Most people see their car insurance rates increase after a DUI or DWI. Specifically, we found that car insurance rates go up $1,495 per year after a DUI, on average.

How much your car insurance rates increase after a DUI depends on several factors, including where you live, the type and amount of coverage you buy, the company that provides your coverage and more.

For example, if you got car insurance from State Farm, your rates will go up an average of $804 per year, according to our research. If you got car insurance from Allstate, though, your rates will go up an average of $1,104 per year after a DUI.

Keep reading to learn more about how a DUI affects your auto insurance rates, including:

How much do insurance rates go up after a DUI?

Your car insurance rates will likely go up an average of $124 per month after a DUI, based on our study.

Your own rates may go up by more or less than that amount after a DUI, though, as every insurance company handles DUIs differently.

Other factors determine what you pay for car insurance after a DUI, too, such as the kind and amount of coverage you buy. For example, the average rates shared in this article are for a full-coverage policy, which includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverages. If you have just liability coverage, not only will your policy cost less, but your rates may go up less after a DUI.

What are the best car insurance companies after a DUI?

The best car insurance company after a DUI is Concord, with an average monthly rate of $116 for a full-coverage policy.

We also found that Wadena, Grange, American Family and a few other companies offer cheap car insurance after a DUI.

Not everyone can buy car insurance from these companies, as they only serve certain states or regions.

If you’re looking for cheap auto insurance after a DUI from a company that serves most, if not all, states, get and compare quotes from State Farm and Progressive. Include USAA, too, if you qualify. USAA only serves veterans, active military and their families.

State Farm is the best large car insurance company if you have a DUI on your record, based on our data. It offers an average annual rate of $2,328 for a full-coverage policy.

USAA offers an average rate of $2,028 per year for car insurance after a DUI, while Progressive offers an average rate of $2,508.

DUI insurance company averages.

In our 2023 study we found that Concord offers the cheapest monthly rate for someone with a DUI. For individuals in states where Concord is not an option,USAA, American Family and State Farm all offer cheap car insurance for people with a DUI.

Company Average monthly cost w/o DUI Average monthly cost with DUI
Concord $68 $116
Grange $83 $119
Wadena $76 $133
Secura $71 $147
USAA $91 $169
Country Financial $108 $170
American Family $124 $191
State Farm $127 $194
Erie $116 $197
Progressive $164 $209
Citizens $170 $247
Nodak $194 $250
Auto-Owners $120 $261
Country Mutual $202 $264
Farm Bureau $138 $271
Mercury $164 $272
Shelter $147 $277
Safety $95 $286
Grinnell $150 $290
Travelers $201 $302
Shelter Mutual $181 $309
Allstate $219 $311
Mid-Century Insurance $235 $318
Plymouth Rock $220 $319
Farmers $213 $334
Hartford $214 $335
Allied $89 $350
Nationwide $177 $352
Alfa $320 $389
Auto Club $191 $421
Arbella $237 $437
GEICO $184 $445
CSAA $247 $472
UAIC $329 $561
Tradewind $92 $767
Amica Mutual $235 $834
Frankenmuth $333 $1,431
MEEMIC $594 $1,605
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with a DUI on their record.

Average cost of car insurance for people with and without a DUI

Expect to see the largest increases in insurance prices after a DUI in states such as North Carolina, Hawaii and California. States such as Virginia, Maryland and Alaska saw the smallest insurance increase following a DUI.

State Average monthly rate w/o DUI Average monthly rate with DUI
Alabama $176 $266
Alaska $144 $184
Arizona $171 $273
Arkansas $123 $200
California $157 $433
Colorado $190 $291
Connecticut $214 $471
Delaware $208 $333
Florida $246 $430
Georgia $166 $309
Hawaii $138 $444
Idaho $87 $157
Illinois $155 $243
Indiana $107 $177
Iowa $111 $192
Kansas $125 $184
Kentucky $181 $337
Louisiana $267 $406
Maine $87 $160
Maryland $182 $230
Massachusetts $208 $351
Michigan $399 $1,066
Minnesota $140 $271
Mississippi $127 $275
Missouri $167 $260
Montana $150 $254
Nebraska $143 $221
Nevada $248 $399
New Hampshire $92 $139
New Jersey $177 $318
New Mexico $152 $272
New York $236 $385
North Carolina $88 $324
North Dakota $126 $205
Ohio $149 $214
Oklahoma $168 $258
Oregon $231 $367
Pennsylvania $172 $249
Rhode Island $244 $538
South Carolina $166 $242
South Dakota $114 $187
Tennessee $148 $199
Texas $157 $262
Utah $145 $222
Vermont $85 $153
Virginia $159 $198
Washington $149 $230
Washington D.C. $131 $235
West Virginia $132 $267
Wisconsin $146 $161
Wyoming $132 $216
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with a DUI on their record.

Cheapest DUI insurance company by state.

We found that State Farm offers the cheapest price for full-coverage insurance with a DUI in most states. USAA and Progressive also had low rates in multiple states.

State Cheapest company Cost for full coverage from cheapest company with DUI
Alabama State Farm $111
Alaska State Farm $101
Arizona State Farm $131
Arkansas State Farm $86
California Mercury $272
Colorado State Farm $121
Connecticut Travelers $224
Delaware State Farm $123
Florida State Farm $197
Georgia State Farm $147
Hawaii USAA $185
Idaho State Farm $56
Illinois State Farm $100
Indiana USAA $85
Iowa State Farm $56
Kansas State Farm $92
Kentucky State Farm $96
Louisiana State Farm $177
Maine State Farm $62
Maryland State Farm $153
Massachusetts Progressive $181
Michigan Progressive $251
Minnesota State Farm $91
Mississippi State Farm $95
Missouri State Farm $99
Montana State Farm $90
Nebraska American Family $104
Nevada State Farm $123
New Hampshire USAA $86
New Jersey Plymouth Rock $177
New Mexico State Farm $93
New York Progressive $127
North Carolina Farm Bureau $257
North Dakota State Farm $131
Ohio Progressive $111
Oklahoma USAA $152
Oregon State Farm $128
Pennsylvania Nationwide $184
Rhode Island Progressive $249
South Carolina State Farm $118
South Dakota State Farm $82
Tennessee State Farm $78
Texas USAA $159
Utah State Farm $122
Vermont State Farm $54
Virginia State Farm $91
Washington State Farm $125
West Virginia State Farm $118
Wisconsin State Farm $79
Wyoming State Farm $79
Rates are for full-coverage car insurance for a 35-year-old male with a DUI on their record.

Average estimated cost of a DUI

A DUI could cost you around $10,000 when all is said and done. The following chart details the different costs usually associated with a DUI:

Average costs of a DUI
Expense Average estimated cost
Bail $150 to $2,500
Towing and impound $100 to $1,000
Added insurance costs $1,600+
DUI lawyer $2,000 to $5,000
Court fines $1,000
Alcohol treatment/education $1,000 to $2,500
Licensing fees $150
Ignition lock $800 to $1,250
Total $6,800 to $14,100

Keep in mind that these costs are estimates. You might pay more or less than these amounts. Compare quotes to find out how much a DUI could raise your car insurance rates.

Also, even if a DUI doesn’t cause your car insurance costs to go up by $1,600 or more per year, you’ll likely lose your preferred or safe driver discount following a DUI conviction.

Some insurance companies may even drop you after a DUI. Or they might switch you to high-risk coverage once they learn of your DUI infraction. There are companies that specialize in insuring high-risk drivers. Check them out if you find yourself in this situation.

How long does a DUI stay on your record?

How long a DUI stays on your driving record varies from state to state. In general, a DUI should drop off your driving record after three to seven years, though you might need to wait even longer. The same is true of your insurance record. However, it may remain on your criminal record forever.

If a DUI continues to show up on background checks after three to seven years, you have a few options. 

  • Try to get the DUI expunged from your criminal record. 
  • Have the DUI listed under "sealed records." Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a DUI lawyer to learn more.

What happens if the DUI is expunged?

Getting a DUI expunged may be an option if you’re looking to remove a DUI from your record. That said, each state has strict rules on expungement. Some states only allow expungement if you’re arrested for, but not convicted of, driving under the influence.

How long does a DUI affect car insurance rates?

A DUI may raise your insurance rates for a minimum of three years.

How long a DUI affects your insurance rates depends on where you live, just like where you live determines how long a DUI stays on your driving record.

Typically, though, a DUI can increase your car insurance rates as long as the citation remains on your driving record. After it drops off your record, the DUI should stop impacting your insurance and your rates should return to normal.

How do insurance companies find out about a DUI?

Insurance companies find out about a DUI when they look into your history of tickets, accidents and convictions. Because of this, if you already have an auto insurance policy, your provider probably won’t learn about your DUI until it checks this report at renewal time.

This is when your insurer may either raise your rates or drop you as a customer entirely.

If you’re applying for a new car insurance policy with a DUI on your record, be honest from the beginning about your history. The company will check regardless, and if you’re dishonest, you could be denied coverage.

DUIs and SR-22 insurance

If you’re convicted of a DUI, you may have to file an SR-22 form with your state’s DMV.

An SR-22 form, or certificate of financial responsibility, proves that you have purchased at least the minimum amount of liability car insurance your state requires.

You probably won’t have to file this certificate yourself. Most insurance companies file SR-22 forms for their customers.

What is a DUI?

A DUI charge indicates driving under the influence of certain substances. If you take something that impairs your driving and risks the safety of others while you're behind the wheel, you can be charged with a DUI. This includes:

  • Alcohol
  • Legal prescription drugs
  • Illegal drugs
  • A combination of these substances

The legal threshold for blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% in most states. You could still be convicted of a DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.05% or lower, however, if a prosecutor can prove that a combination of substances impaired your driving.

The best way to avoid charges and high costs is to not drive under the influence.

Methodology

The sample quotes used for this article are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services for a 30-year-old single male driver. He has a 2012 Honda Accord LX and drives it an average of 13,500 miles annually.

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