What Is the Best Car Insurance for Drivers with Points?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

If you’ve picked up points on your driving record, it’s normal to see your auto insurance premium jump at your next renewal. Insurers don’t usually price policies based on your DMV “point total” alone—they price based on the violations and accidents that caused those points.

This guide breaks down how points and violations affect your rates, what types of insurers tend to be the best fit, and practical ways to lower your premium over time—without taking risky shortcuts on coverage.

Violations Matter More Than Points: Insurers usually rate the ticket or accident behind the points, often using your MVR at application and renewal.
Shop Standard and Non-Standard Quotes: Underwriting tolerance varies widely—getting multiple quotes is the fastest way to find a better price.
Use Telematics to Prove Improvement: Safe-driving programs can help offset an older ticket by rewarding current driving habits (rules vary by state and carrier).
Don’t “Save” Yourself Into Underinsurance: Keep liability limits realistic, then use deductibles, bundling, and eligible discounts to control cost.

Table Of Contents

How Points on Your License Affect Car Insurance
How Long Points and Violations Affect Your Rates
What Coverage and Carrier Types Work Best With Points
Best Car Insurance Companies for Drivers With Points
Typical Premium Impact by Violation
How to Lower Your Rates After Getting Points
If You Need an SR-22 or FR-44 Filing
Final Word: The Best Strategy for Drivers With Points
FAQs on Best Car Insurance for Drivers with Points

How Points on Your License Affect Car Insurance

Points are a state DMV tracking system. Auto insurers are more focused on the underlying events behind those points—like speeding tickets, reckless driving, or at-fault accidents—and what those events suggest about your likelihood of filing a future claim.

Quick tip: Rate changes often show up at renewal, because many insurers re-check your motor vehicle report (MVR) when you renew—especially on 6-month policies.

Points vs. Violations: What Insurers Actually Use

Most carriers use data sources like your motor vehicle report (MVR) (moving violations, suspensions, certain convictions) and your claims history (which may include industry claim databases). Many factors can influence your premium, including driving record and claims history, and the weight of each factor can vary by state and by insurer.

If you want a deeper consumer-friendly overview of how premiums are set, you can review guidance from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). For claims-history reporting background, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains how certain claims databases can be used in underwriting and pricing.

How Long Points and Violations Affect Your Rates

There are two different timelines to keep straight:

DMV points timeline: How long points stay on your driving record depends on your state’s rules and the type of violation.
Insurance “lookback” timeline: Many insurers apply surcharges for moving violations for several years, and some serious offenses can affect pricing longer.

Even if DMV points fall off, insurers may still consider the underlying violation during their lookback window. Also, companies don’t all “forgive” incidents at the same speed—one carrier may treat a ticket as chargeable for longer than another.

For at-fault claims, the Insurance Information Institute (III) notes that premium increases commonly stay on your premium for a period of time (often measured in years), but the amount and duration can vary by insurer and situation.

What Coverage and Carrier Types Work Best With Points

Drivers with points often get the best long-term outcome by balancing price with stable, claim-ready coverage. If you cut coverage too aggressively to lower the bill, you can end up paying far more after an accident.

Option	Why It Helps	Watch Outs
Standard Insurers With Strong Discount Programs	Often competitive for a single minor ticket, especially with bundling and safe-driving discounts.	Some carriers get strict after multiple violations or a serious offense.
Non-Standard (High-Risk) Insurers	More flexible underwriting for multiple tickets, accidents, lapses, or prior suspensions.	Premiums can be higher; fees and payment-plan terms matter.
Telematics / Usage-Based Programs	Lets you prove current driving habits; can offset an older ticket over time.	Programs vary by state; some can reduce discounts if driving behavior looks risky.
Right-Sized Deductibles and Limits	Adjusting deductibles can lower premium while keeping meaningful liability limits.	Make sure you can actually afford the deductible if you have a claim.

Quick tip: If a state-approved defensive driving or traffic school course is available, ask whether it can reduce points and whether your insurer offers a discount for completion—those are two separate rules that vary by state and company.

Best Car Insurance Companies for Drivers With Points

Pricing for drivers with points is highly state- and driver-specific, so the “best” insurer is the one that gives you the best mix of price, coverage, and underwriting flexibility for your situation. The companies below are often considered by drivers with tickets because they offer a blend of broad availability, telematics programs, and/or non-standard options.

Company	Best For	Notable Tools and Notes
Progressive	Drivers with one or more minor violations who still want a major carrier.	Snapshot telematics option; often able to handle SR-22 filings depending on state.
GEICO	Drivers with a minor ticket who want a widely available direct insurer.	DriveEasy telematics program in many states; discounts vary by profile and location.
State Farm	Drivers who prefer working with an agent and want multiple discount paths.	Drive Safe & Save telematics discount; strong local agent support.
Nationwide	Drivers with one incident who may benefit from bundling and usage-based discounts.	SmartRide telematics discount option; product availability varies by state.
The General	Drivers with multiple violations, lapses, or other high-risk flags.	Non-standard focus; often works with SR-22 needs depending on state.
Dairyland	Drivers who need flexible payment options, non-owner coverage, or filings.	Known for SR-22/FR-44 familiarity; offerings vary by state.
Bristol West	Drivers with several tickets/accidents who need non-standard underwriting.	Non-standard brand within Farmers Insurance Group; commonly sold via independent agents.

