Auto · Originally published December 29, 2014 · Updated November 2026
When an insurance company calls a driver "high-risk," it's describing a set of circumstances on paper, not a person's character. Insurers price policies based on how likely they think a claim is, and certain items on a record make that likelihood look higher. Those items can change, and many of them fade with time.
Here's what insurers are generally looking at when they put a driver in that category.
There's no single official definition of a high-risk driver. Each company sets its own underwriting guidelines, and two companies can look at the same record and reach different conclusions. One carrier might decline to quote, while another may offer a policy at a higher rate.
That's one reason working with an independent agency helps. We can compare how several companies view the same situation instead of relying on one company's answer.
Your motor vehicle record is usually the starting point. Items that tend to carry the most weight include:
If you've had an accident recently, our article on car insurance rates after an accident explains what to expect.
Insurers also look at how consistently you've carried insurance:
Some situations get extra attention even with a clean record:
Some companies also use other rating factors where state law allows. The mix varies from carrier to carrier.
Most of these items don't follow you forever. Many companies focus on the last three to five years of your record, and the effect of a single ticket or accident usually shrinks as it ages. More serious items, like a DWI, may be considered longer. SR-22 requirements have their own timelines set by the state.
The practical takeaway is that a high-risk situation is usually temporary. Keeping continuous coverage and a clean record from here forward is what moves you out of it.
If your record has a few marks on it, call us at 417.865.4800. We'll shop several companies for your situation and explain your options on our high-risk auto insurance page.
Usually not on its own. A single minor ticket may affect your rate, but most companies look for patterns or more serious items before treating a record as high-risk.
No. Each company sets its own guidelines, which is why comparing several carriers can make a real difference.
Or send your details and an agent will call you back. Most auto quotes are finished on one call, and you can buy before you hang up.