Insurance companies that write policies for suspended-license drivers
Some insurers will write a standard policy while your license is suspended, but most will not. The companies most likely to do so are non-standard insurers — carriers that specialize in drivers with poor driving records, lapses in coverage, or license suspensions. These include companies like Acceptance Insurance, Bristol West, Infinity, National General, and Safeco, though availability varies by state and the reason for your suspension.
Standard insurers like State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO typically cancel or refuse to renew policies once they learn your license is suspended. Some will allow you to keep coverage if the suspension happened after you bought the policy, but they will not knowingly write a new policy for a suspended-license driver. The difference matters: if you already have a policy and your license gets suspended, you may keep it. If your license is already suspended when you shop, you will need to look elsewhere.
A third option is assigned risk pools (also called FAIR plans in some states). These are state-run programs that require insurers to accept drivers they would normally reject. You can be assigned to a carrier through this program if you cannot find coverage in the standard market. The process is slower and the rates are higher, but coverage is may provide.
Key Takeaways
- Non-standard insurers like Acceptance, Bristol West, and Infinity write policies for suspended-license drivers in most states, though rates will be significantly higher than standard policies.
- Standard insurers will usually cancel your policy once they discover your suspension, so do not wait to disclose it — contact them first.
- If you cannot find a private insurer, your state's assigned risk pool guarantees coverage, though it is slower and more expensive.
- You must have active insurance before you can reinstate your license in most states, so securing a policy is a necessary step in the reinstatement process.
- The reason for your suspension (DUI, unpaid tickets, medical disqualification) affects which companies will consider you and what they will charge.
How to find non-standard insurers in your state
Start by calling or visiting the websites of the major non-standard carriers: Acceptance Insurance, Bristol West, Infinity, National General, Safeco, and Dairyland. Not all operate in every state, so you will need to check which ones are licensed in your state. Your state's insurance commissioner's office maintains a list of all licensed insurers and can tell you which ones write non-standard policies.
When you contact them, be upfront about your suspension. Tell them the reason (DUI, unpaid tickets, medical suspension, administrative suspension), when it happened, and whether you have had any other violations in the past five years. Non-standard insurers expect this information and price accordingly. Lying or omitting the suspension will give them grounds to cancel your policy later or deny a claim.
Get quotes from at least three carriers. Rates for suspended-license drivers vary widely — one company might charge $200 a month while another charges $350 for the same coverage. The difference is not always about the company's willingness to insure you; it is about how they price the specific reason for your suspension. A medical suspension, for example, may be rated differently than a DUI.
What assigned risk pools are and how they work
An assigned risk pool (or FAIR plan) is a state-run insurance program that exists specifically to cover drivers that private insurers will not take. If you explore for coverage through the pool, the state assigns you to one of the licensed insurers in that state, and that insurer must write your policy. You do not get to choose which company, but you get coverage.
The process is slower than buying from a private insurer. You typically explore through your state's insurance commissioner's office or through a licensed insurance agent. The state then assigns you to a carrier, which issues a policy. This can take two to four weeks. Rates are set by the state and are usually 40 to 60 percent higher than standard rates, because the pool exists to cover the highest-risk drivers.
Assigned risk coverage is a last resort, not a first choice. Use it only if you have called at least three non-standard insurers and been turned down by all of them. Keep in mind that once you are in the assigned risk pool, you can move to a private non-standard insurer as soon as one will take you — you are not locked in.
Why your suspension reason affects which companies will insure you
Insurance companies rate suspended-license drivers differently depending on why the suspension happened. A suspension for unpaid tickets or an administrative lapse is less risky to an insurer than a DUI suspension or a medical suspension. Some non-standard insurers will write a policy for the first type but not the second.
A DUI suspension is the hardest to insure. Most non-standard carriers will write a policy, but only after the suspension ends and you have completed any required programs (DUI school, interlock device monitoring). Some will not insure you at all until you have been reinstated. If you are still in the suspension period after a DUI, assigned risk may be your only option.
