If you’re facing a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, it’s still possible to get auto insurance. A DUI means you’ll pay much higher rates than you did when your driving record was clean.
How much more you’ll pay will depend on your state, insurer, and personal factors, such as your age and credit history. But based on Insurify’s analysis of 190 million quotes, a DUI can push your premium 67% higher than average. Comparing quotes from at least three insurers is the best way to find affordable auto insurance after a DUI.
The national average rate increase after a DUI conviction is around 44%, based on Insurify data.
Most states require drivers to maintain an SR-22 for three years after a DUI.
A DUI can affect your auto insurance rates for three to 10 years, or even longer.
Can you get car insurance after a DUI?
You can get car insurance after a DUI conviction, but you’ll pay a higher premium for it. While some major auto insurers might not renew your policy, non-standard car insurance companies, like The General and Dairyland, are more likely to insure drivers with a DUI.
Another option for car insurance after a DUI conviction is a state-assigned risk pool. These pools assign high-risk drivers who can’t obtain insurance in the voluntary market to insurers that operate in the state.[1]
Most states have an assigned-risk pool. Some examples include the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association, the Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan, and Maryland Auto Insurance.
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Liability-only rates start as low as $58/mo.
How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?
The average car insurance rate increases by roughly 44% after a single DUI, according to Insurify data. Many drivers with a DUI pay rates that are 67% higher than their state’s average. But keep in mind that rate hikes after a DUI conviction vary widely based on your insurance company and state.
The states with the highest average premium increases after a DUI include:
North Carolina (170.4%)
Alaska (87.5%)
New York (77.8%)
Hawaii (72.4%)
Drivers in these states face the smallest average rate increase after a DUI:
Minnesota (20.1%)
Utah (21.1%)
Wyoming (21.5%)
Georgia (21.9%)
The national average car insurance premium after one DUI is $269 per month. Drivers with multiple DUIs face average monthly rates of $468, Insurify data shows.
Average annual full-coverage rate before vs. after a DUI by state
State | Pre-DUI Avg. Annual Rate | Post-DUI Avg. Annual Rate | % Increase | $ Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $142 | $199 | 40% | $57 |
| Alaska | $105 | $197 | 88% | $92 |
| Arizona | $162 | $225 | 39% | $63 |
| Arkansas | $153 | $226 | 48% | $73 |
| California | $199 | $272 | 37% | $73 |
| Colorado | $217 | $301 | 39% | $84 |
| Connecticut | $218 | $351 | 61% | $133 |
| Delaware | $256 | $412 | 61% | $156 |
| Florida | $235 | $306 | 30% | $71 |
| Georgia | $260 | $316 | 22% | $56 |
| Hawaii | $127 | $217 | 71% | $90 |
| Idaho | $109 | $142 | 30% | $33 |
| Illinois | $160 | $227 | 42% | $67 |
| Indiana | $129 | $194 | 50% | $65 |
| Iowa | $110 | $168 | 53% | $58 |
| Kansas | $152 | $202 | 33% | $50 |
| Kentucky | $191 | $240 | 26% | $49 |
| Louisiana | $209 | $260 | 24% | $51 |
| Maine | $139 | $175 | 26% | $36 |
| Maryland | $303 | $488 | 61% | $185 |
| Massachusetts | $142 | $224 | 58% | $82 |
| Michigan | $225 | $362 | 61% | $137 |
| Minnesota | $184 | $223 | 21% | $39 |
| Mississippi | $183 | $228 | 25% | $45 |
| Missouri | $180 | $230 | 28% | $50 |
| Montana | $137 | $184 | 34% | $47 |
| Nebraska | $132 | $173 | 31% | $41 |
| Nevada | $251 | $321 | 28% | $70 |
| New Hampshire | $82 | $100 | 22% | $18 |
| New Jersey | $254 | $409 | 61% | $155 |
| New Mexico | $137 | $198 | 45% | $61 |
| New York | $243 | $432 | 78% | $189 |
| North Carolina | $115 | $312 | 171% | $197 |
| North Dakota | $114 | $149 | 31% | $35 |
| Ohio | $117 | $167 | 43% | $50 |
| Oklahoma | $169 | $206 | 22% | $37 |
| Oregon | $158 | $208 | 32% | $50 |
| Pennsylvania | $160 | $258 | 61% | $98 |
| Rhode Island | $302 | $408 | 35% | $106 |
| South Carolina | $255 | $411 | 61% | $156 |
| South Dakota | $154 | $223 | 45% | $69 |
| Tennessee | $132 | $198 | 50% | $66 |
| Texas | $206 | $286 | 39% | $80 |
| Utah | $147 | $177 | 20% | $30 |
| Vermont | $151 | $243 | 61% | $92 |
| Virginia | $203 | $260 | 28% | $57 |
| Washington | $183 | $248 | 36% | $65 |
| Washington, D.C. | $287 | $429 | 49% | $142 |
| West Virginia | $152 | $245 | 61% | $93 |
| Wisconsin | $126 | $161 | 28% | $35 |
| Wyoming | $93 | $113 | 22% | $20 |
How long does a DUI affect your car insurance rate?
