CarInsurance.com Insights
- Car insurance rates can increase 50%–300% after a DUI conviction.
- North Carolina, Hawaii and California see the steepest premium hikes.
- A second DUI can more than quadruple your insurance costs.
A DUI (driving under the influence) conviction can have serious financial consequences, including a significant increase in car insurance rates. Insurers view DUI offenders as high-risk drivers, which often leads to higher premiums, policy cancellations, or difficulty finding coverage. But just how much does your insurance go up after a DUI?
On average, car insurance rates can increase by 50% to 100% or more after a DUI, depending on factors such as your state, insurer, driving history, and the severity of the offense. Some drivers may even see their rates triple after a conviction. In addition, many states require SR-22 or FR-44 forms, which certify that you carry the legally required insurance and often result in additional fees.
How much does insurance go up after a DUI?
“Insurance premiums could rise anywhere from 40% to 90% or more, depending on the insurance company, the state you live in, and the number of violations you have on your record,” says Lauren McKenzie, an insurance broker with A Plus Insurance.
Remember that your insurance rates will not automatically go up until your policy is due for renewal.
“For instance, if you have a six-month insurance policy, the rates will be adjusted upon the end of the six months at the beginning of a new insurance term,” she says. “That can give you time to shop around for other insurance companies to compare prices and find something affordable.”
DUI insurance rates by state
Residents of North Carolina who get a DUI face the most significant increase in their insurance rates, 307%, followed by 217% in Hawaii, 207% in California, 157% in Michigan – an already expensive state for car insurance – and 100% in Minnesota.
With a second DUI, your insurance rates will jump 425% in California, 421% in Hawaii, 367% in Michigan and 316% in North Carolina. In the table below, see how much you can expect to pay for car insurance in each state after a first and second DUI.
| State | Base rate | DUI/DWI first offense | Increase | Increase | DUI/DWI second offense | Increase | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,286 | $1,855 | $569 | 44% | $2,346 | $1,060 | 82% |
| Alabama | $1,580 | $2,781 | $1,201 | 76% | $3,972 | $2,392 | 151% |
| Arkansas | $1,652 | $2,994 | $1,342 | 81% | $4,418 | $2,766 | 167% |
| Arizona | $1,719 | $2,873 | $1,154 | 67% | $4,152 | $2,433 | 142% |
| California | $2,207 | $6,780 | $4,573 | 207% | $11,586 | $9,379 | 425% |
| Colorado | $2,125 | $3,506 | $1,381 | 65% | $4,940 | $2,815 | 132% |
| Connecticut | $1,529 | $2,862 | $1,333 | 87% | $4,705 | $3,176 | 208% |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,909 | $3,050 | $1,141 | 60% | $3,954 | $2,045 | 107% |
| Delaware | $1,791 | $3,109 | $1,318 | 74% | $4,713 | $2,922 | 163% |
| Florida | $2,981 | $4,551 | $1,570 | 53% | $6,675 | $3,694 | 124% |
| Georgia | $1,710 | $3,077 | $1,367 | 80% | $4,905 | $3,195 | 187% |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $4,150 | $2,841 | 217% | $6,824 | $5,515 | 421% |
| Iowa | $1,241 | $1,790 | $549 | 44% | $2,459 | $1,218 | 98% |
| Idaho | $1,082 | $1,735 | $653 | 60% | $2,623 | $1,541 | 142% |
| Illinois | $1,559 | $2,798 | $1,239 | 79% | $4,576 | $3,017 | 194% |
| Indiana | $1,363 | $2,356 | $993 | 73% | $3,661 | $2,298 | 169% |
| Kansas | $1,557 | $2,670 | $1,113 | 71% | $4,065 | $2,508 | 161% |
| Kentucky | $2,086 | $3,950 | $1,864 | 89% | $6,568 | $4,482 | 215% |
| Louisiana | $3,126 | $5,348 | $2,222 | 71% | $7,147 | $4,021 | 129% |
| Massachusetts | $1,776 | $3,233 | $1,457 | 82% | $4,756 | $2,980 | 168% |
| Maryland | $2,172 | $3,807 | $1,635 | 75% | $4,421 | $2,249 | 104% |
| Maine | $1,068 | $1,663 | $595 | 56% | $2,446 | $1,378 | 129% |
| Michigan | $3,915 | $10,044 | $6,129 | 157% | $18,275 | $14,360 | 367% |
