CarInsurance.com Insights
- Progressive is the cheapest carrier after a DWI in Texas at $3,680 per year after a first offense — a 19% increase from its $3,105 clean-record rate. Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) charges $8,732 for the same driver and violation, a 157% increase.
- USAA adds the smallest dollar increase after a speeding ticket in Texas at $279 more per year (+13%), but it is available only to military members, veterans and their families. Among widely available carriers, Progressive is the cheapest post-ticket option at $4,209/yr.
- State Farm has the lowest at-fault accident surcharge of any carrier in Texas — adding only $418 per year (+17%) after a first at-fault accident. Farmers adds $10,590 for the same violation (+173%), a gap of more than $13,800 per year.
- Five carriers — State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Auto Club Enterprises and USAA — charge identical rates for reckless driving and a first DWI. For drivers with a reckless driving conviction, this means the same carrier guidance applies as after a DWI.
- A DWI conviction stays on your Texas driving record permanently.
If you have a violation on your record, your car insurance in Texas will cost more. How much more depends almost entirely on which carrier you call first.
Post-violation rates in Texas range from $3,680 to $8,732 per year after a single DWI — for the exact same driver profile. One important distinction specific to Texas: The state uses DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) — not DUI — as the primary charge for adult drivers aged 21 and older with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher or who are impaired by alcohol or drugs regardless of BAC.
DUI in Texas applies only to drivers younger than 21 with any detectable alcohol in their system, under the state’s zero-tolerance policy. Both trigger insurance consequences, but DWI carries the more severe legal and premium impacts. Throughout this story, DWI refers to the adult offense.
Texas is one of the largest auto insurance markets in the country. More carriers mean more competition — and more variation in how aggressively each one prices violations. This guide gives you the real 2026 rate data by carrier and violation, a plain-language explanation of what Texas law requires after a DWI, and a clear starting point so you spend less time guessing.
What makes a driver high-risk in Texas?
Texas considers you high-risk when your driving record suggests a statistically elevated chance of filing a claim. That classification isn’t applied by a government agency — it’s an underwriting decision made by each insurer based on your history.
The violations that most reliably trigger high-risk status in Texas include:
- DWI conviction
- Reckless driving
- Multiple at-fault accidents within a short window
- An SR-22 requirement
- A lapse in coverage
“Higher-risk drivers likely already pay a higher premium if they have several violations on their driving record or are required to carry an SR-22. This adjustment likely just increased their already expensive car insurance premiums,” said Lauren McKenzie, an insurance broker for A Plus Insurance in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “My suggestion for all drivers, not just high-risk drivers, would be to shop around multiple insurance companies to compare coverages and rates and maintain a clean driving record. The more time that has passed since a violation on your record, the less that violation will impact your premium.”
Drivers who are new to insurance or have very limited experience are also frequently classified as non-standard risks, even without a prior violation.
How much does high-risk car insurance cost in Texas?
The average full-coverage rate in Texas for a clean record is $3,106 per year. Violations push that number significantly higher — and for serious violations, the jump is steep.
The state averages below give you a baseline for each violation type. The carrier-by-carrier breakdowns that follow tell you where to start shopping for the cheapest rates for each violation.
| Violation | Rate before a violation | Rate after a violation | $ increase | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over | $3,106 | $4,403 | +$1,297 | +42% |
| Speeding 11–29 mph over | $3,106 | $4,626 | +$1,520 | +49% |
| Speeding 30+ mph over | $3,106 | $5,112 | +$2,006 | +65% |
| DWI, first offense | $3,106 | $5,137 | +$2,031 | +65% |
| DWI, second offense | $3,106 | $6,762 | +$3,656 | +118% |
| Reckless driving | $3,106 | $5,494 | +$2,388 | +77% |
Which companies are the cheapest after a speeding ticket in Texas?
USAA is the cheapest carrier after a speeding ticket in Texas at $2,355 per year, adding $279 to its already-low clean-record rate. USAA is available only to military members, veterans and their immediate families, however. Among widely available carriers, Progressive is the cheapest post-ticket option at $4,209 per year.
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) nearly doubles after a speeding ticket — its rate jumps 99%, from $3,398 to $6,761. However, Farmers is the most expensive with a speeding ticket rate of $8,838 annually in Texas.
Note that Allstate and State Farm do not appear in the carrier data for this violation tier — the table reflects the carriers for which Texas rate data was available.
| Carrier | Rate without a ticket | Rate after ticket | $ change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA* | $2,076 | $2,355 | +$279 | +13% |
| Progressive | $3,105 | $4,209 | +$1,104 | +36% |
| GEICO | $2,625 | $4,314 | +$1,689 | +64% |
| Farmers | $6,136 | $8,838 | +$2,702 | +44% |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,398 | $6,761 | +$3,363 | +99% |
*USAA is only available to military members and their families
Sophie’s tip
The gap between Progressive ($4,209) and Farmers ($8,838) for the same speeding ticket is $4,620 per year — more than $13,000 over three years, which is roughly how long a ticket stays on your record for pricing purposes.
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Which companies are the cheapest after a DWI in Texas?
Progressive is the standout for low DWI rates in Texas, charging $3,680 after a first offense — a 19% increase from its $3,105 clean-record rate. That’s well below the Texas DWI average of $5,137 and less than half of what Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) charges, $8,732, for the same violation.
Progressive’s pricing resilience continues for a second DWI: its rate rises to $4,664 — a 50% total increase from a clean record. That’s the most measured second-DWI response in this data. Auto Club Enterprises reaches $13,625 after a second offense, a 301% increase from its clean-record rate and $8,961 more per year than Progressive.
State Farm is worth a look as a secondary option after a first DWI, at $3,933 per year. Its second-DWI rate climbs to $4,737, which is reasonable compared to the rest of the field.
Farmers charges $8,289 after a first DWI despite having the highest clean-record baseline in the data ($6,136), making it consistently an expensive option regardless of violation.
| Carrier | Rate before | After 1st DUI | After 2nd DUI | % change (1st) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $3,105 | $3,680 | $4,664 | +19% |
| State Farm | $2,445 | $3,933 | $4,737 | +61% |
| USAA* | $2,076 | $4,017 | $4,808 | +94% |
| GEICO | $2,625 | $4,741 | $6,010 | +81% |
| Allstate | $4,484 | $7,078 | $10,674 | +58% |
| Farmers | $6,136 | $8,289 | $9,046 | +35% |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,398 | $8,732 | $13,625 | +157% |
*USAA is available to military members, veterans and their families only.
Sophie’s tip
Before you start getting quotes after a DWI in Texas, call Progressive. Its post-DWI rate of $3,680 is less than half of what Auto Club Enterprises charges for the same violation. That gap — $5,052 per year — is more than $420 a month. Don’t wait for renewal to find out what you’re actually paying.
Which company is the cheapest in Texas after an at-fault accident?
State Farm is the cheapest option after an at-fault accident in Texas at $2,863 per year — adding only $418 to its clean-record rate, a 17% increase. That’s the smallest surcharge of any carrier in this data and significantly below the next-cheapest option (USAA at $3,509, available to military families only).
Farmers stands out on the other end: its post-accident rate of $16,726 per year is the highest in the dataset by a wide margin — a $10,590 increase from its clean-record rate and a 173% surcharge. Farmers also carries the highest clean-record baseline of any carrier here ($6,136), so a driver already paying that rate faces a genuinely difficult situation after an at-fault accident. If you’re currently with Farmers and have had an at-fault accident in Texas, getting a competing quote from State Farm should be the immediate next step.
| Carrier | Rate before | Rate after an at-fault accident | $ change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,445 | $2,863 | +$418 | +17% |
| USAA* | $2,076 | $3,509 | +$1,433 | +69% |
| GEICO | $2,625 | $4,538 | +$1,913 | +73% |
| Progressive | $3,105 | $4,848 | +$1,743 | +56% |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,398 | $5,776 | +$2,378 | +70% |
| Allstate | $4,484 | $7,184 | +$2,700 | +60% |
| Farmers | $6,136 | $16,726 | +$10,590 | +173% |
*USAA is available to military members, veterans and their families only.