In most states, a DUI will affect your car insurance rate for three to five years. That’s the typical “look-back period” in most states — a window of time for which an insurer examines your driving history to calculate your rate.
How long a DUI stays on your record also depends on your state’s DMV and criminal record retention periods. Most states have a “washout period,” usually of seven or 10 years, after which a DUI drops off your record. But in some places, including New Mexico and Colorado, a DUI stays on your record forever.[2]
Drunk driving usually has the biggest impact on car insurance premiums within the first few years of the conviction. For most drivers, rates start to come down around the three-year mark.
In the following table, you can see the average monthly DUI car insurance premiums based on the amount of time since conviction.
Time Since DUI | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| One year | $300 |
| Two years | $269 |
| Three years | $243 |
| 5+ years | $196 |
Cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a DUI
The cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a drunk driving conviction on their record are Country Financial, Auto-Owners, and USAA, based on Insurify quote data. Their average monthly liability-only rates for drivers with DUIs are $58, $59, and $73, respectively.
After a DUI conviction, some major insurers might not renew your policy. If that happens, you might consider switching to a non-standard insurance company, which may be more likely to continue your coverage after a DUI.
The cheapest non-standard car insurance providers for high-risk drivers are The General ($286 per month) and Direct Auto ($237 per month).
The following table shows the full-coverage rates from the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a DUI.
Company | Average Monthly Rate with DUI | SR-22 Filing Available | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTRY Financial | $121 | No | Discounts for teachers and first responders |
| Auto-Owners | $114 | No | Diminished value coverage |
| USAA | $146 | Yes | Military families |
| State Farm | $152 | Yes | Policy bundling |
| Erie | $180 | No | Customizable policies |
| Mile Auto | $197 | No | Low-mileage drivers |
| GEICO | $208 | Yes | Discounts |
| Allstate | $209 | Yes | Usage-based insurance programs |
| American Family | $210 | Yes | Young drivers |
Cheapest car insurance after a DUI by state
The cheapest car insurance company nationally isn’t always the cheapest in each state. To find the cheapest and best insurance after a DUI, you should compare personalized quotes from a few insurers.
Here are liability-only coverage rates from the cheapest companies for drivers with DUIs in every state.
State | Cheapest Company With DUI | Cheapest Rate With DUI |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | National General | $58 |
| Alaska | State Farm | $121 |
| Arizona | Auto-Owners | $65 |
| Arkansas | State Farm | $52 |
| California | USAA | $93 |
| Colorado | State Farm | $72 |
| Connecticut | State Farm | $109 |
| Delaware | USAA | $100 |
| Florida | State Farm | $110 |
| Georgia | Auto-Owners | $92 |
| Hawaii | GEICO | $73 |
| Idaho | Auto-Owners | $39 |
| Illinois | Auto-Owners | $57 |
| Indiana | Auto-Owners | $49 |
| Iowa | State Farm | $36 |
| Kansas | State Farm | $67 |
| Kentucky | Progressive | $77 |
| Louisiana | State Farm | $70 |
| Maine | USAA | $50 |
| Maryland | USAA | $186 |
| Massachusetts | State Farm | $78 |
| Michigan | Auto-Owners | $99 |
| Minnesota | State Farm | $69 |
| Mississippi | State Farm | $60 |
| Missouri | USAA | $63 |
| Montana | State Farm | $44 |
| Nebraska | Auto-Owners | $53 |
| Nevada | Country Financial | $66 |
| New Hampshire | National General | $78 |
| New Jersey | NJM | $201 |
| New Mexico | Progressive | $58 |
| New York | Erie | $113 |
| North Carolina | Erie | $116 |
| North Dakota | Auto-Owners | $30 |
| Ohio | Mile Auto | $50 |
| Oklahoma | State Farm | $46 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $76 |
| Pennsylvania | State Farm | $75 |
| Rhode Island | USAA | $108 |
| South Carolina | USAA | $111 |
| South Dakota | State Farm | $56 |
| Tennessee | State Farm | $53 |
| Texas | State Farm | $61 |
| Utah | USAA | $68 |
| Vermont | State Farm | $26 |
| Virginia | Auto-Owners | $71 |
| Washington | State Farm | $79 |
| Washington, D.C. | Erie | $230 |
| West Virginia | State Farm | $55 |
| Wisconsin | USAA | $41 |
| Wyoming | USAA | $33 |
What is an SR-22, and when do you need one after a DUI?
An SR-22 is a certificate that proves you carry the minimum amount of car insurance required in your state. Most states require drivers with a DUI to maintain an SR-22 for three to five years from the date of conviction. You’ll need your insurance company to file the form with the state.
If you get a DUI in Florida or Virginia, you’ll likely need to carry an FR-44 instead. An SR-22 and FR-44 are similar, but an FR-44 typically requires you to carry higher liability coverage limits than the state’s usual minimum.
If your car insurance policy lapses while you have an active SR-22, your insurance company will notify the state DMV. The DMV will likely suspend your driver’s license as a result.
Because SR-22 requirements vary by state, it’s a good idea to check with your state DMV for the exact rules.
