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High-risk car insurance
If you're considered a high-risk driver, you'll need to pass an insurer's acceptance criteria to get cover. If you're eligible for insurance, your premiums are likely to be more expensive.
An insurer will decide whether to offer you car insurance based on many risk factors, one of which is your driving history.
Finder research found only 2 providers that stated they may provide cover for those with a suspended licence.
Finder research found 11 providers that states they may provide cover those with an at-fault accident claim
Can I get car insurance if I'm a high-risk driver?
Yes, it is possible. Finder ran a series of car insurance quotes with 11 insurers, stating "Yes" to each of the following:
Have been in an accident. All 11 providers indicated they could offer insurance
Have had a licence suspended. 2 providers indicated they could offer insurance; 9 refused to offer cover
However, there's no guarantee you'll be able to get insurance if you're considered a high-risk driver. A provider will evaluate your driving history and risk profile before deciding whether to accept you.
Even if you are accepted, your premiums are likely to be higher. That's because an insurer thinks you're more likely to make a claim, based on the information they've gathered about you.
How can I increase the chance of getting cover?
You could book on to a safe driving course through your insurer. Some providers, such as AAMI, offer a discount on your insurance if you complete the course.
A good starting point is to speak with your current insurer. If they won't help, you could try the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) or a local insurance broker to see if they can identify any specialist providers.
Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do if you're considered a high-risk driver except wait. Traffic violations, such as speeding and dangerous driving, typically remain on your driving record for at least 3 years – this differs between states. After this time passes, it should be a little easier for you to get cover.
Finder survey: How many people have accrued demerit points for a driving offence?
Response
Male
Female
Yes
56.25%
45.59%
No
41.67%
53.26%
I have never driven before
2.08%
1.15%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1006 Australians, December 2023
Compare car insurance for high-risk drivers
Each insurance brand will have assessment criteria for applicants. It is crucial that you disclose all the details that may impact whether cover may be provided to your insurance brand.
Car insurance for drivers with a licence suspension
Finder sourced a quote from 11 car insurers in Australia. We answered "yes" when asked if the driver's licence has been "cancelled, suspended or restricted" due to any driving offence(s). Of the 11, we were only able to return quotes for 3 providers.
Whether you'll actually be able to get cover depends on your individual circumstances and your risk profile, which is determined by an insurer.
To source these quotes, we used the following driver profile:
40-year-old male driver based in Sydney, NSW
Driver of a 2022 Ford Fiesta 5D Hatchback
Drives up to 15,000kms per year
Policy excess of $800
Policy start date: July 21, 2023
Excludes drivers under 25
Car is insured for market value
5+ years licensed
Has had license suspended in last 3 years
Has incurred 1 or more demerit points in the last 3 years
Car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident claim
We ran 11 further quotes* and chose "yes" when asked about a past accident claim and selected "at fault". Usually, insurers asked about offences in the last 3 or 5 years.
Again, whether you'll actually be able to get cover depends on your individual circumstances and your risk profile, which is determined by an insurer.
To source these quotes, we used the following driver profile:
40-year-old male driver based in Sydney, NSW
Driver of a 2022 Ford Fiesta 5D Hatchback
Drives up to 15,000kms per year
Policy excess of $850 (or as close as possible)
Policy start date: July 21, 2023
Excludes drivers under 25
Car is insured for market value
5+ years licensed
Has had an at fault accident claim within the last 3 years
I had my license suspended at 18. It was only low range speeding, but NSW has a no tolerance rule for p platers. I had to take public transport for a few months, which was rough. I also had to cop higher car insurance premiums for like 10 years, as I was considered a high risk driver. I also had way fewer options, as a lot of companies wouldn't cover me at all. The only way I was able to save money was going with TPP rather than comprehensive cover.
If I'm accepted for cover, how can I lower my premiums?
Should you find one or more insurers who'll offer you cover, there are a number of ways you could lower the cost of your insurance. For example, you could do the following:
Lower your mileage, if possible. Driving less kilometres can help insurers see you as someone less likely to be in an accident. However, you must be honest about this; if you can't commit to driving less, don't do it.
Park in a garage. Some insurers offer lower prices to people who park cars off the street, preferably inside a locked garage or under a carport.