| Minnesota | $1,768 | $3,542 | $1,774 | 100% | $6,722 | $4,954 | 280% |
| Missouri | $2,669 | $3,904 | $1,235 | 46% | $5,336 | $2,667 | 100% |
| Mississippi | $1,535 | $2,779 | $1,244 | 81% | $4,198 | $2,663 | 173% |
| Montana | $1,709 | $2,764 | $1,055 | 62% | $4,263 | $2,554 | 149% |
| North Carolina | $1,442 | $5,870 | $4,428 | 307% | $6,001 | $4,559 | 316% |
| North Dakota | $1,357 | $2,550 | $1,193 | 88% | $4,047 | $2,690 | 198% |
| Nebraska | $1,926 | $3,600 | $1,674 | 87% | $6,053 | $4,127 | 214% |
| New Hampshire | $1,023 | $1,683 | $660 | 65% | $2,354 | $1,331 | 130% |
| New Jersey | $2,232 | $4,254 | $2,022 | 91% | $5,729 | $3,497 | 157% |
| New Mexico | $1,657 | $2,541 | $884 | 53% | $3,444 | $1,787 | 108% |
| Nevada | $2,427 | $4,169 | $1,742 | 72% | $5,895 | $3,468 | 143% |
| New York | $1,822 | $2,718 | $896 | 49% | $3,701 | $1,879 | 103% |
| Ohio | $1,136 | $1,861 | $725 | 64% | $2,708 | $1,572 | 138% |
| Oklahoma | $1,968 | $3,036 | $1,068 | 54% | $4,639 | $2,671 | 136% |
| Oregon | $1,484 | $2,404 | $920 | 62% | $3,171 | $1,687 | 114% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,508 | $2,765 | $1,257 | 83% | $4,861 | $3,353 | 222% |
| Rhode Island | $1,923 | $3,312 | $1,389 | 72% | $4,541 | $2,618 | 136% |
| South Carolina | $1,804 | $2,662 | $858 | 48% | $3,767 | $1,963 | 109% |
| South Dakota | $1,585 | $2,920 | $1,335 | 84% | $4,324 | $2,739 | 173% |
| Tennessee | $1,360 | $2,375 | $1,015 | 75% | $3,674 | $2,314 | 170% |
| Texas | $2,036 | $3,332 | $1,296 | 64% | $4,580 | $2,544 | 125% |
| Utah | $1,629 | $2,634 | $1,005 | 62% | $3,941 | $2,312 | 142% |
| Virginia | $1,319 | $2,202 | $883 | 67% | $2,971 | $1,652 | 125% |
| Vermont | $1,195 | $1,992 | $797 | 67% | $3,260 | $2,065 | 173% |
| Washington | $1,500 | $2,744 | $1,244 | 83% | $3,537 | $2,037 | 136% |
| Wisconsin | $1,818 | $3,364 | $1,546 | 85% | $5,770 | $3,952 | 217% |
| West Virginia | $1,474 | $2,669 | $1,195 | 81% | $3,883 | $2,409 | 163% |
| Wyoming | $1,880 | $3,481 | $1,601 | 85% | $5,633 | $3,753 | 200% |
Which companies offer the cheapest insurance after a DUI?
New Jersey Manufacturers and National General offer the smallest insurance rate increases after one DUI at 20% and 38%, respectively, with Progressive, American Family and Mercury rounding out the top five.
See the insurance rates after a DUI from major companies in the table below.
| Company | Clean/base | DUI/DWI first offense | Increase | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,513 | $5,044 | $2,531 | 101% |
| American Family | $1,738 | $2,521 | $783 | 45% |
| Auto Club Enterprises | $2,313 | $5,487 | $3,174 | 137% |
| Auto-Owners | $1,651 | $3,288 | $1,637 | 99% |
| Automobile Club of MI | $2,435 | $6,604 | $4,169 | 171% |
| Chubb | $2,539 | $5,633 | $3,094 | 122% |
| CSAA | $3,015 | $8,505 | $5,490 | 182% |
| Erie | $1,335 | $2,583 | $1,248 | 93% |
| Farmers | $2,740 | $6,019 | $3,279 | 120% |
| GEICO | $1,352 | $3,573 | $2,221 | 164% |
| Hartford | $2,458 | $9,416 | $6,958 | 283% |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $2,821 | $4,380 | $1,559 | 55% |
| Kemper | $2,604 | $4,596 | $1,992 | 76% |
| Kentucky Farm Bureau | $2,325 | $5,481 | $3,156 | 136% |
| Mercury | $2,092 | $3,076 | $984 | 47% |
| National General | $2,883 | $3,967 | $1,084 | 38% |
| Nationwide | $1,523 | $3,403 | $1,880 | 123% |
| New Jersey Manufacturers | $1,421 | $1,704 | $283 | 20% |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,265 | $4,747 | $3,482 | 275% |
| Oklahoma Farm Bureau | $2,865 | $4,516 | $1,651 | 58% |
| Palisades | $1,341 | $2,301 | $960 | 72% |
| Progressive | $1,933 | $2,753 | $820 | 42% |
| Shelter | $1,991 | $3,278 | $1,287 | 65% |
| State Farm | $1,672 | $2,905 | $1,233 | 74% |
| Travelers | $1,882 | $3,279 | $1,397 | 74% |
| USAA | $1,272 | $2,508 | $1,236 | 97% |
Explore our detailed guide on the difference between a DUI and a DWI
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How long does a DUI stay on your record?
