Compare Car Insurance Rates After a DUI [2023]
On average, car insurance after a DUI is 75% higher, but you could pay significantly less if you compare car insurance rates after a DUI. State Farm auto insurance with a DUI averages $112 a month, but Progressive also offers affordable DUI insurance rates at $140 monthly. Both insurers will file an SR-22.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
UPDATED: Jul 14, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 14, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If you get a DUI conviction, expect your auto insurance rates to hike by about 75%, around $1,000 more annually
- A new insurance company may offer lower rates, so compare car insurance rates after a DUI to see if you can save
- You may need to find a new company anyways if they don’t file SR-22 forms, and a DUI could stay on your record for several years
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 car insurance rates after a DUI. Keep reading to learn more about the best car insurance for a DUI and how much you might pay for coverage.
- DUI and Reckless Driving Laws
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Massachusetts?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Missouri?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Ohio?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Pennsylvania?
- DWI vs. DUI: What Is the Difference?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Indiana?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Virginia?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Minnesota?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Washington?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in New Jersey?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Mississippi?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Hawaii?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in New Mexico?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Louisiana?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in New York?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Tennessee?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in West Virginia?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Nebraska?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Kentucky?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Maryland?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Idaho?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Georgia?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Maine?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Florida?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Colorado?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Utah?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Michigan?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Arkansas?
- What are the DUI insurance laws in Arizona?
- Consequences of Refusing a Breathalyzer Test [2023]
- How can I get car insurance if my spouse has a DUI/DWI?
Car Insurance Rates 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 Rates Increase With Certain Companies After a DUI
Car insurance hikes after a DUI vary by 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.
Insurance Company | Rates with a DUI |
---|---|
Allstate | $270 |
American Family | $194 |
Farmers | $192 |
Geico | $216 |
Liberty Mutual | $313 |
Nationwide | $234 |
Progressive | $140 |
State Farm | $112 |
Travelers | $206 |
USAA | $1,335 |
Average | $209 |
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.
Although rates won’t be as low as before, it is possible to cheap car insurance with DUIs. However, it may take some searching on your part.
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 a DUI Impacts Your Car Insurance Rates
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.
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.
SR-22 Insurance
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 are 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 to Save on 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.
The best car insurance to get after a DUI varies by driver, so compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best car insurance to get after a DUI?
If you have a DUI on your record, State Farm is the cheapest auto insurance company, with an average monthly rate of $112. Progressive comes in second, charging an average of $140 monthly for a full coverage policy.
However, the cheapest auto insurance company for your needs may vary since insurers consider various unique factors when setting rates. So, it’s vital to shop around and compare quotes to find the company to fit your needs and budget.
How much does auto insurance cost after a DUI?
The U.S. average for full coverage auto insurance after a DUI is $209, accounting for a 75% increase.
Insurance companies take DUI convictions seriously, so if you have a DUI, expect your insurer to consider you high risk. High-risk means you’re more likely to cost the company money after an accident or filing a claim.
Is there a trick to get cheap DUI insurance rates?
While there isn’t a trick to lowering your DUI insurance rates, there are proven tips you can take to decrease costs. For example, comparison shopping and asking for discounts could lead to lower rates. Your current company may not be able to offer you cheap car insurance with a DUI, so compare rates to find one that can.
What is an SR-22 certificate?
An SR-22 is a certificate the state requires you to obtain after certain violations. It’s not an insurance policy but a document proving you carry the required insurance coverages for your state.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.