A DUI is a serious offense, and subject to a lot of penalties – both legal and financial. A DUI conviction increases car insurance rates, but can also mean the loss of your license, fines, probation or jail time.
When you hear the term “DUI insurance,” it usually refers to the increase in car insurance rates after a DUI and any other associated requirements like filing an SR-22. A DUI on your record doesn't require a different type of car insurance policy, but your rates could more than double.
Below, we’ll cover what you can expect in terms of car insurance rates with a DUI, how to find affordable car insurance with a DUI and everything else you need to know.
- USAA has the cheapest rates overall among major companies after a DUI, while American Family is the cheapest for non-military drivers at $2,521.
- The average cost of full coverage car insurance with a single DUI is $4,291.
- You may be required to file an SR-22 after a DUI conviction to provide proof of insurance to the DMV.
- A DUI conviction can affect your car insurance rates for three or more years.
What is “DUI insurance”?
There is no specific type of insurance called DUI insurance. When people refer to it, they really mean auto insurance after a DUI.
When you have a DUI conviction on your record, you can expect your car insurance rates to go up significantly. You’ll probably also have to file an SR-22, which is a form that proves you have the legally required amount of car insurance.
However, nothing else about your coverage will change, unless you choose to make changes to reduce your rates.
How much will my insurance go up after a DUI?
After a DUI, you can expect to see your rates double. The national average cost of a full coverage policy is $2,076 a year but after a DUI, that average climbs to $4,291.
DUI rates will differ based on many factors, including the state where you reside. There really isn't a "best" company when it comes to DUI. You'll have to shop around.
Below, we’ll take a look at some rates from top companies, based on a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 deductible. As you can see, shopping around can make a big difference if you have a DUI.
DUI car insurance rates by company
| Company | Average rate | DUI rate | Dollar increase | Percent increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,272 | $2,508 | $1,236 | 97% |
| American Family | $1,738 | $2,521 | $783 | 45% |
| Progressive | $1,933 | $2,753 | $820 | 42% |
| State Farm | $1,672 | $2,905 | $1,233 | 74% |
| Travelers | $1,882 | $3,279 | $1,397 | 74% |
| Nationwide | $1,523 | $3,403 | $1,880 | 123% |
| Geico | $1,352 | $3,573 | $2,221 | 164% |
| Allstate | $2,513 | $5,044 | $2,531 | 101% |
| Farmers | $2,740 | $6,019 | $3,279 | 120% |
Note: The table shows the average annual rates in 2022 based on a 40-year-old male driver. Data was provided for Insurance.com by Quadrant Information Services from a survey of all states.
DUI insurance rates by state
Car insurance after a DUI will also vary by state. Based on Insurance.com's 2022 analysis, Michigan is the most expensive state for drivers with a DUI conviction. The average cost of insurance with a DUI in Michigan increases by 157%. However, that’s not the largest increase. Rates go up by 307% on average in North Carolina, but rates in that state start out much lower than in Michigan. Here are the average car insurance rates and rate increases for a full coverage policy by state:
| State | Average rate | Rate with DUI | Percent increase | Dollar increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,286 | $1,855 | $569 | 44% |
| Alabama | $1,580 | $2,781 | $1,201 | 76% |
| Arkansas | $1,652 | $2,994 | $1,342 | 81% |
| Arizona | $1,719 | $2,873 | $1,154 | 67% |
| California | $2,207 | $6,780 | $4,573 | 207% |
| Colorado | $2,125 | $3,506 | $1,381 | 65% |
| Connecticut | $1,529 | $2,862 | $1,333 | 87% |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,909 | $3,050 | $1,141 | 60% |
| Delaware | $1,791 | $3,109 | $1,318 | 74% |
| Florida | $2,981 | $4,551 | $1,570 | 53% |
| Georgia | $1,710 | $3,077 | $1,367 | 80% |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $4,150 | $2,841 | 217% |
| Iowa | $1,241 | $1,790 | $549 | 44% |
| Idaho | $1,082 | $1,735 | $653 | 60% |
| Illinois | $1,559 | $2,798 | $1,239 | 79% |
| Indiana | $1,363 | $2,356 | $993 | 73% |
| Kansas | $1,557 | $2,670 | $1,113 | 71% |
| Kentucky | $2,086 | $3,950 | $1,864 | 89% |
| Louisiana | $3,126 | $5,348 | $2,222 | 71% |
| Massachusetts | $1,776 | $3,233 | $1,457 | 82% |
| Maryland | $2,172 | $3,807 | $1,635 | 75% |
| Maine | $1,068 | $1,663 | $595 | 56% |
| Michigan | $3,915 | $10,044 | $6,129 | 157% |
| Minnesota | $1,768 | $3,542 | $1,774 | 100% |
| Missouri | $2,669 | $3,904 | $1,235 | 46% |
| Mississippi | $1,535 | $2,779 | $1,244 | 81% |
| Montana | $1,709 | $2,764 | $1,055 | 62% |
| North Carolina | $1,442 | $5,870 | $4,428 | 307% |
