DUI Car Insurance

Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal in every state, and drivers face severe criminal and insurance penalties.

Drivers with a DUI know that car insurance rates skyrocket after the charge. Not to mention, not every company offers DUI car insurance, so it can be tricky to find.

In addition, your state determines criminal repercussions and what car insurance you’ll need after a DUI. You may be required to file an SR-22 form and get high-risk auto insurance.

Your car insurance company looks at one DUI much differently than multiple DUIs. Although one DUI raises your rates significantly, multiple DUIs may result in a loss of coverage.

While car insurance rates after a DUI will increase, shop around to find the most affordable rates. Compare multiple companies that offer DUI insurance to get the best coverage and lowest rates possible.

Keep reading to learn more about DUI auto insurance and how to get the best rates possible.

Can you obtain car insurance with a DUI? 

Driving under the influence refers to drugs or alcohol impairing your ability to operate your vehicle safely. This includes a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher in most states. It also includes driving with recreational or prescription drugs in your system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, driving with a BAC of 0.08% results in poor muscle coordination and a loss of concentration. All factors make it very difficult or impossible to drive safely.

If you have a DUI charge, your life just got much more complicated. Although it’s not the end of the world, a DUI is a costly mistake, and recovery takes years.

In addition to any criminal charges and penalties imposed, a DUI drastically affects car insurance. Not only will rates increase, but coverage may be challenging to find, especially if you have more than one DUI.

Although most states only keep a DUI on your record for three to five years, some states don’t remove the charge from your driving record for 10 years. In addition, most states leave a DUI on your criminal record indefinitely unless expunged.

Not every car insurance company offers DUI coverage. Finding auto insurance companies that accept DUIs and provide low rates can take some research.

However, not all car insurance companies look at a DUI the same way. For example, Progressive only raises rates by around 13% for one DUI and files an SR-22 form if needed.

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How much is auto insurance after a DUI?

If you’ve gotten a DUI, your car insurance company considers you a risky driver. Since the insurance company knows that it will likely have to pay a claim if you continue to drive impaired, rates increase.

However, your insurance company looks at one DUI much differently than three or four. Therefore, if you receive multiple DUIs, your insurance company may refuse to cover you.

Not only will it be harder to find coverage, but you’ll also have to pay for expensive, high-risk car insurance. In addition, insurance companies may only offer reduced coverage instead of full coverage, which is necessary if you have a car loan or lease.

This table shows how much one DUI increases car insurance rates from top companies.

While rates increase an average of $150 a month, not every car insurance company looks at DUIs the same way. For example, Allstate, Geico, and Liberty Mutual raise rates by over $200 a month with a DUI. On the other hand, Progressive increases rates by only $50 a month.

Local car insurance companies may also offer DUI car insurance. However, finding DUI coverage and low rates will take some legwork.

If you’ve gotten a DUI, shop around for coverage. It will take time to find the best rates available, but it’s worth it. A DUI affects your car insurance rates for years. Avoid paying hundreds of dollars a month extra by spending some time comparing rates.

Each state requires insurers to cover a high-risk insurance pool if all else fails. As a result, car insurance companies must offer coverage to drivers who can’t find insurance elsewhere. However, rates are incredibly high.

How can you get cheap DUI car insurance?

You probably won’t find cheap car insurance if you have a DUI on your driving record. However, there are things you can do to lower your rates as much as possible.

First, talk to your current insurance company. If this is the first infraction on your driving record and you have a good history with your company, it may offer coverage with a minimal increase.

Next, shop around. Some car insurance companies specialize in DUI and high-risk insurance. Every company looks at your DUI differently, so it’s important to compare multiple companies for the best rates.

If you no longer have a vehicle, consider non-owner car insurance. Non-owner coverage provides insurance no matter what vehicle you drive. It also allows you to maintain coverage so that your insurance doesn’t lapse.

Finally, avoid accidents, tickets, and more DUIs. Keep your driving record as clean as possible to show your insurance company that you are a responsible driver. Even though a DUI shows that you made a poor decision, avoiding more infractions indicates it was a one-time thing.

Although you may be able to find cheaper rates than others, you still won’t obtain the same low rates as someone without a DUI. However, your rates should decrease significantly once your DUI comes off of your driving record.

You may be stuck with higher car insurance rates for three to five years, but eventually, your rates will lower. Commit to practicing safe driving at all times as with a 2nd DUI offense, your insurance rates will go up even more significantly.

What else happens if you get a DUI?

In addition to higher car insurance rates, you’ll face other penalties if you get a DUI. Your state determines what happens, and penalties are worse for multiple DUIs.

Typical consequences for a DUI include:

• Driver’s license suspension. Depending on how many infractions you have, your license may be suspended or revoked. Some states require a suspension if you refuse a DUI test.
• Fines. Each state determines DUI fines. Although fines for a first offense may be minimal, subsequent offenses carry higher fines.
• Jail time. In most states, a first offense won’t result in jail time unless someone was significantly injured. Repeat offenders can face months to years in jail. And some states, like Arizona, have stiff penalties, even for a first offense.
• Ignition interlock device. This device disables your vehicle if it detects alcohol on your breath. States determine if the device is mandatory or encouraged.
• SR-22 form. Your insurance company files this form to show your state that you have car insurance. The form is inexpensive, but car insurance rates increase dramatically.

In addition to these consequences, you’ll probably face court and attorney fees. One DUI can cost you thousands of dollars. 

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DUI Car Insurance: The Bottom Line

Your state determines criminal penalties for a DUI as well as insurance requirements. Multiple DUIs or a serious accident involving a DUI can result in high-risk auto insurance and an SR-22 form. In addition, your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked.

Finding DUI car insurance is possible, but it’s expensive. Although some companies like Progressive only minimally raise rates, others like Liberty Mutual raise rates over $200 a month.

Multiple DUIs may require you to get expensive, high-risk auto insurance that not every company offers. Although some insurance companies specialize in DUI car insurance, it’s generally more expensive than coverage with a traditional insurer.

Fortunately, DUIs usually only stay on your driving record for three to five years. After that, your car insurance rates should decrease dramatically.

A few national and some local car insurance companies offer DUI insurance. If you’re looking for USAA, Nationwide, State Farm, or Progressive DUI insurance, your rates will be higher. Shop around to find coverage and find the cheapest coverage offered to you.

Compare DUI car insurance rates from multiple companies to find the coverage you need with the lowest rates. Every insurance company looks at your DUI differently, so compare quotes from different companies.