Acceptance Car Insurance: Coverage, Costs, and Who It Serves

Acceptance Insurance is a regional carrier that operates in about 15 states, primarily in the South and Midwest, and specializes in insuring drivers who have had accidents, violations, or lapses in coverage. The company does not require a perfect driving record to get a quote, which is why it appears in searches for "non-standard" or "high-risk" auto insurance. That said, Acceptance is a licensed insurance company with financial backing from Homeowners Choice Inc., not a last-resort broker or a program run by your state.

The real question for most people is whether Acceptance's rates are competitive for your situation, and whether the coverage options match what you need. This depends on your driving history, your state, and which other carriers will quote you. Acceptance often costs more than mainstream insurers like State Farm or GEICO, but less than some specialty high-risk carriers. The trade-off is that you get a company willing to quote you when others won't, but you pay for that willingness.

Key Takeaways

  • Acceptance Insurance operates in about 15 states and quotes drivers with accidents, violations, or coverage lapses that other insurers may decline.
  • Rates are typically higher than standard carriers but may be lower than other high-risk specialists, depending on your state and driving history.
  • You can get a quote online or by phone without providing your full driving record upfront, though the company will pull your motor vehicle report before finalizing a quote.
  • Acceptance offers the same basic coverage types as other insurers — liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist — but you should compare deductibles and limits across multiple carriers before buying.
  • Your rate can change year to year based on claims, violations, and how long you go without an incident; some drivers use Acceptance as a stepping stone to lower rates elsewhere after their record improves.

What Coverage Types Acceptance Offers

Acceptance sells the standard auto insurance products: liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage), collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and medical payments. The names and structures are the same as at any other insurer. The difference is in the price and the underwriting — Acceptance will quote you on a record that State Farm or Allstate might decline outright.

You choose your deductibles (typically $250, $500, $1,000, or higher) and your liability limits. Acceptance does not force you into a particular deductible or limit because of your history; the company lets you make that choice, though your quote will reflect the risk the company sees. If you have had two accidents in three years, your collision premium will be higher than someone with a clean record, but you are not locked into a $1,000 deductible.

The company also offers discounts for things like bundling home and auto, paying in full upfront, and going without a claim for a set period. These discounts vary by state and by the specific policy. When you get a quote, ask which discounts explore to you — they can reduce your premium by 10 to 20 percent depending on what you may have access to for.

How Acceptance's Rates Compare to Other Carriers

Acceptance is not the cheapest option for any driver, but it is not always the most expensive either. For a driver with a clean record, GEICO or State Farm will almost always beat Acceptance's price. For a driver with an accident and a speeding ticket in the past three years, Acceptance may quote lower than specialty high-risk carriers like SafeAuto or Bristol West, but higher than regional carriers like Dairyland or National General.

The only way to know where Acceptance sits for your specific situation is to get quotes from at least three other carriers. Most online quote tools take 10 to 15 minutes and do not require you to buy anything. You should compare the same coverage limits and deductibles across all quotes — a $500 deductible collision policy at Acceptance is not the same price as a $1,000 deductible at another carrier, so make sure you are looking at apples to apples.

Rates also vary significantly by state. Acceptance operates in fewer states than national carriers, so availability is the first filter. If Acceptance does not write policies in your state, you cannot get a quote from them no matter what your driving record looks like.

The process and Underwriting Process

You can start a quote online at Acceptance's website or by calling their phone line. The initial quote asks for basic information: your name, address, driver's license number, vehicle details, and the coverage you want. You do not have to provide your full driving history at this stage — Acceptance will pull your motor vehicle report (MVR) from your state's DMV once you move forward.

After you submit, Acceptance reviews your MVR and any claims history in their system. If you have recent violations or accidents, the company may ask follow-up questions or adjust the quote. This process usually takes one to three business days. Once Acceptance issues a quote, you can buy the policy online, over the phone, or through an agent if one is available in your area.

If Acceptance declines to quote you, it is usually because of something on your MVR — a very recent suspension, a DUI within a certain timeframe, or an unusually high number of violations. In that case, you would need to look at other high-risk carriers or your state's assigned risk pool (a last-resort program run by your state insurance commissioner).

When Acceptance Makes Sense as Your Insurer

Acceptance is a reasonable choice if you have been declined by two or more standard carriers and you need coverage now. It is also worth considering if you have had one accident or violation in the past few years and you want to avoid the very high rates that some specialty carriers charge. Some drivers use Acceptance as a temporary insurer while their record improves, then switch to a cheaper carrier once they have gone a year or two without a claim or violation.

Acceptance is not a good choice if you have not shopped around yet. Even with a rough driving record, you may find a cheaper option from a regional carrier or a standard insurer that still quotes high-risk drivers. The cost of getting three quotes is zero, and the savings can be $300 to $600 a year.

You should also consider whether you actually need the coverage Acceptance is quoting you. If you have an older car worth $3,000 and Acceptance is charging you $150 a month for collision and comprehensive, you might be better off dropping those coverages and self-insuring — meaning you would pay out of pocket if you had an accident. The math depends on your car's value, your deductible, and how likely you think you are to have a claim.

How Your Rate Changes Over Time

Your Acceptance premium is not locked in for life. The company reviews your record every time your policy renews, usually once a year. If you have had no claims and no violations in that year, your rate may go down or stay the same. If you have had a claim or a new violation, your rate will go up. Some violations (like a speeding ticket) age off your record after three to five years, depending on your state; once they do, your rate should drop.

Acceptance also offers a program called Safe Driver Rewards or similar names (the exact name varies by state) that can lower your rate if you go a certain period without a claim or violation. Ask about this when you get your quote — it can be worth 5 to 15 percent off your premium if you may have access to.

Many drivers find that after two or three years with Acceptance and no new incidents, they can switch to a cheaper carrier because their record is no longer considered high-risk. This is a normal path: use Acceptance to get insured when you need it, then shop around once your record improves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Acceptance check my driving record before giving me a quote?

Acceptance gives you an initial quote based on what you tell them, but they pull your motor vehicle report from your state's DMV before finalizing the quote and issuing a policy. If there are violations or accidents you did not mention, the quote may change or Acceptance may decline to insure you.

Can I get Acceptance insurance if I have been declined by other companies?

Acceptance quotes drivers that standard carriers decline, but it is not a may provide. The company still has underwriting standards and may decline you if you have a very recent suspension, a DUI within a certain timeframe, or an unusually high number of violations. If Acceptance declines you, your state's assigned risk pool is usually the last option.

Will my Acceptance rate go down if I have no claims for a year?

Possibly. Acceptance reviews your record at renewal and may lower your rate if you have had no claims or violations. Some states and policies include a safe driver discount that kicks in after a set period. Ask Acceptance about this when you buy your policy so you know what to expect at renewal.

Is Acceptance cheaper than other high-risk insurers?

It depends on your state and your specific driving history. Acceptance is sometimes cheaper than SafeAuto or Bristol West, but sometimes more expensive. The only way to know is to get quotes from at least two other high-risk carriers and compare the same coverage limits and deductibles.

Can I switch to a different insurance company after a year with Acceptance?

Yes. Once you have gone a year or more without a claim or violation, your record looks better to other insurers, and you may find cheaper rates elsewhere. Shop around at renewal time to see what other carriers will quote you.