Updated June 2026
What Is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
Non-standard auto insurance covers the same risks as standard policies—liability, collision, comprehensive—but accepts drivers standard carriers reject. You pay higher premiums because the carrier assumes more risk insuring drivers with violations, suspensions, or gaps in coverage history. Most non-standard carriers specialize in SR-22 filings and work directly with state DMVs to satisfy reinstatement requirements. The coverage itself functions identically to standard policies once active.
- You're convicted of DUI in Colorado and your license is suspended for nine months. The DMV requires SR-22 filing for three years after reinstatement. You purchase a non-standard liability policy for approximately $180/month with same-day SR-22 filing. The carrier electronically files the SR-22 with the Colorado DMV, satisfying one reinstatement condition. You still need to complete alcohol education, pay the $95 reinstatement fee, and serve the suspension period before driving legally.
- Your license was suspended for driving uninsured and you sold your car. Colorado requires proof of insurance to reinstate, but you don't own a vehicle. You buy a non-owner non-standard policy for approximately $45/month with SR-22 filing. This satisfies the insurance requirement without insuring a specific vehicle. If you borrow a car, the non-owner policy provides secondary liability coverage after the vehicle owner's policy pays first.
- You let your insurance lapse for 90 days and Colorado suspended your registration and license. You need to show proof of insurance for the entire lapse period to avoid penalties. You purchase a non-standard policy with a backdated effective date—some carriers allow this for lapse situations—and pay approximately $340 upfront to cover the gap period plus current month. The carrier issues an SR-22 showing continuous coverage, which the DMV accepts for reinstatement processing.
Who Needs Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
You need non-standard insurance if standard carriers have canceled or refused to renew your policy due to violations, if the Colorado DMV requires SR-22 filing as a reinstatement condition, or if you've had a coverage lapse longer than 30 days and can't get quotes from preferred carriers. Drivers without a vehicle who need to maintain SR-22 status during suspension should get non-owner policies rather than standard policies, as standard carriers rarely offer non-owner options.
Check your DMV reinstatement letter to confirm whether SR-22 is required and for how long. If SR-22 is mandatory, start with non-standard carriers who specialize in same-day filing—standard carriers either don't offer it or charge nearly the same as non-standard for high-risk drivers. If you don't own a car, non-owner policies cost 60–70% less than vehicle policies and satisfy the same reinstatement requirements. Once your SR-22 period ends, immediately shop standard carriers—rates typically drop 40–60% when you're no longer flagged as high-risk.
How Much Does Non-Standard Auto Insurance Cost?
Non-standard liability-only policies in Colorado typically cost $120–$220/month ($1,440–$2,640/year). Non-owner SR-22 policies run $40–$80/month. Full coverage with collision and comprehensive adds $80–$150/month on top of liability base rates.
- Suspension cause—DUI violations increase premiums 180–250% compared to administrative suspensions for unpaid tickets
- SR-22 filing requirement adds $15–$35/month in filing and processing fees beyond the base premium increase
- Coverage gap length—lapses over six months signal higher risk and can double your quoted rate
- Violation count—each additional moving violation or at-fault accident in the past three years adds 15–40% to base premium
- Required coverage level—Colorado minimums (25/50/15) cost significantly less than 100/300/100 limits many drivers choose for better protection
- Vehicle age and value—older vehicles with liability-only coverage cost far less than newer vehicles requiring full coverage for loans