| North Dakota | $1,357 | $2,550 | $1,193 | 88% |
| Nebraska | $1,926 | $3,600 | $1,674 | 87% |
| New Hampshire | $1,023 | $1,683 | $660 | 65% |
| New Jersey | $2,232 | $4,254 | $2,022 | 91% |
| New Mexico | $1,657 | $2,541 | $884 | 53% |
| Nevada | $2,427 | $4,169 | $1,742 | 72% |
| New York | $1,822 | $2,718 | $896 | 49% |
| Ohio | $1,136 | $1,861 | $725 | 64% |
| Oklahoma | $1,968 | $3,036 | $1,068 | 54% |
| Oregon | $1,484 | $2,404 | $920 | 62% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,508 | $2,765 | $1,257 | 83% |
| Rhode Island | $1,923 | $3,312 | $1,389 | 72% |
| South Carolina | $1,804 | $2,662 | $858 | 48% |
| South Dakota | $1,585 | $2,920 | $1,335 | 84% |
| Tennessee | $1,360 | $2,375 | $1,015 | 75% |
| Texas | $2,036 | $3,332 | $1,296 | 64% |
| Utah | $1,629 | $2,634 | $1,005 | 62% |
| Virginia | $1,319 | $2,202 | $883 | 67% |
| Vermont | $1,195 | $1,992 | $797 | 67% |
| Washington | $1,500 | $2,744 | $1,244 | 83% |
| Wisconsin | $1,818 | $3,364 | $1,546 | 85% |
| West Virginia | $1,474 | $2,669 | $1,195 | 81% |
| Wyoming | $1,880 | $3,481 | $1,601 | 85% |
Methodology: Insurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services in 2022 to field quotes in each state for a 2021 Honda Accord operated by male, age 40 and with 100/300/100 in liability coverage and $500 deductibles.
How to get cheap auto insurance after a DUI
High-risk drivers often find themselves paying higher prices for car insurance. You can look for cheaper DUI insurance rates with these tips:
- Compare car insurance rates from multiple carriers.
- Increase your deductibles to lower your premiums.
- Ask about discounts you can still qualify for with a DUI, like bundling your home and auto policy.
- Avoid other traffic violations.
Drunken driving laws by state
Governors Highway Safety Administration; as of April 2022
| State | Inc. Penalty for high BAC | Admin License suspension after first offense | Limited driving privileges during suspension | Ignition Interlocks | Open container laws maintaining federal requirement | Repeat offender laws maintaining federal reqirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 0.15 | 90 days | Mandatory for high BAC(above 0.15) and repeat convictions, highly incentivized for first conviction | Yes | Yes | |
| Alaska | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | No | No | |
| Arizona | 0.15 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | 6 months | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes | |
| California | 0.15 | 4 months | After 30 days | Mamdatory for all repeat and injury involved offenses, first time injury, or vehicular manslaughter offenses | Yes | No |
| Colorado | 0.15 | 3 months | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC(above 0.15) and repeat convictions, highly incentivized for first conviction | Yes | No |
| Connecticut | 90 days | yes | Highly incentivized for all convictions | No | Yes | |
| Delaware | 0.15 | 3 months | Highly incentivized for all convictions | No | Yes | |
| D.C | 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 | 2-90 days or un | Highly incentivized for all convictions | No | Yes | |
| Florida | 0.2 | 6 months for DUI and 12 months for refusal | After 30 days for DUI, After 90 days for refusal | Yes | Yes | |
| Georgia | 0.15 | 1 year | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Guam | From 0.08 to 0.10 | Discretionary | Yes | Yes | ||
| Hawaii | 3 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | No | No | |
| Idaho | 0.2 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mansatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | 0.16 | 6 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions and highly incentivized for first conviction | ||
| Indiana | 0.15 | 180 days | Available immediately | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Yes | No |
| Iowa | 0.15 | 180 days | After 30 days | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | 0.15 | 30 days | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | Yes | |
| Kentucky | 0.15 | 30-120 days | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | 0.15 and 0.20 | Mandatory for high BAC (0.20 and above) and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | No | No | ||
| Maine | 0.15 | 150 days | Yes | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Maryland | 0.15 | 180 days for both 0.08 and 0.15, for first offense | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Massachussets | 0.2 | 90 days | Yes | Mandatory for repeat conviction | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | 0.17 | 30-180 days | After 45 days | Mandatory for high BAC (0.17) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | 0.16 | 90 days | After 15 days | Highly incentivized for high BAC (0.16) and repeat convictions | Yes | No |
| Mississippi | 90 days | Mandatory for all convictions | No | Yes | ||
