Is car insurance higher for felons?

Asked by: Miss Verlie Hickle  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 5/5 (52 votes)

Yes, car insurance rates are often higher for people with felony convictions, especially if the crime is driving-related (like a DUI, hit-and-run, or fraud) as it signals higher risk, but even non-driving felonies can impact rates due to perceived overall risk, though some insurers specialize in covering high-risk drivers. The specific impact depends on the type, severity, and age of the conviction, and insurers assess these factors along with your general driving record.

Does a felony affect auto insurance?

Felony and car insurance FAQs:

Yes — a felony can raise your car insurance rates, especially if it's driving-related, since insurers see it as higher risk. Felonies usually stay on your record permanently, but in some states you may qualify for expungement or record sealing.

What benefits can felons get?

While felony convictions create barriers, released individuals can still access crucial benefits like Social Security (SSI/SSDI), VA benefits, housing assistance, food support, job training, and reentry programs for housing, clothing, and mental health, often needing help applying before release for smoother transitions, especially for those with disabilities or veteran status. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, work history, disability, and state programs, emphasizing pre-release planning for essential needs. 

What disqualifies you from car insurance?

There are some common reasons for an insurer to deny car insurance, such as: Fraud, such as someone who puts false information on an application or submits a fraudulent accident claim. Arrest for a driving under the influence. New driver applying for insurance on his/her own.

Does State Farm insure felons?

One of our top recommended providers for drivers with criminal convictions is State Farm Car Insurance Company. Technically, State Farm does check your criminal background. However, the provider is available in all 50 states and usually offers competitive quotes in most states.

Can "automobile insurance fraud" land me in jail?

15 related questions found

Is Allstate felony friendly?

Allstate typically does a 4 to 7 year background check. Any type of felonies will not be accepted.

Who is cheaper, Geico or State Farm?

Generally, Geico is cheaper than State Farm for most drivers, especially those with clean records, offering lower average premiums for full and minimum coverage. However, for high-risk drivers with accidents or DUIs, State Farm can sometimes be more affordable, while Geico excels in discounts, especially military ones, and its telematics program (Drive Easy) can lower rates but might increase them for bad driving, unlike State Farm's (Drive Safe and Save). 

What makes a person uninsurable for car insurance?

You have a poor driving record – A history of collisions, traffic violations or DUI/DWI convictions make it difficult—and extremely expensive—to get insurance.

What is the 80% rule in insurance?

The "80% insurance rule" in homeowners' policies requires you to insure your home for at least 80% of its total replacement cost to avoid coinsurance penalties and receive full coverage for partial losses; if underinsured (below 80%), the insurer reduces payouts proportionally, making you responsible for more of the cost, a concept also applied to some flood insurance policies. 

What car insurance does not check your credit score?

While major insurers including State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive use credit scores to determine rates, regional insurers CURE Auto Insurance (available in NJ, PA, MI) and Dillo Insurance (available in TX), do not. However, if you live in CA, HI, MA, or MI, laws prevent insurers from using credit to determine rates.

Is being a felon considered a disability?

Any physical or mental impairment which arises or is aggravated (but only to the extent of the aggravation) in connection with the commission of an offense after October 19, 1980, which constitutes a felony under applicable law, and for which the individual is subsequently convicted, shall not be considered in ...

How much is $20 worth in jail?

With $20 per month, the prisoner could at least purchase soap, quality toothpaste (and a quality toothbrush), and batteries for their radio. Even a single check for $15 could allow a prisoner to purchase a few comforts which would traditionally be outside of their reach.

What jobs can felons not get?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist. 

What do car insurance companies look at in your records?

Insurance companies look closely at your driving record to help determine your auto insurance rates. They consider things like how often you receive traffic violations, how serious those violations were and whether or not you've been in any accidents or filed claims.

What does $100 k /$ 300k /$ 100k mean?

"100k/300k/100k" refers to standard split limits for car insurance liability coverage: $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 bodily injury per accident, and $100,000 property damage per accident, protecting you if you're at fault for causing injury or damage to others in a car crash, covering medical bills and property repair costs up to those limits. 

How much is a $500,000 life insurance policy for a 50 year old man?

A $500,000 life insurance policy for a 50-year-old man varies significantly by policy type, but expect roughly $100-$200+ monthly for term life (depending on term length) and $500-$1,000+ monthly for whole life, with health, smoking status, and policy duration being major factors. For example, a 20-year term might be around $128/month, while whole life could start at $543/month or more. 

What does $9.95 a month get you with Colonial Penn?

For $9.95 a month, Colonial Penn's "995 Plan" buys you one "unit" of Guaranteed Acceptance Whole Life insurance, with the actual death benefit amount varying significantly by your age and gender (less coverage for older ages). This plan is for ages 50-85, requires no medical exam, but has a 2-year waiting period for natural causes, only paying back premiums plus 10% if death occurs in that time, though accidental death pays full benefits. 

Do people over 80 pay more for car insurance?

While most drivers in their 80s are more experienced than anyone else on the road, the effects of age can impact our reflexes and reaction times. That may explain why the cost of auto insurance for seniors over 80 typically increases.

What to do when no one will insure you?

If nobody will insure you, first find out why (bad record, location, etc.) and then seek specialized high-risk insurers, state-backed options (like assigned risk pools or FAIR Plans), or independent agents who work with multiple carriers, focusing on fixing issues like credit or driving habits to lower risk for standard coverage later. 

How many accidents before uninsurable?

There's no universal number, but two to three claims within a three-year period often triggers non-renewal, though insurers look at fault, severity, location, and claim amounts; a single serious incident like a DUI can get you dropped immediately. Insurers track claims via reports like CLUE, and while one claim might raise rates, multiple claims signal higher risk, leading them to cancel or refuse renewal, especially for at-fault accidents. 

Why would you be refused insurance?

Why might you have a problem getting insurance. Insurers decide the terms and conditions on which to offer insurance cover or whether to offer cover at all. You may have a problem getting insurance if you have a complex medical history, are elderly or have criminal convictions.

Is $300 a month for car insurance bad?

Yes, $300/month is generally considered expensive for car insurance, as the national average for full coverage is often around $160-$200, though it can vary significantly by location, driver age, vehicle type, driving record, and credit score, with high-risk drivers or those in expensive states potentially paying that much or more. Factors like a recent ticket, a new car, or living in an area with high theft/accident rates can push costs up, but for many, $300 is well above average. 

Who is #1 in auto insurance?

State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the U.S., with nearly $68 billion in direct premiums written in 2024 and a 18.87% market share.