Auto Insurance Rates After A Dui: What To Expect

Auto insurance rates increase significantly after a DUI, with drivers paying up to 88% more for full coverage policies. The exact increase depends on the state, insurance company, and other factors like age and driving history. The cheapest insurance companies after a DUI include Progressive, USAA, State Farm, and American Family.

DUI insurance rates by state

The cost of car insurance with a DUI varies across the United States. The national average increase for drivers with a DUI is 65%, or nearly $1,400 extra per year. However, the increase in insurance costs after a DUI is not uniform across all states.

For instance, in Alaska, Florida, and Missouri, the average increase in insurance rates after a DUI is 33%. North Carolina has the highest average rate hike of 266%, though this is lower than the state-recommended increase of 340% under its Safe Driver Incentive Plan. In Michigan, the average car insurance increase after a DUI is 156%, though this is not the largest increase. Rates in North Carolina go up by 310% on average, but as mentioned above, rates in that state start much lower than in Michigan.

USAA, Progressive, and American Family offer car insurance policies for less than $3,000 a year, on average, for drivers with a recent DUI. However, USAA insurance is only available to military members, veterans, and their families. Progressive and Allstate have lower rate hikes after a DUI compared to competitors, but their overall rates might still be higher than other companies.

The cost of DUI insurance coverage is around $305 per month, according to Insurance.com's data study. However, Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance rates after a DUI at about $2,810 a year, followed by State Farm, which has an average annual cost of $2,905.

DUI insurance costs by company

The cost of car insurance following a DUI conviction varies depending on the insurance company and the state in which the driver lives.

USAA, which is only available to military members, veterans, and their families, is considered the cheapest option for drivers with a DUI on their record. Progressive is another insurance company that offers competitive rates for drivers with a DUI, with only a $400 increase after a DUI. State Farm is also a good option, with an average policy cost of $1,975 after a DUI.

Other companies that offer car insurance for drivers with a DUI include:

• American Family
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• Grange
• Wawanesa
• Mercury
• Geico
• National General

It is important to note that the cost of car insurance after a DUI can be significantly higher than before the conviction. The national average increase in insurance rates after a DUI is 65%, which translates to nearly $1,400 extra per year. In some states, such as North Carolina, the average rate increase can be as high as 266%.

Additionally, drivers with a DUI may be required to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form with their state, which can cost between $15 and $50.

DUI insurance for young drivers

DUI insurance is not an official policy but a term used to refer to the increase in car insurance rates and requirements like filing an SR-22 after a DUI conviction. After a DUI conviction, young drivers will be considered high-risk drivers and will face higher insurance rates for several years.

The cost of DUI insurance varies depending on the driver's state and insurance company. Progressive, USAA, and State Farm are among the insurance companies with the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI. Progressive, for example, only raises rates by a countrywide average of about 13% after a first DUI. However, it's important to note that rates can increase by up to 296% after a first DUI, depending on the state and insurer.

Young drivers with a DUI conviction can expect to pay around $305 per month for DUI insurance, according to Insurance.com's data study. The best way to find cheaper DUI insurance rates is to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance providers. Other tips for reducing rates include increasing your deductible, bundling your home and auto policy, and avoiding other traffic violations.

It's also worth noting that a DUI conviction can result in losing your license, fines, probation, or even jail time, in addition to the increase in insurance rates.

DUI insurance for repeat offenders

DUI insurance is a colloquial term used to refer to the increase in car insurance rates and requirements like filing an SR-22 after a DUI conviction. There is no specific type of insurance called DUI insurance, but you will be considered a high-risk driver after a DUI, and your car insurance rates will be much higher.

If you have multiple DUIs, a car insurance company may decide you are too high-risk and deny you coverage. You may then have to turn to your state's high-risk insurer, which typically has very high car insurance rates.

Some states use yellow license plates or maintain a public list of offenders to deter DUI/DWI offenses. Repeat DUI offenses often include incarceration, jail time, license suspensions, and probation. Some states will also impound, immobilize, or even forfeit the offender's vehicle.

If you are a repeat offender, you may be able to participate in a rehabilitation program instead of serving time in jail. These programs usually combine probation with drug and alcohol treatment, and offenders may have to complete some form of addiction treatment.

To find the cheapest insurance rates after a DUI, you should shop around and compare rates from multiple insurance providers. You may also want to consider the following:

• Increasing your deductible to lower your premiums
• Asking about discounts you can still qualify for, such as bundling your home and auto policy
• Reducing your coverage limits if you typically carry full coverage
• Maintaining a good credit score
• Avoiding additional traffic violations

How to get DUI insurance

If you have a DUI violation, you may find that many insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver and refuse to cover you. However, there are still some insurance providers that will insure drivers with a DUI violation.

Firstly, you should inform your current insurer of your DUI conviction. Although you are not legally or contractually obligated to do so, your insurer will find out about your conviction when they check your driving record prior to your next policy renewal. Being proactive can save you the hassle of scrambling to find a new insurer if your current one decides to drop you as a policyholder or hike your rates to an unaffordable level.

Next, you will need to file an SR-22 form. In most states, courts will order DUI offenders to link a certificate of financial responsibility, known as an SR-22 form, to their auto insurance policies. This document attests that you have the legally required minimum insurance coverage for your state. An SR-22 filing compels your insurer to notify your state's department of motor vehicles if your policy lapses for any reason, which typically triggers the immediate suspension of your driver's license. In Florida and Virginia, you may need an FR-44 certification instead of an SR-22.

If your current insurer cancels your policy or makes your premiums unaffordable after learning of your DUI, you will need to get quotes from other insurers. You can compare auto insurance rates even when looking for DUI coverage. Try searching national providers' websites for "SR-22" or "FR-44", or do a web search for "SR-22 insurance". Although this term isn't strictly accurate, as an SR-22 isn't an insurance product, some providers have embraced the term as shorthand for policies issued to drivers with DUIs.

When shopping for DUI insurance, it's a good idea to shop around for the lowest premiums. Each provider determines rates in their own way, based on factors such as your credit score (in states where this is allowed) and your ZIP code. Get quotes from multiple providers, making sure they are aware of your DUI. You will still likely pay more than a driver without a DUI, but you may be surprised by the difference between the highest and lowest rates offered.

If you are unable to find an insurer that will cover you, contact your state's department of motor vehicles. Every state has a high-risk insurance pool for drivers who are unable to obtain coverage through conventional insurance providers. Although this is never going to be a cheap option, it is available as a last resort.

DUI Insurance Companies

Some of the cheapest DUI insurance companies include:

• Progressive
• State Farm
• Travelers
• The General
• Erie
• USAA (only available to military families)
• Grange
• Wawanesa
• Mercury
• Geico
• National General

Frequently asked questions