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
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
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
-
Smart Strategies for Paying Your Child an AllowanceBy giving your kids money to spend and save, you’ll help them sharpen their financial skills at an early age.
-
The Mulligan Rule of Retirement — Seven Mistakes You Can FixUse the Mulligan Rule to undo these seven costly retirement errors. While you can’t go back in time, some retirement choices allow for a “correction shot.”
-
Smart Strategies for Paying Your Child an Allowance
By giving your kids money to spend and save, you’ll help them sharpen their financial skills at an early age.
-
My First $1 Million: Retired Educator/Administrator, 67, Greenville, S.C.Ever wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
More Than 1 Million Toyota, Lexus and Subaru Vehicles Recalled for Camera Issue. Is Your Vehicle Affected?A software glitch in the Panoramic View Monitor system causes blank or frozen rear-camera images, triggering a massive recall of 2022-26 models.
-
My Four Pieces of Advice for Women Anxious About Handling MoneyTalking about money can help you take control of your finances.
-
Did My $50,000 Starbucks Habit Ruin My Retirement Plan?The real retirement cost may not be as devastating as it seems.
-
Costco Gold Bars Keep Selling Out. Are They a Smart Investment?How Costco's bullion program works, how to get the best deal and whether it makes sense for investors.
-
Medigap vs. Medicare Open Enrollment: What's the Difference?Nearly 10,000 people in America turn 65 every day. Why is that significant? It signals Medicare eligibility and shines a light on Medicare supplement insurance, known as Medigap.
-
A Financial Planner's Guide to a Stress-Free Adventure AbroadStart by looking at flight/accommodation costs, have a flexible schedule, seek out credit card rewards, prep for health issues and plan to cook your own food.
