Best Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI

Drinking under the influence is a serious offense to insurance companies and can result in higher insurance rates, license suspension, fees, fines, or jail time. Not only will the offense remain on your record for years, but finding cheap insurance for people with a DUI becomes more difficult.

If you already have insurance, your company may file for SR-22 car insurance on your behalf, which the state requires you to carry, proving you have insurance. However, they may drop you as a customer, leaving you to find a new company.

So, you may wonder how to find the best insurance for a DUI despite higher rates. We’re here to guide you through the process and help you understand how to find affordable DUI insurance rates.

One of the best ways to save on insurance is to compare quotes from various companies. Keep reading to learn more about the best car insurance for a DUI and how much you might pay for coverage.

How much will I pay for car insurance after a DUI conviction?

Various consequences come with drinking and driving — one of them is higher car insurance rates for as long as the DUI remains on your record. Living in one of the most dangerous states for drunk driving also increases your risk of getting into an accident and having to file a claim.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs your judgment, meaning you’re more likely to get involved in an accident. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration says drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher are four times more likely to get in an accident than sober drivers. A BAC of 0.15% or more increases the risk by 12 times.

You’ll generally see higher rates at renewal time when your insurance company checks your record again. Car insurance rates can increase by about 75%, or over $1,000 a year. However, compared to other violations, rates only increase by 23% after a speeding ticket and 45% after an at-fault accident.

You will incur higher rates and face other consequences depending on where you live, like fines, license suspension, or jail time.

How much do rates increase with certain companies after a DUI?

Car insurance hikes after a DUI vary by the insurance company. So, we looked at the average percentage increase for several companies based on DUI convictions.

Look at the table below to compare full coverage DUI insurance rates across various top companies.

When comparing DUI rates, look at the total cost rather than the surcharge. For example, State Farm auto insurance with a DUI will come with a 30% increase after a conviction. Overall, DUI rates for full coverage are $112 monthly on average. On the other hand, Progressive increases rates at a similar percentage, but you’ll pay $140 a month on average.

Read this State Farm car insurance review to see if the company offers the coverage you need after a DUI.

You should also read about DUI vs. DWI: what is the difference? Understanding these two violations might help you get better insurance rates.

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How long does a DUI impact your car insurance premiums?

Since insurance companies view a DUI as a significant violation, expect higher auto insurance rates for around three to five years.

The amount of time your rates stay high depends on various factors:

• Amount of time the DUI stays on your driving record. Since the blemish on your motor vehicle record prompts the rate increase, your rates will remain high if the violation still appears on your record.
• State insurance laws. Your state insurance laws affect how long you’ll pay higher rates after a DUI. For example, insurers in North Carolina can hike them for three years, whereas Massachusetts insurance companies can increase rates for five years. Compare Massachusetts car insurance rates for more information. 
• Other variables. There are other ways a DUI can impact your rates. For example, California may drop your DUI surcharge, but you can’t qualify for a 20% good driver discount for 10 years after the DUI. Compare California car insurance rates for more information. 

There are many consequences to drinking and driving, including higher rates, so expect your DUI to impact rates for several years.

How do insurance companies find out about a DUI?

When renewing your auto insurance policy, insurance companies generally request your driving record from the state department of motor vehicles, and this record will reflect any DUIs, speeding tickets, and moving violations.

Unless your renewal is upcoming, you could save up for your anticipated rate increase since they don’t find out about a DUI immediately.

However, if you need to file an SR-22 form — a certificate several states require after a DUI to prove you carry minimum auto insurance — your insurer will find out sooner about your DUI. Your DUI won’t instantly increase rates since insurance companies can’t increase rates mid-policy. So, you’ll typically see the increase at policy renewal.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate your state requires and is filed by your insurance company, proving you carry your state’s required auto insurance coverage. Some states like Florida and Virginia have stricter insurance requirements than the SR-22, known as an FR-44, and is used for more severe driving offenses, which results in higher liability coverage requirements. Compare FR-44 car insurance to learn more about this type of coverage. 

You won’t need to file an SR-22 unless you receive notice from a judge or the state ordering the certificate. Below is a list of common reasons a driver might need to file an SR-22:

• DUI conviction
• Reckless driving violations
• Several traffic violations in a short period
• Several car accidents in a short period
• Caught driving without insurance
• Restricted or suspended license
• Failure to pay child support

Alongside higher rates, SR-22 filers should expect to pay a filing fee between $15 and $50, though some states may charge more.

How can I save on my car insurance after a DUI?

Though a DUI can cause auto insurance rates to skyrocket, there are ways for policyholders to save on coverage.

Below are ways to find lower rates with a DUI on your record:

• Look for car insurance discounts. Though you’ll likely lose your good driver discount, insurers offer various other discounts, like pay-in-full, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Speak with an insurance company representative about eligible discounts to get the best rate possible
• Exhibit safe driving. Insurance companies will take note if you maintain a clean record, avoiding accidents and moving violations. While it takes time to see lower rates, your insurer will eventually move you back into the low-risk category
• Shop around. The best way to save on car insurance is to compare car insurance quotes from various insurance companies. After your rates increase due to a DUI, compare your new rate to others to find the cheapest rate.

Be sure to ask about additional discounts when renewing your policy. You could also consider participating in usage-based insurance, a telematics program that monitors your driving and gives you a discount if you practice safe driving.

It’s important to shop around for rates because some companies charge less or are more forgiving of DUIs than others. For example, while one company might increase rates by 50% each year for five years, another may only increase them by 50% the first year and 20% the last four years.

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Do car insurance rates still increase if you didn’t cause an accident but got a DUI?

You’ll still see your auto insurance rates hike if you didn’t cause an accident but were driving under the influence. Once the DUI conviction appears on your motor record, insurers will reflect that in your rates.

Even though the accident wasn’t your fault, you still drove under the influence of alcohol, and your insurer assumes you could do so again.

The Final Word on the Best Car Insurance for DUI Drivers

Insurance companies take DUI convictions seriously, hiking rates an average of 75% for convicted drivers. However, there are many ways to save on auto insurance after a DUI, like comparing quotes, utilizing discounts, and driving safely.

A DUI can remain on your record for three to five years, and you may be required to file an SR-22 form proving you carry the required auto insurance coverages. In addition, you could face fines, filing fees, or even jail time.

Shop around and compare quotes to find cheap DUI insurance.

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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.

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