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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.

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Key Takeaways

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A DUI will multiple your car insurance rates anywhere from one-and-a-half to two times the previous level.

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For DUI drivers, Progressive is the cheapest option at a national level, while State Farm is the cheapest in the most states.

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Whenever a driving violation raises your rates, it's an opportunity to shop around for car insurance can ensure you get the best deal.

The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies After a DUI

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.

Annual Car Insurance Costs With and Without a DUI
Company
DUI
No Violations
DUI Increase

1.

USAA

$1,816

$883

$933

2.

Progressive

$2,132

$1,381

$751

3.

State Farm

$2,222

$1,235

$987

4.

Farmers

$2,416

$1,578

$839

5.

Nationwide

$2,582

$1,341

$1,241

6.

Allstate

$2,669

$1,351

$1,318

7.

GEICO

$2,680

$1,047

$1,634

8.

Travelers

$3,163

$1,525

$1,639

Insurance Rates

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Find the Cheapest Car Insurance After a DUI by State

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

Alabama

Allstate

$1,150

Alaska

State Farm

$1,042

Arizona

American Family

$1,178

Arkansas

Southern Farm Bureau

$1,010

California

Mercury

$2,377

Colorado

State Farm

$1,251

Connecticut

Progressive

$1,381

Delaware

State Farm

$1,351

Florida

State Farm

$2,018

Georgia

State Farm

$1,545

Hawaii

State Farm

$911

Idaho

State Farm

$599

Illinois

State Farm

$1,035

Indiana

American Family

$826

Iowa

State Farm

$671

Kansas

American Family

$758

Kentucky

State Farm

$939

Louisiana

Southern Farm Bureau

$2,110

Maine

State Farm

$661

Maryland

Erie

$1,611

Massachusetts

Plymouth Rock Assurance

$1,226

Michigan

Progressive

$3,071

Minnesota

State Farm

$1,057

Mississippi

State Farm

$1,127

Missouri

State Farm

$980

Montana

State Farm

$807

Nebraska

State Farm

$842

Nevada

State Farm

$1,777

New Hampshire

Progressive

$695

New Jersey

New Jersey Manufacturers

$1,631

New Mexico

State Farm

$1,121

New York

State Farm

$2,736

North Carolina

Nationwide

$2,240

North Dakota

American Family

$598

Ohio

American Family

$690

Oklahoma

State Farm

$1,145

Oregon

Progressive

$1,234

Pennsylvania

State Farm

$1,494

Rhode Island

State Farm

$790

South Carolina

State Farm

$1,137

South Dakota

State Farm

$735

Tennessee

State Farm

$902

Texas

Esurance

$1,149

Utah

American Family

$1,426

Vermont

State Farm

$784

Virginia

Progressive

$706

Washington

State Farm

$1,043

Washington D.C.

Erie

$1,227

West Virginia

State Farm

$869

Wisconsin

American Family

$787

Wyoming

State Farm

$790

Top 5 Car Insurance Companies for Drivers After 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.


1
GEICO
Score:85

3.8/5

Affordability

3.5/5

Claims Ratings

5/5

Discounts

4/5

User Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

More About GEICO

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 Review
2
USAA
Score:81

4.9/5

Affordability

4.5/5

Claims Ratings

1/5

Discounts

5/5

User Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

More About USAA

USAA 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 Review
3
State Farm
Score:81

3.3/5

Affordability

4/5

Claims Ratings

5/5

Discounts

3/5

User Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

More About State Farm

For 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 Review
4
Progressive
Score:74

2.1/5

Affordability

4/5

Claims Ratings

5/5

Discounts

3/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

More About Progressive

Progressive 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 Review
5
Nationwide
Score:66

2.6/5

Affordability

4.5/5

Claims Ratings

2/5

Discounts

3/5

User Satisfaction

4.5/5

Financial Stability

More About Nationwide

Although 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 Review

How DUIs Affect Your Car Insurance

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.

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OTHER INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS AFTER A DUI

Higher car insurance rates may just be one consequence of getting a DUI:

  • In many states, a severe driving violation will require you to file an SR-22. Your insurer will have to file it on your behalf and it may cost around $25.
  • You may need to reinstate your driver's license, which usually requires owning an insurance policy. Those who don't own a car should look in to non-owner car insurance as an affordable way to get proof of coverage.
  • Insurance companies may not cover you. Insurance companies may label you as a high-risk driver, especially after repeat offenses. If you can't find coverage, you may need to look for a residual market pl an through the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO).

How To Shop for the Cheapest Car Insurance After 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.

  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

Start Shopping Immediately

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.

Compare Quotes From at Least Three Companies

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.

Discounts

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

Clean Driving Record

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.

Shop Over Time

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.

Insurance Rates

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance And DUIs

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.

Read More on Auto Insurance

Expert Advice: Car Insurance after a DUI

  1. How can a DUI impact your finances overall?
  2. How can drivers with a DUI on their record lower their car insurance over time?
  3. What steps can drivers take to mitigate the financial impacts of a DUI?
  4. What resources are available to help people repair their driving record and/or finances after a DUI?
Thomas Simeone
Thomas Simeone

Trial Attorney, Simeone & Miller, LLP

Dr. Rawi Naranong
Dr. Rawi Naranong

Professor at the School of Applied Business at Daytona State College

About Devon Delfino


Devon Delfino headshot

Devon Delfino is an independent financial journalist covering topics in finance and marketing for six years. Her personal finance reporting has been featured in publications such as the L.A. Times, Teen Vogue, Mashable, MarketWatch, CNBC and USA Today, among others.

Devon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University.


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