Cheapest car insurance after a DUI in April 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 3:46 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024
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If you get a DUI, the cost of your car insurance will go up. On average, annual car insurance for DUI drivers increases by 67%, or $1,387. If you’ve recently been charged with a DUI, shopping around for car insurance can help you lessen the financial blow.
But which insurance provider offers the lowest rates to drivers after a DUI? How and when do you have to tell your current insurance provider about the offense? And what are some ways to lower your car insurance costs after a DUI? Let’s dive in.
Top-rated car insurance companies after DUI for 2024
Why trust our car insurance experts
Our team of car insurance experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 780 companies analyzed.
- 7,800 rates reviewed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Compare cheap DUI car insurance companies
Best car insurance for DUI in 2024
Methodology
To determine the cheapest car insurance for a DUI, we used data from Quadrant Information Services, a provider of insurance data and analytics. We analyzed rates based on a female driver with a single DUI on her record, shopping for a car insurance policy with:
- 100/300/100 in liability insurance.
- Uninsured motorist coverage.
- Comprehensive and collision coverage.
After analyzing the data, we determined the average national cost for coverage after a DUI. Car insurance companies that made our cheapest car insurance for a DUI list are those that have average rates that are below the national average for a driver with the same record.
Why some companies didn’t make the cut
Of the insurer rates we analyzed, only companies that had an average rate below the national average for drivers with a DUI made our list. However, rates vary by company and driver profile, so it’s always a good idea to compare multiple car insurance rates to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Who has the cheapest insurance after a DUI?
Drivers can find the cheapest car insurance after a DUI from USAA — $2,751 a year — but USAA auto insurance is limited to members of the military community.
The best car insurance for drivers with a DUI costs an average of $3,454 a year, or nearly $288 a month.
Outside of USAA, Progressive has the cheapest car insurance following a DUI. On average, drivers with a DUI pay $2,776 a year for coverage from Progressive or a little more than $233 a month. That’s a 29% increase for Progressive drivers, on average.
American Family, State Farm, Auto-Owners, Erie and Geico also offer post-DUI rates below the national average after a DUI.
The most expensive car insurance for drivers with a DUI is Westfield at $4,357 a year. That’s more than $363 a month and a 148% increase over the cost of Westfield coverage for a good driver.
Average car insurance cost after DUI
| Company | Average annual rate after a DUI | LEARN MORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,751 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Progressive | $2,776 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| American Family | $2,983 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| State Farm | $3,235 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Auto-Owners | $3,363 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Erie | $3,390 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Geico | $3,451 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Farmers | $3,517 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Travelers | $3,675 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Nationwide | $3,677 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Allstate | $3,856 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Safe Auto | $3,874 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners | |
| Westfield | $4,357 | Compare Quotes | Compare quotes offered by participating partners |
How to find the cheapest car insurance after a DUI
DUIs carry plenty of other consequences, such as points on and the suspension of your license and hefty fines. You’ll also see a spike in your car insurance rates when you renew your policy.
Take your time
Your insurance premiums don’t typically go up immediately. In most cases, insurance providers cannot alter your rate in the middle of a policy. That gives you ample time to research the best car insurance companies for a DUI and make a sound decision.
Many states require that you obtain an SR-22 after a DUI to reinstate your license. To get the form, you must go through your insurance company. Even then, the company cannot typically alter your rates until you’re up for renewal.
Shop around
Whether or not you have a DUI, the best way to get cheaper car insurance is to shop around. Experts may disagree about how often you should look for a new policy, but the consensus is clear: Whether it’s every six months, a year or a few years, you should routinely check if you can get lower rates with another provider.
The best place to start is with the insurers in our list of the cheapest car insurance for a DUI. USAA, Progressive and American Family all offer policies for less than $3,000 a year.
Your driving history, credit score, age, gender, location and vehicle all affect your insurance premiums. While USAA and Progressive may offer the best car insurance for a DUI on average, that doesn’t mean it will have the best rates for you.
Get quotes from multiple car insurance providers. To compare quotes efficiently, make sure each quote is for the same type and amount of coverage. You can also work with an independent insurance agent or use an online car insurance marketplace, which can compile multiple rates from various providers with the click of a button.
Raise your car insurance deductible
Reducing your car insurance coverage to the state minimum requirement is an easy way to lower your rate, but most experts advise against this. Instead of reducing your coverage amounts to the bare minimum, consider raising your deductible.
For example, increasing your deductible from $250 to $2,000 can save you an average of $498 a year on car insurance costs, according to our recent analysis of rates.
When you raise your deductible, you’ll pay more out of pocket for repairs after an accident before insurance kicks in. Make sure you can afford a deductible out of pocket before choosing the higher option.
Bundle your policies
If you’re switching car insurance providers after a DUI, bring along your homeowners or renters insurance with you.
“Bundling your car insurance with other policies, such as home or renters insurance, can often result in a discount,” said David Stuart, founder and president of Southwestern Insurance Group.
