Which Companies Sell Non-Standard Car Insurance?

Last Updated on May 10, 2023

In some situations, drivers need non-standard car insurance.

Some drivers need non-standard car insurance because they’re high-risk, for example.

Others need non-standard auto insurance for classic cars or supercars. Some need non-standard car insurance because they have multiple DUIs, while others need non-standard car insurance because they have unique insurance needs.

Which companies sell non-standard car insurance? What’s the best non-standard car insurance company? Keep reading to discover a list of the world’s best non-standard car insurance companies.

What Is Non-Standard Car Insurance?

In most cases, non-standard car insurance refers to car insurance for high-risk drivers. If you are a high-risk driver to insure, then you may need to buy non-standard car insurance from a non-standard car insurance company.

Low and medium-risk drivers can buy car insurance from GEICO, State Farm, and other well-known providers. However, drivers with unique insurance needs may need to buy car insurance from lesser-known insurers like The General, Safe Auto, and Infinity, among many others.

Typically, non-standard car insurance includes basic liability coverage. However, some drivers buy full coverage car insurance. Liability coverage is the basic insurance required by your state, which includes personal injury and property damage liability coverage. Full coverage, meanwhile, includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

Who Needs Non-Standard Car Insurance?

You may need to buy non-standard car insurance for various reasons. Some of the reasons to buy non-standard car insurance include:

High-Risk: If you are a high-risk driver, then ordinary insurers may refuse to insure you. Or, they could charge expensive rates. Some drivers are high-risk because they have multiple at-fault accidents. Others have one or more DUIs. Some are high-risk due to their age or a medical condition.

SR-22 Requirements: If your state’s DMV has notified you of a need to carry SR-22 or FR-44 insurance, then you may need to buy from a non-standard car insurance company. The DMV requires SR-22 or FR-44 coverage for high-risk drivers. Some mainstream insurers offer SR-22 and FR-44 coverage, while others do not.

Salvage Title: If your car has a salvage title, then you may be unable to obtain ordinary car insurance from an ordinary insurer. Instead, you may need to buy from a non-standard insurance carrier. Some insurers specialize in covering cars with salvage titles. These vehicles have unique insurance requirements.

Rare, Antique, or Collector Cars: If you drive a rare, unique, or collector car, then you may need to work with a non-standard car insurance company. Most non-standard car insurance companies specialize in insuring high-risk drivers. However, some insurers specialize in insuring both high-risk drivers and rare cars to balance the risk pool. If you have a Lamborghini or a 50-year old classic car, for example, then you may be unable to obtain standard car insurance from a standard insurer.

Age and Demographic Factors: Very young and very old drivers are risky to insure. Insurers charge high rates to drivers under 25. They also charge high rates to drivers over 70. Drivers who are very young or very old may need non-standard car insurance, especially if they have previous claims or other risk factors.

Multiple Accidents or Claims Within a Short Period: Drivers who have had multiple at-fault accidents or made multiple claims within a short period may need to work with non-standard insurers.

Foreign License: Drivers with a foreign license and no US driving history may need to work with a non-standard car insurance company. Many mainstream car insurance companies do not validate driving history or a driver’s license from outside the United States, although non-standard car insurance companies may specialize in insuring foreign drivers.

Low Credit or No Credit: In every state but three, insurers use your credit score to calculate premiums. If you have a low credit score or no credit whatsoever, then you may struggle to get car insurance from ordinary insurers. Unless you live in California, Massachusetts, or Hawaii, all of which have banned the use of credit scores for insurance premiums, your insurer could deny your business due to your credit score.

High-Crime Neighborhoods and ZIP Codes: Some insurers deny coverage in certain ZIP codes, neighborhoods, or towns due to high crime rates and other risk factors. You may be unable to obtain car insurance from an ordinary provider, for example, and work with a high-risk insurer instead because the risk of theft is so high.

Previous Non-Renewal or Cancellation of Policy: If a previous insurer has canceled or failed to renew your policy, then you may need to work with a non-standard insurer.

Limited Driving Experience: Some drivers under age 25 need to work with a non-standard car insurance company. Drivers under age 25 are some of the highest risk drivers to insure. Ordinary insurers may refuse to do business with you, especially if you already have one or more claims under a certain age.

How Much Does Non-Standard Car Insurance Cost?

According to our research, the average non-standard car insurance policy costs around $1,763 per year.

This average covers a range of drivers, including high-risk drivers with minimum liability insurance policies, collector car owners with agreed value policies, and high-risk drivers needing full coverage car insurance, among others.

If you only need basic liability insurance (say, for an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate), then you can expect to pay $1,230 per year, on average. Liability insurance protects other drivers on the road, but it does not protect your own vehicle from accidents or damages.

The cost of non-standard car insurance varies widely based on your driving history, state insurance laws, and hundreds of other factors. Compare quotes with any of the non-standard insurers listed below to ensure you’re paying a fair price for your non-standard car insurance policy.

Best Non-Standard Car Insurance Companies

Both mainstream and alternative insurers sell non-standard car insurance.

GEICO, Progressive, and The General, for example, all sell various types of non-standard auto insurance in certain states.

Safe Auto, Infinity, Gainsco, Direct General, and Acceptance Auto Insurance, meanwhile, also specialize in providing non-standard car insurance.

Coverage varies by state. However, here are some of the best insurers for non-standard car insurance.

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

Some non-standard car insurance companies are subsidiaries of larger firms. They operate under their own brand name, but you get the financial protection and customer service of a larger, better-known insurer.

Other Options: The Residual Market

Can’t get insurance from any of the companies listed above? Many states offer a “residual market” for drivers who cannot obtain car insurance from ordinary companies.

Each insurer in your state must sign up for the assigned risk pool. When you apply for insurance through the residual market, the state assigns an insurer to insure you. That insurer cannot deny coverage. They must insure you.

In most states, the assigned risk pool makes up roughly 2% of a state’s total number of drivers. If you are a high-risk driver who has been denied by the companies listed above, then apply for insurance through your company’s assigned risk pool.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Final Word on Non-Standard Car Insurance Companies

Non-standard car insurance companies insure millions of drivers across the United States.

Maybe you’re a high-risk driver. Maybe you have a unique car. Whatever the reason may be, you have options.

Request a quote from any of the non-standard car insurance companies listed above to make sure you’re getting the best non-standard insurance at a fair price.