Non-Standard Auto Insurance After an FTA Hold
Non-standard auto insurance is coverage for drivers classified as high-risk by traditional carriers, often due to violations, suspensions, or lapses.
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What Is Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
Non-standard auto insurance covers the same liability, collision, and comprehensive claims as standard policies, but is underwritten for drivers traditional carriers reject or rate prohibitively high. You pay more because the carrier assumes higher statistical risk based on your driving record, suspension history, or coverage gaps. After an FTA suspension, you enter the non-standard market if your underlying citation was for driving uninsured, if you accumulated multiple violations before the FTA, or if your license was suspended for longer than 90 days in states where duration triggers risk classification.
Who Needs Non-Standard Auto Insurance?
You need non-standard coverage if the citation you missed court for was driving uninsured, if your FTA suspension lasted longer than 90 days, if you accumulated multiple violations in the 24 months before the FTA, or if standard carriers decline to quote you after reviewing your MVR post-reinstatement. Non-standard coverage is also necessary if your state requires SR-22 filing for the underlying offense and standard carriers in your area do not write SR-22 policies.
Request quotes from both standard and non-standard carriers immediately after reinstatement. If they decline or quote more than double your prior rate, accept non-standard coverage and set a calendar reminder to re-shop after 12 months of continuous coverage with no new violations. Non-standard is a temporary classification, not permanent, but you must demonstrate 12 consecutive months of claim-free, violation-free driving to exit it.
How Much Does Non-Standard Auto Insurance Cost?
- The violation type that triggered your FTA—uninsured driving or reckless citations increase premiums more than speeding or equipment violations.
- Suspension duration—gaps longer than 90 days signal higher risk to underwriters and may extend your time in the non-standard market by 6 to 12 months.
- Payment history during suspension—carriers check whether you maintained coverage during the FTA hold period, even if you couldn't legally drive.
- Time until eligibility review—most non-standard carriers re-evaluate your risk classification after 12 months of continuous coverage with no new violations, potentially lowering your premium 20 to 35 percent.
