Yes, you can get car insurance with a suspended license, but the process and your options depend on why your license was suspended and what state you live in.
Insurance companies will still sell you a policy while your license is suspended. They do this because suspension is temporary — your license will be reinstated once you meet the requirements (pay fines, complete a course, serve a waiting period, or whatever your state requires). The insurer knows you may need coverage for when that happens.
What changes is the type of policy available to you and the price you pay. Some insurers will not write new policies for suspended-license drivers, but many will. The ones that do typically charge higher premiums because they see you as higher risk. You will also need to be honest about the suspension on your process — lying about it voids your policy and can result in denial of claims.
Key Takeaways
- Most insurance companies will insure you during a suspension, but some specialize in high-risk drivers and charge more.
- You must disclose the suspension on your process; failing to do so can void your policy and leave you uninsured.
- Some states require you to file an SR-22 form (proof of insurance) with the DMV before or after reinstatement, depending on the reason for suspension.
- The suspension reason matters: DUI suspensions typically cost more to insure than administrative suspensions like unpaid tickets.
- Once your license is reinstated, you can shop for standard rates again, though your history may keep premiums elevated for three to five years.
Why insurance companies will still insure you
A suspended license is not permanent. Once you complete whatever your state requires — paying reinstatement fees, serving a waiting period, taking a defensive driving course, or installing an ignition interlock device — your license comes back. Insurance companies know this, so they do not automatically refuse you.
What they do is charge you more. They view a suspended license as a signal that you have already broken a traffic law or failed to meet a financial obligation (unpaid tickets, unpaid child support, unpaid court fines). That history makes you statistically more likely to file a claim. The higher premium reflects that risk.
Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and actively market to people in your situation. Others will insure you but only through their high-risk division, which means higher rates. A few will decline you outright, but that is less common than it used to be.
What you need to tell the insurance company
When you explore for a policy, you will be asked directly whether your license is suspended or revoked. You must answer truthfully. If you lie and later file a claim, the insurer can deny it and cancel your policy retroactively, leaving you uninsured and potentially liable for damages out of pocket.
Be ready to explain the reason for the suspension. The insurer will ask whether it was for a DUI, reckless driving, accumulating too many points, unpaid tickets, unpaid child support, or something else. Different reasons carry different risk weights. A DUI suspension will cost you significantly more than an administrative suspension for unpaid fines.
Have your suspension paperwork ready when you call or explore online. The insurer may ask for a copy of the suspension notice or the court order. Some will also ask when you expect your license to be reinstated and what steps you have already taken toward reinstatement.
SR-22 forms and what they mean for you
Depending on why your license was suspended, your state may require you to file an SR-22 form with the DMV. This is a certificate of financial responsibility — proof that you have insurance. It is filed by your insurance company on your behalf, not by you.
SR-22 is most commonly required after a DUI conviction or suspension. Some states require it before you can reinstate your license; others require it after. Check with your state's DMV to find out whether you need one and when.
If you need an SR-22, tell the insurance company when you explore. Not all insurers will file one, so this narrows your options. The ones that do may charge an extra fee (typically $15 to $25) to file and maintain the form. The form itself lasts three to five years, depending on your state and the reason for suspension.
How much you will pay and where to find quotes
Premiums for drivers with suspended licenses vary widely by state, insurer, and reason for suspension. There is no single number, but expect to pay 50 to 100 percent more than a driver with a clean record would pay for the same coverage. A DUI suspension typically costs more than an administrative suspension.
Start by calling insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers: Dairyland, Acceptance, Bristol West, and National General all write policies for suspended-license drivers. You can also call your current insurer if you have one — they may be willing to keep you on at a higher rate rather than lose you.
Get quotes from at least three companies before you choose. Rates vary significantly, and the cheapest option is not always the most stable. Check the insurer's financial ratings on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website (naic.org) to make sure they are solid.
What happens when your license is reinstated
Once your license is reinstated, you can switch to a standard policy with any insurer. You do not have to stay with the high-risk insurer you used during the suspension. Shop around when ready after reinstatement because rates will drop.
However, your driving record will still show the suspension for several years. Most insurers look back three to five years when calculating rates. So even after reinstatement, your premiums will be higher than someone with a clean record. The difference shrinks over time as the suspension ages.
If you needed an SR-22, it will stay on file for the full term your state requires (usually three to five years). You do not need to do anything to remove it — it expires automatically. If you let your insurance lapse during that period, you may have to restart the clock.
If you cannot find an insurer
If multiple insurers decline you, check whether your state has an assigned risk pool (also called a residual market or insurer of last resort). This is a program that requires insurers to take on a certain number of high-risk drivers. You can get a policy through the pool, though premiums will be higher than through a standard insurer.
Contact your state's Department of Insurance to find out whether an assigned risk pool exists and how to access it. Some states call it something different — the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website lists the contact information for every state's insurance department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during my suspension if I have insurance?
No. Insurance does not override a license suspension. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. Insurance covers accidents and liability, but it does not make the suspension go away or give you legal permission to drive.
Will my insurance company cancel my policy if my license gets suspended after I buy it?
Probably not, unless you fail to pay your premium. Most insurers will not cancel you for a suspension that happens after you buy the policy. However, they may not renew you when the policy term ends. Read your policy documents or call your agent to confirm your insurer's specific rules.
What if I need to drive during my suspension for work?
Some states issue restricted or hardship licenses that allow you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments during a suspension. Contact your state's DMV to find out whether you may have access to. A hardship license is separate from your regular license and has its own restrictions. Insurance still covers you while you drive on a hardship license.
Does a suspended license affect my insurance rates after it is reinstated?
Yes, for several years. Your driving record will show the suspension, and most insurers look back three to five years. The suspension will gradually have less impact on your rate as it ages, but you will likely pay more than a driver with a clean record for at least three years after reinstatement.
Can I get full coverage (collision and comprehensive) with a suspended license?
Yes. Insurance companies will sell you any type of coverage — liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist — regardless of your license status. The suspension affects the price, not what you can buy. Some high-risk insurers may push you toward liability-only to keep costs down, but you can request full coverage if you want it.