Best DUI Car Insurance
Progressive has the best widely available car insurance rates after a DUI.
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Best cheap DUI insurance companies
After a DUI conviction, you'll want to look for companies that offer the best rates or focus on insurance for high-risk drivers. National companies may have affordable costs for insurance after a DUI, but regional insurance companies often have cheaper quotes.
Best DUI insurance rates by company
Progressive, Travelers and American Family are the cheapest national insurance companies for drivers with a DUI, DWI or DWAI. All three companies have rates that are at least 16% cheaper than the national average.
However, local insurance companies like Erie may offer cheaper rates after a DUI.
The average cost of full coverage car insurance after a DUI is $272 per month.
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Where you live, along with other personal factors, will have an impact on your insurance rates. It's important to shop around and get car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies.
Best full coverage car insurance rates after a DUI
Best national DUI car insurance: Progressive
Editor's rating
Pros and cons
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI among major insurance companies. A full coverage policy from Progressive costs $197 per month, which is $75 less per month than the national average.
Drivers with a DUI can get even better rates by qualifying for Progressive's many discounts, like discounts for getting a quote online, bundling home and auto insurance or paying your bill automatically.
Progressive only raises rates by 26% after a DUI. The average increase is 122% after a DUI conviction.
Progressive offers SR-22 coverage, which some states require after a DUI. You can get an SR-22 form online, via Progressive's app or over the phone.
In addition, drivers in most states automatically get small accident forgiveness when they switch to Progressive. That means your rate won't go up if you cause under $500 in damage in an accident, which is particularly helpful for drivers who cause a small collision while under the influence.
Drivers aren't always happy with Progressive's customer service, however. The company gets fewer complaints than an average competitor, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). However, Progressive earned the second-lowest score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction study. That means it may take longer for Progressive to get you back on the road after an accident.
Best insurance for drivers with multiple DUIs: The General
Editor's rating
Pros and cons
Unlike many other auto insurance companies, The General doesn't shy away from offering coverage to high-risk drivers, including those with multiple DUIs. In fact, The General provides favorable rates to high-risk drivers, making it one of the better choices for DUI auto insurance.
Even The General's quote process is tailored to high-risk drivers. When you're getting a quote, you'll be asked if you require an SR-22. If you need it, the form will be included in your policy.
Some auto insurance companies that offer nonstandard auto insurance skimp on basic features. However, that isn't the case with The General — it offers convenient features like a mobile app.
DUI insurance rates by state
Drivers in North Carolina have the biggest rate increase after a DUI, at 255%. Pennsylvania has the smallest average increase, at 47%.
The difference in the cost of a full coverage policy from the cheapest state, Wisconsin, to the most expensive, Michigan, is $686 per month.
State | Clean record | DUI | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $139 | $241 | 73% |
| Alaska | $117 | $208 | 77% |
| Arizona | $160 | $245 | 54% |
| Arkansas | $138 | $249 | 81% |
| California | $146 | $397 | 173% |
Car insurance after a DUI in California and Florida
How do insurance companies find out about a DUI?
It is highly unlikely — if not impossible — to hide a DUI from your insurance company.
Your insurance company will most likely find out about your DUI through the DMV. Different insurance companies check these records at different times, but many check when you're renewing your policy.
Another way your insurance company might find out about a DUI is if you require an SR-22 filing. If you've been convicted of a DUI or a DWI, you'll likely need to file an SR-22 form to get your license reinstated. Your auto insurance company would need to file the SR-22 with your state's department of motor vehicles on your behalf.
We recommend telling your insurance company about your DUI conviction. If you don't let your insurance company know about your DUI, it could cancel your policy. That could lead to a lapse in coverage and higher rates. While the risk of cancellation still exists if you tell your company about a DUI, you won't be caught off guard and will have time to shop around for coverage.
How to find cheap car insurance after a DUI
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Having a DUI on your driving record will typically cause your car insurance rates to increase because insurance companies believe you're more likely to cause an accident.
To find cheap DUI insurance, you should shop around, consider available discounts and avoid any further driving infractions, including DUIs.
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Shop around: The best way to save money on car insurance is to compare quotes. Start by getting quotes from the companies that offer the cheapest car insurance rates for high-risk drivers.
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Research discounts: Most insurance companies offer discounts that can lower your car insurance rates. For example, Progressive offers homeowners up to a 10% discount, which could mean big savings after a DUI.
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Avoid tickets and accidents: Going forward, it's important that you have a clean driving record to avoid even higher rates. While you won’t feel the effects of safe driving immediately, over time it can lower your insurance rates after a DUI and get you discounts. Keep in mind that in some states, such as California, you can't qualify for good-driver discounts for a set period after a DUI conviction.
Frequently asked questions
How much will my insurance go up after a DUI?
Insurance rates go up by an average of 83% after a DUI. However, that percentage varies widely by company and by state. In North Carolina, a DUI more than triples the price of insurance, while a DUI in Pennsylvania causes a 47% increase.
How much is car insurance after a DUI?
A full coverage policy after a DUI costs $272 per month, on average. Your rate may be different depending on where you live, your driving history, the coverage you choose and other factors.
Who has the cheapest insurance after a DUI?
Progressive has the cheapest DUI rates from a national insurance company. Full coverage car insurance from Progressive costs $197 per month.
How long does a DUI affect insurance rates?
How long DUIs affect your insurance varies by location and insurance company. The most common range is three to five years. In California, a DUI stays on your record for 10 years, preventing you from getting a good-driver discount throughout that time period.
What is the difference between a DUI and a DWI?
In most states, there is no difference between DUI and DWI insurance — the terms can be used interchangeably. In a few states, they represent different levels of intoxication, though which is worse depends on the state.
Is there any DUI insurance trick?
No, there is no trick to prevent your rates from going up after a DUI. Your insurance company will find out through the DMV at some point. Rather than trying to trick your insurance company, you should shop around for the best rate, find as many discounts as you can and avoid compounding the increase with another ticket.
How do I get SR-22 insurance?
An insurance company has to file an SR-22 form for you. This shows the state you have a required level of insurance coverage. Both large and small companies offer SR-22 coverage, although smaller companies are often cheaper options.
Methodology
To find the best cheap DUI insurance companies, we collected rates from ZIP codes across every state in the U.S. Quotes are for a single 30-year-old man with good credit, a 2015 Honda Civic EX and only one DUI.
Rates are based on a full coverage policy, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage, along with higher liability limits than state minimum requirements.
Coverage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Comprehensive and collision | $500 deductible |
Rates were provided by Quadrant Information Services and sourced from public insurer filings. Your rates will likely be different, as these are for comparison purposes only.