
3.8/5
Affordability
3.5/5
Claims Ratings
5/5
Discounts
4/5
User Satisfaction
5/5
Financial Stability
If you’ve gotten a DUI, insurance companies may charge you over a thousand dollars more per year for your car insurance policy because they will consider you a higher-risk driver. If you've had a recent violation, it's a good time to shop around insurance providers and find which offers the cheapest rates for you.
MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest company on average. But the cheapest for you will depend on a variety of factors, especially where you live, so we also analyzed the cheapest options in every state.
If you're looking for a best blend of affordability after a DUI and quality service, MoneyGeek also ranked the best companies in the country.
A DUI will multiple your car insurance rates anywhere from one-and-a-half to two times the previous level.
For DUI drivers, Progressive is the cheapest option at a national level, while State Farm is the cheapest in the most states.
Whenever a driving violation raises your rates, it's an opportunity to shop around for car insurance can ensure you get the best deal.
Overall, the cheapest car insurance companies after a DUI are Progressive and State Farm.
Another affordable option is USAA at $1,816 per year, but it's only available to military families.
When you get a DUI (which may be called a DWI, depending on where you live), your insurance rates will go up. The increase will depend on many factors, including your insurance company. For example, MoneyGeek found that the average premium would rise by about $750 per year with Progressive, but $1,639 per year with Travelers. Keep in mind that those examples are both for individuals who did not have any violations prior to the DUI.
Here’s how nine major insurance companies’ average premiums would stack up for someone who went from having a clean record to getting a DUI.
Company | DUI | No Violations | DUI Increase | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | $1,816 | $883 | $933 | |
2. | $2,132 | $1,381 | $751 | |
3. | $2,222 | $1,235 | $987 | |
4. | $2,416 | $1,578 | $839 | |
5. | $2,582 | $1,341 | $1,241 | |
6. | $2,669 | $1,351 | $1,318 | |
7. | $2,680 | $1,047 | $1,634 | |
8. | $3,163 | $1,525 | $1,639 |
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
The cheapest car insurance if you have a DUI or DWI on your record will depend on many factors, including your location.
Although Progressive is the cheapest overall, MoneyGeek found that State Farm is the cheapest in more states — 29 out of 50 — than any other insurer. Click on your state to learn more about the cheapest options where you live. Insurance is regulated at a state level, meaning rates can vary greatly across state lines, especially for those with a DUI.
State | Company | Annual Rate |
---|---|---|
Allstate | $1,150 | |
State Farm | $1,042 | |
American Family | $1,178 | |
Southern Farm Bureau | $1,010 | |
Mercury | $2,377 | |
State Farm | $1,251 | |
Progressive | $1,381 | |
State Farm | $1,351 | |
State Farm | $2,018 | |
State Farm | $1,545 | |
State Farm | $911 | |
State Farm | $599 | |
State Farm | $1,035 | |
American Family | $826 | |
State Farm | $671 | |
American Family | $758 | |
State Farm | $939 | |
Southern Farm Bureau | $2,110 | |
State Farm | $661 | |
Erie | $1,611 | |
Plymouth Rock Assurance | $1,226 | |
Progressive | $3,071 | |
State Farm | $1,057 | |
State Farm | $1,127 | |
State Farm | $980 | |
State Farm | $807 | |
State Farm | $842 | |
State Farm | $1,777 | |
Progressive | $695 | |
New Jersey Manufacturers | $1,631 | |
State Farm | $1,121 | |
State Farm | $2,736 | |
Nationwide | $2,240 | |
American Family | $598 | |
American Family | $690 | |
State Farm | $1,145 | |
Progressive | $1,234 | |
State Farm | $1,494 | |
State Farm | $790 | |
State Farm | $1,137 | |
State Farm | $735 | |
Tennessee | State Farm | $902 |
Esurance | $1,149 | |
American Family | $1,426 | |
State Farm | $784 | |
Progressive | $706 | |
State Farm | $1,043 | |
Erie | $1,227 | |
State Farm | $869 | |
American Family | $787 | |
State Farm | $790 |
The best car insurance options for those with a DUI are GEICO and Progressive, according to MoneyGeek’s analysis across several categories. USAA is our top-ranked insurer, but only certain military families will be eligible.
Our scoring system incorporates more than just the cost of a policy for a DUI driver by scoring companies based on factors like satisfaction, complaints, stability and discounts.
