Car Insurance Guides

Plain-English guides to car insurance: what coverage you need, what it costs, and what to do after a DUI, a ticket, an accident or an SR-22 requirement.

Car insurance is required in almost every state, but the rules, the prices and the fine print change from one state and one driver to the next. These guides start with the basics, such as what each coverage does and how much you need, and then cover the situations that make insurance harder to get: an SR-22 or FR-44 filing, a DUI, tickets, accidents and young drivers.

Every guide is built on official sources such as state motor vehicle agencies and insurance regulators, and lists them at the end so you can check the rules yourself.

Coverage Basics

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What each part of a car insurance policy does, how much coverage you need, how deductibles work and how to pay less.

Coverage Basics Types of Car Insurance Coverage, Explained Liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, PIP and more: what each type of car insurance coverage pays for, which ones are required and which are optional. 4 min read Coverage Basics Full Coverage vs. Liability Insurance: What's the Difference? Liability-only insurance covers damage you cause to others. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive for your own car. Here is what each costs and how to decide. 3 min read Coverage Basics How Much Car Insurance Do You Need? State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Here is how to choose liability limits, whether you need collision and comprehensive, and which extras are worth it. 3 min read

SR-22 & FR-44

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What SR-22 and FR-44 filings are, how long your state requires them, what they cost and how to keep them from lapsing.

SR-22 & FR-44 What Is SR-22 Insurance? How It Works and Who Needs It An SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It is a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you carry the required coverage. Here is how it works, who needs one and how long it lasts. 5 min read SR-22 & FR-44 How Long Do You Need an SR-22? Requirements by State Most states require an SR-22 for two or three years, but the period and the date the clock starts depend on your state and the reason for the filing. See the rules from official state sources. 4 min read SR-22 & FR-44 Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance: How to Get It Without a Car Need an SR-22 but don't own a car? A non-owner policy lets you meet the requirement and reinstate your license. Here is what it covers, what it costs and how to buy it. 4 min read

DUI & Insurance

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How a DUI affects your car insurance, how long it counts against you and what you have to tell your insurer.

DUI & Insurance How Much Does a DUI Raise Your Car Insurance? A DUI can nearly double the cost of car insurance. See the latest averages, why insurers charge so much more, how long it lasts and how to keep your premium as low as possible. 2 min read DUI & Insurance How Long Does a DUI Affect Your Car Insurance? A DUI can stay on your driving record for 10 years or more and affect your premium for years. Here is how driving records, insurer lookback periods and SR-22 timelines fit together. 3 min read DUI & Insurance Do You Have to Tell Your Insurance Company About a DUI? Hiding a DUI from your insurer rarely works and can backfire badly. Here is when you must disclose it, how insurers find out anyway and what to do instead. 2 min read

Tickets & Points

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How speeding tickets and other moving violations change your insurance rates, and how long they count.

Tickets & Points How Much Does a Speeding Ticket Raise Your Insurance? One speeding ticket raised full-coverage premiums by 28% on average in NerdWallet's 2026 analysis. See how different violations compare and how to limit the increase. 2 min read Tickets & Points How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Insurance? Most moving violations affect your insurance for about three years, but they can stay on your driving record longer. Here is how points, records and insurer lookbacks work. 2 min read

Accidents & Claims

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What happens to your premium after an accident and how to decide whether to file a claim.

Accidents & Claims How Much Does Insurance Go Up After an At-Fault Accident? One at-fault accident raised full-coverage premiums by 49% on average in NerdWallet's 2026 analysis. Here is why, how long it lasts and how accident forgiveness can help. 2 min read Accidents & Claims Should You File a Car Insurance Claim or Pay Out of Pocket? Filing a small claim can cost you more in future premiums than the claim pays. Use this simple test to decide whether to file or pay for the damage yourself. 2 min read

Young Drivers

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How to keep insurance affordable for teens and young drivers, including drivers who already have a ticket.

Young Drivers How Much Does Adding a Teen Driver to Car Insurance Cost? Adding a teenager to your car insurance raises premiums by about $3,500 a year on average, according to Experian. See costs by age, why teens cost so much and when you must add them. 2 min read Young Drivers How to Lower Car Insurance for a Teen Driver: 10 Ways Good-student discounts, driver training, the right car, telematics and smart coverage choices can take a real bite out of the cost of insuring a teen. Here is what works. 3 min read Young Drivers Should Your Teen Have Their Own Car Insurance Policy? A separate policy for a 16-year-old can cost nearly twice as much as adding them to a parent's policy. Here is how the two options compare and the few cases where separate coverage makes sense. 2 min read

Special Situations

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Getting covered after a lapse in coverage or with bad credit, and other situations that make insurance harder to find.

Special Situations Car Insurance After a Lapse in Coverage: Penalties and How to Get Covered A gap in car insurance can bring state fines, a suspended registration, an SR-22 requirement and higher prices. Here is what to expect and how to get covered again quickly. 2 min read Special Situations Car Insurance With Bad Credit: Why It Costs More and How to Pay Less In most states, insurers can use credit-based insurance scores to set prices. In NerdWallet's 2026 analysis, poor credit raised full-coverage premiums by 67%. Here is how it works and what you can do. 2 min read