Driving Expert Shannon Roberts Advises WalletHub on Insurance for “High-risk Drivers”

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Shannon Roberts

WalletHub, a major website devoted to issues related to financial advice, has sought out Associate Professor Shannon Roberts of the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department for her expertise on SR-22 Insurance, meaning coverage for “high-risk drivers” who are required to verify with the state that they are carrying the minimum amount of car insurance required by law. Roberts, a well-known expert on transportation safety, has become a frequent contributor to WalletHub’s guides related to automobiles.

As the WalletHub spread explained, “An SR-22 is not a separate type of insurance, but instead a certificate of financial responsibility that an insurer has to file with the state DMV on a driver’s behalf. Offenses that might cause a driver to need an SR-22 include [driving under the influence], driving without insurance, or any violation that leads to a revoked or suspended license. SR-22 insurance usually costs more than regular coverage because the driver is considered to be high-risk.”

The first question from WalletHub was, “What can high-risk drivers do to lower their car insurance?”

As Roberts replied, “To lower car insurance, high-risk drivers can focus on two things: (1) their record; and (2) their vehicle. Taking driver-education courses or safe-driving classes demonstrates that you are willing to educate yourself about the rules of the road and helps reduce car-insurance rates.”

Roberts added that “If you have the opportunity to expunge items on your driving record after you take a driver-education or safe-driving course, you should pursue it. In regards to choosing a vehicle, newer vehicles with advanced safety features have the lowest insurance rates because they reduce your likelihood of being in a crash or receiving a citation.”

What makes a driver high-risk? “For an insurance company,” Roberts explained, “a high-risk driver is defined as a driver who is more likely to have an insurance claim. This determination is usually based on a multitude of factors like your driving experience, your crash history, and your citation history, among other things.”

In answer to WalletHub’s query about the amount of coverage that a high-risk driver should carry, Roberts said that “All drivers should meet the minimum requirements for car insurance that are mandated by your state. Depending on your situation, as a high-risk driver, you may need to purchase additional insurance or complete additional paperwork.”

Finally, how does a high-risk driver get rid of that negative label?

According to Roberts, “Simply stated, obeying the rules of the road is the easiest way to become (and stay) a low-risk driver. When you are driving, focus on safely getting from point A to B and avoid anyone or anything that distracts you from that goal.”

The Roberts Research Group is focused on studying human factors in transportation safety and understanding how drivers interact with technology and infrastructure to guide the design of driver-vehicle interactions. Much of her research is conducted at the UMass Amherst Human Performance Laboratory. (July 2023)