Best and Cheapest Car Insurance After a DUI (2024)

Getting convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs usually leads to higher insurance rates. The same is true if you get a driving while intoxicated (DWI) or operating while intoxicated (OWI) violation. However, by comparing rates from different companies, you can find a cheap DUI, DWI or OWI insurance provider for your needs. While DUIs, DWIs and OWIs are not the same, this guide will simply refer to DUIs as our findings may apply to all three impaired driving violations (depending on which a state imposes).

MoneyGeek found that State Farm offers the best and cheapest DUI insurance for both minimum and full coverage policies.

State Farm offers both the most affordable minimum and full coverage car insurance after a DUI:

• Minimum coverage: State Farm ($767 per year)
• Full coverage: State Farm ($1,231 per year)

On average, the full coverage policy State Farm offers is significantly cheaper than the average premiums after a DUI.

Finding cheap DUI insurance is essential to ensure you’re complying with your state’s regulations without breaking the bank. Rates can vary depending on your location and other factors; use the table below as a starting point to find the cheapest car insurance companies and their rates for drivers with a DUI.

The cheapest DUI insurance provider can vary by location, as state laws and regulations, risk factors, population density, weather patterns and competition among insurance providers all play a role in how insurers determine premiums.

Get an overview of the cheapest DUI insurance providers by state and at different age ranges using the table below.

Military-affiliated drivers and their families can get the cheapest car insurance after a DUI from the following insurers:

• Minimum coverage: USAA ($674 per year)
• Full coverage: State Farm ($1,231 per year)

Some insurance companies may offer discounts on auto insurance for active-duty military members, veterans and their family members with a DUI. However, keep in mind that availability and eligibility requirements can vary depending on the insurer and state. Use the table below to find the cheapest insurer for military drivers with a DUI.

These are the top three providers for full coverage car insurance after a DUI based on MoneyGeek's ranking system:

• State Farm: MoneyGeek Score of 89 out of 100 ($1,231 per year)
• Travelers: MoneyGeek Score of 89 out of 100 ($1,729 per year)
• Progressive: MoneyGeek Score of 88 out of 100 ($1,448 per year)

State Farm offers the best insurance for DUI-convicted drivers, followed by Travelers and Progressive. To determine the best insurance provider for drivers with a DUI, MoneyGeek used a ranking system that weighed affordability, customer satisfaction, financial stability and other factors.

Being labeled as a high-risk driver can lead to increased premiums, limited coverage options, and even policy cancellations. Additionally, you may face challenges like the requirement for SR-22 or FR-44 (only required in Florida and Virginia) filings and difficulty finding new coverage.

Even so, how you’re affected can vary based on your specific circumstances, such as your state’s regulations, your provider, the severity of your offense and more. Below is just a brief look into the potential implications of a DUI on your car insurance.

Your insurer will find out about your DUI conviction when they pull your record from the DMV or you file an SR-22 or FR-44. When renewing your insurance policy or applying for a new one, insurance companies typically review your DMV records to assess your risk level as a driver. Your motor vehicle record (MVR) reveals key factors, such as your driving history, license status, insurance history and violations or accidents, including DUIs. If you have a DUI, your insurance company will naturally find out when filing required forms like SR-22 or FR-44 on your behalf.

Being upfront about a DUI is crucial when discussing your insurance options. Failure to disclose this information could result in your policy being terminated or complications arising when you need to make a claim.

You're not limited to sticking with your current insurer, especially if you're concerned about rising premiums. It's a smart financial move to compare quotes from at least three different providers. That way, if your current insurer offers to renew your policy but at a rate that's out of your budget, you'll already have alternative options lined up, helping you find coverage that's both affordable and adequate for your needs. You’re also allowed to switch car insurance companies at any time if you find a better offer in the middle of your term.

The average cost of car insurance after a DUI is $808 more per year compared to a driver with a clean motor vehicle record. As this figure demonstrates, having a DUI on your record can significantly affect your auto insurance premium. As the risk of future accidents and claims is higher for drivers with a DUI, providers charge higher premiums to offset that risk.

While insurance costs significantly increase after a DUI, how much your costs increase depends on a few factors. These include:

• Severity of the offense: A first-time DUI offense may be viewed differently compared to a second or third offense.
• Previous driving history: Whether you have a history of driving violations, such as speeding tickets or at-fault accidents.
• Age and gender: Your age and gender are considered when calculating insurance rates. Auto insurance for teens is generally more expensive, for instance, as they have less experience driving.
• Type of vehicle: Whether the vehicle you are driving poses a hazard (e.g., a sports car or a very old car).
• Location: Where you reside and external statistics are considered, such as the vehicle crime rate or population density.

To get a better understanding of how these factors impact car insurance rates after a DUI, use the table below and examine the difference between premiums for different driving records and age ranges.

Navigating auto insurance after a DUI can be complicated. Our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about DUI insurance can help provide clarity about the process.