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Crash Course:
- A driving under the influence (DUI) offense can significantly raise insurance rates.
- State Farm is the cheapest mass-market auto insurance company for drivers with a DUI.
- It’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from many providers to find the best rates.
Getting caught for driving under the influence will almost certainly raise the cost of your auto coverage. But while even the cheapest DUI insurance is likely to be expensive, some providers offer lower rates than others.
Our team researched rates for drivers with a DUI from top car insurance providers across the U.S. to discover which ones offer the cheapest DUI insurance. You’ll find those rate estimates and details about getting auto insurance with a DUI on your driving record in the following article.
Cheapest DUI Insurance Companies
According to our data, Progressive has the cheapest DUI insurance among national providers, with estimated rates of $176 per month or $2,107 per year.
Cheapest DUI Insurance by State
Location is a huge factor that will influence your cheapest DUI insurance rates. Prices for the same type of driver may be hundreds of dollars higher in one state than in another. Below, you can see each state’s cheapest car insurance company for drivers with DUIs and their average annual rates.
What Happens if You Get a DUI?
If you’re caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level over your state’s legal limit, you could face several consequences. These include:
- License points: At the very least, a DUI traffic violation will result in having points added to your license. A higher number of points can lead to increased auto insurance rates and other penalties.
- License suspension: Depending on state law, getting a DUI could result in your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) suspending your driver’s license for a period of time. During this time, you can’t legally drive.
- Special insurance requirements: If you get a DUI, your state may require you to file an SR-22. This form is proof that you have an adequate car insurance coverage policy and usually comes with much higher premiums.
- Incarceration: Depending on state laws, getting a DUI can also lead to jail time.
How Does a DUI Affect Insurance Rates?
A DUI on your record will almost certainly bring you higher rates – far more than a speeding ticket or a car accident in most cases. Depending on your location, car insurance company, and driving history, it could double or even triple your premiums.
Our estimates show that 40-year-old male drivers pay about $286 per month or $3,531 per year on average for car insurance after getting a DUI. This is about 78% higher than the average rate of $1,983 per year for someone with a clean driving record.
A driving while intoxicated (DWI) infraction or a DUI stays on your insurance record for at least three to five years. During this time, insurance companies see you as a high-risk driver. You’ll pay elevated rates throughout those years, which is why it’s important to find the cheapest DUI insurance provider.
Recommendations for Cheap DUI Insurance
Our picks for the cheapest DUI insurance are State Farm, USAA, and the Southern Farm Bureau. It’s worth getting auto insurance quotes from whichever of these providers you’re eligible for.
State Farm: Cheapest National DUI Insurance
USAA: Cheapest DUI Insurance for Military
Southern Farm Bureau: Cheapest Regional DUI Insurance
How To Get Cheap Car Insurance With a DUI
While a DUI will almost certainly raise your auto insurance rates, there are still a few ways to increase your odds of finding affordable coverage.
Shop Around
If rates are rising with your current auto insurance company, it may be a good time to compare car insurance quotes from other providers. We recommend getting rate estimates from as many different auto insurers as you can.
Quotes are free, and the more companies you compare, the better chance you’ll have of finding the lowest rates. Get quotes online, but also consider working with insurance agents who can compare coverage plans with you.
Reduce Your Coverage
Most insurance experts typically recommend a full-coverage insurance policy that includes both liability insurance and property coverage. However, these policies could end up being unaffordable if you have a DUI. To save money, you can go with a minimum-coverage policy that only satisfies your state requirements.
These policies typically only include liability coverage and cost significantly less than full coverage. Be aware, though, that you likely won’t have coverage for your own vehicle or personal medical costs under a minimum-coverage policy.
Try Usage-Based Insurance
Usage-based coverage tracks your driving habits in real time and rewards you with discounts for safe driving. You could save money if you avoid late-night driving and smoothly handle acceleration, cornering, and stopping. Low mileage can get you a better discount too since many programs reward drivers who spend less time on the road.
Usage-based programs don’t analyze your past driving record, which would include any DUIs or other convictions. They just analyze how you drive from now on.
Find Car Insurance Discounts
Each company offers different types of auto insurance discounts that could help you save on your premium. While you won’t receive a good driver discount due to the DUI offense, other savings opportunities could get you the cheapest DUI insurance. Look out for the following:
- Military discount: Some providers offer discounts to members of the military and their families.
- Student discount: Students can often get a discount on car insurance. In many cases, savings are given to students who maintain good grades in school.
- Multi-car discount: You can often save money by insuring more than one vehicle under one policy.
- Low-mileage discount: Some insurers offer discounted rates to people who don’t drive very much. If you can afford to drive less, you may be able to save.
- Driver education discount: Insurance companies often give discounts to people who complete approved safe driving courses.
- Bundling/multi-policy discount: Most insurers offer discounts to those who combine homeowners, renters, and life insurance with their auto policy.
Work on Your Credit Score
In most states, your credit score is a significant factor in your insurance premiums. Drivers with good credit gain access to the lowest rates while motorists with lower scores typically pay more. If you can work on your credit rating by paying off all bills on time and reducing your outstanding debt, it could result in lower premiums.
Will Insurance Find Out About My DUI?
If you’re caught driving under the influence, be honest with your insurance company. Your provider will periodically check with the DMV to get your updated driving history. This typically happens when you renew your car insurance policy but might happen at other times.
If your car insurance costs don’t go up after a DUI, the company will still find out about the DUI eventually. It’s best to let your company know about the DUI because the provider could cancel your car insurance coverage if it finds out after the fact.
Many states require DUI offenders to file SR-22 forms through their insurance companies. This form testifies that the convicted driver will maintain insurance for a period of time. If this is the case, your insurance company will find out about your DUI during the SR-22 insurance process.
Cheapest DUI Insurance: Conclusion
We found that among national providers, State Farm tends to offer the cheapest rates for DUI insurance. USAA also typically offers more affordable rates than most. And depending on where you live, a regional provider in your area may have the market’s best rates. The easiest way to find out is to shop around for quotes from multiple providers and compare.
The good news is that with safe driving habits and a clean record from this point forward, your rates will eventually go down. In the meantime, there are plenty of ways to try and reduce the cost of your auto coverage.
Cheapest DUI Insurance: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about getting the cheapest DUI insurance:
Will GEICO drop me after a DUI?
GEICO isn’t known for dropping drivers who get DUIs, and it’s typically an affordable provider for these motorists. However, any car insurance company has the right to drop drivers after events like DUIs if they become too risky to insure.
How long does a DUI affect insurance in Pennsylvania?
A first-time DUI in Pennsylvania causes rate increases for three years in most cases, but companies are allowed to consider DUIs for longer. Subsequent DUIs within 10 years can affect your rates for far longer periods of time.
How much is DUI insurance in Florida?
According to our rate data, 40-year-old males pay about $456 per month or $5,466 per year on average for DUI car insurance in Florida. That’s over 11% more than the average cost for a Florida driver with a clean record.
How long does a DUI affect insurance in Texas?
Texas law requires drivers who get DUIs to file SR-22 forms for two years, which raises rates. Most car insurance companies take three to five years of driving history into consideration, but Texas allows companies to consider up to 10 years of history for serious DUI convictions.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
