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Best car insurance after a DUI (2024)

Car insurance gets more expensive after a DUI — your insurance company may even cancel your policy. Comparing quotes can help you find affordable car insurance with a DUI on your record.

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By

Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.&Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Reviewed by

Britta M. MossBritta M. MossProperty & casualty claim consultant and expert witnessBritta M. Moss, CPCU, SCLA, AIC-M, has over 25 years of insurance industry experience. In her work as a property and casualty claim consultant, she provides consultation and expert witness services in claim handling standards, practices, and norms.  She has been retained by law firms representing plaintiffs and those representing insurer defendants involved in disputes or litigation regarding coverage analysis, investigation, liability determination, damage evaluation, negotiation and settlement.  She is a graduate of The Ohio State University. 

Updated|4 min read

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What is DUI insurance?

There’s actually no such thing a DUI insurance. If you have a DUI on your record, you still need a normal car insurance policy, not a special type of car insurance

But car insurance after a DUI will cost more than it would if you had a clean driving record, and you may be considered a high-risk driver or need to get car insurance from a company known for non-standard car insurance.

This is true for drivers who get a DWI, OWI, OUI, or OWVI instead of a DUI — your car insurance rates will be a lot higher in the years following the violation, but there’s no special type of car insurance specifically for a DWI, OUI, or any other offense.

→ Read about the difference between a DUI and other similar violations

DUI insurance vs. SR-22 insurance

Many states require drivers with a DUI to get an SR-22, which is a form that your car insurance company files with your state proving that you have car insurance.

You’ll have to pay a fee when your insurance company files your SR-22. These fees are usually small (about $25), but you’ll have to renew your policy with the SR-22 and pay the fee again for however many years it's required.

Florida and Virginia sometimes require a form called an FR-44 as proof of insurance after a DUI. An FR-44 works the same way as an SR-22, but it requires you to have more car insurance than with an SR-22.

Cheapest DUI car insurance by company

We found that State Farm has the cheapest car insurance rates after a DUI. On average, State Farm costs $132 per month or $1,588 a year after a DUI. 

Smaller companies like NJM, MAPFRE, and Erie also have cheap DUI insurance, but aren’t available in every state. It’s a good idea to compare rates to look for the cheapest coverage in your area.

Company name

Average yearly cost with DUI

Average yearly cost with clean record

Increase after DUI

State Farm

$1,588

$1,141

+$447

NJM

$1,620

$1,262

+$358

MAPFRE

$2,047

$1,040

+$1,007

Erie

$2,082

$1,181

+$901

USAA*

$2,110

$1,044

+$1,066

Travelers

$2,122

$1,351

+$771

American Family

$2,149

$1,479

+$670

Farm Bureau

$2,156

$1,547

+$609

Progressive

$2,318

$1,780

+$538

COUNTRY Financial

$2,355

$1,416

+$939

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USAA is only available to veterans, members of the military, and their families.

Methodology: Why you can trust our picks for the best DUI insurance

We found the companies offering the cheapest DUI insurance by analyzing rates from Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in the country. Our 30-year-old sample driver had one DUI and a 2017 Toyota Camry with these coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

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Cheapest DUI car insurance rates by state

The cheapest company depends on where you live and the details of your record, but we found that State Farm has the cheapest car insurance for people with a DUI in most states.

American National, GEICO, National General, NJM, Progressive, USAA, and Wawanesa are each the cheapest company for DUI insurance in some states.

State

Average monthly cost

Cheapest company

Alabama

$116

State Farm

Alaska

$89

State Farm

Arizona

$109

State Farm

Arkansas

$88

State Farm

California

$146

Wawanesa

Colorado

$109

American National

Connecticut

$107

State Farm

Delaware

$107

State Farm

District of Columbia

$134

State Farm

Florida

$146

State Farm

Georgia

$123

State Farm

Hawaii

$89

State Farm

Idaho

$52

State Farm

Illinois

$87

State Farm

Indiana

$84

State Farm

Iowa

$64

State Farm

Kansas

$99

State Farm

Kentucky

$170

State Farm

Louisiana

$149

State Farm

Maine

$68

State Farm

Maryland

$99

GEICO

Massachusetts

$152

GEICO

Michigan

$151

Progressive

Minnesota

$88

State Farm

Mississippi

$98

State Farm

Missouri

$100

State Farm

Montana

$92

State Farm

Nebraska

$138

State Farm

Nevada

$106

State Farm

New Hampshire

$98

USAA

New Jersey

$135

NJM

New Mexico

$86

State Farm

New York

$99

Progressive

North Carolina

$236

National General

North Dakota

$84

State Farm

Ohio

$67

State Farm

Oklahoma

$93

State Farm

Oregon

$77

State Farm

Pennsylvania

$88

State Farm

Rhode Island

$80

State Farm

South Carolina

$89

American National

South Dakota

$100

State Farm

Tennessee

$78

State Farm

Texas

$113

Redpoint

Utah

$112

State Farm

Vermont

$58

State Farm

Virginia

$77

State Farm

Washington

$103

State Farm

West Virginia

$92

State Farm

Wisconsin

$75

State Farm

Wyoming

$112

State Farm

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Average monthly DUI insurance costs for full-coverage.

