Can I bundle if I have a poor driving record?
Yes, you can usually bundle home and auto insurance even with a poor driving record, though your discount may be reduced. Some insurers still provide notable bundle savings regardless of driving history.
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Complete Guide to Bundling Home & Auto Insurance with a Poor Driving Record
Why This Question Matters for Colorado and Utah Residents
Bundling your home and auto insurance is a simple way to save 11-26% on your premiums, but many residents worry that a less-than-perfect driving record could block these discounts. In Colorado and Utah, where severe weather, complex claims, and rising insurance costs are common, maximizing savings and simplifying your policies is especially valuable.
- Savings Stay Accessible: State Farm, Farmers, and other leading CO/UT insurers still offer bundle discounts even to drivers with a history of tickets or accidents—though average discounts may be closer to 7-12% rather than the 15-26% seen with clean records.
- Local Market Conditions: Northern Colorado and Utah face higher risks for auto and home claims (hail, wildfire, high vehicle accident rates), so carriers often prefer to retain clients through bundles—meaning they rarely deny the option due to your driving record alone.
- Streamlined Claims and Retention: Bundled clients enjoy a 95% retention rate and often benefit from easier claims if a single event affects both your car and home (like hail damage), regardless of prior driving incidents.
What Most People Get Wrong
Many assume bundle savings disappear entirely if you have a poor driving record. In reality, most Colorado and Utah insurers will still allow you to bundle—just with a smaller discount. Another misconception is that a high risk auto profile means you must split your coverage between different companies, but local independent agents can often negotiate bundles by leveraging home policy strengths to offset auto risk.
Some also mistakenly believe that past violations will drastically increase home insurance premiums when bundling. While a serious driving record does affect auto rates, it has little to no impact on your home premium or your ability to get a bundled rate.
The Complete Picture
Even with a few tickets or past accidents, most residents in Colorado and Utah can still access bundled home+auto discounts. Carriers like State Farm and Allstate may reduce the bundle discount, but overall savings—and the convenience of one company, one deductible for covered incidents, and easier paperwork—remain strong. In high-risk areas like Fort Collins or Salt Lake City, bundling is especially useful to avoid non-renewal as carriers reduce exposure in storm-prone zones.
Be aware: some regional carriers (about 32%) are tightening rules due to increased hail/wildfire claims, so not every company will bundle for high-risk drivers—but the majority still do. Always compare offers and check whether your bundle comes with a percentage-based deductible for weather claims or other policy limitations. Local advisors can help you navigate these nuances for the best outcome.
Making the Right Decision for Colorado and Utah Residents
Question 1: Can I maximize my bundle savings even with tickets or accidents?
Absolutely—start by exploring multiple insurers, since each evaluates driving history differently for bundles. Important steps:
- Ask if your driving record will reduce the bundle discount, and by how much (expect 5-10% off typical discounts).
- Confirm whether your home policy helps offset your auto risk (some carriers use it to balance your profile for better pricing).
Question 2: Which local risks could impact my bundle value?
Colorado and Utah face frequent hail, high auto accident rates, and rising theft—making bundled policies more attractive for quick claims handling and loyalty incentives. Compare:
- Does your bundle come with flat deductibles for hail/storm damage, or percentage-based (can be $3,000+ out-of-pocket)?
- Are you getting added weather event coverage, or are there new limitations since your last review?
Question 3: How can I protect my long-term premiums after recent violations?
Bundle retention rates are 95% in the region—meaning carriers often reward bundled clients with fewer premium hikes after claims or minor additional incidents. Request:
- Details on claim forgiveness or loyalty benefits available with your bundle.
- Annual policy reviews with a FoCoIns advisor to ensure the best possible renewal rates despite a past driving blemish.
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Real World Examples
John's Speeding Tickets in Fort Collins
Background: John, a Fort Collins resident living near Harmony Road, recently received two speeding tickets and had a minor at-fault accident within the past year.
Coverage: Home insured for $350,000 with $1,500 deductible, auto policy with $500 collision deductible.
Monthly Premium: $260/month ($3,120/year) before bundling.
