Driving can be a riveting adventure: Crank the volume and enjoy the freedom and serenity of the open road. But that joy can be short-lived, especially if you share the road with dangerous drivers.
Dangerous drivers can take many forms. There are those auditioning for NASCAR, drivers texting out Hemingway missives while going 70 mph or, my personal favorite, the person who decides to cross three lanes of traffic to make an exit ramp with seconds to spare. (I don't miss driving in Orlando, Florida, not one bit.)
Speaking of less-than-desirable locales to drive in, you're more likely to encounter collisions in certain areas of the country, as Allstate's newly released 2025 America's Best Drivers Report reveals. To conduct this study, they examined auto insurance claims in the 200 most populous areas of the United States.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
If you live in an area prone to dangerous drivers, not only can it impact your ability to drive, but it could also impact your wallet with higher car insurance costs. Luckily, there are ways to lower your car insurance rates, even with elevated risk factors.
With this in mind, here's a closer look at which 10 cities made Allstate's list.
The most dangerous cities for drivers
These are the most dangerous metros for drivers:
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Washington, D.C.
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Worcester, Massachusetts
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Glendale, California
- Los Angeles, California
- Oakland, California
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
You might have noticed a theme with these: They're either on the East or West Coast, where there are higher concentrations of drivers.
Boston has a reputation for its less-than-stellar road designs, while Los Angeles is not ideal for quick commutes.
If you live in or near one of these areas, elevated risks of collision could result in higher car insurance costs. How do you save?
Reducing car insurance costs amid dangerous drivers
The most effective way I've found of reducing insurance costs is to shop around for options a few weeks before the policy renews.
Doing so helps you gain a ballpark estimate of what you should pay for insurance. That way, if your renewal premium increases significantly, you have other options.
Using our Bankrate tool, you can compare options fast:
Another tip is to notify your carrier of any changes in your driving behavior. To demonstrate, if you retired recently and don't drive as much, you might qualify for a low-mileage discount. I took advantage of this when I started working remotely years ago, and the discount is substantial.
There are other things you can do to lower insurance costs, such as:
- Increasing deductibles
- Removing comprehensive and collision coverage from older vehicles you own outright
- Bundling multiple policies with one provider
- Taking advantage of all available discounts
- Completing a defensive driver class
- Using telematics to monitor driving behaviors
What are telematics? Many insurance companies offer discounts if you download their app or use their device to monitor your driving behaviors.
Notably, they're looking to see if you obey speed limits, don't make many erratic stops or acceleration bursts, and how often you drive at night.
Providers will monitor your driving habits for one to three months to determine a score based on riskier driving behaviors. The lower your risk, the more likely you are to earn a good discount since you exhibit safer driving behaviors.
A simple tip if you live among dangerous drivers
Along with choosing the right insurance plan, another tip is to install a dash cam on your car, especially if you live in a higher-risk area.
On its own, a dash cam won't reduce your car insurance costs. However, it makes it easier for your insurance company to process claims in the event of a collision or property damage.
In the case of a he-said-she-said, in which police try to determine cause, having a camera can help you immensely if you didn't cause the accident and don't want to be at fault or liable for damages.
Bottom line on protecting your car from dangerous drivers
Ultimately, whether you live in a city with a higher concentration of dangerous drivers or not, it pays to shop around for car insurance regularly.
Along with this, consider installing a dash cam on your car in case an accident occurs and you need video evidence to show your insurance carrier. It can expedite claims, and in cases in which you didn't cause the accident, it could save you significantly.
Related content
-
What You Need to Do With Your 401(k) Before 2025 Is OverBefore 2025 ends, check your 401(k) contributions, investments, and catch-up eligibility to lock in this year’s tax savings and employer match.
-
3 Year-End Tax Moves You Can't Afford to MissDon't miss out on this prime time to maximize contributions to your retirement accounts, do Roth conversions and capture investment gains.
-
A Tax Diversification Strategy for Your Retirement IncomeSpreading savings across three "tax buckets" — pretax, Roth and taxable — can help give retirees the flexibility to control when and how much taxes they pay.
-
The Top 22 Gifts for Grandkids from Walmart in 2025From PlayStation to Labubu, you'll find the hottest gifts of 2025 for your grandkids at Walmart this year. Some of them are up to 78% off.
-
CD vs. Money Market: Where to Put Your Year-End Bonus NowFalling interest rates have savers wondering where to park cash. Here's how much $10,000 earns in today's best CDs versus leading money market accounts.
-
Meet the World's Unluckiest — Not to Mention Entitled — Porch PirateThis teen swiped a booby-trapped package that showered him with glitter, and then he hurt his wrist while fleeing. This is why no lawyer will represent him.
-
Smart Business: How Community Engagement Can Help Fuel GrowthAs a financial professional, you can strengthen your brand while making a difference in your community. See how these pros turned community spirit into growth.
-
Smart Money Moves Savers Should Make in 2026These steps will get you on the road to achieving your 2026 savings goals.
-
How Much Would a $50,000 HELOC Cost Per Month?Thinking about tapping your home’s equity? Here’s what a $50,000 HELOC might cost you each month based on current rates.
-
My First $1 Million: Self-Employed Trader, 50, San FranciscoEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Waiting for Retirement to Give to Charity? Here Are 3 Reasons to Do It Now, From a Financial PlannerYou could wait until retirement, but making charitable giving part of your financial plan now could be far more beneficial for you and the causes you support.