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How does a DUI affect your car insurance?

Your car insurance rates will go up after a DUI. On average, DUI insurance costs $248 per month or $2,977 a year — that’s $1,339 more expensive than car insurance without a DUI.

A map of the United States on which states are shaded according to the average cost increase to one's insurance after a DUI.

It’s also harder to get car insurance with a DUI. Many companies opt not to cover high-risk drivers because they’re more likely to make a future claim.

Also, your insurance company may drop you right away or may refuse to renew your policy if you have a DUI.

How much does your insurance go up after a DUI?

We found that a DUI raises the cost of car insurance by an average of 86%, which means a DUI can nearly double your rates.

How long does a DUI stay on your driving record?

Every state has different rules about how long a DUI stays on your driving record. If you live somewhere that uses a points system, the points on your license from the DUI may come off after two to five years while the DUI may stay on your record permanently.

But that doesn’t mean you’ll always pay more for insurance with a DUI on your record. Your rates will be higher than average for a while, but they’ll return to average eventually, as long as you don’t commit any more violations or get any tickets.

Can you get away with not telling insurance about DUI?

In short, no. If you already have a DUI on your record, be sure to disclose it when you’re applying for car insurance. Companies will see a DUI when they check your motor vehicle report (MVR) anyways, so being upfront about it from the beginning will just mean that you’ll get more accurate quotes.

You should also notify your current car insurance company when you get a DUI. It’s usually not a rule that you have to tell your car insurance company about a new DUI, but it’s better to be honest about it and avoid the risk of violating your policy.

Telling your insurance company about a DUI may also help you better prepare for a rate increase once it's time to renew your policy.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

I crashed my car and got a DUI — am I covered?

Your car insurance company may cover the damage if you cause an accident while drinking and driving, but it depends on your state and the company. If you’re not sure how your coverage applies to a drunk driving accident, it may be time to speak to a lawyer or legal expert. 

Even if you’re covered for an accident that you caused while under the influence, your car insurance company will probably drop your coverage after paying out any damage.

It won’t be cheap to get a new car insurance policy after an accident. You may now have a DUI and an at-fault accident on your record, so your rates will be even higher than someone with only one violation. 

You may even have to find coverage from a non-standard company (like The General, Oxford, or Freeway Insurance) or through your state’s assigned-risk insurance pool, which promises coverage to high-risk drivers who can’t get coverage on the regular market.

How to shop for car insurance after a DUI

Unfortunately, there’s no insurance trick for avoiding the increase after a DUI. But there are a few steps that you can take to make finding DUI insurance easier — and cheaper.

  1. Be honest about your driving record Cut down the time it takes to find car insurance by being up front about your DUI and letting companies know if you need an SR-22.

  2. Compare car insurance quotes Comparing quotes from at least a few different companies before you buy a policy gives you the best chance of finding your cheapest DUI insurance.

  3. Reshop your car insurance every year When it’s time to renew your policy, check whether you’re still getting the cheapest option by shopping around a little. If you find a better deal, switch companies.

  4. Avoid any more driving violations and accidents Insurance with a DUI is expensive, but as long as you drive safely going forward, your rates will eventually return to average.

  5. Make sure you have the right amount of insurance After your DUI, you may be able to reduce your costs by dropping full coverage on an older car, or by switching to a per-mile policy if you’re an infrequent driver, or even a non-owner's policy if you stop owning a car altogether.

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We don't sell your information to third parties.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you get cheap DUI car insurance?

We found that State Farm, USAA, Travelers, American Family, and other smaller car insurance companies all offer drivers cheap DUI insurance.

Can your insurance company cancel your policy after a DUI?

Yes, insurance companies can cancel your policy or decide not to renew your policy after a DUI.

What happens if you get a DUI but don't own a car?

If you don’t own a car but your license was suspended because of a DUI, you may have to get non-owner car insurance in order to show proof of coverage. If you don’t care about reinstating your license, you don’t need to get non-owners insurance. You’d still have to pay your state’s DUI fines and, of course, you wouldn’t be able to drive.

How do insurance companies find out about DUIs?

Your insurance company will find out about a past DUI by checking your driving record when you buy a policy. If you’ve just gotten a DUI, your car insurance company will find out when it’s time to renew your policy.

Authors

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

Expert reviewer

Britta M. Moss, CPCU, SCLA, AIC-M, has over 25 years of insurance industry experience. In her work as a property and casualty claim consultant, she provides consultation and expert witness services in claim handling standards, practices, and norms.  She has been retained by law firms representing plaintiffs and those representing insurer defendants involved in disputes or litigation regarding coverage analysis, investigation, liability determination, damage evaluation, negotiation and settlement.  She is a graduate of The Ohio State University. 

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