Bottom line: When you have points, quote at least a few carriers—standard and non-standard—because underwriting tolerance differs widely. Two companies can look at the same driving record and price it very differently.

Typical Premium Impact by Violation

How much your premium increases depends on the violation type, timing, prior history, your state, and the insurer’s rating rules. To give you a reality check, one nationwide analysis (rates refreshed in late 2025) showed average “premium impact” estimates like the ones below for common incidents. Treat these as broad benchmarks—not guarantees.

Incident	Typical Direction of Change	Example Nationwide Benchmark	Notes
Single speeding ticket	Increase	About +22%	Severity and speed-over-limit can matter by carrier.
Single at-fault accident	Increase	About +43%	Claim payout size and fault determination matter.
DUI conviction	Large increase	About +96%	Can also trigger filing requirements and limited carrier options.
Lapse in coverage	Increase	About +9%	Even a short lapse can push you into a higher-risk tier.

Source benchmark: Bankrate national premium impact estimates based on Quadrant Information Services rate data (rates refreshed late 2025). You can review the methodology and context here: High-risk drivers and average premium impacts.

How to Lower Your Rates After Getting Points

You can’t erase a ticket overnight, but you can reduce how much it costs you over the next few policy terms. The best savings usually come from combining multiple small wins.

Strategy	Why It Works	When You May See Results
Keep a clean record going forward	Time is the biggest “discount” for violations—older incidents generally carry less weight.	Gradually over renewals
Compare quotes at renewal	Carriers rate tickets differently; switching can reduce the surcharge.	Next renewal (often 6–12 months)
Try a telematics program	Demonstrates current, safer driving patterns and can unlock discounts.	First monitored term, then renewals
Ask about defensive-driving discounts	Some insurers provide discounts for approved courses (state rules vary).	After course completion
Adjust deductibles thoughtfully	A higher deductible can lower premium while keeping key protections in place.	Immediately (policy change or renewal)
Bundle policies	Multi-policy discounts can offset part of a surcharge.	Immediately or at renewal

If You Need an SR-22 or FR-44 Filing

Points alone don’t automatically mean you need a filing. But certain violations (often DUI-related, driving uninsured, or driving on a suspended license) can trigger a requirement to prove financial responsibility to the state.

If the court or your state tells you to file proof of insurance, start here: SR-22 car insurance coverage explained and what an FR-44 policy is. Requirements, timelines, and minimum liability limits vary by state.

Final Word: The Best Strategy for Drivers With Points

There isn’t one universal “best” insurer for every driver with points. The best approach is to (1) protect yourself with appropriate liability limits, (2) shop multiple quotes at renewal, and (3) use discounts—especially telematics and course-based discounts where available—to prove your risk is improving.

As your record stabilizes and violations age, you’ll usually see more options open up. Keep coverage continuous, avoid new tickets, and re-shop periodically so you’re not overpaying simply out of habit.

FAQs on Best Car Insurance for Drivers with Points

Do points automatically raise your car insurance rates?

Not automatically. Most insurers rate the moving violation or accident that caused the points rather than the DMV point total itself. The same point count can mean very different risk depending on whether it came from minor speeding, reckless driving, or an at-fault crash.

How long do points affect car insurance?

It depends on your state and your insurer. DMV points may fall off on a state timeline, while insurers often apply surcharges for several years based on their lookback rules. Serious violations can affect rates longer than minor tickets.

Will my insurance company check my driving record at renewal?

Often, yes. Many carriers review your motor vehicle report (MVR) at renewal—especially on 6-month policies—so a ticket can show up when the policy re-prices. Practices vary by company and state.

Can a defensive driving course lower my insurance after points?

Sometimes. A course might help reduce points under state rules and may also qualify you for an insurer discount, but these are separate policies and not guaranteed. Always confirm eligibility with your state and your carrier before enrolling.

Is telematics a good idea if I have points?

It can be. If you currently drive cautiously, telematics may help you earn discounts and demonstrate improvement. But program rules vary, and in some states or programs your pricing can change based on the driving data collected, so read the disclosures before you opt in.

Should I switch insurers after getting a ticket?

It depends on the ticket, your overall record, and what you can find in the market. Getting quotes at renewal is usually smart because carriers surcharge differently, but keep an eye on coverage details, deductibles, fees, and any cancellation restrictions.

Do I need an SR-22 or FR-44 just because I have points?

Usually not. SR-22 or FR-44 filings are typically required after specific violations (often DUI-related or driving uninsured) or license actions, not merely from a point total. If you need a filing, your court or state will notify you.

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