The Cheapest Car Insurance After a DUI

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.

Overall, the cheapest car insurance companies after a DUI are Progressive and State Farm.

• Progressive: $2,132 per year
• State Farm: $2,222 per year

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.

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.

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.

The 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.

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.

1. Start shopping immediately
2. Compare quotes from at least three companies
3. Maintain a clean driving record from that point forward
4. Shop again

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.