The reckless driving finding: 5 carriers price it identically to a DWI
Five carriers in Texas — State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Auto Club Enterprises and USAA — charge identical rates for reckless driving and a first DWI. The dollar figures match exactly. This is not a coincidence or rounding effect. These carriers have placed both violations in the same underwriting severity tier, treating them as equivalent risks.
The implication: if you’re shopping after a reckless driving conviction in Texas, apply the same carrier logic as after a DWI. Progressive and State Farm are your best starting points. Auto Club Enterprises and Farmers are the most expensive options at $8,732 and $10,041, respectively, and unlike most other carriers, Farmers charges more for reckless driving than for a first DWI ($10,041 vs. $8,289).
Reckless driving is defined under Texas Transportation Code §545.401 as “operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” On a state-average basis, it raises the Texas rate from $3,106 to $5,494 — a 77% increase of $2,388 annually.
| Carrier | Rate before a reckless driving charge | Rate after a reckless driving charge | $ change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,445 | $3,933 | +$1,488 | +61% |
| Progressive | $3,105 | $4,561 | +$1,456 | +47% |
| USAA* | $2,076 | $4,017 | +$1,941 | +93% |
| GEICO | $2,625 | $4,741 | +$2,116 | +81% |
| Allstate | $4,484 | $7,078 | +$2,594 | +58% |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,398 | $8,732 | +$5,334 | +157% |
| Farmers | $6,136 | $10,041 | +$3,905 | +64% |
*USAA is available to military members, veterans and their families only.
Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its average annual full coverage rates.
Do you need SR-22 insurance in Texas?
Texas requires an SR-22 — formally a Certificate of Financial Responsibility — following specific violations and administrative actions. An SR-22 is not a type of insurance policy. It is a document your insurer files with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirming that you carry at least the state-required minimum liability coverage.
Common SR-22 triggers in Texas include:
- A DWI or DWI-related conviction
- A reckless driving conviction
- Driving without insurance
- License suspension or revocation related to a driving offense
- An at-fault accident while uninsured
- Accumulation of traffic points that result in a negligent operator finding
In Texas, the SR-22 requirement lasts two years from the date of the triggering conviction, as set by the Texas DPS. That period must be continuous and uninterrupted. If your policy lapses — even briefly — your insurer is legally required to notify the DPS, which can result in the suspension of both your driver’s license and vehicle registration. A lapse can effectively restart the consequences you’re trying to move past.
Not all insurers will file an SR-22, and some that do charge significantly more for the filing. Confirm SR-22 capability with any carrier before switching.
Progressive, GEICO and State Farm are among the Texas carriers that typically accommodate SR-22 requirements.
Non-owner SR-22If you don’t own a vehicle but still need to drive legally, a non-owner SR-22 policy provides liability coverage when driving someone else’s car and satisfies the DPS filing requirement without requiring vehicle ownership. This is a common situation for drivers whose licenses are suspended and are working to reinstate their driving privileges.
Which insurance carrier should you start with?
Start with one or two quotes from the recommended carriers, then compare against your current insurer’s renewal number. In Texas’s market, two to three quotes are usually enough to identify the meaningful price leaders. Based on the 2026 data, the right starting point depends on your specific violation.
| Your situation | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding ticket | USAA ($2,355/yr) if eligible; Progressive ($4,209/yr) otherwise | USAA adds the smallest dollar increase of any carrier (+$279). Progressive is the cheapest among the widely available carriers |
| First DWI | Progressive ($3,680/yr) | Lowest post-DWI rate in the data — less than half of what Auto Club Enterprises charges for the same violation |
| Second DWI | Progressive ($4,664/yr) | Progressive’s second-DWI rate stays the most measured in the dataset at 50% above its clean-record rate |
| At-fault accident | State Farm ($2,863/yr) | Lowest post-accident rate in the data — only a 17% increase. Significantly below every other carrier |
| Reckless driving | Progressive ($4,561/yr) or State Farm ($3,933/yr) | The two most affordable options, five carriers price reckless driving identically to a DWI — avoid those same carriers here |
| Declined by all carriers | Contact TAIPA | The Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association guarantees coverage to eligible drivers who cannot obtain standard-market insurance. Access through a licensed Texas insurance agent. |
*USAA is available to military members, veterans and their families only.
