Why Are Some Drivers Considered High Risk?

What makes a driver high risk to insure?

If you are looking for the right auto insurance in the state of Florida and have been denied by multiple auto insurers, it’s likely because you are considered a high risk driver.  If this is the case, then you will need to secure Florida high risk auto insurance to get the coverage that you need.  But what exactly makes you high risk and is there anything that you can do to change this status?  Here’s what you need to know.

Reasons Why You are Considered High Risk

You will be considered a high risk driver if any of the following is true:

• You’ve been charged with a DUI– If you’ve been caught driving while under the influence, then auto insurers will immediately consider you a reckless driver that is risky to insure. Following a DUI, you will need to secure specialty forms of auto coverage (FR44 and SR22) to address your higher risk.
• You have more than six points on your record within the last three years– Traffic violations and at-fault accidents translate into points on your driving record. If you rack up several violations in a short amount of time (three years), then insurers flag you as a risky driver.
• You’ve been involved in a serious or injury-causing auto accident- If you have been in a major car accident that resulted in injuries or even death, then insurers will automatically consider you high-risk.
• You are uninsured/have lapses in your auto coverage– Most auto insurers will not offer coverage to drivers who have no prior insurance history or who have a history of lapses in their auto coverage. Having gaps in your auto insurance can be as serious as a history or traffic violations.

Reducing Your Risk

Depending on the reason why you are considered high risk, there are steps that you can take to lower your risk.  If you have been charged with a DUI, then following your state’s guidelines for alcohol education, increased insurance minimums, and reinstating your license will help to reduce your risk over time.  If you are high risk due to a history of traffic violations or a serious accident, then you should focus on keeping your driving record clean.  After you have demonstrated your ability to drive safely for an extended period of time, your risk will decrease.  Finally, if you are considered high risk due to lapses in auto coverage, you will need to maintain continuous coverage for several years.  After a while, insurers will start to view you as a driver of average risk.

These are some of the reasons why insurers consider you high risk and what you can do to reduce this risk.  If you are considered a risky driver, then make sure you have the right Florida high risk auto insurance in place.  For assistance with all your specialty car insurance needs, contact the experts at Staybull Insurance today.