What You Should Know

• There are no car insurance companies that don’t ask for criminal convictions
• But most major providers still insure criminals and felons
• Your car insurance rates are typically only impacted by your crime if it was related to driving

Technically, there are no car insurance companies that don’t ask for criminal convictions related to your driving record.

But as long as your crime isn’t associated with driving, then many affordable car insurance companies that do ask for criminal convictions will still sell you a policy at the regular rate.

Below, learn how to get cheap car insurance even with a criminal conviction on your record.

After learning about car insurance quotes from companies that don't ask for criminal convictions, remember to enter your ZIP code into our free tool above to compare rates from the best providers near you.

What are the best car insurance companies that don’t ask for criminal convictions?

Many drivers wonder, do car insurance companies check criminal records when calculating your rates?

Technically, all insurance providers check your driving record during the underwriting process, which includes details about driving-related criminal convictions.

However, most companies do not run actual criminal background checks.

So, if your crime was not connected to driving, you could still request car insurance quotes from companies that do ask for criminal convictions and secure traditional coverage.

So rather than looking for a car insurance company that doesn’t ask for criminal convictions, look for a provider that doesn’t increase rates as substantially as others based on whatever crime you committed.

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.

Plus, State Farm does not increase your rates after a DUI or speeding citation as substantially as places like Travelers Car Insurance Company.

For military customers with criminal records, we recommend USAA Car Insurance Company.

USAA offers some of the lowest available rates even after committing a single traffic-related crime. However, it’s only available to military personnel.

Progressive Car Insurance Company and Allstate Car Insurance Company are great options for drivers with criminal convictions, as both companies offer accident forgiveness programs.

However, Progressive and Allstate rates may not be as cheap as other available options depending on where you live.

How does a criminal record affect car insurance?

Now that you know there are no affordable car insurance companies that don't ask for criminal convictions, you must understand how different crimes affect car insurance costs.

Technically, car insurance for criminal convictions only increases if your crime is related to driving.

However, if your crime led to an insurance coverage lapse, that will also cause your rates to increase. Similarly, if your credit score drops, that also leads to a rate hike in some states.

Driving related felonies include:

• Vehicular homicide or manslaughter
• Multiple DUIs
• Repeat hit and run offenses
• Repeat reckless driving offenses
• Some insurance fraud

So if you were convicted of tax evasion, petty theft, or assault, you likely could still buy car insurance from companies that do ask for criminal convictions at the standard rate.

But if you were convicted of multiple DUIs or street racing, then you might be denied coverage from a car insurance company that does ask for criminal convictions.

Compare how different traffic violations affect annual car insurance rates in the list below:

• Clean record: $2,579.26
• With one speeding violation: $3,272.95
• With one at-fault accident: $3,721.56
• With one DUI: $5,184.72

How long does it take for a criminal offense to get removed from your driving record? Civil infractions remain for ten years, whereas misdemeanors last forever.

But speeding tickets and at-fault accidents usually remain on your insurance record for only three to five years. DUIs, however, affect your rates for ten years.

Car insurance companies can see your driving record by running your motor vehicle report (MVR).

You can see your driving record as well by contacting your local department of motor vehicles or the Secretary of State.

You may want to know, do I have to declare spent convictions to insurance companies?

When it comes to criminal convictions and car insurance, you don’t disclose spent convictions. However, this only applies to UK drivers.

In America, according to the legal experts at NOLO, expungement laws in some states help clear the crime from your record, so you no longer need to report it on your insurance application.

How can I save on car insurance with a criminal record?

To save money on car insurance with a criminal conviction on your record, start by shopping around and comparing rates from different providers online.

Consider reducing your coverage levels or even increasing your deductibles for lower monthly costs.

You can also buy a different car that costs less to insure.

Finally, sign up for a defensive driver course, enroll in an accident forgiveness program, and see what car insurance discounts you might earn.

If you struggle to secure traditional coverage, it’s likely because of your risk level. You may need to invest in high-risk or SR-22 car insurance.

Car Insurance Companies That Don’t Ask For Criminal Convictions: The Bottom Line

You can’t buy car insurance from companies that don't ask for criminal convictions because virtually every provider checks your driving record and background during the underwriting process.

If your crime is unrelated to driving, you can still compare car insurance rates from companies that do ask for criminal convictions and secure traditional coverage at the standard cost.

But if your crime was connected to reckless driving, street racing, or a traffic fatality, then you may need to invest in high-risk car insurance.

Now that you’ve compared car insurance rates from companies that don't ask for criminal convictions, compare quotes from the best providers near you by entering your ZIP code into our free tool below.

References:

1. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/expungement-of-criminal-records-basics-32641.html