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Reader Question: Two Insurers Declined Me. Am I Uninsurable?
A reader with two at-fault accidents and a lapse was declined by two mainstream insurers and assumes nobody will cover him. He is wrong.
By Gabriel Ortiz · Editor
Published
Answer in brief
Mainstream declines are about appetite, not insurability. The non-standard market exists precisely for this profile, and a comparison tool that includes it will produce quotes. Every state also has a last-resort mechanism, though it is rarely needed.
"Two at-fault accidents in two years and a three-month lapse when I was between cars. Two big insurers turned me down flat. Is anyone going to insure me?" — reader in Arizona
Yes. A decline from a preferred-market insurer means your profile is outside their underwriting rules, not that you cannot be insured. Non-standard insurers write exactly this record every day.
What to do
- Use a comparison tool that includes non-standard insurers, or call two or three directly.
- Disclose both accidents and the lapse; they will see them anyway.
- Expect premiums well above what you paid before, and a spread between quotes—take the lowest from a licensed insurer with acceptable complaint ratios.
- Set autopay and keep it continuous. In three years you will be shopping in the standard market again.
The non-standard market guide explains what to expect from the policy.
Guides referenced in this post
Guide
Non-Standard Auto Insurers Explained
What the non-standard auto insurance market is, how it differs from standard and preferred, what to expect in pricing, service and policy terms, and when to use it.
Guide
How to Compare High-Risk Car Insurance Quotes
A comparison method for high-risk drivers: disclose everything, fix coverage, include non-standard and standard insurers, confirm filings, add fees, and bind before cancelling.