How to Get Car Insurance With a Suspended License

You’ll likely need car insurance even if your license is suspended to avoid coverage gaps and to get your license reinstated.

10+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics

Former associate finance editor for Investopedia

Jess is a subject matter expert in insurance, banking, and other personal finance topics. Her byline has appeared in numerous top web media, including Investopedia.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

Experienced personal finance writer

Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Read Editorial Guidelines

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Updated July 25, 2024

Save up to $852 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Cheapest recent rates

A Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania driver just saved on coverage for their Jeep Compass with this quote from Progressive.

GEICO's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

State Farm's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

Farmers's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

Allstate's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

COUNTRY Financial's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

Hugo's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

CSAA's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

USAA's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

We just helped a driver in Brenham, Texas cover their Hyundai Santa FE with this quote from Progressive.

Farmers's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

Allstate's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

State Farm's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

GEICO's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

COUNTRY Financial's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

Progressive's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

The General's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

USAA's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

You could end up with a suspended license after a driving under the influence (DUI) charge, unpaid fines, or if you’ve accumulated too many traffic violations. But even if you’ve lost your license, it’s usually still important to keep your car insurance active.

Getting car insurance is often challenging with a suspended license — especially if your former insurance dropped your coverage or increased your premiums significantly.[1] Drivers with suspended licenses often have to consider alternative insurance options to avoid harsh legal consequences and a lapse in coverage.

If you have a suspended license, here’s what you should know about comparing car insurance quotes and finding coverage.

Your lender may require you to maintain car insurance coverage if you have an auto loan, and the same is true if you lease a vehicle.

To obtain auto coverage (and eventually reinstate your license), you may need an SR-22 certificate, which serves as proof that you meet your state’s minimum insurance requirements.

Driving with a suspended license is illegal, even if you have proof of insurance.

Three ways to get car insurance with no license

Fortunately, you can get car insurance even with a suspended driver’s license. But it could be more difficult, especially if your car insurance company canceled your policy. If your insurer hasn’t canceled your policy, contact your insurance agent and discuss your situation to determine your best option.

Here are a few ways to get auto insurance with no license:

Some insurers let you name a primary driver, such as your spouse or child, on your auto insurance policy. This person will be the one who drives your car most often. Contact your insurer to determine if this is an option in your case.

You might also be able to list yourself as an excluded driver to maintain your coverage. This designation will mean your car insurance policy doesn’t cover you, though it could cover your family members.

With this type of coverage — also known as storage coverage — your car remains insured for certain incidents while parked or stored. Just keep in mind that the vehicle won’t have coverage on the road.

Find Car Insurance with a Suspended License

See personalized quotes in minutes

Do you need car insurance without a driver’s license?

It’s important to have consistent auto insurance coverage for a few reasons, even if you won’t be driving for a while. If you have an outstanding auto loan or lease, you’ll likely need to maintain your coverage as a condition of your contract with the lender or leasing company. A lapse in coverage could result in your lender issuing force-placed insurance or repossessing the vehicle.

If you aren’t the only driver in your home, you’ll also need car insurance to protect any family members who get behind the wheel. Driving without insurance is illegal, and doing so could result in hefty fines and even jail time. Plus, insurance companies frown on coverage gaps, which might make it difficult to get car insurance again as you work toward having your license reinstated.

Cost of car insurance for drivers without a license

A license suspension can cause your insurance rates to spike because your insurer will likely view you as a high-risk driver. U.S. drivers with a clean record pay an average cost of $105 per month for liability insurance, while drivers with a suspended license pay $140 per month.

License suspensions are often the result of risky behaviors on the road, such as DUIs, multiple moving violations, or unpaid tickets. These behaviors could increase your likelihood of getting into a serious accident or defaulting on your car insurance premiums, so your insurer is likely to hike your rates after a suspension.[2]

Comparing coverage from different insurance companies and opting for a higher deductible could help reduce your premiums after a license suspension.[3] These insurers offer the cheapest coverage, on average, for drivers with a suspended license.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Car insurance with an SR-22 certificate

You might need an SR-22 form to get car insurance and eventually reinstate your license. SR-22s serve as proof of financial responsibility for drivers with past DUIs, serious moving violations, or multiple motor vehicle accidents in a short time. Your state will generally inform you if you need an SR-22 by court order.

Your insurer will often file an SR-22 on your behalf, and you’ll likely need to pay a filing fee each year it’s required. Depending on your state, you may need to carry an SR-22 for three years. During this time, your car insurance rates will likely be higher.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for drivers with an SR-22 in place.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Compare Car Insurance Online

Check quotes from 100+ top insurance companies

How to reinstate a suspended license

The process of reinstating your suspended license can vary slightly by state and the type of offense that resulted in the suspension. But in general, the process could look something like this:

Obtain an SR-22 or car insurance, if needed.

Pay any outstanding fines.

Attend traffic school, if needed.

Provide proof of insurance to the DMV.

Pay any reinstatement fees.

Contact your insurance company to get your SR-22 removed, if needed.

The time frame for reinstating your license can vary based on your unique case and specific needs. For example, it’ll likely take longer if you need to attend traffic school or save up enough to pay reinstatement fees. Following proper procedures and meeting applicable legal requirements is essential to streamline the process.

Car insurance with a suspended license FAQs

If you’re still wondering about getting car insurance with a suspended license, this additional information may help.

Who should you list as the primary driver if you buy car insurance without a license?

If you buy car insurance without a license, the primary driver should be the person who drives your vehicle most often. This could be your spouse or child or another trusted family member or friend.

Why should you insure a vehicle that you don’t plan to drive?

You should still insure a vehicle you don’t plan to drive to maintain consistent coverage. This is especially important if you have an auto loan or lease, as lenders or leasing companies often require consistent coverage as part of your contract. It may also be more difficult to get an auto policy in the future with a significant coverage gap, or you might pay higher rates.

Why do insurance companies prefer drivers with licenses?

In general, it’s easier for a licensed driver with a clean driving record to obtain car insurance coverage at the best rate. Insurers could view unlicensed drivers and people with suspended licenses and past issues in their driving history as a higher risk to insure.

Where can I find the cheapest car insurance?

Car insurance rates vary by company and location, so not one insurance company offers the cheapest rates across all areas. Other factors, like your age and driving record, also affect your rates. It’s a good idea to obtain and compare car insurance quotes from a few companies to find the coverage you need at an affordable cost.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

Jess is a personal finance writer who's been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work is published on Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and more. Prior to freelancing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Experienced personal finance writer

Background working with banks and insurance companies

Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Read Editorial Guidelines

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Latest Articles

How to Get a Florida Driver’s License

Getting a driver’s license, renewing, or transferring one in Florida is fairly straightforward. Keep reading to learn more about the process.

How to Read Your Car Insurance Policy

It can be a challenge to read your car insurance policy. Here are some tips to help you out.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers Under 25 (2024)

Finding cheap car insurance for drivers under 25 can be tough, but there are plenty of affordable options if you know where to look.

Best Car Insurance with a $500 Deductible (2024)

Nationwide has the cheapest full-coverage car insurance with a $500 deductible, at $273 per month. Your deductible is what you pay when you file a claim.

Best Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers (2024)

High-risk drivers can still find affordable car insurance. Discover the best companies for high-risk insurance policies and the steps to lower your risk.

Find the Cheapest Car Insurance After a DUI (2024)

Can you get car insurance after a conviction for driving under the influence? Learn about DUI car insurance and how to get it.