Cheap Auto Insurance for a Bad Driving Record in 2026 (Save Big With These 9 Companies!)

The top provider of cheap auto insurance for a bad driving record is State Farm, followed by Progressive and American Family.

For even more options of the cheapest auto insurance companies for bad driving records, take a look at the table below.

Our Top 9 Company Picks: Cheapest Auto Insurance for Bad Driving Records

To help you find savings on your car insurance with a bad driving record, we will go over what the cheapest car insurance companies are for bad drivers, as well as discounts for bad drivers. You can also enter your ZIP code above to compare quotes.

#1 – State Farm: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Affordable rates: On average, State Farm has the most affordable bad driving record insurance rates.
• Large agent network: State Farm has a large agent network, so drivers can get in-person advice on how to save with a bad driving record.
• Various coverage options: State Farm 0ffers a good selection of auto insurance coverages for drivers to choose from.

Cons

• Mixed customer service reviews: State Farm has some negative reviews regarding claims processing, but bear in mind this is typical of most large companies. You can read more about State Farm ratings in our State Farm auto insurance review.
• Limited availability in some regions: State Farm’s discount programs don’t apply in all regions, so additional savings may be limited for some drivers.

#2 – Progressive: Best for Budgeting Tools

Pros

• Budgeting tool: Progressive’s Name Your Price tool allows drivers to see how much coverage they can get on their set budget.
• Usage-based discount: Progressive’s Snapshot usage-based program offers discounts to drivers who drive safely during the tracking period. Learn more about the program in our Progressive Snapshot review.
• Good coverage selection: Progressive has a good selection of auto insurance coverages for drivers to pick from.

Cons

• Mixed customer service reviews: Progressive has mixed reviews regarding customer service. You can read more about Progressive’s customer service ratings in our Progressive auto insurance review.
• Lack of local agents: Progressive doesn’t have many agents from which drivers with bad driving records can get in-person assistance.

#3 – American Family: Best for Bundling Policies

Pros

• Good customer satisfaction ratings: American Family has good customer satisfaction ratings, which you can read more about in our American Family auto insurance review.
• Usage-based discount: American Family’s KnowYourDrive discounts drivers’ policies if they drive safely on the app (read about the program in our American Family KnowYourDrive review).
• Local agent network: American Family has local agents whom drivers with bad driving records can get personalized assistance from.

Cons

• Limited region availability: American Family doesn’t offer auto insurance coverage in every state, as it sells insurance in only about half of the U.S.
• Fewer add-on coverages: American Family doesn’t have as many add-on coverages as other companies, such as roadside assistance.

#4 – Farmers: Best for Add-on Coverages

Pros

• Numerous add-on coverages: Farmers has a number of great add-coverages, such as spare parts coverage, roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, and many more.
• Usage-based discount: Farmers’ Signal app rewards drivers who track safe driving habits with a discount (learn more in our Farmers Signal review).
• Strong financial stability: Our Farmers auto insurance review shows that Farmers has great financial stability ratings and is a well-established auto insurance company.

Cons

• Mixed customer service reviews: Farmers has mixed reviews when it comes to the ease of filing a claim and the claims processing services.
• Limited region availability: Not all Farmers’ services and discounts are available in every region.

#5 – Travelers: Best for Roadside Assistance

Pros

• Add-on coverage options: Travelers has some great add-ons, such as roadside assistance coverage (learn about Travelers’ other coverages in our Travelers auto insurance review).
• Usage-based discount: Travelers’ Intellidrive program will reward drivers with a discount for safe driving habits.
• Strong financial stability: Travelers has great financial ratings and is well-established as one of the top auto insurance companies.

Cons

• Limited availability in some states: Travelers’ discounts and coverages are limited in some regions.
• Varying customer service reviews: Like other companies on our list, Travelers has mixed reviews about customer service for claims and more.

#6 – Geico: Best for Online Convenience

Pros

• Easy to use app: Geico’s mobile app is highly rated, and its website is also user-friendly.
• Various discounts: Geico offers a number of discounts that can help even drivers with bad driving records save on their policies.
• Competitive rates: Geico’s rates are usually competitive with a number of other affordable companies (read more about Geico’s rates in our Geico auto insurance review).

