The Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers with a Suspended License

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Written by Sarah Sharkey Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated February 1st, 2023

Although you cannot legally drive without a valid driver’s license, you may still need to carry auto insurance on your vehicle. 

The tricky part is, many insurance companies won’t offer coverage to drivers with a suspended license. The good news is, you still can find car insurance, you just have to do a little digging. It might require that you pay more than a driver with intact driving privileges, but that doesn’t mean you should just accept whatever premium an insurance company offers.

Let’s explore how and where to find cheap car insurance for drivers with a suspended license. 

Key Takeaways

• You want to continue to pay for auto insurance on your vehicle, even with a suspended license. Doing so will help you avoid a lapse in insurance coverage.
• If you let your insurance policy lapse, you will likely face a steep rate hike when you are ready to get back on the road. 
• Although not all insurance companies will insure drivers with a suspended license, many offer relatively affordable auto insurance. 

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for Drivers With a Suspended License

Drivers with a suspended license face challenges securing insurance coverage and keeping it affordable. That’s because insurance companies raise rates for drivers who pose a risk while on the road. So, whether your license is suspended because of a DUI, receiving too many points on your license or even failing to meet financial obligations, you’re seen as a risk. 

Luckily, some car insurance companies are still willing to offer relatively affordable insurance to drivers in your situation. Below you’ll find some of the best cheap car insurance options for drivers with a suspended license.

Anchor General Insurance

Average Annual Premium: $1,051

Anchor is a California-based insurance company offering auto insurance in California, Arizona, and Texas. On average, drivers with a suspended license pay $1,051 annually, which breaks down to $88 per month.

You’ll find all of the standard insurance coverage options, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, comprehensive, collision, and underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. 

This auto insurance company specializes in working with drivers who have a less-than-perfect driving record. It advertises that it wants to hear from you if you’ve been turned away by another auto insurance carrier. 

If you have multiple vehicles or are a senior driver, you might qualify for extra discounts. As a nice perk, it offers customer service representatives who speak both English and Spanish to help you navigate your car insurance needs. 

Sun Coast General Insurance

Average Annual Premium: $1,274

Sun Coast is another California-based insurance company that has been around for over 35 years. It insures drivers who live in Arizona, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. 

On average, drivers with a suspended license pay $1,274 per year for insurance through Sun Coast, which works out to $106 per month. You’ll find access to basic insurance coverages. Plus, you can add on optional plans like roadside assistance. 

As a driver, you might qualify for a slew of discount opportunities to help you lower your premium. Some options include the bundling policies and multi-vehicle discount. 

While your driver’s license is suspended, this insurance company’s attractive prices might make it the right fit for your wallet. 

Kemper Auto Insurance Company

Average Annual Premium: $1,414

Kemper offers car insurance nationwide, so regardless of where you live, it just might be the right choice for you. 

On average, drivers with a suspended license pay $1,414 annually for car insurance, or $118 per month with Kemper. 

Roadside assistance, included in every standard policy, is a nice perk you can look forward to. You’ll also find basic coverage options. Plus, the company is more than willing to file an SR-22 on your behalf if necessary.

As a driver, there are plenty of ways to tap into a discount through Kemper. A few discount opportunities include getting a quote before you technically need insurance, showing proof of prior insurance that hasn’t lapsed, paying your annual premium upfront, insuring multiple vehicles, and taking a defensive driving course. 

Even with a suspended license, taking advantage of a discount allows you to keep your premiums low. 

Fiesta Auto Insurance

Average Annual Premium: $1,459

Fiesta charges drivers with a suspended license an average annual premium of $1,459, which comes out to $122 per month. While not available in every state, you’re eligible for coverage through Fiesta if you live in Texas, Florida, California, New Mexico, Tennessee, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Nevada. 

You’ll find communication options in English and Spanish which can be convenient. The company focuses on providing Latinos with quality auto insurance coverage.

Fiesta also offers plenty of in-person office locations in some states. For example, it has over 20 offices in California alone. It also accepts cash payments for insurance premiums or you can pay online. 

Hugo Insurance

Average Annual Premium: $1,590

Hugo, another California-based insurance company, offers car insurance to drivers with a suspended license. The company operates in nine states, including California, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. But Hugo claims it will be available in a handful of additional states soon. 

