How to Find Auto Insurance After Multiple Traffic Tickets

Getting insured with multiple tickets is harder and more expensive, but you can still find coverage

Multiple traffic tickets make you a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurance companies. This means insurers will charge you more, some will decline to cover you at all, and the ones willing to take you on will ask more questions before they quote a price. You will not be locked out of insurance entirely — every state has options for drivers in your situation — but your choices narrow and your premiums rise.

How much more you pay depends on what the tickets were for. A speeding ticket costs less than a reckless driving conviction. A DUI or at-fault accident costs far more. The number of tickets matters too: two tickets in five years is different from two tickets in one year. Each insurance company weighs these factors differently, so shopping around is essential.

Key Takeaways

• Standard insurers may deny you or charge significantly higher premiums; you will need to contact them directly for quotes rather than relying on online estimates.
• Non-standard insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and are more likely to offer coverage, though at higher rates than standard companies charge.
• Your state's insurer of last resort exists specifically for drivers who cannot find coverage elsewhere and is always available, though usually the most expensive option.
• Tickets age off your record over time — typically three to five years depending on the state and violation type — so your rates will drop as older tickets fall away.
• Defensive driving courses may lower your premium with some insurers and can sometimes remove a ticket from your record if the court allows it.

What happens to your premium with multiple tickets

Insurance companies use your driving record to calculate risk. Each ticket or accident tells them you are statistically more likely to file a claim. The more incidents on your record, the higher that risk appears, and the higher your premium climbs.

A single speeding ticket might raise your rate by 10 to 30 percent. Two tickets in a short period can double your premium or more. A serious violation like reckless driving or DUI can triple it. Some standard insurers will simply refuse to quote you if your record is too recent or too crowded. This is legal — insurers can decline to cover you for any reason except discrimination based on protected characteristics like race or gender.

The exact impact varies by insurer, state, and the nature of the violations. One company might accept you at a 40 percent increase; another might decline. This is why getting multiple quotes is not optional when you have multiple tickets — it is the only way to find your actual options and costs.

Standard insurers and what they will ask

Standard insurance companies are the ones you see advertised on television. They serve most drivers. When you have multiple tickets, they will still consider you, but the process changes. You cannot rely on online quote tools to give you an accurate number. You will need to call or speak with an agent directly and disclose your full driving history.

Be prepared to explain each ticket: the date, the violation type, and whether it resulted in a conviction or was dismissed. Have your driver's license and driving record in front of you. Some insurers will ask about the circumstances — whether you were speeding in a school zone, whether the ticket was for a moving violation or a parking violation, whether you contested it. The more serious the violation, the more questions they ask.

Standard insurers may also require a higher deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in) or may exclude certain types of coverage. Some will offer you a policy but at a rate that makes it unaffordable. Others will decline outright. This is not a reflection on you as a person; it is how they manage their risk pool. If three or four standard insurers decline you, move to non-standard options.

Non-standard insurers that accept high-risk drivers

Non-standard insurers exist specifically to cover drivers that standard companies will not take. They expect higher claims rates and price accordingly. Their premiums are typically 50 to 100 percent higher than standard rates for the same coverage, but they will cover you when others will not.

Major non-standard insurers operating in most states include Acceptance Insurance, Bristol West, Direct General, and Infinity. Some regional carriers also specialize in high-risk drivers. These companies will still review your record and may ask questions, but they are built to say yes to drivers with tickets, accidents, or lapses in coverage.

Non-standard does not mean low-quality. These insurers are licensed and regulated the same way standard companies are. They must pay claims and follow state insurance laws. The difference is their customer base and their pricing model. If you cannot find coverage through standard insurers, a non-standard carrier is a legitimate path forward.

Your state's insurer of last resort

Every state has a program called an assigned risk pool or insurer of last resort. This is a safety net: if you have been declined by multiple insurers, you can request coverage through this program. The state essentially forces insurers to take turns covering high-risk drivers, spreading the risk across the industry.