Restrict who can drive your car. Excluding young drivers, such as those under 25, and naming who else will drive your vehicle are both ways you could reduce costs.
Pay premiums annually. If possible, paying premiums annually can be cheaper than paying monthly or fortnightly.
Get quotes for both agreed and market value. Insuring your car for market value used to be a good way to lower your premium but as the second hand car market booms, this isn't always the case anymore. Depending on your car, it may be cheaper to insure for an agreed value. Getting a quote for each and weighing up the pros and cons is a good way to know your options and reduce costs.
Shop around and buy online. Significant discounts may be available for signing up online.
Insurance after suspended licence in Australia
So long as your policy doesn't have an exclusionary clause for driver's licence suspensions, you can probably still be covered. However, it's essential that you get in touch with your insurer and let them know your licence has been suspended.
Most insurers won't cover you unless you let them know within 60 days that you or a household member has had their licence suspended. Give your insurer a call for more details on this.
It is often the case that insurers will deem you a high-risk driver after a suspension. Some may refuse to renew your policy. If this is the case, an insurer must let you know within 30 days of your policy's expiry date.
Remember, insurers treat high-risk drivers in different ways. Some companies will have harsher restrictions and set higher premiums than others. So, comparing car insurance quotes before buying is important.
You pay the same as buying directly from the car insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it's possible to get car insurance with an accident history. Our research indicates that there are 11 providers who may provide cover to drivers with a prior at-fault accident claim. Your ability to get cover is not guaranteed, it will depend on your personal circumstances and can vary between insurers. Compare a range of providers to find the most suitable deal for your needs.
A range of factors can increase your risk level from an insurer's point of view. Among these are your age, gender and driving experience. For example, your risk level is higher if you are a learner driver or a P-plater. How often and how far you drive is also taken into account by an insurer when fixing your premium.
Furthermore, your risk level will go up in the following situations:
You have a history of speeding, drink driving or other offences.
You have made car insurance claims in the past, especially those you were at fault for.
You drive a high-powered car or have made modifications to your vehicle.
An insurance provider will weigh these (and other) factors before deciding whether to accept you for cover and how much to charge you.
According to Finder's research, the following insurance companies may cover high-risk drivers:
People with a licence suspension:
Australia Post
QBE
Kogan
People who have previously had an at-fault accident:
Koba
Budget Direct
Australian Seniors
Qantas Insurance
Everyday
Real Insurance
Huddle
ahm
Australia Post
Coles
QBE
There is no guarantee you'll be able to get cover. Your personal circumstances will be taken into consideration when an insurer determines if they will provide you cover.
It depends on your insurer's policy terms and the severity of your driving offence or offences. It's important to speak with your insurer if your licence has been suspended or revoked.
Possibly, but the process may be harder. If you're looking for car insurance with a suspended licence, you may have a couple of options depending on your circumstances.
Short-term suspended licence. You'll need to have proof that your licence suspension is only for a short time to show that you're doing it in preparation for getting back on the road. After you get your licence back, you'll need to provide proof to your insurer.
Long-term suspended licence. Ordinarily, you will need to buy a policy with another person named as the primary driver. For example, if you are buying a policy for your child but have a suspended licence. You can't personally be listed on the policy until your licence is reinstated.
You could ask an insurer for more information on why you were turned down for cover. Another option is to speak with a specialist car insurance broker for more tailored help with finding cover.
The rules on getting your licence back after disqualification vary between states. Find out more information based on your state or territory:
Keep in mind, generally, your licence isn't reissued to you automatically even after a disqualification period ends. There are a few things you need to do.
Depending on your conviction, you might need to provide written evidence outlining why you need a driver's licence and you may even need to do a driving test.
If your licence is approved after the disqualification period ends, you need to pay a licence-processing fee. Other requirements often include the following:
An approval letter from your state's Registration Branch driving assessment
A copy of your driving record and proof of identity
Get and fill out an application to remove the disqualification
In some cases, you may need to go to court in order to apply to get your licence back.
According to Law Access NSW, most convictions are spent after 10 crime free years, less if the conviction occurred before you were an adult. After this time, the conviction will no longer appear on your record.
This article was reviewed by Tim Bennett. Tim is a senior insurance publisher at Finder and he's written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 10 years.
James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
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