A medical suspension (suspended because of a health condition affecting your ability to drive safely) is also difficult. Some insurers will not write a policy while the suspension is active because the state has determined you are not safe to drive. Others will, on the assumption that you are working toward reinstatement. Ask directly: "Will you write a policy while my medical suspension is still active?"
An administrative suspension (for unpaid tickets, failure to appear in court, or failure to pay child support) is usually the easiest to insure. Non-standard carriers treat this as a paperwork problem rather than a safety problem. You will still pay higher rates, but more companies will consider you.
What to expect when you explore
When you explore for insurance with a suspended license, the insurer will ask for your driver's license number and will run a check with your state's DMV. They will see the suspension when ready. At that point, they will either decline you or offer you a policy at a higher rate. There is no hiding it.
You will also be asked about the reason for the suspension, when it happened, and when you expect it to end. Have this information ready: your suspension notice from the DMV will show the effective date and the expected reinstatement date. If you do not know when your suspension ends, contact your state's DMV before you explore for insurance.
The insurer may also ask whether you have completed any required steps toward reinstatement — such as paying fines, completing a DUI program, or installing an interlock device. If you have, mention it. It shows you are working toward reinstatement and may lower your rate slightly.
Rates and what you will pay
Insurance for a suspended-license driver costs significantly more than standard insurance. Rates vary by state, the reason for the suspension, your age, your driving history, and the coverage limits you choose. There is no single number that applies everywhere.
As a rough range, non-standard policies for suspended-license drivers run from $150 to $400 per month for basic liability coverage, depending on these factors. A DUI suspension will be at the higher end. An administrative suspension will be at the lower end. Assigned risk pools typically cost 40 to 60 percent more than the non-standard rate you would get from a private insurer.
You will also need to pay the full premium upfront or in installments, because insurers do not extend credit to high-risk drivers. Some companies require payment in full at the time of purchase. Others allow monthly payments but may require a larger down payment than a standard policy would.
What happens when your license is reinstated
Once your suspension ends and your license is reinstated, you can switch to a standard insurer if you want. You do not have to stay with the non-standard carrier. Contact standard insurers and get quotes — your rates will drop significantly once the suspension is no longer on your record.
If you are in an assigned risk pool, you can move to a private insurer when ready after reinstatement. You do not need to wait any longer. Some non-standard insurers will also lower your rate once your suspension ends, so it is worth asking your current insurer whether they will reduce your premium.
Keep in mind that reinstatement does not erase your driving history. If your suspension was for a DUI, that conviction will stay on your record for three to ten years (depending on your state), and insurers will still charge you a higher rate. But the rate will be lower than it was while you were suspended, because you are now legally allowed to drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get insurance if my license is suspended right now?
Yes. Non-standard insurers will write policies for suspended-license drivers in most states. Call Acceptance Insurance, Bristol West, Infinity, or National General to get quotes. If none of them will insure you, your state's assigned risk pool will may provide coverage, though it costs more and takes longer to process.
What if I do not tell the insurance company about my suspension?
The insurer will find out when they run your DMV record. If you lie on the process, they can cancel your policy and deny any claims you file. This is called misrepresentation, and it voids your coverage. Always disclose the suspension upfront.
Do I have to have insurance before my license is reinstated?
Most states require proof of insurance before they will reinstate your license. Check your reinstatement notice from the DMV — it will tell you whether insurance is required and what type (liability only, or full coverage). You will need to provide an insurance card or a letter from your insurer showing that coverage is active.
Will my rate go down after my suspension ends?
Yes, but not back to what you paid before. Once your suspension is lifted, you can move to a standard insurer and your rate will drop significantly. However, if your suspension was for a DUI or other violation, that will remain on your driving record for several years, and insurers will still charge you more than they would for a driver with a clean record.
What is the difference between a non-standard insurer and assigned risk?
Non-standard insurers are private companies that specialize in high-risk drivers and will write a policy if you call them directly. Assigned risk is a state-run program that guarantees coverage if you cannot find a private insurer. Assigned risk is slower, more expensive, and should be your last option if private insurers turn you down.