Updated June 2026
What Is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
Non-standard auto insurance covers the same losses as traditional auto insurance — liability, collision, comprehensive — but it's written for drivers traditional carriers won't accept at standard rates. You're placed in the non-standard market when your driving record, credit, or insurance history makes you statistically riskier to insure. In Indiana, most suspended drivers need non-standard coverage because it's the only market that will issue the SR-22 certificate required for license reinstatement.
- You're convicted of DUI in Indiana and the BMV suspends your license for 180 days. To reinstate, you need SR-22 proof of insurance filed continuously for 3 years. Standard carriers decline you. A non-standard carrier issues a liability-only policy for $215/month and files the SR-22 same-day. You pay the $250 BMV reinstatement fee, submit proof of the SR-22, and regain limited driving privileges under a hardship license while serving the remainder of your suspension.
- Your license was suspended for unpaid tickets. You didn't own a car, so you let your insurance lapse. Now you need to reinstate. Indiana requires continuous insurance even if you don't drive. A non-standard carrier writes you a non-owner SR-22 policy for $95/month. This satisfies the BMV's proof-of-insurance requirement without requiring you to own a vehicle. You maintain it for the required 3-year SR-22 period.
- You accumulate 18 points on your Indiana license from speeding tickets and an at-fault accident. The BMV suspends you for 90 days. You need SR-22 coverage to reinstate. Your prior carrier non-renews you. A non-standard carrier quotes $340/month for full coverage on your 2018 sedan — roughly triple your old rate. You drop collision and comprehensive, keep liability-only at $180/month, and file the SR-22. After 3 years with no new violations, you shop your rate again and move back to a standard carrier at $110/month.
Who Needs Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
You need non-standard auto insurance if your license is suspended and reinstatement requires SR-22 filing, or if traditional carriers have declined or non-renewed you due to DUI, multiple violations, or lapsed coverage. Indiana suspended drivers without a vehicle should prioritize non-owner SR-22 policies — they're cheaper, satisfy BMV requirements, and don't require you to own or register a car during your suspension period.
Check your Indiana BMV reinstatement requirements first. If SR-22 is listed, you need non-standard coverage from a carrier licensed to file SR-22 in Indiana. If you don't own a car, buy non-owner coverage. If you do own a car and it's financed, your lender requires full coverage, but if you own it outright, liability-only cuts your premium in half. Maintain coverage without lapses — even one missed payment triggers an SR-22 cancellation notice to the BMV and extends your filing period.
How Much Does Non-Standard Auto Insurance Cost?
Non-standard auto insurance in Indiana typically costs $150–$400/month for liability-only coverage, or $1,800–$4,800/year. Full coverage can exceed $500/month depending on your violation history and vehicle value.
- Type of suspension — DUI-related suspensions cost more than administrative suspensions for unpaid fines.
- Length of time since violation — rates drop if you've gone 12+ months without a new incident.
- SR-22 filing requirement — carriers add $15–$50/month to your base premium for SR-22 filing and monitoring.
- Coverage type — liability-only non-standard policies cost 40–60% less than full coverage in the non-standard market.
- Payment plan — monthly installments in the non-standard market often carry 15–25% APR financing charges compared to paying in full.
- County — urban Indiana counties like Marion and Lake have higher non-standard rates due to claim frequency.