Depending on your state, a DUI can stay on your motor vehicle record anywhere from five years to your lifetime.
Here are examples of lengths in various states, according to Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute, an insurance industry association:
- Arizona: Five years
- California: 10 years
- New York: 15 years
- New Mexico: 55 years
- Florida: 75 years
- Illinois, Ohio and Vermont: Life
“However, a DUI will remain in your criminal history forever,” says attorney James Grant with Georgia Trial Attorneys at Kirchen & Grant. “Criminal offenses do not fall off your criminal history. The issue is how far back an insurance company will search your record. Most insurance companies only search for a seven- or 10-year driving history. So, if your DUI occurred more than 10 years ago, chances are it will no longer affect your insurance rates.”
Friedlander says a first DUI conviction typically results in a minimum of seven consecutive years of annual surcharges added to your premium bill.
Car insurance with a DUI: Here’s what drivers with a DUI need to know.
How can you find cheap car insurance after a DUI?
Whether your existing carrier keeps your policy intact without cancellation or you have to get a new one, prepare to get several quotes for your best shot at finding an affordable one.
“Ideally, get a minimum of three quotes from national and regional insurers to compare costs and coverages,” Friedlander says. “You can obtain quotes online or work with a local insurance agent.”
McKenzie recommends going through an independent insurance broker, as these professionals can get quotes from several insurance companies and save you time and money.
“Consider looking for smaller insurance companies. While the large ones are more likely to offer coverage, smaller ones that only operate in a limited number of states can often come through with better deals,” says Attorney Ben Michael with Michael & Associates, a law firm in Austin, Texas.
You may also reduce insurance costs by pursuing discounts, such as bundling your homeowners and auto insurance and opting for paperless billing.
Final thoughts on shopping for car insurance after a DUI
Driving under the influence is considered one of the riskiest driving behaviors and should be avoided at all costs. It’s no surprise that getting car insurance can be increasingly challenging for those with a DUI on their motor vehicle record.
“It’s not impossible to obtain insurance coverage after a DUI conviction. Just be aware that, if you can get coverage, it will likely take 10 years before your rates return to normal,” Grant says.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car insurance with a DUI
How much will my car insurance go up after a DUI?
On average, car insurance rates increase between 50% and 300% after a DUI, depending on your state, insurer and driving history.
How long will a DUI affect my insurance rates?
Most insurers surcharge for a DUI for three to five years. In some states, a DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years or longer, which will affect your premiums during that time.
Do I need an SR-22 or FR-44 after a DUI?
Many states require an SR-22 (or FR-44 in Florida and Virginia) to prove you carry the required coverage. This form comes with filing fees and must remain in place for several years.
Can I get cheap car insurance after a DUI?
Rates will be higher, but you can save by comparing quotes, increasing your deductible, completing safe driving or DUI education programs and asking about discounts.
Will my current insurer drop me after a DUI?
It’s possible. Some insurers refuse to renew policies after a DUI, while others continue coverage but at a much higher premium. If you’re dropped, you’ll need to shop for a high-risk insurer.
Does a DUI affect only my car insurance?
No. A DUI can also affect employment opportunities, professional licenses and even your ability to rent a car. Insurance is just one part of the financial impact.
Which states have the highest insurance increases after a DUI?
The biggest premium hikes after a DUI are in North Carolina, Hawaii and California, where rates can more than triple. Other states with steep increases include Florida, Michigan and Kentucky. In contrast, some states see smaller jumps, but every DUI conviction leads to higher costs nationwide.
Resources & Methodology
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on the sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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