Yes, a prior suspension will raise your insurance rates, sometimes significantly

A suspended license is treated by insurance companies as a serious violation of traffic law. When you explore for a new policy or renew an existing one after a suspension, insurers will see the suspension in your driving record and charge you higher premiums — often 20 to 50 percent more than a driver with a clean record, though the exact increase varies by state, insurer, and the reason for the suspension.

The suspension itself stays on your record for a set period that depends on your state and the cause. A suspension for unpaid tickets or administrative reasons may drop off after three to five years; a suspension for DUI or reckless driving can remain for seven to ten years or longer. During that entire time, you will pay elevated rates whenever you shop for insurance or renew.

The timing matters: if you are currently suspended, you cannot legally drive and therefore cannot legally hold an active insurance policy. Once your suspension is lifted and your license is reinstated, you can purchase insurance again — but the suspension will still appear on your record and affect your rates.

Key Takeaways

  • Insurance companies charge 20 to 50 percent higher premiums for drivers with a prior suspension on their record, depending on the state and the reason for suspension.
  • The suspension remains visible to insurers for three to ten years after it is lifted, depending on whether it was for administrative reasons, moving violations, or DUI.
  • You cannot purchase an active insurance policy while your license is suspended; coverage begins only after reinstatement.
  • Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and may offer lower rates than standard carriers, though you will still pay more than drivers without a suspension history.

Why Insurers Treat Suspensions as High-Risk

Insurance companies use your driving record to predict the likelihood you will file a claim. A suspension signals to them that you have already violated traffic law seriously enough that your state took action — either you accumulated too many points, failed to pay fines, drove under the influence, or committed a serious moving violation. From the insurer's perspective, this is a strong indicator of future risk.

The reason for the suspension matters to some insurers more than others. A suspension for unpaid tickets or administrative failure to maintain insurance is viewed as less risky than a DUI suspension, which suggests impaired driving. However, all suspensions result in rate increases because all suspensions mean you were not legally permitted to drive.

Insurers also consider whether you have had multiple suspensions or a single incident. A driver with one suspension ten years ago will pay less than a driver with two suspensions in the past five years. The recency of the suspension also affects the rate: a suspension that ended two years ago will cost you less than one that ended six months ago.

How Much Your Rates Will Increase

There is no single rate increase that applies everywhere. State insurance regulators set rules about how much insurers can charge for violations, and those rules differ. Some states cap the increase; others allow insurers more flexibility. The insurer you choose also matters — some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and price more competitively for suspensions than others.

As a rough range, expect your rates to be 20 to 50 percent higher than a standard rate for a driver with a clean record. In some cases, particularly for DUI-related suspensions or multiple violations, the increase can exceed 50 percent. A driver in one state might pay $1,200 per year for basic coverage; the same driver with a suspension might pay $1,600 to $1,800. In another state with different regulations and insurers, the numbers could be different.

The best way to know your actual rate is to get quotes from multiple insurers. Some will decline to insure you altogether; others will quote you at a higher rate. Comparing quotes takes time but is the only way to find the lowest available price for your specific situation and state.

How Long the Suspension Affects Your Insurance

The suspension remains on your driving record for a period set by your state. Administrative suspensions — for unpaid tickets, failure to maintain insurance, or failure to pay fines — typically fall off after three to five years in most states. Suspensions for moving violations like reckless driving or excessive speeding may stay for five to seven years. DUI suspensions usually remain for seven to ten years, and some states keep them longer.

Even after the suspension is no longer visible on your record, you may still see slightly elevated rates for a year or two as insurers phase out the surcharge. Once the suspension is completely aged off your record, your rates should return to standard pricing — assuming you have no other violations in the meantime.

You can check your own driving record through your state's DMV to see exactly what appears and when it will drop off. Knowing the expiration date helps you plan: if your suspension will fall off in two years, you know that waiting to shop for insurance until then could save you money.

Finding Insurance After a Suspension

Not all insurers will quote you after a suspension. Some major carriers have strict underwriting rules and will decline high-risk drivers. Others have dedicated high-risk divisions that specialize in drivers with suspensions, accidents, or violations. Your options depend on your state and the specific circumstances of your suspension.

Start by contacting insurers directly or using online quote tools. Be honest about the suspension — insurers will find it in your record anyway, and lying on an process can void your policy later. Some insurers will ask for details: the date of the suspension, the reason, and whether it has been lifted. Have that information ready.

If standard insurers decline you, look for companies that explicitly serve high-risk drivers. These carriers charge more but are designed to insure people in your situation. Your state's insurance commissioner's office can also provide a list of insurers licensed in your state, and some states have assigned-risk pools that may provide you can obtain coverage, though at a higher cost.

Steps to Take Before Shopping for Insurance

Before you contact insurers, confirm that your license suspension has actually been lifted. You cannot legally purchase an active policy while suspended. Contact your state's DMV or the court that issued the suspension to verify your current status. Some suspensions are automatically lifted on a certain date; others require you to complete a step like paying a fine, attending a hearing, or completing a driver improvement course.

Obtain a copy of your driving record from your state's DMV. This is the same record insurers will see. Review it for accuracy — if the suspension is listed incorrectly or has already expired, you may be able to dispute it. Errors on your record can be corrected before you explore for insurance, which could save you money.

Gather documentation of any steps you have taken to address the suspension. If you completed a defensive driving course, paid outstanding fines, or attended a hearing, keep those records. Some insurers offer small discounts for drivers who have taken steps to improve their record after a violation, though the discount will be modest compared to the base rate increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get insurance while my license is still suspended?

No. You cannot legally hold an active insurance policy while your license is suspended because you are not permitted to drive. Once your suspension is lifted and your license is reinstated, you can purchase insurance. If you need to drive before reinstatement, you must wait until the suspension ends.

Will the suspension eventually stop affecting my rates?

Yes. Once the suspension ages off your driving record — typically three to ten years depending on the reason and your state — insurers will no longer see it and will no longer charge you a suspension-related surcharge. Your rates should return to standard pricing at that point, assuming no other violations occur.

Do all insurers charge the same amount for a suspension?

No. Different insurers price high-risk drivers differently, and state regulations vary. Some insurers may decline you entirely, while others quote you at 20 percent above standard rates and still others at 50 percent or more. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the only way to find the lowest available price.

Does the reason for the suspension matter to insurers?

Yes. A suspension for unpaid tickets is typically viewed as less risky than a DUI suspension. However, all suspensions result in rate increases because all indicate you violated traffic law seriously enough for your state to take action. The specific reason will be visible on your record and may affect how much different insurers charge.

What if I was suspended for not maintaining insurance?

A suspension for failure to maintain insurance is treated as an administrative violation rather than a driving violation, so some insurers may charge less than they would for a DUI or reckless driving suspension. However, you will still see a rate increase because the suspension shows you were not insured at a time you were driving. Shop around, as pricing for this type of suspension varies more widely between insurers.