How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?

Alcohol can cause significant issues if you get behind the wheel. Besides the danger of causing an accident or getting injured, you also run the risk of receiving a driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction. If that happens, you will face substantial legal consequences, as well as car insurance rate increases. 

After a DUI, your car insurance rates will increase – and they could more than double. The average premium for a driver with a DUI is nearly $320 a month.

But how much your insurance increases depends on many factors, including your insurance company.

Key highlights

• Drivers with a single DUI on their record pay an average of $3,837 per year for car insurance, nearly $2,000 more than a driver with a clean record.
• Drivers who get a second DUI pay even more on average, $5,780 per year, and risk being dropped by their insurer.
• Among the major insurers we looked at, Progressive raised its sample rate by the least for drivers with a DUI: 35%.
• Geico raised its average rate by the most after a DUI: 95%. 

Car insurance after a DUI

Your insurer calculates your car insurance premiums on several factors, including your age, location, the make and model of your car and your driving record. A single DUI can have a big impact on your rates, and may even make it more difficult to get car insurance.

"Just having one violation can negate years of violation- or accident-free activity," says Rob Conner, a partner and personal lines account manager at the Mints Insurance Agency in Millville, New Jersey

Drivers who operate a vehicle when intoxicated present serious risks to themselves and others. The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), an insurance industry trade group, reports that alcohol was involved in nearly one-third of fatal crash fatalities. As a result, insurers consider DUI convictions as indicators of an increased likelihood of being involved in accidents.

After a DUI, car insurance will become more expensive, and you may even find that some insurance companies don’t want to cover you. Drivers with multiple DUIs will likely need to seek coverage from nonstandard insurance companies that cover high-risk drivers.

The cost of car insurance after a DUI

Car insurance rates after a DUI can be prohibitively expensive.

In an analysis of rates, we found that the average cost of a full coverage policy without a DUI is $1,895 per year. After a DUI conviction, average rates increase to $3,837 per year — more than double the rate for those without a DUI. After a second DUI conviction, the increase is even more significant; the average rate is $5,780 per year.

The rates below were collected from auto insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single, 40-year-old male and female drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on their record for full coverage insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible.

Comparing cheap car insurance options after a DUI

Car insurance premiums vary by insurer, so it pays to shop around. We analyzed rates from eight leading insurers and found that Progressive, State Farm and Travelers have the smallest rate increases after a first DUI, while Geico and Nationwide have the biggest increases.

For drivers with a second DUI, Progressive has the smallest increase, while Geico increases rates the most.

Legal considerations and responsibilities after a DUI

The legal consequences of a DUI can be severe. Depending on your state, penalties can include the following:

• Monetary fines
• Imprisonment or mandatory enrollment in an alcoholism or drug abuse treatment program
• Vehicle impoundment
• License suspension or revocation

In some states, drivers convicted of a DUI must file forms with the state certifying they have enough coverage to meet the state's financial responsibility laws. Depending on your state, you may need to file either an SR-22 form or an FR-44 – an FR-44 typically calls for higher liability coverage. In some cases, the mandated coverage may be higher than the regular state minimum.

You should also be aware that car insurance companies may deny you coverage after a DUI conviction. They're permitted to do so in most states. So, even if you've had the same insurer for years, you may find yourself without coverage.

But you may be able to purchase a policy through a non-standard car insurer that specializes in coverage for high-risk drivers.

In addition, if you're unable to find an insurer willing to work with you, a state-run insurance of last resort program may be an option. If you've been denied coverage, the plan will assign you to an insurer that is required to provide you with a policy. To find your state’s insurance program, visit your state's department of transportation website.

Ways to lower your insurance rates after a DUI

After a DUI, insurance premiums will be more expensive. But there are ways to reduce your rates, including:

• Shopping around: Premiums vary significantly between companies, so request quotes from several insurers to find the best coverage and rates.
• Driving carefully: Maintain safe driving habits — such as obeying the speed limit — to prevent any accidents or tickets that will further impact your policy.
• Going with usage-based insurance (UBI): UBI policies use mobile apps or telematics devices to monitor your driving habits and mileage. If you drive fewer-than-average miles and drive safely, you could slash your premiums.
• Improving your credit: Many states consider your credit when determining your insurance premiums. Boosting your credit by paying down existing debt and making all of your payments on time can help you qualify for better rates.
• Increase your deductible: In general, raising your deductible will cause your premiums to decrease. When choosing a deductible, make sure you can afford it if you file a claim.
• Taking a driving course: In some states, you can take a safe driving course to qualify for a discount on your policy.

Maintaining good driving habits can help you over the long haul. Don't drink and drive, be a careful, observant, and considerate driver, Mints’ Conner says.

"Any tickets or accidents, including at-fault or not-at-fault, are affecting insurance rates considerably in today's market, so it's important to be as cautious as possible when driving to avoid an accident or getting a motor vehicle violation," he says.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a DUI stay on your driving record?

How long a DUI stays on your driving record varies by state. For example, DUI convictions stay on drivers' records for 10 years in New Hampshire, Utah and Wyoming. But in Florida, DUI convictions stay on your record for 75 years.

Visit your state department of transportation to find out how long a DUI will remain on your record.

How long after a DUI does your insurance go down?

Although a DUI conviction can remain on your driving record for decades, the impact on your car insurance premiums lessens over time. How long a DUI impacts your car insurance premiums varies by state and insurer, but you should expect to pay a higher rate for at least three years.

What is an SR-22?

In many states, if you’re convicted of a DUI or DWI, have accrued multiple moving violations, been convicted of driving without insurance, or other infractions, you may be required to have your insurance company file an SR-22 form or bond on your behalf with the state Department of Motor Vehicles. This isn’t insurance; it’s certification that you have car insurance that meets state liability requirements. Not all carriers will insure drivers who must have an SR-22 filed on their behalf, so you may need to buy coverage through an insurer that specializes in high-risk drivers.

What is an FR-44?

An FR-44, also called a certificate of financial responsibility, is similar to an SR-22 and provides proof that you are insured to an adequate amount. It is used in Florida and Virginia and may be required of drivers convicted of a DUI or whose licenses have been suspended. The chief difference is that required liability coverage levels are higher than for an SR-22, so getting insurance with an FR-44 can be expensive. As with an SR-22, an FR-44 is not auto insurance, only documentation that you are insured. 

Methodology

Editors collected rate information from auto insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single, 40-year-old male and female drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on their record for full coverage insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible.

In addition, we also calculated rates for these hypothetical drivers, but with one or more of the following on their record: speeding ticket, at-fault accident, DUI/DWI, poor credit history, or a lapse in coverage.

We analyzed more than 53 million quotes, over 34,000 ZIP codes, and 170 insurance companies nationwide.

Note: 100/300/100 means up to $100,000 for the medical bills of those you injure, up to $300,000 per accident for bodily injury liability for all persons injured in one accident, and $100,000 to repair other drivers’ cars and property you damage.