Agent Tip: How to file an SR-22
“You can’t file an SR-22 for yourself. You need an insurer to do that for you, and not all insurance companies offer SR-22 filing. If you fail to get an SR-22 or let yours lapse before the state says you don’t need one anymore, you could lose your driver’s license.”
How much does an SR-22 cost?
If you need an SR-22, your insurance company will charge you a filing fee. The fee is usually around $25, but it can vary by insurer. While the SR-22 fee is relatively small, the higher cost is the premium increase that typically comes with a DUI conviction.
Another thing to know is that not all insurance companies file SR-22s. If your current auto insurer doesn’t offer SR-22 insurance, you’ll need to switch companies.
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Do you have to tell your insurance company about a DUI?
Generally, state laws don’t require drivers with DUI convictions to notify their insurance companies. But your policy contract may require it.
It’s a good idea to be honest and inform your insurer right away since your DUI conviction will go on your motor vehicle record. Your insurance company will eventually find out about the DUI when it reviews your driving record, which happens during the policy renewal period.
In most states, car insurance companies can’t drop a high-risk car insurance policy mid-term because of a DUI. As long as the policy has been in force for more than 60 days, and you haven’t committed fraud or lied on your application, your insurer won’t be able to cancel your policy.[3] But insurers can choose not to renew your policy when it expires.
If your insurance company asks you about a DUI or another infraction on your driving record, you’re legally obligated to tell them. Lying to your insurer can have a number of serious consequences, including policy cancellation and claim denial.
What to do if your insurer drops you after a DUI
Your insurance company can decide to drop your coverage after a DUI, but there’s a difference between non-renewal and a mid-term cancellation. Non-renewal is when the insurer chooses not to renew your policy when it expires, whereas cancellation can occur at any time during the policy period.
If you lose your car insurance coverage, it’s a good idea to contact a non-standard car insurance company that specializes in high-risk drivers, like Dairyland, Bristol West, or National General.
If you’re unable to find high-risk insurance with a DUI on your record, you can also consider your state’s assigned-risk plan. When you get insurance through an assigned-risk pool, you get matched to a participating insurance company that’s required to insure you, regardless of your driving record.[4]
Most states have some form of assigned risk pool, but it should be your last resort. The premiums are typically much more expensive than standard policies, and the coverage can be limited.
How to find affordable car insurance after a DUI
Car insurance premiums can increase sharply after a DUI violation, but it’s still possible to find a more affordable premium. Here are a few tips for getting the cheapest car insurance after a DUI:
Compare quotes. Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies can help you find the most affordable DUI car insurance.
Complete a DUI education course. Some insurers may offer you a discount for completing a state-approved DUI education course or defensive driving program.
Maintain continuous coverage. Maintaining continuous insurance helps you avoid a lapse in coverage that could lead to even higher premiums in the future.
Raise your deductibles. Choosing higher deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage can reduce your monthly premiums.
Look for discounts. Many insurance companies provide a discount to drivers who bundle their policies, insure a new car, enroll in auto pay, or have a vehicle with certain safety features.
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Car insurance with a DUI FAQs
If you’re searching for the best car insurance after a DUI, here’s some additional information that can help you understand what to expect.
Will your insurance company drop you after a DUI?
Your car insurance company might drop your policy after a DUI, but it’s not a guarantee. Under most circumstances, car insurance companies can’t cancel your policy in the middle of the term. But your insurer could decide to cancel or not renew your policy when it expires.
Do you have to tell your insurance company about a DUI?
You don’t legally need to notify your insurance company about a DUI, but the insurer will find out eventually. A DUI will show up on your motor vehicle record the next time your insurer renews it. And if your insurer asks directly about the DUI, you must answer truthfully.
How much does an SR-22 cost?
On average, it costs around $25 to file an SR-22 certificate, but the exact cost can vary depending on your insurance company and state.
How much does a DUI raise car insurance?
DUI insurance rates increase by an average of 44%, based on Insurify data. But the actual rate increase can depend on your driver profile, state, insurance company, and other factors.
Is a DUI the same as a DWI for insurance purposes?
Yes. Insurance companies generally treat DUIs the same as DWIs, where the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher.[5] Both infractions usually have the same look-back period, SR-22 requirements, and impacts on insurance costs.
States may use the terms interchangeably or use a different term entirely for intoxicated driving. For example, Colorado uses “DWAI” — driving while ability impaired — to encompass alcohol- and drug-impaired driving.[6]
Can you get insurance after multiple DUIs?
It’s possible to get car insurance after multiple DUIs, but it might not be easy, and it will almost certainly be expensive. Insurance companies may be unwilling to insure you if you have more than one DUI on your record.
In that case, you might need to resort to your state’s assigned-risk pool to find coverage that meets your state’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
Sources
- International Risk Management Institute (IRMI). "Assigned risk plan."
- NOLO. "How Long Will a DUI Conviction Be on My Record?."
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). "What's the difference between cancellation and nonrenewal?."
- Triple-I. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). "DWI vs. DUI: What's the Difference?."
- Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services. "Colorado Law Summary: Colorado Drunk Driving Laws."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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