Non-Standard Auto Insurance Explained
Non-standard auto insurance is coverage designed for drivers who cannot obtain standard policies due to driving violations, at-fault accidents, license points, lapses in coverage, or other factors that insurers consider higher risk.
Free to compare
What Is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
Non-standard auto insurance provides the same core coverage types as standard policies—liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist protection—but is issued by insurers who specialize in accepting drivers with imperfect records. The coverage itself functions identically: if you rear-end another vehicle, your liability coverage pays their damages up to your policy limits regardless of whether you hold a standard or non-standard policy. The difference lies in underwriting criteria and premium pricing, not in what the policy actually covers when you file a claim. You can choose the same coverage limits and deductibles available to standard-risk drivers, though your premium will reflect your driving history.
Who Needs Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
You need non-standard auto insurance if standard carriers have declined to renew your policy, refused to quote you, or quoted rates so high that non-standard specialists offer better pricing. This is the practical solution if you've accumulated points from multiple violations, caused an at-fault accident, or received a major moving violation like reckless driving—situations where standard insurers exit but you still need legal coverage to drive. It's also necessary if you have a coverage lapse in your history combined with violations, as this combination typically disqualifies you from standard tiers even if your points are relatively low.
Request quotes from both standard and non-standard insurers after any violation to compare actual pricing—your current carrier's increase may exceed what a non-standard specialist charges, or vice versa. The moment your driving record improves or points expire, immediately re-quote with standard carriers to move out of the non-standard tier as quickly as possible—non-standard insurance is a temporary solution during the 3-5 years violations affect your rates, not a permanent classification.
How Much Does Non-Standard Auto Insurance Cost?
- Type of violation—at-fault accidents and reckless driving citations increase rates more than speeding tickets, even if they carry the same point value.
- Time since most recent violation—rates begin to improve after 12 months of clean driving, with more significant drops after 3 years when many violations fall off.
- Coverage level selected—liability-only non-standard policies cost significantly less than full coverage, and many drivers in this tier choose state minimums to reduce premiums.
- State of residence—some states prohibit certain rating factors or mandate how long violations can affect rates, creating wide variation in non-standard pricing.
- Insurance history—a lapse in coverage prior to the violation compounds the rate increase, as insurers view coverage gaps as a separate risk factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to keep non-standard auto insurance?
You remain in non-standard insurance until your driving record improves enough for standard carriers to accept you again, typically 3-5 years after your most recent violation. Points fall off your record based on your state's rules—often 3 years for minor violations and up to 5 years for major ones—and you should re-shop with standard insurers every 6-12 months as violations age to move back to lower-cost standard rates as soon as possible.
Does non-standard insurance cover the same things as regular insurance?
Yes, non-standard auto insurance provides identical coverage types—liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist—with the same policy limits and deductibles available in standard policies. The difference is in underwriting criteria and premium pricing, not in what the policy covers when you file a claim. If you cause an accident with a non-standard policy, your liability coverage responds exactly as it would under a standard policy.
Will non-standard insurance remove points from my license?
No, purchasing non-standard insurance does not remove points, erase tickets, or alter your driving record in any way. Points are administered by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and fall off your record based on state timelines, typically 3-5 years depending on the violation type. Some states allow defensive driving courses to remove points early, which can then improve your insurance quotes, but the insurance policy itself has no effect on your license points.
Related Coverage Types