Cons

• Limited local agents: Geico doesn’t offer many local agents, so most drivers won’t get in-person assistance.
• Mixed customer reviews: Geico’s customer service reviews regarding claims are mixed.

#7 – Nationwide: Best for Vanishing Deductibles

Pros

• Usage-based discount: Nationwides’s SmartRide will reward drivers who do well in the program with discounts (read more in our Nationwide SmartRide app review).
• Vanishing deductibles: Nationwide’s vanishing deductible program allows drivers with bad driving records to save if they stay accident and ticket-free in the future.
• Good coverage options: Nationwide offers a good selection of auto insurance coverages for drivers to choose from.

Cons

• Mixed customer service reviews: Nationwide has mixed reviews about its customer service for claims. Learn more about this in our Nationwide auto insurance review.
• Limited availability in some regions: Nationwide’s discount and program availability may be limited in some states.

#8 – Allstate: Best for Customizable Policies

Pros

• Multiple coverage options: Allstate’s coverage options make it easy for drivers to customize a policy to meet their needs. Read more in our Allstate auto insurance review.
• Usage-based discount: Allstate’s Drivewise program rewards drivers with a discount for demonstrating safe driving skills (learn more: Allstate Drivewise Review).
• Strong financial stability: Allstate is one of the largest auto insurance companies on the market and has strong financial stability.

Cons

• Mixed customer service reviews: Like other companies, Allstate has mixed customer service reviews regarding claims.
• Few local agents: Drivers with bad driving records will find it hard to get in-person assistance with their policies.

#9 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Usage Discount

Pros

• Usage-based discount: Liberty Mutual’s RightTrack program is a great way for drivers with bad driving records to earn a discount. Learn more in our Liberty Mutual RightTrack review.
• Multiple coverage options: Liberty Mutual offers a great selection of auto insurance coverages to drivers.
• User-friendly app: Liberty Mutual’s apps have good ratings, and its website is easily navigated.

Cons

• Mixed customer service reviews: Liberty Mutual’s customer service reviews for claims are mixed (read more: Liberty Mutual auto insurance review).
• Discount availability: Liberty Mutual’s discount amounts and availability vary by state.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for Bad Drivers 

Some of the more affordable car insurance companies for bad drivers are companies like State Farm and Progressive, although there may be cheaper companies depending on your driving offense.

Any moving violation will raise your auto insurance rates. Some examples are speeding, failure to yield, and reckless driving tickets. DUIs and accidents will also raise your rates. 

Some companies may charge more for a DUI than an at-fault accident, so comparing rates based on your driving offense is important. 

How a Bad Driving Record Affects Drivers’ Rates

A bad driving record is an indicator to insurance companies that you are more likely to participate in poor driving behaviors in the future, which could lead to crashes. And since your insurance company will pay out the claim, your company will raise your auto insurance rates to offset future predicted costs. 

However, another factor affecting how much you pay is your state’s average rates and how long offenses stay on your record.

Average rates for major driving offenses vary by state. You may be charged hundreds of dollars more after an accident in some states compared to cheaper states. 

How to Buy Car Insurance When You Have a Bad Driving Record 

If you have a bad driving record, shopping around for auto insurance quotes at our top companies will help you see if you can find a cheaper rate elsewhere.

You can also take advantage of discounts at the top companies for bad driving records. 

Bad Driving Records Auto Insurance Discounts Comparison by Provider

As well, if you have an especially bad driving record and are required by your state to have an SR-22 certificate that proves you have insurance as a high-risk driver, it may be harder to find an auto insurance company willing to insure you. If this is the case, you may have to purchase auto insurance through your state.

Because guaranteed auto insurance through your state is more expensive, this should be a last resort for high-risk drivers. You should exhaust all other car insurance companies before applying through your state.  

The Final Word on Bad Driving Record Car Insurance 

Because bad driving records raise your rates, the best thing you can do is look into the cheapest companies for your particular driving record. Just because a company is cheap for at-fault accidents doesn’t mean it will be cheap for DUIs or traffic tickets. 

To get started on finding cheaper car insurance for bad driving records today, use our free quote comparison tool. It will help you find cheap insurance for bad driving records.