To access assigned risk coverage, you typically contact your state's insurance commissioner's office or the state's insurance pool directly. You will need to show proof that you have been declined by at least two or three standard insurers (the number varies by state). The process takes longer than a standard quote — sometimes two to four weeks — and the premium is usually the highest you will find.

Assigned risk coverage is not permanent. It is meant as a temporary solution while you work on improving your driving record. After a set period (often one to three years) with no new violations, you may be able to move back to a standard insurer at a lower rate.

How tickets age and when your rates drop

Tickets do not stay on your record forever. In most states, a minor violation like speeding falls off your driving record after three to five years. More serious violations like reckless driving or DUI may take seven to ten years. Once a ticket ages off your record, insurers can no longer see it, and your premium should drop.

The timeline depends on your state and the violation type. Some states count from the date of the ticket; others count from the date of conviction. Check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to find the specific rules for your violations. You can also request a copy of your driving record to see exactly what is showing and when each item will fall off.

Even before a ticket ages off completely, your rate may improve. After two or three years with no new violations, some insurers will lower your premium or move you to a standard rate. This is why staying ticket-free matters: each year without a new incident makes you less risky in the eyes of insurers.

Defensive driving courses and ticket removal

Some states allow you to take a defensive driving course to remove a ticket from your record or reduce the fine. This is not the same as insurance discounts, though some insurers do offer small discounts (usually 5 to 10 percent) for completing a course. The real benefit is the potential to keep the ticket off your record entirely.

Whether you can use a course to remove a ticket depends on your state and the type of violation. Speeding tickets are often may be able to access; serious violations like DUI usually are not. You typically must request this option from the court within a certain time frame after receiving the ticket. The course costs money (usually $20 to $50) and takes a few hours, but if it removes the ticket from your record, it is worth the investment.

Before paying for a course, contact the court that issued the ticket and ask whether the violation is may be able to access for removal through defensive driving. If it is, ask what course providers the court approves. Taking an unapproved course will not help you.

Shopping for quotes with multiple tickets

Get quotes from at least five to seven insurers when you have multiple tickets. This includes both standard and non-standard companies. Do not rely on online quote tools alone; call agents directly and provide your full driving history upfront. This takes time, but the difference between quotes can be hundreds of dollars per year.

When you call, have your driver's license, driving record, and vehicle information ready. Be honest about every ticket. Lying about your history will not help — insurers verify everything through the Motor Vehicle Report, and if they discover you lied, they can cancel your policy. Tell the agent you have multiple tickets and ask whether they can cover you before you spend time on a full quote.

Compare not just the premium but the deductible, coverage limits, and any restrictions. A cheaper policy that excludes certain coverage or requires a very high deductible might not be the best deal. Once you find coverage you can afford, ask about discounts: bundling home and auto, paying in full upfront, or setting up automatic payments sometimes lowers the rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an insurance company find out about tickets I do not mention?

Yes. Insurers pull your Motor Vehicle Report before issuing a policy, and they can see every ticket and accident on your record. If you omit a ticket and the insurer discovers it later, they can cancel your policy or deny a claim. Always disclose your full history.

Can I get insurance if I have a suspended license?

Most insurers will not cover you while your license is suspended. Some non-standard insurers may, but coverage is rare. Restore your license first, then shop for insurance. If you need to drive before your suspension ends, check whether your state allows a restricted or hardship license for work or medical reasons.

How long does it take to get a quote with multiple tickets?

Online quotes usually cannot process your application if you have recent tickets, so you will need to call. A phone quote takes 10 to 20 minutes once you have your information ready. Getting approved and receiving your policy documents takes one to three business days with most insurers.

Will my rate go down if I do not get any more tickets?

Yes, but slowly. After one year with no new violations, some insurers will lower your rate slightly. After three to five years, when the oldest ticket ages off your record, you should see a more significant drop. The exact timeline depends on your insurer and state.

Is non-standard insurance worse than standard insurance?

Non-standard insurance is not lower quality — it is just more expensive. The company is licensed and regulated the same way, and they must pay claims. The higher cost reflects the higher risk of the drivers they cover. Once your record improves, you can switch to a standard insurer at a lower rate.