Insurers also commonly extend discounts to policyholders who insure multiple vehicles, so if there are other drivers in your home, you may want to see if it’s worth it for them to make the move with you.
Interested in bundling your car and home insurance? These are the Best auto and home insurance bundles.
Actively improve your driving
Whether you switch policies or stick with your current provider, the best way to lower your rate is to be a good driver.
“Maintain a clean driving record by avoiding any future traffic violations or accidents,” advised Stuart. That means more than just avoiding DUIs, though: No speeding, rolling stops, or driving without wearing your seatbelt, for example.
In some cases, insurance providers may offer usage-based car insurance. By opting into such a program — whereby your provider monitors your driving habits — you may earn discounts for good driving.
Proactively becoming a better driver is a good show of faith to insurance providers. Stuart recommends taking a defensive driving course, as many insurance companies offer a discount once you’ve completed such a class.
Focus on your finances
Getting a DUI can be expensive. You may have bail costs, legal fees and the fine itself. Despite this, it’s important to prioritize your finances after a DUI, especially making on-time payments and reducing your debts since these impact your credit score.
Why? “Insurance companies may take your credit score into account when determining rates,” explained Stuart. If you improve your credit score, you might see a drop in your premium the next time you’re up for renewal.
How a DUI affects your car insurance rates
After a DUI, insurance providers will view you as a high-risk driver. Higher risk means higher rates. Thus, the biggest impact a DUI has on your car insurance is a rate increase — on average, 67%.
DUIs can affect car insurance in other ways, too. For example, in many states, drivers are required to file an SR-22 to reinstate their licenses. This document verifies for the state that you have the required level of car insurance — and it’s typically required after major driving violations, including a DUI.
If your insurance company doesn’t offer an SR-22, you’ll need to switch to a provider that does. Expect higher insurance rates as soon as you switch.
If your insurance provider does offer an SR-22, file it as soon as possible. There’s generally a flat filing fee, which varies by state.
How long you need to carry an SR-22 also varies by state, but it’s typically three years.
Tip: Don’t assume your car insurance provider will drop the SR-22 from your policy once it’s no longer required. Proactively contact your company to remove it once the requirement has expired, and ask about lowering your rate, assuming you’ve been a good driver with no more offenses.
How to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI
If you’ve gotten a DUI, you’ll need to take a few steps to look for new — or maintain your current — car insurance:
- Determine legal requirements. Your state may require you to carry an SR-22, also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility, to reinstate your license. If you’re required to have one, you’ll need to contact your car insurance provider to file it. If your insurance provider doesn’t offer this service, you must cancel your policy and obtain a new one before you can start driving again.
If you don’t have to file an SR-22, your insurance provider may not find out about your DUI until it’s time for your policy renewal, when they compare notes with the DMV. Still, you may prefer to inform your insurance provider yourself ahead of renewal — to give you more control of the situation.
- Get and compare car insurance quotes. If you don’t want to — or can’t — stay with your current provider, look for policies offering the cheapest car insurance for DUIs. You’ll get lower rates by raising your deductible and bundling your auto insurance with other policies.
You can also ask about other car insurance discounts available as well as usage-based insurance. Under this type of insurance policy, your insurer monitors your driving and you can earn discounts for safe driving habits.
If your policy isn’t set to renew any time soon, there’s no rush to switch. Enjoy the lower rate of your current policy until it’s time to renew, unless your insurer cancels your coverage due to the DUI offense.
- Consider alternative options. While you can generally find an auto insurance provider willing to offer you coverage after your conviction, drivers with multiple DUIs may have more trouble. In that case, your search might be limited to high-risk insurers, such as The General, or coverage through your state’s assigned risk pool (outside the “voluntary market”). Be prepared: High-risk driver insurance policies are expensive.
Cheap car insurance after DUI FAQs
On average, car insurance rates increase 67% after a DUI, or roughly $1,387 a year. You can try to lower your car insurance premium after a DUI by shopping around for a better policy, taking a defensive driving course, opting into usage-based insurance and bundling your policy with renters or homeowners insurance.
DUIs generally stay on your insurance record (and driving record) for three to five years, but this can vary depending on state laws.
Even after insurance companies can no longer charge you a higher rate for coverage based on a past DUI, you may still battle higher-than-average insurance rates. In California, for example, though the DUI surcharge may have vanished, you’ll be ineligible for good driver discounts for 10 years following your offense.
While DUIs will eventually fall off your driving record, they are permanently on your criminal record and typically show up during background checks.
You can still get car insurance after a DUI. In fact, carrying insurance may be required to have your driver’s license reinstated. Car insurance is required in almost every state regardless of driving violations. Drivers with a DUI may also be required to carry an SR-22.
Just be prepared for higher premiums. On average, the cost of car insurance after a DUI increases 67%. If you’re having trouble getting approved for coverage (generally after multiple offenses), you may need to look at high-risk driver policies. Such policies are even more expensive.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