| Missouri | 0.15 | 90 days | After 0 days with interlock use (restricted) After 30 days (restricted) | Mandatory for repeat convictions | No | Yes |
| Montana | 0.16 | 6 months | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Yes | No |
| Nebraska | 0.15 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Nevada | 0.18 | 90 days | After 45 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | 0.16 | 6 months | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes | |
| New Jersey | 0.1 | 3 months | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes | |
| New Mexico | 0.16 (with mandatory jail for all offenses) | <21 : 1 year >21: 6 months | Immdiately with ignition interlock | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | No |
| New York | 0.18 | Yes | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | 0.15 | 30 days | After 10 days | Mandatory for high BAC (>.15) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | 0.18 | 91 days | After 30 days | Discretionary | Yes | Yes |
| Northern Mariana Island | 30 days - 6 months | Yes | Yes | |||
| Ohio | 0.17 | 90 days | After 15 days | Mandatory for repeat convictions | No | No |
| Oklahoma | 0.15 | 180 days | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 and above) and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | 0.15 | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions and diversions | Yes | No |
| Pennslyvania | 0.10 and 0.16 | Uses programs called Occupational Limited License (OLL) and Ignition Interlock Limited License (IILL) | Mandatory for high BAC (>.10) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes | |
| Rhode Island | 0.1 and 0.15 | 30-180 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | No | |
| South Carolina | 0.10 and 0.16 | 1 month for BAC >0.15 | Yes | Mandatory for both high BAC (.15 or higher) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | 0.17 | 30 days | Yes | Discretionary | Yes | No |
| Tennessee | 0.2 | 1 year | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | No | Yes |
| Texas | 0.15 | 90 days for BAC >0.08; 180 days for refusal | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Utah | 0.16 | 120 days | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | Yes | Yes | |
| Vermont | 90 days | Highly incentivized for all convictions | Yes | No | ||
| Virgin Islands | Variable | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Virginia | 0.15 and 0.20 | 7 days | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | No | Yes | |
| Washington | 0.15 | 90 days | With an ignition interlock driver’s license | Mandatory for all convictions | Yes | No |
| West Virginia | 0.15 | 6 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for high BAC (>.15) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 0.17, 0.20 and 0.25 | 6-9 months | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (>.15) and repeat convictions | Yes | Yes |
| Wyoming | 0.15 | 90 days | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (>.15) and repeat convictions | No | No |
- Louisiana requires a 45-day hard suspension of driving privileges for a second DWI conviction.
- Michigan has administrative license suspension for refusal to submit to a chemical test.
- Pennsylvania uses programs called Occupational Limited License (OLL) and Ignition Interlock Limited License (IILL).
- South Dakota has administrative license suspension for 30 days for refusal to submit to a chemical test.
Frequently asked questions: DUI and car insurance
How long does a DUI affect insurance?
Insurance company guidelines, governed by state laws, dictate how long your rates will be affected by a DUI conviction. On average, a DUI will raise your car insurance rates for three years.
If your state keeps the offense on your record longer than three years, and many do, it's common for this offense to affect your car insurance rates for five to seven years or more. For instance, in California, a DUI prevents you from receiving a 20% safe-driver discount for 10 years from the date of your DUI conviction.
How do auto insurance companies find out about a DUI?
If you have not already told your insurer about the DUI, they will find out upon renewal when they check DMV records.
Do you lose your driver’s license immediately with a DUI?
In most cases, yes. If you get a DUI or DWI in most states, your license will be suspended for a specific period. The length of the suspension can vary depending on your location and whether you have had a DUI in the past. You can find specific information about DUIs and suspended licenses on your state's DMV website.
Can you drive with a DUI before your court date?
Yes, it is possible to get behind the wheel with a DUI before your court date. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get a license that will let you drive to and from work and school even if your regular license is suspended – a hardship license.
