Affordable Non-Standard Auto Insurance

What is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?

Non-standard auto insurance is a category of auto policies reserved for high-risk drivers. Non-standard coverage is the same as regular car insurance but has higher insurance premiums.

Drivers with multiple infractions on their driving record have a high chance that their insurance provider will put them in the non-standard tier. Non-standard car insurance is also reserved for drivers not fitting into the regular auto insurance categories.

For example, non-standard coverage may be required for drivers who need auto insurance but do not own a vehicle.

Non-Standard vs. Standard Auto Insurance

Insurance companies break down their coverage offerings for drivers into three risk levels: non-standard, standard, and preferred.

• Standard Auto Insurance - Standard insurance is in the middle of the risk tiers for drivers at average risk. Drivers who qualify for standard insurance have good credit and a driving record with few or no accidents.

• Non-standard Auto Insurance - Non-standard auto insurance is the bottom tier. It is for drivers who are considered the most risky for insurers. These high-risk drivers may have poor credit, a history of accidents, and speeding and will pay the most for coverage.

• Preferred Auto Insurance - Preferred insurance is the best of the best. Its basically for drivers with squeaky clean records, really good credit, and cars that are deemed to be pretty low risk. These drivers get the cheapest rates of all. Rates are often 15 to 25 percent lower than what standard pricing is

How Much More Does Non-Standard Car Insurance Policies Cost?

Non-standard auto insurance is the kind of thing that'll set you back by 50-200% compared to a normal policy. That's just depending on how many tickets you've got on your record. In Illinois, a driver with a clean record pays about $1800 a year for full coverage. But if you've got a DUI on your background, that jumps to $4,500-$6,000 a year. In California, it's not out of the question to be looking at $7,000 a year or more for a DUI and an at-fault accident.

Here's what some common infractions will do to your premiums:

• Get a DUI/DWI? That'll cost you 70-150% more a year, for 3-7 years - again, depending on your state.

• Have an at-fault accident? That's a 40-50% increase for 3 years.

• Speed a bit recklessly? That's another 50-70% increase.

• Let your insurance lapse? That'll get you a 20-35% increase for a while.

• Need an SR-22 form? That's just a $15-$50 a year filing fee, but that underlying traffic ticket is what's really gonna kill you.

These price hikes compound, and they can really add up. In Texas, a driver with both a DUI and an at-fault accident might end up paying 200% or more of what a driver with a clean record is paying.

That's why getting Insurance Navy to shop around for you makes such a big difference. We know that one carrier might be happy to give you a policy for $4,800 while another one will be just fine for $3,400 for the same exact coverage. Our agents have a pretty good idea of which carriers are going to be the most helpful for your specific situation.

Reasons you might need Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Listed below are some of the most common reasons drivers may end up in the non-standard tier.

• High-Risk Drivers - Your insurance company will consider you a high-risk driver if you commit multiple traffic violations. Being a high-risk driver means your rates will increase, bumping you into the non-standard tier. Even just one DUI conviction can label you a high-risk driver and affect your rates for 3-7 years.

• Cars with Salvage Titles - A salvage title doesn't mean a car is beyond saving. A lot of the time these cars get repaired and back on the road. Insuring them, particularly with a rebuilt title, usually means you have to get a non-standard policy. Some carriers won't insure comprehensive or collision on a salvage title.

• Drivers with Non-Owner Insurance - Non-owner car insurance is part of the non-standard tier. Non-owner insurance is for drivers who do not actually own a car but needs to drive. While providers can consider a non-owner car insurance policy non-standard, coverage is generally more affordable. Non-owner insurance does not mean you are a risky driver or have any traffic violations, so your rates may not be significantly affected.

• Drivers needing SR-22 Certification - For drivers convicted of a significant traffic violation like reckless driving or a DUI, their state will most likely require them to carry SR-22 insurance. SR22 insurance is not a type of insurance but proof that you carry the mandatory minimum amount of insurance established by your state’s government. Your state will usually notify you if you have to file an SR-22 with the DMV. Drivers are usually required to keep SR22 insurance for three years. As long as you are required to carry SR22 insurance, you will have to pay higher insurance rates.

• Drivers with Poor Credit - Most states let insurers use your credit score to help figure out how much to charge you. So if your credit is pretty bad, you can expect to pay 40 to 80 per cent more than someone with a spotless credit history. California, Hawaii and Massachusetts are the ones who have banned the use of credit scoring, but in the rest of the country, it's a pretty big deal.

• Foreign Drivers - Then there are foreigners who come to the States to drive. Without a U.S. driving history insurers cant really work out how much of a risk you are. You can expect to start out in non-standard tier until you've been driving here for 6 to 12 months. An international driving permit just doesn't cut it, you need actual U.S. driving history.

• Drivers with Gaps in coverage - Letting your insurance coverage lapse does not look good to other insurers. If you have had gaps in coverage, an insurance company may only offer non-standard coverage. A coverage gap of 30 days or more will trigger a rate increase with most carriers. Gaps longer than 6 months can make it really difficult to find standard insurance at all.

Insurance Carriers For People Who Need Non-Standard Policies

Not all insurance companies have the courage to take on drivers with a few too many blemishes on their record. But some do, like Bristol West (they're a Farmers subsidiary), Dairyland, The General, and Progressive's special high-risk division of insurance, National General, Mendota Insurance and Titan Insurance. These companies have their own set of rules for who they'll insure. Mostly people with DUIs, at-fault accidents, or drivers who need an SR-22 form.

The rates vary like crazy between the same driver for these non-standard insurers. Insurance Navy goes to the trouble of shopping around for you so we can find you the lowest price. A driver with a DUI might get offers ranging from $3,200 to $6,500 a year. It all depends on which carrier they choose. With our insurance agents on the job, you don't have to sit there wondering which one to pick.

In Illinois, if you can't get insurance anywhere else, you can try the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan (also known as the IAIP). The state set up this place as a sort of insurance last resort, run by AIPSO. Or in Texas, there's the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA). The problem is these "assigned risk pool" rates are usually 20-50% higher than what you'd pay if you had more "normal" insurance. Make it a last resort - or a pretty desperate one.

Here are the things you need to think about when you're trying to find a non-standard carrier:

• AM Best financial rating - Carriers rated A- or better are the safest bet. Bristol West is an A ; The General is an A-. That means they can actually pay out if they have to.

• SR-22 filing speed - Some will get you that certificate in 24 hours by email, while others might take 7-10 days to get it to you by snail mail. If you're in a pinch and need to get that license back, speed matters.

• Down payments - Non-standard carriers tend to want a 20-35% down payment on your policy, while the standard market is lucky to get 10-15%. A few carriers like Dairyland will come down on that a bit for drivers that qualify.

• Policy exclusions - Some policies will take away rental car coverage, or exclude anyone driving your car but you, or other weird stuff like that. You'll need to check on those.