The cheapest car insurance companies after a DUI are National General, USAA, and Progressive, according to WalletHub’s analysis. A DUI conviction makes it harder to get car insurance and increases premiums by around 7% to 296%, depending on the state and insurer, so it’s important to get the cheapest coverage possible.
Key Things to Know About DUI Insurance
- DUI insurance is not a specific type of policy that you can ask for. It refers to when drivers with a DUI conviction must carry a specific amount of car insurance.
- A DUI conviction is one of several factors that insurers use to determine risk, and each insurer calculates premiums differently.
- Every state has a last-resort program that provides car insurance to drivers convicted of DUI and other serious offenses who can’t get coverage elsewhere.
- Insurance rates can increase by up to 296% after your first DUI, on average, depending on the state and insurance company.
The best thing to do after a DUI is never let it happen again. Both criminal and insurance penalties are far more significant for repeat offenders.
Cheapest Car Insurance After a DUI
These companies offer some of the cheapest rates for someone convicted of a DUI. For example, Progressive’s national average rate increases by only 13% after a DUI. These companies also provide SR-22 insurance, which is required by most states after a DUI conviction.
It’s important to remember that quotes vary widely between states and drivers, so the cheapest option for you might be different. Below, we list the cheapest insurers for drivers in each state and the District of Columbia after one DUI.
Cheapest Car Insurance Company After a DUI by State
Shopping around for coverage is always the best way to find cheap car insurance, especially if you have a DUI on your record. To that end, the WalletHub car insurance search tool can help you compare multiple insurers at once.
How Does a DUI Affect Your Insurance?
A DUI conviction can increase your insurance rates by as much as 295%, depending on your insurance company and state. Your driving history is one of the factors insurers use to determine your premium, and a DUI on your record signals to insurers that you are a high-risk driver. A high-risk driver is more likely to get in an accident, leading to claims the insurer may have to pay.
To mitigate that risk, insurers charge high-risk drivers high insurance premiums. However, not every insurance company charges the same rate or will even offer insurance to someone with a DUI on their record. That’s why it’s important to shop around to find the cheapest company. You can start with the companies WalletHub found to be the cheapest after a DUI.
What Is DUI Insurance?
“DUI insurance” is more of a nickname than an actual type of car insurance. The term refers to the car insurance coverage someone who is convicted of a DUI must get. This is sometimes called high-risk insurance or SR-22 / FR-44 insurance.
An SR-22 and an FR-44 are not types of insurance, either. Rather, they’re certificates that show you carry at least the minimum amount of car insurance required by your state. While many states require you to file an SR-22 after a DUI conviction, Florida and Virginia use an FR-44 instead. An FR-44 typically requires more than state-minimum insurance coverage.
Average DUI Insurance Rates
The average cost of car insurance after a DUI is $1,395 per year, which is 108% more than the average cost of insurance for someone with a clean driving record. The exact cost of DUI insurance depends on the driver’s state and insurance company.
For example, drivers in Alaska only see their rates go up by an average of 36% after a DUI, while drivers in North Carolina pay an average of 295% more. Similarly, while Erie Insurance raises rates by an average of 61% after a DUI, Progressive’s rates only go up by an average of 7%.
Average DUI Insurance Cost Increase by Company
| Insurer | Cost Before DUI | Cost After DUI | Increase for DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $852 per year | $913 per year | 7% |
| USAA | $872 per year | $1,309 per year | 50% |
| Erie | $1,123 per year | $1,813 per year | 61% |
| State Farm | $1,591 per year | $1,765 per year | 11% |
| Allstate | $1,616 per year | $2,139 per year | 32% |
Note: Quotes reflect minimum coverage in New York for a 45-year-old driver with a clean driving record versus a single DUI conviction.
Average DUI Insurance Cost Increase by State
| State | Cost Before DUI | Cost After DUI | Increase for DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $717 per year | $1,770 per year | 147% |
| Texas | $773 per year | $1,222 per year | 58% |
| Florida | $1,242 per year | $2,001 per year | 61% |
| New York | $1,719 per year | $2,888 per year | 68% |
| Pennsylvania | $611 per year | $1,296 per year | 112% |
Note: Quotes reflect minimum coverage for a 45-year-old driver with a clean driving record versus a single DUI conviction.
5 Tips for Getting Car Insurance After a DUI
1. Make sure to comply with SR-22 requirements
You or your insurer may be required to file an SR-22 or FR-44 certification with the state to confirm that you are carrying the minimum required car insurance. The requirement lasts for three years in many states.
2. Shop around for different quotes
Each insurance company sets its own rates, so even if you have a DUI on your driving record, one insurance company may be cheaper than another. That’s why you should get quotes from multiple insurance companies and compare them to see which company gives you the most coverage for the best price.
3. Don’t overlook non-owner insurance
If you don’t need a car of your own, you can save on car insurance by getting a non-owner policy. Non-owner car insurance will satisfy your state’s liability insurance requirement so that you can get your driver’s license reinstated.
4. Avoid additional DUI convictions
The consequences of a second or third DUI conviction are far more serious than the first and they will make your insurance much more expensive. Whatever number you’re at, do whatever it takes to make sure you don’t repeat your bad behavior. Drunk driving is not only dangerous for your wallet, but it also endangers your life and the lives of other people on the road.
5. Consider whether it's cheaper to use other modes of transportation
Getting back on the road after a DUI is expensive. In addition to increased insurance costs, you’ll have many fines and fees to pay to get your driver’s license reinstated. It pays to weigh those costs – and the other costs of driving – against transportation alternatives. Even relying on taxis and car hailing services like Uber might be cheaper than driving after a DUI.
Temporarily reducing the cost of your transportation is a good way to save up money before getting insurance again.
What to Do If You Are Denied Car Insurance After a DUI
If you have a valid driver’s license but you keep getting turned down for insurance, your state government can help. Each state has a program to provide a last-resort form of liability insurance to drivers and enable them to legally get back on the road.
Normally these “assigned-risk” programs are more expensive than other options and only provide liability insurance. So make sure you shop around before resorting to your state’s program for the riskiest drivers.
To learn more about assigned risk plans, read WalletHub's full assigned risk auto insurance answer.
Video: Best Car Insurance Options After a DUI
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