How to lower your rate in Texas after a violation
You can’t undo a violation, but you can manage its cost. These are the most effective strategies for high-risk Texas drivers.
1. Start with Progressive for a DWI — and State Farm for an at-fault accident
The fastest way to cut your premium is to shop with the right carriers first. Progressive’s first-DWI rate of $3,680 is less than half of Auto Club Enterprises’ $8,732 for the same violation. State Farm’s post-accident rate of $2,863 is $13,863 less per year than Farmers for the same driver and car. Getting quotes from these carriers first gives you a genuine baseline — not a number padded by your current insurer’s surcharge model.
2. Understand Texas’s DWI record window — and plan accordingly
A DWI conviction stays on your Texas DMV record permanently. For insurance pricing, most carriers look back three to five years when calculating premiums, with some reviewing up to 10 years for serious violations. Your rate will improve gradually as the conviction ages within that window, even before the full record drops off.
3. Consider a usage-based insurance program
Several carriers — including Progressive and GEICO — offer telematics-based programs that monitor your actual driving behavior in exchange for a discount opportunity. For a high-risk driver who genuinely drives safely day to day, a telematics program can provide a meaningful rate reduction even with a violation still on record. Confirm with the insurer whether your enrollment in the program can affect your base rate before signing up.
4. Check TAIPA if standard carriers won’t quote you
If multiple standard carriers decline to quote or offer unaffordable rates, the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) guarantees coverage for eligible Texas drivers. TAIPA is the state’s assigned risk pool — rates are higher than the standard market, but coverage is guaranteed for eligible drivers. Having continuous coverage in place also prevents a lapse, which would trigger DPS notification and make your situation materially worse. Access TAIPA through a licensed Texas insurance agent.
Frequently Asked Questions: Texas high-risk drivers
What is the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Texas?
The cheapest carrier depends on your violation. After a speeding ticket, USAA offers the lowest rate at $2,355 per year (military families only); Progressive leads the open market at $4,209 per year. After a first DWI, Progressive is the most affordable at $3,680 per year — roughly 43% below the Texas DWI state average and less than half of what Auto Club Enterprises charges. After an at-fault accident, State Farm is the clear first call at $2,863 per year. Shopping with these carriers first gives you the most useful baseline.
How long does a DWI stay on your driving record in Texas?
A DWI conviction stays on your Texas DPS record permanently. Unlike most states, which typically retain DWI records for five to 10 years, Texas has no provision to remove a DWI conviction from your driving record. In practical terms, your rate will improve gradually as the conviction ages within your carrier’s lookback window — even while the conviction remains on your permanent record.
What is the difference between DWI and DUI in Texas?
In Texas, DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) applies to drivers 21 and older with a BAC of 0.08% or higher or who are impaired by alcohol or drugs regardless of BAC. A first-offense DWI is typically a Class B misdemeanor; a BAC of 0.15% or higher elevates it to a Class A misdemeanor. DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Texas applies only to drivers under 21 with any detectable alcohol, reflecting the state’s zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving. Both trigger insurance consequences, but DWI carries more severe legal penalties and a greater premium impact. If your violation occurred in another state and was labeled a DUI’ your Texas insurer will typically treat it as equivalent to a DWI for rating purposes.
What is TAIPA, and when would I need it?
TAIPA is the state’s assigned risk pool for drivers who cannot obtain coverage in the standard market. If standard carriers decline to insure you — due to multiple serious violations, an active SR-22 requirement or a suspended license history — TAIPA guarantees coverage by assigning you to a participating insurer on a rotating basis. Rates are higher than the standard market, but coverage is guaranteed for eligible drivers. Maintaining continuous coverage also prevents a lapse, which would trigger an automatic DPS notification and could result in the suspension of your license and registration. Access TAIPA through a licensed Texas insurance agent.
Resources & Methodology
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers with full coverage policies, limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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