Can I Get Auto Insurance If I Have a Criminal Record?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Yes—you can get car insurance with a criminal record. In most cases, a non-driving criminal record does not affect auto insurance pricing. The biggest rate increases usually happen when the conviction is directly tied to driving risk (like a DUI, reckless driving, or driving on a suspended license).

Below is how insurers typically evaluate criminal and driving history, what they can see during underwriting, and practical steps to find affordable coverage—especially if you’ve had a serious driving-related conviction.

1. Most Non-Driving Convictions Don’t Change Auto Rates: Auto underwriting focuses on crash and claim risk, so many non-driving offenses won’t affect premiums.
2. Driving-Related Convictions Usually Cost More: DUIs, reckless driving, and license issues commonly trigger higher premiums or stricter eligibility.
3. Insurers Price Off Your MVR and Underwriting Data: Carriers typically review your motor vehicle report and related risk factors—not a full criminal background check.
4. Shopping Multiple Quotes Is the Biggest Lever: After a conviction, carriers can rate the same driver very differently, so comparing quotes is critical to finding a fair price.

How a Criminal Record Affects Car Insurance

Auto insurance rates are primarily built around expected claim risk, not moral judgment. That’s why many non-driving convictions have little to no effect on a standard personal auto policy.

What does commonly affect premiums is anything that signals higher crash risk or higher claim severity—especially driving-related convictions. Insurers price around many inputs (vehicle, garaging, mileage, driver profile, prior claims, and violations), as outlined in these factors that determine your auto insurance rates.

Examples of convictions that typically trigger underwriting scrutiny include driving under the influence, reckless driving, and serious speeding offenses (see how a speeding ticket can increase rates).

In more severe situations, a carrier may decline to offer a policy or refuse renewal based on its underwriting guidelines. Here’s how and why car insurance can deny coverage.

Minor Infractions Can Raise Rates Even Without a Criminal Conviction

You don’t need a criminal conviction to see a premium jump. Many drivers see increases after moving violations or at-fault accidents, depending on the carrier’s rating rules and your overall history.

Some insurers may forgive a minor first offense; others won’t. This overview explains when and why traffic violations affect insurance premiums.

Can Car Insurance Companies See My Criminal Record?

When you apply for coverage, insurers typically review your motor vehicle report (MVR) and other underwriting data sources. Most carriers verify driving history, and many pull it electronically during quoting. Here’s more on whether insurers check your driving record.

Your MVR is not the same thing as a full criminal background check. However, driving-related convictions often appear on the MVR, including:

• Tickets and moving violations
• Accidents (reported or coded on the record, depending on the state)
• License suspensions
• Serious driving-related convictions

Separate from the MVR, insurers may also consider other underwriting factors such as credit-based insurance scores where allowed by state law. (See how credit score affects car insurance rates.)

Driving Record vs. Criminal Record

It’s important to separate two concepts:

• Driving record (MVR): A state-maintained record of driving-related events that insurers use for pricing and eligibility.
• Criminal record: A broader record that can include many non-driving offenses that typically aren’t part of standard auto underwriting.

How long a driving-related conviction affects your insurance depends on state rules, the type of offense, and the insurer. Minor violations may matter for a shorter period, while serious offenses like DUI can follow you longer. This guide explains how long a DUI stays on your driving record.

Driving-Related Crimes That Commonly Impact Insurance Rates

Underwriting is driven by risk signals. Convictions that suggest a higher likelihood of future losses typically have the biggest impact, including:

• Vehicular homicide or manslaughter
• DUI / DWI and related alcohol- or drug-impaired driving convictions
• Reckless driving and racing violations
• Driving without a license
• Hit-and-run offenses
• Insurance fraud
• Multiple speeding tickets and other major moving violations

In contrast, many non-driving offenses won’t show up in the underwriting signals that matter most for auto insurance pricing. If your record is otherwise clean behind the wheel, your rate may look similar to a driver with a clean driving record.

What Determines How Much Your Rate Changes

There isn’t a universal price increase for “having a criminal record.” Pricing depends on the specific conviction and a long list of underwriting factors, including:

• Severity and type of offense: A DUI is typically treated more seriously than a minor violation.
• Recency: More recent violations usually have a bigger impact.
• Prior accidents and claims: Insurers weigh loss history heavily—see how to check your claims history.
• Garaging location: Rates can vary sharply by neighborhood; this explains why ZIP code matters for auto insurance.
• Driver profile and household factors: Insurers may factor in items like age, occupation (where allowed), marital status, and homeownership.
• Overall driving pattern: A single ticket can be treated differently than a pattern of violations—see how driving history affects rates.

Best Car Insurance Approach for Drivers With a Criminal Record

There’s no single “best” company for every driver with a conviction history. Some carriers have stricter underwriting rules; others compete more aggressively for drivers rebuilding their record.

Start by building a short list of reputable carriers and getting comparable quotes (same limits and deductibles). This overview of the best auto insurance companies in America is a good starting point for which insurers to include in your shopping list.

If you’re struggling to find affordable coverage, broaden your quote search and compare carriers known for competitive pricing in your state. This guide to the cheapest auto insurance companies can help you identify additional options to request quotes from.

Why Comparing Quotes Matters More After a Conviction

After a DUI, reckless driving conviction, or similar event, different insurers can rate the same driver very differently. One carrier may heavily surcharge the offense, while another may be more competitive once you choose higher deductibles, adjust limits appropriately, and maintain continuous coverage.

Also remember that driving without insurance can create additional legal and financial problems. If you’re tempted to go uninsured, consider the potential consequences—including the penalties covered in this guide to tickets for no proof of insurance.

Final Word: Auto Insurance With a Criminal Record

You can get car insurance with a criminal record, and many non-driving convictions won’t affect your rate at all. The biggest increases typically follow driving-related convictions like DUI, reckless driving, or repeated serious violations.

The most reliable way to avoid overpaying is to compare multiple quotes with the same coverages and verify any filing or eligibility requirements tied to your conviction history.

FAQs on Car Insurance With a Criminal Record