How can I get car insurance if my spouse has a DUI/DWI?
There may be ways that you can keep your insurance rates from going up after your husband or wife gets a DUI. Read on to learn more about your options.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: May 5, 2024
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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: May 5, 2024
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
- You may face sharply increased rates or find it difficult to get insurance coverage if your spouse has a DUI/DWI
- See if you can get a named driver exclusion clause written into your policy to exclude your convicted partner
- However, certain states and insurance companies may not allow this
If a court has convicted your spouse of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, you may be wondering how this will affect your car insurance. Getting car insurance after a DUI is much harder, but what if your wife or husband is the one with the DUI? What will insurance companies expect if your spouse is now ready to resume driving?
We know getting insurance after your spouse has had a DUI can be a complex subject to deal with and could have significant financial repercussions, so we’ve researched for you to provide answers.
What happens to my car insurance if my spouse gets a DUI?
If your husband or wife received a DUI conviction, insurance companies would assume that they now represent an increased risk. This means they will need high-risk car insurance. You will need to see if the company will extend coverage at all and may need to get various quotes to determine the best price on new rates.
If you are living together, you may want to see if you can exclude your partner from your car insurance, presuming this will make your premium more manageable. Otherwise, the insurance company will automatically assume that you will both have the opportunity to drive the vehicle, or vehicles, and quote accordingly.
Read More:
- Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Accept DUI
- Does car insurance cover excluded drivers?
- Compare Best Car Insurance Companies That Allow Spouse Exclusions
- DWI vs. DUI: What Is the Difference?
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Does a named driver exclusion help lower the cost of insurance after my spouse gets a DWI?
Can you take advantage of what is known as a named driver exclusion?
In this case, you would notify your insurance company that your spouse will not drive the vehicle noted on your policy at any time. The company will then write this clause into the paperwork, and you may see this reflected in lower rates.
However, some states do not allow you to do this. For example, Vermont does not permit any named driver exclusions, and you will need to contact your DMV or insurance provider to determine the rules in your jurisdiction. You should also talk with each insurance company to see if the practice is allowed, should it be okay with the state.
What if my company will not provide any auto insurance coverage?
On the flip side, an insurance company may not be happy to cover a certain individual if they have a terrible driving history. In this case, the company may insist on excluding your spouse if your spouse got a DUI.
If you’re wondering, “What are my rights when I am refused car insurance coverage?” You would then need to shop around to see if any other company would give you the coverage or make alternative arrangements.
Will we need insurance coverage before driving privileges are restored?
Don’t forget that your spouse may need to get a specific form from your insurance company before the DMV restores their driving privileges. This is known as an SR 22. It is a document that shows that the driver now carries at least the minimum auto insurance coverage specified by the state. They need to know how to file for SR-22 car insurance in order to start driving again.
Get in touch with your insurance company, and a representative will provide a form that you will need to fill in and return.
What if the company excludes my spouse, but they drive the car anyway?
Most companies will cover all drivers in one home under one car insurance policy. If the company agrees to exclude the spouse who got a DUI, you must be very careful to make sure they comply.
After all, the company is unlikely to honor any claim related to an incident if your spouse does get behind the wheel, and your insurer might cancel the policy altogether if they’re caught doing so.
What if we have two cars?
If you have two cars in the household, you may want to see if you can get insurance from two different companies. In this case, buying a less valuable vehicle for the spouse with a DUI conviction may be a good idea. Ask if you can have a named driver exclusion on the other vehicle and compare prices to see where you end up.
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Case Studies: Getting Car Insurance if Your Spouse has a DUI/DWI
Case Study 1: Obtaining High-Risk Car Insurance
John and Emily are a married couple residing in California. After Emily’s DUI conviction, they realized that their car insurance rates would likely increase. They contacted multiple insurance companies to explore their options.
Eventually, they found a company that offered high-risk car insurance and provided coverage for Emily. Although the premiums were higher than before, they were able to secure the necessary coverage.
Case Study 2: Named Driver Exclusion
Mark and Sarah live in Texas. Following Sarah’s DWI, they wanted to explore if a named driver exclusion could help lower their insurance costs. They contacted their insurance company and discovered that Texas does allow named driver exclusions.
By excluding Sarah from their policy, they were able to reduce their premiums significantly while still maintaining coverage for Mark.
Case Study 3: Seeking Alternative Coverage
Mike and Lisa reside in Vermont, where named driver exclusions are not permitted. When their insurance company refused coverage for Lisa due to her DUI, they realized they needed to find an alternative solution.
They reached out to various insurance providers and eventually found one that was willing to provide coverage for Lisa. While the premiums were higher than before, they were relieved to have insurance coverage for both of them.
Case Study 4: Obtaining an SR-22 Form
David and Jessica live in New York. Jessica’s DUI conviction required her to obtain an SR-22 form, demonstrating that she carried the minimum required auto insurance coverage.
They contacted their insurance company, which provided them with the necessary form. After submitting the form to the DMV, Jessica’s driving privileges were restored.
Case Study 5: Ensuring Compliance with Exclusion
Alex and Rachel reside in Florida. When their insurance company agreed to exclude Alex from coverage due to his DUI, they understood the importance of ensuring compliance. They established clear guidelines within their household to ensure that Alex never drove the insured vehicle.
They were aware that any claims related to incidents involving Alex driving would not be honored by their insurer, and the policy could potentially be canceled.
Final Thoughts on Getting Car Insurance if Your Spouse Has a DUI
Getting a named driver exclusion clause written into your policy may be possible should your spouse have a DUI conviction. Some states and insurance companies do not allow this, so you must shop around. If successful, your spouse will not be able to drive, but you will probably have lower insurance rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my car insurance if my spouse gets a DUI?
If your spouse receives a DUI conviction, insurance companies will consider them an increased risk. You may need to get quotes for high-risk car insurance or explore options to exclude your spouse from your policy.
Does a named driver exclusion help lower the cost of insurance after my spouse gets a DWI?
A named driver exclusion can help lower insurance rates. By notifying your insurance company that your spouse will not drive the insured vehicle, you may see reduced premiums. However, the availability of this option may vary by state and insurer.
What if my insurance company refuses to provide coverage after my spouse’s DUI?
If your insurance company declines coverage due to your spouse’s driving history, you will need to shop around for alternative options or make other arrangements to obtain coverage.
Will we need insurance coverage before driving privileges are restored?
Before your spouse’s driving privileges are restored, they may need to obtain an SR-22 form from your insurance company. This document verifies that they carry the minimum auto insurance coverage required by the state.
What if the company excludes my spouse, but they drive the car anyway?
If your insurance company agrees to exclude your spouse from coverage due to their DUI, it is crucial to ensure they do not drive the insured vehicle. The insurer may not honor any claims related to incidents involving your spouse driving, and they may even cancel the policy.
What if we have two cars?
If you have two cars in the household, you can explore getting insurance from two different companies. Consider purchasing a less valuable vehicle for the spouse with the DUI conviction and inquire about a named driver exclusion on the other vehicle.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
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.