On average, drivers with a suspended license pay $1,590 per year for car insurance, or $133 per month. When you choose Hugo as your insurer, you’ll have the option to pay via debit, credit, or prepaid card. 

Hugo’s unique in that you’ll only pay for insurance on the days you drive. However, since you won’t be driving until your license is reinstated, you’ll have to pay one month at a time. After reinstating it, you can pay by day. If you are looking for a customizable option for your budget, then Hugo might be the right fit. 

What to Look for in Car Insurance 

When shopping for car insurance with a suspended license, you’ll need to watch for specific items in your policy. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• SR-22 Options: Many states require insurance companies to file an SR-22 form on your behalf before it’ll reinstate your license. The document confirms you have the appropriate amount of insurance. Not all insurance companies will provide an SR-22. Check that a company does offer this key detail before signing up. 

• Loan or lease company requirements: If you have a lease or loan you’ll need insurance coverage beyond the state minimum. While most insurers offer this coverage, you want to confirm you can get the policy that’s required to uphold your lease or loan agreement.

• Company reputation: Although getting car insurance with a suspended license is more challenging, it’s not impossible. When exploring your options, take the reputation of the company into account. You want to work with an insurer offering policyholders a smooth claims process and overall good experience.

Suspended License Car Insurance Options

If your driver’s license is suspended, it’s tempting to let your auto insurance policy lapse. After all, you won’t be behind the wheel for a while. However, it’s critical to maintain car insurance even during this time. Otherwise, you could face even higher rates due to a lapse in insurance coverage when you are ready to get back on the road. 

Here are some options to consider when looking for car insurance with a suspended license:

• Maintain your current auto insurance policy: If you are in the middle of your policy term, don’t cancel it. Ride out the policy until you either renew or find a new insurance company. 

• Insure the vehicle under another driver’s name: If someone else in your household is on the vehicle title, you may decide to insure the car under their name. This can only be done if the registration of the vehicle is changed over to the other driver’s name. 

• Get approved for a restricted license: Some states offer a restricted or hardship license on a case-by-case basis which might allow you to commute to school or work. In some cases, it’s easier to get insurance with a restricted driver’s license. 

• Purchase SR-22 insurance: SR-22 insurance proves your financial responsibility to the state, which involves the insurance company sending off information on your behalf. If you work with a car insurance company that offers SR-22 insurance services, they might be willing to work with you. 

How to Save on Car Insurance 

When shopping for cheap car insurance with a suspended license, there are some strategies to lock in better rates. 

• Change your coverage level: If you aren’t driving the vehicle regularly, that lowers the chances of damage occurring. Consider reducing your level of coverage to save on costs while your license is suspended. For example, you might try to secure comprehensive only insurance which is essentially a policy for when you’re storing your vehicle until you can drive it again. In order to do this you might have to alert the DMV and end your vehicle registration. However, if your vehicle has a lease or loan this isn’t possible. 

• Look for discounts: Car insurance discounts can lead to significant savings on your policy. A few discounts to look for include safety equipment, bundling policies and pay-in-full.

• Don’t let your coverage lapse: A lapse in car insurance coverage is a big red flag to insurers. If you let your policy lapse, you might face a steep increase in premiums when you decide to get insurance again. 

• Shop around: A suspended license often indicates that you’re a high risk driver. But some insurers still offer premiums that are less than others. treat the problem differently than others. Luckily, it’s easy to compare multiple car insurance quotes in a matter of minutes. 

FAQs About Getting Cheap Car Insurance With a Suspended License

What insurance companies will insure drivers with suspended licenses?

Many car insurance companies will insure drivers with suspended licenses. A few insurers that will work with you include Anchor, Suncoast, Kemper, Fiesta, and Hugo. 

How to get cheap insurance after a suspended license

As you search for a cheap car insurance policy after a license suspension, it’s critical to shop around. The right insurance company should offer a reputable policy at a price point that suits your budget. When shopping around, look for discounts to reduce your costs even more.

Can you register and insure a car with a suspended license?

You can register and insure a car with a suspended license in many states. However, where you live impacts your ability to register and purchase car insurance with a suspended license. Check the regulations for your state through the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Sarah Sharkey Auto Insurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer and auto insurance who loves diving into the details to help readers make savvy life choices. She has written for numerous publications, including Business Insider, SmartAsset, and Rocket Mortgage.