GEICO is a general insurance company that offers a wide array of products, including homeowners, renters, umbrella, motorcycle and auto insurance. It’s been around for about 75 years and is best suited to those who prefer an online insurance experience, rather than an in-person one. GEICO can cover individuals with a DUI. The company can also help file SR-22 forms if the court or your state requires one.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance ReviewUSAA is an insurance company that caters to members of the military and their families. So if you or a family member hasn’t served, you can’t access this insurance. But for those who can, the company provides comprehensive coverage options, and other types of insurance, like home and renters policies, as well as banking options. You may have to contact USAA directly regarding DUIs since there are several factors the company takes into consideration on a case-by-case basis.
Read MoneyGeek's USAA auto Insurance ReviewFor those who prefer an in-person insurance option, State Farm could be a good option: it has over 19,000 insurance agents located throughout the country. The company offers a wide variety of coverage options, including health and pet insurance. With a DUI on your record, you may have higher annual premium rates since you wouldn't be able to use their clean driving record discounts, such as its Drive Safe and Save, Steer Clear and Good Driving. You may want to contact State Farm directly regarding your driving record.
Read MoneyGeek's State Farm auto Insurance ReviewProgressive is another online-friendly car insurance option, and it boasts over 18 million customers. The company also offers many types of insurance, like life, home and auto insurance. Progressive does insure drivers with a DUI. You may need to file an SR-22 form as soon as you receive your violation, which the court or your state will notify you if you need one.
Read MoneyGeek's Progressive auto Insurance ReviewAlthough it began as an insurance option for farmers in Ohio, Nationwide has since branched out to offer auto and home insurance, as well as many other types of insurance. It provides the modern amenities you’d expect from a national insurer, like an app and the option to make online claims. Nationwide can insure drivers with a DUI, but your annual premiums may be higher. The company can also process SR-22 forms if the court or your state requires you to file one. There may be a filing fee.
Read MoneyGeek's Nationwide auto Insurance ReviewThe exact insurance costs of getting a DUI or DWI will vary from person to person. And beyond the near-term rate increase, you may also have to take some other steps to secure an insurance policy after committing a DUI.
How much will my insurance go up with a DUI?
MoneyGeek found that car insurance rates increase from an average of $1,424 per year with a clean record to $2,879 if you have a DUI, but it depends on factors like what insurance company you have, where you live and what your driving record looks like beyond the DUI itself. For example, for someone who has another DUI on their record, the premium would increase more than it would for someone who has a clean record prior to the DUI.
How long will I have to pay a higher insurance rate?
Your rates will be elevated for up to as long as your DUI is on your driving record. For most states, that stays on the record for about three to five years — but it can be longer.
This isn’t my first DUI. What happens to my insurance now?
Your insurance company may choose to revoke your policy, or your premiums may go up substantially more than what you saw with the first DUI. That’s assuming that the first occurrence is still on your record.
Higher car insurance rates may just be one consequence of getting a DUI:
Your insurance options may be more expensive or even somewhat limited after a DUI, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. Be sure to take the following steps when looking for cheap insurance after a DUI.
Although your insurance company may not revoke your insurance after getting a DUI, it’s still good to shop around as soon as it happens. That’s because the prices can range widely and you may be able to find a cheaper insurance option elsewhere.
The more you can compare car insurance quotes, the better equipped you’ll be to understand how each insurance company stacks up and which companies you qualify for. If you're seeking estimates before you compare real quotes, using a tool that pulls quotes from several insurance companies at once is the best way to accomplish this task quickly.
Although a DUI or DWI will increase your rates, you can still access discounts — like loyalty, home-auto bundling or auto-pay discounts — which can help reduce the overall financial impact.
Read More: How to find car Insurance discounts
When you have a DUI on your record, it’s still worth it to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to prevent yourself from incurring additional strikes, which would inflate your rates even more. It can help, for example, to reduce your driving distances (this can also help lower your insurance costs), and to avoid driving on the most dangerous DUI days, like New Year’s Day and Labor Day.
Even if you find that your current insurance company offers the best option for you right now, that may not always be the case. So it’s beneficial to periodically shop around and see if you can get a better deal at another insurer.
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Getting a DUI could alter more than the way you commute to and from your destinations. You may be limited to what you can do, but there are still ways you can navigate around, particularly with car insurance and driving.
Trial Attorney, Simeone & Miller, LLP
Professor at the School of Applied Business at Daytona State College
About Devon Delfino