A driver is considered high risk if he or she has a bad driving record. And it is very difficult for high risk drivers to get auto insurance itself, let alone cheap auto insurance. Even if you end up getting a policy, you might not be able to get good rates on your policy.
Driving record or driving history
A driving record is something that is maintained by the department of motor vehicles or DMV of every state. It is a record of every traffic infraction that you have ever committed, right from a speeding ticket to a parking ticket to major infractions like driving under the influence. This record is accessible by any insurance company to which you apply for a policy. Hence it is very crucial that you maintain an untarnished driving record. You cannot afford to have more than a few minor violations. The more violations you have, the tougher it gets to own a cheap insurance policy. And it would be even worse if you have major violations like a DUI. This can result in you being denied a policy altogether. This is when you are considered a high risk driver.
Avoid being labeled as a high risk driver
In order to avoid being called a high risk driver, you need to be careful about driving in the first place. Follow all traffic rules and make sure you are cordial with the police officers. If you are ever pulled over for a traffic ticket, under some circumstances you can be let off with just a warning. It all depends on your behavior and unfortunately, the police officer’s state of mind.
Now, let us consider the situation where you are already labeled a high risk driver. If you are labeled a high risk driver, it is going to be an uphill task to get a good offer.
The first thing you have to do is look for good insurance quotes online. There are a lot of companies that specialize in high risk auto insurance. Look for such establishments which will be willing to cut you a good offer. Try getting at least 5 to 10 different quotes before you ask for an appointment. You will save a significant amount of money by making time for this.
It is also good to talk to people in the business or your friends or family who might have experience in such cases. They can help you understand which companies will be reliable and will support you in getting a cheap insurance policy.
You also need to convince the insurance company that you are serious about driving safe in the future. Show them proof that you are no longer an unsafe driver. This is a very important step in procuring cheap high risk car insurance. You need to put an argument in such a way that they are genuinely convinced about your intentions.
Try enrolling yourself in a defensive driving course. This is not a beginner’s course; it is for people who need to perfect their skills. It helps drivers to predict an outcome without even taking an action. It is very much recommended for teenagers and high risk drivers. In fact alcoholics who have been caught more than three times have to get enrolled in such a class in order to get their license back.
