If you have a few tickets, an accident, a DUI, or a suspended license on your record, your car insurance options may look a little different than they did before.
The company choices and prices available to you can depend on what is on your record, how recently it happened, and your current situation.
A rough driving record can still leave you with insurance options. A good place to start is by understanding what is on your record, knowing what coverage you need, and finding companies that are comfortable with your driving history.
Step 1: See What’s Actually on Your Driving Record
Before you start shopping, take a look at what is actually showing on your driving record.
Oklahoma drivers can request their own Motor Vehicle Report, or MVR, through Service Oklahoma. The report shows the driver’s record for the past three years.
Look for things such as:
- Speeding tickets
- At-fault accidents
- Reckless driving violations
- DUI-related violations
- License suspensions or revocations
- Multiple violations within a short period
Pay attention to the dates, not just the number of violations.
A ticket from last month can be looked at differently than one from several years ago. The same is true for accidents. Two recent tickets or multiple accidents close together may be viewed differently than one older incident.
Oklahoma also uses a point system for certain traffic convictions. Service Oklahoma explains how violations, points, suspensions, and reinstatement work, including how accumulating 10 points within five years can result in a license suspension and how points may be reduced over time.
Step 2: Figure Out What Coverage You Actually Need
The next step is knowing what kind of policy fits your situation.
If You Own Your Vehicle Outright
You may be able to purchase liability-only coverage.
Oklahoma’s minimum liability requirements are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more people
- $25,000 for property damage
If liability is the coverage you need, you can focus your search on companies that offer that option for your driving history.
If Your Vehicle Is Financed
Your lender may require comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to liability.
In that situation, look for a company that can provide the coverage your lender requires while also working with your driving history.
If You Do Not Own a Vehicle
A non-owner policy may make sense in some situations.
Non-owner insurance is generally designed for someone who needs liability coverage without owning a vehicle.
It is different from a policy written on a car you own, so the right option depends on how you use vehicles and what type of coverage you need.
Step 3: Find Companies That Are Comfortable With Your Driving History
Insurance companies can look at tickets, accidents, and license issues in different ways.
If you have one recent speeding ticket, you may still have several companies to choose from. If your record includes multiple accidents, a DUI, or several violations, you may find that some companies are a better fit than others.
Insurance companies may sometimes refer to drivers in these situations as high-risk drivers.
That usually means the company sees more risk based on factors in the driving history. Coverage may still be available through insurers that work with a wider range of records.
Your options can depend on things like:
- How many violations you have
- What type of violations they are
- How recently they happened
- Whether you have recent at-fault accidents
- Your current license status
- Your previous insurance history
You may also come across the term non-standard auto insurance.
Non-standard insurance is generally designed for drivers who fall outside the requirements of some standard insurance companies. That can include people with multiple tickets, accidents, license issues, or other situations that require a different type of insurer.
For someone with a more complicated driving history, companies that regularly work with these situations may offer additional options.
Step 4: Have the Right Information Ready
Having the right details available gives an insurance company a more complete picture of your situation from the beginning.
Insurance companies may review your driving history as part of the application, so accurate information can help you get a quote that better reflects your actual record.
Try to have the following ready:
- Approximate dates of tickets or violations
- Accident dates
- Current driver’s license status
- Previous insurance information
- Vehicle year, make, and model
- VIN
- Information about other drivers in your household
- Lender information if the vehicle is financed
These details help the company understand your driving history, vehicle, and coverage needs and determine what options may be available.
Step 5: Compare More Than One Company
Different insurance companies can look at the same driving history in different ways, so it helps to check more than one option.
One company may have different requirements than another for:
- Multiple speeding tickets
- Recent at-fault accidents
- Reckless driving violations
- DUI history
- Suspended licenses
- Several violations within a short period
Comparing several companies gives you a better idea of which insurers are comfortable with your driving history and what coverage may be available.
One company’s decision or price may look very different from another company’s offer.
Step 6: Keep Track of Your New Policy
Once you find a policy that works for your situation, take a few minutes to review the important details.
Confirm:
- The policy’s effective date
- The amount needed to start coverage
- Your payment due dates
- Which vehicles are insured
- Which drivers are included on the policy
It also helps to keep your proof of insurance somewhere easy to access, whether that is in an app, online account, or another convenient place.
Knowing these details from the beginning makes it easier to stay organized and understand exactly how your policy is set up.
When More Than One Part of Your Driving History Matters
Sometimes more than one part of your driving history can affect your insurance options.
That might include:
- An accident and a recent coverage lapse
- Multiple tickets and a suspended license
- A DUI and a financed vehicle
- Several accidents within a short period
When that happens, it helps to look at the full situation instead of focusing on just one item.
Your driving record, current license status, previous insurance history, and the type of coverage you need can all play a role in which companies may be a good fit.
A suspended license, for example, may come with its own reinstatement requirements, while a DUI can also affect how an insurance company reviews the driving history. NHTSA’s drunk-driving resource provides current national data on alcohol-impaired driving and the increased crash risk associated with it.
Looking at all of these factors together gives you a clearer picture of your insurance situation and the types of companies that may work with it.
Will Your Insurance Options Improve as Your Record Gets Older?
They can.
A recent accident or ticket may affect your insurance differently after several years have passed.
The type of violation also matters. A minor speeding ticket may be viewed differently from a DUI or reckless driving violation.
That is why the dates and types of violations on your record matter. Your driving history can change over time, and your insurance options can change with it.
Getting Car Insurance With a Bad Driving Record
A bad driving record can change the way you shop for car insurance, while coverage may still be available.
Start by understanding what is on your driving record and what type of coverage you need. From there, look for companies that are comfortable with your history and compare more than one option.
Tickets, accidents, and license issues can all affect the process differently, which is why looking at your full situation gives you a better idea of what may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get car insurance with a bad driving record in Oklahoma?
Yes. Car insurance is still available for drivers with tickets, accidents, DUIs, or other violations. Your driving history can affect the price and which companies are available.
Can an insurance company decline you because of your driving record?
Yes. Each insurance company has its own requirements for driving history. If one company is not a fit, another insurer may offer coverage for the same record.
Can you get liability insurance with multiple tickets or accidents?
Yes. Liability coverage can still be available with multiple tickets or accidents on your record. The number, type, and age of the violations can affect your price and company options.
Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?
Yes. A suspended license can still leave you with car insurance options. The type of policy available depends on your current license status, the reason for the suspension, and the insurance company’s requirements.