The Incident: In a grocery store lot, John backed into another car. With his home and auto bundled, his insurer processed the claim efficiently—despite his imperfect driving record.
Total Claim Cost: $3,600 (vehicle repairs and minor property damage).
John's Cost: $500 deductible—no extra fees because his bundle included accident forgiveness.
"Even though my driving isn’t spotless, I still saved over $400 a year by bundling. It was a relief to know my agent could help with both home and auto, and nothing fell through the cracks."
Samantha's Bundle After a DUI in Colorado Springs
Background: Samantha, from Colorado Springs, had a DUI three years ago. She worried her driving record meant she’d never qualify for a decent bundle.
Coverage: $425,000 home with $2,000 wind/hail deductible, auto policy for a 2017 Honda CR-V.
Monthly Premium: $293/month ($3,516/year) with bundle—12% discount (down from typical 18%).
The Incident: During a summer hailstorm, both Samantha’s roof and vehicle suffered damage. Her bundle allowed a single claim, one deductible, and expedited repairs, even with her surcharge for the past DUI.
Total Claim Cost: $14,800 (roof $10,200 + car $4,600).
Samantha's Cost: $2,000 deductible—she avoided paying separate deductibles for each claim.
"FoCoIns found me a bundle, even with my history. I was expecting sky-high rates, but the overall savings and how quickly the claims were handled made a big difference."
Tyler Gets Back on Track in Salt Lake City
Background: Tyler from Sugar House in Salt Lake City had two at-fault accidents and a speeding violation within five years. He needed to lower his costs fast after being dropped by his last carrier.
Coverage: $500,000 replacement-cost home policy, auto policy for a 2020 Subaru Outback, $1,000 deductibles.
Monthly Premium: $410/month ($4,920/year) bundled (vs. $5,550/year separately).
The Incident: After a windstorm knocked down a tree, damaging both his garage and car, Tyler filed a single claim through his bundle. Despite his driving record, the process was smooth, and his loyalty bonus kicked in to reduce his out-of-pocket cost.
Total Claim Cost: $8,200 (garage repair $5,300 + auto $2,900).
Tyler's Cost: $1,000 deductible—his bundle’s single-deductible clause saved him over $1,500 compared to separate policies.
"I thought I’d be punished for years after my accidents, but FoCoIns found me a bundled policy that made insurance manageable again. I’m not switching carriers anytime soon!"
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Mistake #1: Assuming You Can't Bundle with Traffic Violations
What People Do: Skip exploring bundle discounts after tickets or DWIs, assuming they're automatically disqualified.
Why It Seems Logical: It's easy to believe insurers only reward perfect drivers, so people stop asking after an incident.
The Real Cost: Missing out on $300–$600/year in savings and increased risk of non-renewal in high-risk CO/UT markets.
Smart Alternative: Have a FoCoIns advisor compare multiple carriers, as independent agents can often find you a bundle—even if your record isn’t spotless.
Mistake #2: Not Reviewing Deductible Details in Your Bundle
What People Do: Assume their bundle includes standard deductibles, missing percentage-based clauses for hail or wind claims.
Why It Seems Logical: Many expect all deductibles to be flat-dollar amounts, as with older policies.
The Real Cost: In CO/UT, a 1–2% deductible on a $400,000 home is $4,000–$8,000—far higher than a $1,000 flat deductible. Many only discover this after a major weather claim.
Smart Alternative: Request a side-by-side deductible comparison through FoCoIns, and always get hail and wind deductible specifics in writing.
Mistake #3: Overlooking the Bundle's Retention Benefit
What People Do: Focus only on short-term price, ignoring how bundles can protect from non-renewal after claims or in tough markets.
Why It Seems Logical: Premium is top-of-mind, so long-term security is often overlooked.
The Real Cost: CO/UT carriers have reduced exposure by 32% in some zip codes; non-bundle customers face more non-renewals and higher rate hikes.
Smart Alternative: Choose a bundle to boost carrier loyalty; bundled clients in Colorado and Utah have a 95%+ retention rate and are less likely to lose coverage during market tightening.
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