Getting insured after a license suspension
You can buy car insurance with a suspended license, but you will pay more and have fewer companies willing to take you on. Most insurers will sell you a policy, though some will not insure you until your license is reinstated. The ones that will insure you treat the suspension as a serious risk factor — similar to multiple accidents or DUI convictions — and price your premiums accordingly.
The reason insurers care about your license status is straightforward: a suspended license usually means you were not allowed to drive legally during that period. If you were in an accident while driving on a suspended license, your insurer could deny your claim entirely, leaving you liable for all damages. That risk is why they charge more or decline you altogether.
Before you contact insurers, understand what type of suspension you have. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines is treated differently from one for DUI, reckless driving, or accumulating too many points. Some insurers will work with you on the first type but not the second. You will need to know your suspension reason and your state's reinstatement requirements to answer their questions honestly.
Key Takeaways
- Most insurers will insure you during a suspension, but they will charge significantly higher premiums than drivers with valid licenses.
- Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and are more likely to take you on than mainstream insurers like State Farm or Geico.
- You must disclose the suspension truthfully when you get a quote — lying about it voids your coverage if you have an accident.
- Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles can tell you the exact reinstatement steps and timeline, which affects how long you will pay these higher rates.
- Once your license is reinstated, contact your insurer to update your record so your rates can drop back down.
Which insurers will take you on during a suspension
High-risk auto insurers are your most reliable option. These companies specialize in drivers with poor records, suspensions, or other factors that mainstream insurers avoid. The largest ones include SR-22 specialists like Infinity, Bristol West, and National General. These names are not household brands, but they exist specifically to insure people in your situation.
Mainstream insurers vary by state and company. Some will insure you during a suspension if the reason is administrative (like unpaid fines) rather than safety-related (like DUI). Others will not touch any suspension. You will need to call or get quotes from several to find out their individual policies. Calling is often faster than using their websites, because the quote tools sometimes reject suspended licenses automatically.
Your state's insurance commissioner's office publishes a list of all licensed insurers in your state. You can use this list to identify smaller regional companies that might be more flexible than national chains. Some state-specific insurers have different underwriting rules than the big names.
What to expect when you get a quote
When you contact an insurer, be ready to explain your suspension: the reason, the date it started, and when it ends. Have your driver's license or suspension notice in front of you so you can answer accurately. Lying about the suspension to get a lower quote will void your coverage if you have an accident — the insurer will discover the truth during the claims process and deny you.
Quotes for suspended-license drivers are usually 50 to 100 percent higher than the same coverage for a driver with a valid license, depending on the reason for suspension and your driving history otherwise. A DUI suspension will cost more than a suspension for unpaid fines. The insurer will also ask whether you were driving during the suspension period and whether you had any accidents then.
Some insurers require an SR-22 form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility filed with your state's DMV. This is not extra insurance — it is a document proving you have liability coverage. Your insurer files it for you if you need one. Your state's DMV can tell you whether your suspension requires an SR-22.
SR-22 insurance and what it actually is
An SR-22 is a form your insurer files with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to prove you have the minimum liability coverage required by law. It is not a type of insurance; it is a filing that comes with your regular auto policy. If your suspension was for DUI, driving without insurance, or reckless driving, your state probably requires an SR-22 before you can reinstate your license.
The insurer files the SR-22 for you at no extra charge beyond your regular premium. The filing lasts for three years in most states, though some require five. During that time, if your policy lapses or you cancel it, the insurer must notify the DMV, which can re-suspend your license. This is why maintaining continuous coverage matters — even a gap of a few days can trigger a new suspension.
You can ask your insurer whether an SR-22 is required for your specific suspension. If it is not required, you do not need to request one, though some people file one anyway as proof of responsibility.
Getting your rates down once your license is reinstated
Your state's DMV sets the reinstatement process and timeline. Contact your state's DMV directly — not your insurer — to find out exactly what you need to do and how long it takes. Some suspensions lift automatically on a set date; others require you to pay fines, complete a defensive driving course, or submit documents. The DMV website for your state has the specific steps.
Once your license is reinstated, contact your insurer within a few days and ask them to update your record. Provide your new license number or a copy of your reinstated license. The insurer will remove the suspension flag from your account, and your rates should drop at your next renewal — not when ready, but within 30 to 60 days. Some insurers will adjust your rate mid-policy if you request it.
If your insurer required an SR-22, the filing remains active for the full three or five years even after your license is reinstated. You can keep the same insurer and policy; the SR-22 just stays on file. Switching insurers during the SR-22 period is possible, but the new insurer must file their own SR-22 with the DMV.
Comparing quotes from multiple insurers
Get quotes from at least three to five insurers before you choose one. Call high-risk specialists, ask your current insurer (if you have one) whether they will keep you, and check one or two mainstream insurers to see if they will take you on. The price difference between companies can be substantial — sometimes hundreds of dollars per year for the same coverage.
When you compare quotes, make sure you are looking at the same coverage limits. Liability limits, collision, comprehensive, and deductibles should be identical across quotes so you are comparing apples to apples. A quote that looks cheap because it has a $2,500 deductible instead of $500 is not actually cheaper.
Ask each insurer about discounts you might may have access to for: bundling home and auto, paying in full upfront, or completing a defensive driving course. Some high-risk insurers offer discounts for these things even if mainstream insurers do not. A defensive driving course can sometimes lower your rate by 5 to 10 percent and may also help with your license reinstatement requirements.
What happens if no insurer will take you
If you cannot find an insurer willing to cover you during your suspension, your state has an insurer of last resort called an assigned risk pool or residual market. This is a program where insurers in your state are required to take on high-risk drivers they would normally reject. You contact your state's insurance commissioner's office or visit your state's insurance department website to find out how to enter the assigned risk pool.
Assigned risk coverage is more expensive than high-risk insurers and comes with fewer options, but it guarantees you can get liability coverage. You will pay more, but you will have legal coverage. Once your license is reinstated, you can shop for better rates with standard insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during my suspension if I have insurance?
No. Insurance does not override a license suspension. Driving while suspended is illegal regardless of whether you have a policy. If you are in an accident while driving on a suspended license, your insurer can deny your claim, and you face criminal charges. You must not drive until your license is reinstated.
Will my rates ever go back to normal?
Yes, but it takes time. Once your license is reinstated and you maintain a clean driving record for three to five years, insurers will stop treating the suspension as a current risk factor. Your rates will gradually drop back toward normal. The exact timeline depends on your insurer and state rules.
What if I get another suspension while I am already insured?
Contact your insurer when ready and tell them. They will update your record. Your rates may increase further, or they may cancel your policy depending on the reason for the new suspension and your state's laws. Hiding a second suspension from your insurer is fraud and will void your coverage.
Do I have to stay with the same insurer after reinstatement?
No. Once your license is reinstated, you can shop around and switch to any insurer that will take you. You are not locked in. If you have an SR-22 on file, your new insurer will file their own SR-22 with the DMV, so there is no gap in the filing.
How much more will I pay for insurance with a suspended license?
Rates vary widely by insurer, state, and the reason for your suspension. Expect to pay 50 to 100 percent more than a driver with a valid license. A DUI suspension costs more than a suspension for unpaid fines. Get multiple quotes to see the actual numbers for your situation rather than guessing.