Which Companies Sell Non-Standard Car Insurance?

Last Updated on December 15, 2025

“Non-standard” car insurance usually means an auto policy written for drivers (or vehicles) that fall outside a carrier’s “standard” underwriting guidelines. That often includes high-risk drivers — but it can also include specialty situations like SR-22 filings, rebuilt/salvage titles, or certain collectible and high-value vehicles.

The good news: needing non-standard coverage doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Many well-known insurers write non-standard business, and there are also specialty carriers that focus on higher-risk or unique policies.

Below, we’ll define non-standard auto insurance, explain who typically needs it, what it costs, and which companies commonly sell it — plus what to do if you’re denied everywhere.

Key Takeaways

• Non-standard car insurance is coverage written for drivers or vehicles that fall outside “standard” underwriting guidelines — often due to tickets, accidents, DUIs, lapses, or special paperwork like an SR-22/FR-44.
• Non-standard policies can be liability-only or full coverage, but premiums are usually higher because the insurer is pricing for higher risk and higher claim costs.
• Many big-name insurers sell non-standard coverage, and specialty carriers like The General, Dairyland, Bristol West, and others focus heavily on higher-risk drivers in certain states.
• If you’re denied in the regular market, your state’s assigned risk (residual) market can help you get legal coverage while you rebuild a cleaner driving and insurance history.

What Is Non-Standard Car Insurance?

In most cases, non-standard car insurance refers to coverage for high-risk drivers — drivers who are more likely (statistically) to file claims, miss payments, or have serious violations.

But “non-standard” can also describe policies that are harder to place because of the vehicle or paperwork requirements. For example, some drivers need a carrier willing to file an SR-22/FR-44, insure a rebuilt title, or offer specialty terms for a collector vehicle.

Coverage-wise, non-standard policies can look similar to standard policies. You can often buy basic liability coverage (the minimum required by your state), and many drivers can also purchase full coverage car insurance (typically liability + comprehensive + collision) if their vehicle and lender requirements allow it.

Who Needs Non-Standard Car Insurance?

You may be pushed into the non-standard market for a lot of reasons — not just one “bad” event. Common triggers include:

• Driving record issues: Multiple at-fault accidents, frequent tickets, reckless driving, or one or more DUIs.
• SR-22 or FR-44 requirements: If your DMV requires an SR-22 or FR-44, you’ll need a carrier that offers the filing in your state.
• Salvage or rebuilt titles: Some carriers won’t write comp/collision on a salvage title (or may only offer limited options).
• Rare, antique, collector, or high-value cars: You may need a specialty policy for an agreed value, limited-use terms, or hard-to-replace parts. (Example: Lamborghini owners often need different underwriting than an everyday commuter.) If you’re insuring a true classic, start here: classic car insurance.
• Age / limited experience: New drivers and very young drivers can land in non-standard tiers — especially with any prior claim activity.
• Lapse in coverage: A gap in insurance (even a short one) can raise your risk tier and pricing.
• Foreign license or limited U.S. driving history: Drivers with a foreign license sometimes need specialty underwriting, especially if they’re shopping for coverage as a non-U.S. citizen.
• Credit-based rating (where allowed): In many states, insurers use a credit-based insurance score as a pricing factor. Several states ban or heavily limit how credit can be used, so the impact depends on where you live.
• Prior cancellation or non-renewal: If your insurer canceled your policy or didn’t renew, some standard carriers may decline until you rebuild a clean history.

How Much Does Non-Standard Car Insurance Cost?

Non-standard car insurance is usually more expensive than standard coverage — sometimes a little, sometimes a lot — because the insurer is pricing for higher expected claims, higher administrative costs, or both.

As a baseline, recent national averages put full coverage around $2,700 per year and minimum coverage around $800 per year. Non-standard premiums often start above those averages and can climb sharply if you have a DUI, multiple accidents, a recent lapse, or you need an SR-22/FR-44 filing.

Also keep in mind: an SR-22/FR-44 is not a separate policy — it’s a filing — but insurers may charge a small filing fee and surcharge your premium based on the underlying violation.

The fastest way to find a fair price is to compare quotes from multiple carriers (and check again at renewal). Non-standard pricing varies wildly by state, ZIP code, and driver profile.

Best Non-Standard Car Insurance Companies

Some insurers specialize in non-standard auto. Others primarily sell standard coverage but will still write policies for many higher-risk drivers depending on the situation. Availability also varies by state, and some brands may be sold through agents rather than directly online.

1. GEICO
2. Progressive
3. Dairyland
4. Infinity
5. The General
6. Gainsco (a State Farm company)
7. Safe Auto
8. Titan
9. Acceptance Auto Insurance
10. Kemper Auto Insurance
11. Direct Auto Insurance
12. National General (an Allstate company)
13. AssuranceAmerica
14. Falcon
15. American Access
16. Foremost
17. Founders Insurance
18. Bristol West
19. Anchor General
20. Trexis

Tip: When you request quotes, ask two direct questions: (1) “Do you write non-standard in my ZIP code?” and (2) “Can you file an SR-22/FR-44 in my state if needed?”

How to Get Cheaper Non-Standard Car Insurance

You may not be able to shop your way into “standard” pricing overnight — but you can usually lower your premium with smart levers. Try these:

• Get 5–10 quotes (not just 2–3). Non-standard pricing is inconsistent — one company may punish your risk factor far more than another.
• Keep continuous coverage. Even a short lapse can raise rates at the next purchase.
• Choose the right coverage for the car. If you own an older vehicle outright, liability-only may make sense. If you have a loan/lease, you’ll usually need full coverage.
• Increase deductibles (if you can afford the out-of-pocket cost after a claim).
• Ask about telematics/usage-based insurance. If you actually drive safely, a monitoring program may help you earn a discount over time.
• Pay in full or choose a more affordable payment plan. Many non-standard carriers heavily price installment risk.
• Re-shop every renewal. As tickets and accidents get older (and you maintain clean driving), you may qualify for better tiers.

Other Options: The Residual Market

Denied everywhere? Many states offer a “residual market” (often called an assigned risk plan) for drivers who can’t get coverage in the voluntary market.

Each insurer in your state participates in an assigned risk pool. If you qualify, the state assigns an insurer, and that insurer typically must provide at least the state-minimum liability coverage.

Assigned risk coverage is often more expensive and more limited than standard coverage — but it can be the bridge you need to stay legal, rebuild your insurance history, and eventually move back into the regular market.

FAQs on Non-Standard Car Insurance

Final Word on Non-Standard Car Insurance Companies

Non-standard car insurance companies insure millions of drivers across the United States — including drivers with tickets, accidents, lapses, SR-22 requirements, rebuilt titles, and other situations that make coverage harder to place.

If you need non-standard coverage, focus on two things: getting the right coverage to stay protected and comparing enough quotes to avoid overpaying. As your record improves, keep shopping — many drivers can move back toward standard pricing over time.

Note: Insurance availability, state minimums, required endorsements (e.g., SR-22, FR-44), and what constitutes ‘non-standard’ vary by state. Always check your state’s insurance department guidance and obtain multiple quotes.