Can You Get Insurance with a Suspended License?

A suspended driver’s license can complicate many aspects of car ownership — including finding affordable insurance. While you might not want to pay for insurance while you’re unable to drive, maintaining even a low level of coverage can help to minimize the long-term impact of a license suspension on your car ownership costs. An SR-22, FR-44 or other documentation may be required to obtain auto coverage during a license suspension. 

My license is suspended. Can I still get insurance?

It’s possible to get auto insurance with a suspended license, but the process may be more complicated. Typically, car insurance companies won’t issue a policy to someone who doesn’t have a driver’s license, but a temporary suspension is a different matter. In order to get car insurance for a suspended license, you’ll need additional documentation, and you should be prepared to pay a higher rate. 

Understand your insurance requirements

The most common insurance requirements that a suspended driver must comply with are similar in most states. Some examples of these requirements include:

• SR-22 requirements: An SR-22, often referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility, is not itself an insurance policy. It is a form that is typically filed with your state by your insurance company indicating that you are complying with the state’s minimum auto liability insurance requirements. If your license is suspended, you may need to file an SR-22. Not all carriers offer SR-22 filing, so you may need to switch to a carrier that provides this service.
• FR-44 requirements: Similar to an SR-22, an FR-44 form is required in only some states to demonstrate that you have secured and carry auto insurance with higher liability limits than those required by the state. An FR-44 may be required with suspensions involving alcohol or drugs and typically has much greater minimum liability requirements.

Seek non-standard providers

If your license is suspended, and you’ve received a hardship license or other restricted license that permits limited driving, you’ll need to look for a non-standard car insurance policy. This type of insurance may offer more limited coverage, but at higher rates to account for the high risk you carry as a driver with a restricted license. 

Some non-standard auto insurers are familiar names, such as Geico — which earned a 2025 Bankrate Award as the Best Auto Insurance Company for High-Risk Drivers. Unlike many other top-rated car insurance companies, Geico offers SR-22 filing and is typically willing to work with drivers whose records show serious violations or suspensions. Other big-name providers, such as Progressive, may also offer non-standard insurance options. 

However, you may find that your options are limited among larger carriers that prioritize attracting drivers with clean records. If you’ve been denied coverage by one or more insurance companies, you may need to focus your search on carriers that specialize in non-standard insurance, such as: 

• Bristol West: Available in 43 states, Bristol West offers high-risk car insurance with limited endorsements.
• Dairyland: This carrier offers non-standard auto insurance coverage in most states, along with standard coverage and motorcycle insurance in certain areas.
• Direct Auto: Part of the Allstate family, Direct Auto provides non-standard car insurance along with life insurance solutions.
• The General: The General’s high-risk auto insurance policies come with the option to set up a flexible payment plan.

Will a license suspension increase my car insurance rates?

Car insurance companies calculate a driver’s rates based on the likelihood that the driver will file a claim. Many of the reasons for license suspension may classify you as a high-risk driver and increase your rates accordingly. The table below compares the average insurance costs associated with certain driving violations that could lead to a license suspension, as well as the increase that typically follows a lapse in insurance coverage. 

How much and for how long a license suspension impacts your insurance may depend on a few different factors, including the reason your license was suspended in the first place, the carrier you choose, and your personal rating factors. For example, you will likely see a more significant rate increase for a suspension following multiple DUI convictions compared to a suspension due to medical reasons.

How to get cheap car insurance with a suspended license

Obtaining cheap auto coverage with a suspended license may require more research and effort, but many general cost-saving strategies still apply. You’ll likely want to start by comparing quotes from multiple companies to see which might give you the lowest rates for your circumstances.

• Improve your credit score: Most states allow car insurance companies to consider your credit history when determining rates. Improving your credit score by paying bills on time and keeping your credit utilization ratio low may help you get lower rates.
• Maintain a clean driving record: Even if you have a few marks on your driving record, practicing safe habits and avoiding tickets and accidents may help you find low rates moving forward. Most insurance companies only consider speeding tickets and accidents for three to five years when determining rates.
• Look for discounts: As your circumstances change, you may be eligible for more car insurance discounts. If you’re exploring new carriers after a license suspension, you may also want to look for potential discounts from each company. Some common options include bundling discounts, paid-in-full discounts, defensive driving course savings and professional affiliation discounts.
• Explore a telematics program: Telematics programs track your driving in real time and adjust your premium based on demonstrated driving habits. Enrolling in a telematics program may encourage you to practice safer driving and could save you money, although they can also carry complications when it comes to privacy. Note that some companies may increase your rates if you demonstrate unsafe driving practices.
• Adjust your coverage selections: Reducing your car insurance coverage types and limits will likely reduce your premium. If your license is suspended and nobody is driving your vehicle, you could consider maintaining just comprehensive coverage while your car is in storage.
• Adjust your deductibles: If you are still having difficulty affording car insurance, you could consider raising your deductibles, which would likely decrease your premium. However, most insurance experts recommend keeping your deductibles at a rate low enough that you could comfortably pay them out of pocket.

Frequently asked questions

• Do all carriers write policies for drivers with suspended licenses?
  

  Not all car insurance companies will allow you to get car insurance with a suspended license. That’s because each insurance company targets different types of drivers based on their business models. While some insurers welcome the business of high-risk drivers, others prefer to focus on attracting customers with clean driving records in order to minimize losses.

• Will my car insurance rates still be high after my license is reinstated?
  

  After any driving violation, you can expect your insurance rates to remain high until the surcharge for that violation ages off of your record. In most cases, this happens between three and five years after a violation, although the exact timeline can vary depending on your state and insurer. If your suspension period is less than the period of time the violation stays on your record, your car insurance rates will likely stay high even after your license is reinstated.

• How can I get my license reinstated?
  

  The process for reinstating a suspended license varies from state to state and may also depend on the reason for your license’s suspension. Some infractions, such as nonpayment of tickets, might allow you to regain your driving privileges simply by paying a fee. Others, like a DUI or reckless driving charge, might come with a mandatory waiting period before you can get your license back. Consult your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) for exact instructions on reinstating your driver’s license.

• Can my license be suspended if I don’t have car insurance?
  

  Yes, it’s possible to have your driver’s license suspended for driving without insurance in some states. For example, California, New York and Florida all permit license suspension as a potential penalty for driving without insurance.

• Do I need car insurance while my license is suspended?
  

  While you may not need to maintain car insurance while your license is suspended, it’s often a good idea to keep a minimum level of coverage in order to avoid an insurance lapse. If you let your coverage lapse during your suspension period, you could see higher rates when you try to get insurance after the suspension due to the compounded factors of the coverage lapse and the offense that led to your license suspension. You may also want to maintain comprehensive coverage to financially protect against perils like theft, vandalism and weather damage that can occur even if you’re not driving. Working with an independent agent or non-standard insurance carrier to find the most affordable minimum coverage can help to minimize the impact of your suspension on your insurance profile.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze March 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.