DUI Car Insurance in California (2026)
Drivers in California with a DUI pay an average of $200 per month for car insurance.
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Written byJess Ullrich
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Jess UllrichFreelance Insurance Writer
10+ years in personal finance writing and editing
Investopedia, Wall Street Journal, and The HuffPost
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
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Reviewed byDaniel Roccato
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Daniel RoccatoAdvisor
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Updated
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Drivers in California with a DUI pay an average of $130 per month for liability insurance. The cheapest monthly rate for liability coverage in California is $91.
You’ll typically pay more for car insurance if you have driving infractions on your record, especially for DUI convictions. California drivers with a clean record pay an average of $96 for state-minimum car insurance coverage.
Here’s what you should know about how a DUI can affect your car insurance rates in California.
Quick Facts
Having a DUI conviction can make it harder to secure car insurance because auto insurers will view you as a higher risk on the road.
You’ll need to file an SR-22 form with the California DMV to prove you have adequate car insurance coverage if you’ve received a DUI conviction.
A DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years in California.[1]
Cheapest car insurance quotes after a DUI in California
Since different car insurance companies offer different rates, it’s important to compare multiple car insurance quotes. This is true whether you have a clean record, a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, or a DUI conviction. But USAA generally offers the cheapest coverage for California drivers with a DUI, according to Insurify data.
Here’s a look at average liability insurance rates by company.
The below rates in California are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, May 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company  | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $91 |
| Aspire General | $94 |
| Sun Coast | $98 |
| GEICO | $99 |
| National General | $102 |
| Mercury | $111 |
| Dairyland | $112 |
| Root | $122 |
| Allstate | $126 |
| Direct Auto | $126 |
| Farmers | $129 |
| Anchor | $136 |
| State Farm | $139 |
| Kemper Special | $140 |
| Bristol West | $140 |
| Travelers | $147 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $153 |
| 21st Century | $154 |
| Nationwide | $196 |
| Chubb | $249 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time California car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in California may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Monthly liability rates start at $91 for drivers with a DUI
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How a DUI affects car insurance rates in California
If you have a DUI conviction in California, you’ll likely pay higher car insurance rates than if you had a clean record. The same is true for drivers outside of California — insurance companies will view you as a higher risk no matter where you live.
Below, you can compare the average cost of liability-only car insurance for California drivers with clean records and drivers with DUIs.
With DUI | Without DUI | |
|---|---|---|
| Average California driver | $130 | $96 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time California quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
How to get car insurance with a DUI in California
Getting car insurance in California with a clean record is much simpler than getting it with a DUI conviction, which stays on your record for 10 years. Insurance companies will view you as a high-risk driver if you have a DUI on your driving record. That said, finding coverage isn’t impossible.
Follow these steps for finding car insurance with a DUI:
1. Shop around
Compare car insurance options for high-risk drivers and get quotes.
2. Look for discounts
Determine if the car insurance companies you’re considering offer any discounts that might apply to your situation.
3. Buy coverage
Choose coverage that meets your needs, and buy a policy online or over the phone.
4. File an SR-22 form
Request that your insurance company file an SR-22 with the DMV on your behalf.
DUI laws in California
If you have a DUI in California, the charge will stay on your driving record for 10 years. You’ll also likely need an SR-22 form to reinstate your driving privileges. An SR-22 serves as proof that you have at least the state-minimum car insurance for California.
The consequences of a DUI conviction in California include license suspension. The duration of your suspension varies depending on whether you took a chemical test at the time of your arrest. Your age also plays a role. Drivers younger than 21 face harsher license suspension penalties for first offenses than older drivers.
For instance, if you’re older than 21 and it’s your first DUI offense, you’ll likely get a four-month license suspension, but a second offense within 10 years will result in a one-year suspension. If you have three DUIs in 10 years, you’ll face a three-year license revocation.
You may also need to install an ignition interlock device in your car and pay a $125 fee to reinstate your license after suspension.[2]
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Minimum car insurance requirements in California
All California drivers need to meet the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. You’ll need to buy the following insurance coverages:
Coverage | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 per accident |
DUI car insurance in California FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about finding California car insurance with a DUI.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in California after a DUI?
The cheapest car insurance company in California after a DUI is USAA. Drivers pay an average of $91 for liability insurance from USAA.
How long will a DUI affect your car insurance premium?
In some states, a DUI will stay on your record for only a few years. But if you have a DUI in California, it’ll stay on your driving record for 10 years. So it could affect your insurance rates for a decade, though your insurer may reduce your rates sooner than that.
How much is DUI insurance in California?
The cost of DUI insurance in California depends on several factors, including the rest of your driving record, your age, gender, location, and more. But California drivers with a DUI pay an average of $130 per month for liability car insurance and $270 for full coverage.
How long do you need an SR-22 after a DUI in California?
You’ll typically need an SR-22 for three years after a DUI, though specifics may vary based on your situation. An SR-22 form proves you meet California’s minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage. But the exact time frame may vary depending on your past driving history.
How much does your insurance go up after a DUI?
Your car insurance will increase fairly significantly after a DUI, according to Insurify data. California drivers with a DUI pay $200 per month overall, while drivers with a clean record pay $147 per month.
Sources
- California Public Law. "CA Veh Code Section 1808."
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Driving Under the Influence (DUI)."
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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Jess UllrichFreelance Insurance Writer
10+ years in personal finance writing and editing
Investopedia, Wall Street Journal, and The HuffPost
Featured in
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
Daniel RoccatoAdvisor
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego