While a DUI or DWI offense will leave a mark on your driving record, it's possible to find affordable auto insurance rates.
While there aren't specific insurance companies catering to drivers with DUIs, you can save money by remaining aware of the common impacts of a DUI on auto insurance. You can certainly expect your rate to rise after a DUI conviction, but there are some ways to limit your losses.
Your insurance company will raise your rates after a DUI conviction. An insurer's primary goal is to anticipate and account for risk — and driving while impaired is among the riskiest behaviors one can exhibit behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities are caused by intoxicated drivers. Drunk driving forces car insurance companies to pay out huge sums for bodily injury, property damage, and death benefits. If a car insurance company's client, i.e., the DUI offender, carries separate liability insurance to protect them in the event of a lawsuit, the insurance company might be on the hook again.
In addition to higher insurance rates after a DUI, you'll be ineligible for safe- or good-driver discounts. Depending on your insurance company, this could cost you.
| Accident/Violation | Average Annual Premium | Rate Increase |
|---|---|---|
| None | $1,470 | - |
| Cell Phone Violation | $1,758 | $288 |
| Texting while Driving | $1,760 | $290 |
| Speeding (11-15 MPH > Limit) | $1,778 | $308 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,087 | $617 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,504 | $1,034 |
| Racing | $2,553 | $1,084 |
| DUI/DWI | $2,556 | $1,086 |
While every company will raise your insurance rates after a DUI or DWI, the scale of the premium hike may vary. It's important to make the best of a bad situation by shopping for a new insurance policy and comparing rates after a DUI or DWI conviction. We compared average rates from major insurers to compare cheap car insurance companies after a DUI or DWI.
| Company | Car Insurance Rate — no DUI | Insurance Rate with DUI | Insurance Rate Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,888 | $3,634 | +$1,746 |
| State Farm | $1,313 | $1,975 | +$662 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,647 | $2,635 | +$988 |
| Progressive | $1,604 | $2,004 | +$400 |
| Farmers | $1,525 | $2,632 | +$1,107 |
| Nationwide | $1,347 | $3,092 | +$1,745 |
| GEICO | $1,276 | $2,647 | +$1,371 |
| USAA | $948 | $1,753 | +$805 |
Based on The Zebra's research, USAA is the cheapest car insurance company after a DUI. State Farm is also worth getting a quote from if you don't qualify for USAA. It's important to remember that every company charges rating factors differently.
In the wake of a DUI charge, your best bet is to compare car insurance quotes from as many companies to find the insurance coverage that fits you.
Insurance companies estimate post-DUI car insurance rates could increase by anywhere between 30% to 100% (or by even more). The reason? Your auto insurance rate is seriously affected by your driving history. If you have a DUI offense on your record, auto insurance companies might see you as a high-risk driver, and charge you accordingly. The amount by which your insurance premiums rise will be impacted by your insurer and your location — see our list of states below to gauge how big a hit your wallet will take.
Though an insurance company can’t legally cancel your policy as soon as it learns of a DWI/DUI incident, the insurer could decline to renew your auto insurance coverage once your current policy expires.
You can expect to shell out an increased car insurance premium for at least three years following a DUI. In some states, the premium will remain inflated as long as a DUI stays on file. Learn more about this at Nolo.com.
Following a DUI, your state could require you to file one of these forms in order to prove that you’re insured before the insurance provider will offer you the necessary insurance to get back on the road. An SR-22 form is a “statement of financial responsibility,” which is usually filed by an insurance company or agency on your behalf. You may not need to file an SR-22, depending on incidental factors around the accident. Learn more about SR-22 insurance.
Your car insurance rate isn’t the only thing that changes after a DUI. A citation alters your relationship with your insurance company and your state's DMV.
Depending on your insurance company and your driving record, your insurance company could elect to non-renew your policy because of the risk you pose. By this, we mean your insurance company will decline to cover you for six months — or however long your policy was. You'll also be ineligible for good driver discounts with a DUI on your driving record. Don't be afraid to shop around and switch insurance companies if your policy is non-renewed or if your car insurance rate gets too expensive.
Depending on the state in which you live, you could face a license suspension or jail time after a DUI or other major driving infractions. Even if you are allowed to keep your driver's license and your driving privileges, your state will usually require you to fill out an SR-22 (or FR-22). This certificate of financial responsibility proves you have purchased at least the minimum amount of car insurance required by your state. Most of the time, your insurance company will file these for you — usually for a fee — but if they don't, you would need to speak with your state's department of motor vehicles.
The car insurance premium penalty you pay after a DUI depends on your insurance company and the state in which you live. DUI offenses are penalized more harshly in certain states.
For a full breakdown of state-specific DUI car insurance consequences, see below:
