Candace Baker, Car Insurance Writer
@candacebaker
A DUI in California can affect insurance for up to 10 years, depending on how far back the insurance company checks a driver's record. Most insurers look at the past 3-5 years on a driver's motor vehicle record when calculating premiums, but some look even further for major violations like DUI. Even if the DUI no longer affects your rate directly, it may still affect your ability to qualify for discounts related to good driving, depending on your insurer.
Cost of Insurance After a DUI in California
On average, a DUI raises insurance rates in California by 147%. The exact amount that your rate will go up depends on your insurance company, since each insurer uses a different algorithm to calculate premiums.
If you can't afford your rate after a DUI, you should shop around for a new policy and compare quotes from at least three different insurers to see if you can get a better deal. In California, the cheapest car insurance companies after a DUI are Grange, Wawanesa, and Mercury.
To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to DUI insurance.
People also ask
How do insurance companies find out about DUI?
Insurance companies find out about DUI by checking a driver’s record before selling or renewing a policy. Drivers are not legally obligated to inform their insurance company when they are convicted of DUI, and the insurer will not receive a notification from the state DMV. However, once a DUI is on a driving record, an insurance company is certain to find out about it, so it’s always best to upfront after being convicted.
... read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyDoes Insurance Cover DUI Accidents?
Car insurance companies will cover DUI accidents in most cases. The amount the car insurance company will pay for and the impact the DUI accident has on your premium will depend on the auto insurance company, your specific coverage levels, and your state’s laws.
Some states like, New York and Michigan, explicitly allow insurance companies to exclude DUI from certain policies. These exclusions usually apply to anything beyond liability coverage, which means...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyHow long does DUI affect insurance rates?
A DUI affects insurance rates for 3-10 years, depending on the driver’s state and insurance company. Most insurance companies look back 3-5 years for infractions on a driving record, but some look back as far as seven years. And even if a DUI doesn’t cause a driver’s rates to skyrocket long-term, it can have a lingering effect on costs. For example, insurance companies in California legally can’t offer you a good driver discount for 10...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyDid we answer your question?
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