-month suspension.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents’ policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.