DUI Car Insurance in California

For most California drivers, CSAA offers the cheapest car insurance with a DUI, with rates of $45 per month for minimum coverage and $119 per month for full coverage. However, GEICO, Mercury and Progressive also have very affordable rates for those with a DUI conviction.

*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with good credit insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry.

While the information above covers most drivers, it doesn't represent everyone with a DUI in California. Below, we've broken down the cheapest companies for those with DUIs by coverage level, age and credit score so you can find the rates that are best for your profile.

*A 100/300/100 liability-only coverage represents the minimum policy offered by most insurers that can satisfy California law for most drivers.

For most drivers, car insurance with a DUI in California costs on average $2,164 per year for minimum coverage. However, depending on your unique driver profile and coverage level chosen, the yearly costs can vary greatly. Compared to clean drivers without a DUI, those with the driving violation can increase rates by around 134%.

*A 100/300/100 with no comprehensive and collision coverage represents the minimum coverage policy offered by most insurers that can satisfy California law for most drivers.

Your car insurance premiums surge after a DUI, but several less obvious expenses affect your budget.

• Fines and fees. California drivers convicted of DUI face base court fines ranging from $390 to $1,000. Mandatory assessments, state penalties and county fees push total costs into the $1,800 to $2,500 range for a first offense. Repeat DUI offenses or those with aggravating factors like high blood alcohol content (BAC) or accidents trigger fines upwards of $3,000 to $5,000.
• Towing and impound Fees. Authorities impound the vehicle after a DUI arrest. Towing costs in California run between $250 and $500, with daily storage fees around $30 to $50, depending on location and duration of impound.
• Education and treatment. All DUI offenders must complete a state-approved alcohol and drug education program. First-time offenders attend a 12-hour program costing $270 to $367. More serious or repeat offenses require longer classes (up to 30 months), costing $1,200 to over $5,000.
• DMV reinstatement and IID costs. To restore your driver's license, you pay a DMV reissue fee of $125 for administrative suspensions and maintain an SR-22 form for three years. If ordered, installing and monitoring an ignition interlock device (IID) costs $70 to $150 upfront plus $60 to $80 per month.
• Attorney fees and accident costs. Legal representation in DUI cases costs $2,000 to $6,000 or more for complex cases. If your DUI involved a crash, you're responsible for repair costs, medical bills, restitution and higher probation-related fees, with total expenses reaching $5,000 to $20,000+.

After a DUI in California, drivers must file an SR‑22 certificate to prove they carry the state’s minimum liability insurance, which is $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 property damage. SR‑22 coverage must be maintained for three years following license reinstatement, during which any lapse may result in re-suspension by the DMV. 

While PIP isn't required, drivers often add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for extra protection. Insurers treat DUI convictions as high-risk, so carrying SR-22 and maintaining continuous coverage leads to higher premiums.

Beyond SR-22 filing and increased insurance requirements, California enforces strict legal measures and administrative penalties for DUI offenses.

Use these strategies to secure the lowest car insurance rates in California after a DUI, even if standard carriers deny you coverage.

Overall, we found the cheapest overall car insurance providers for California drivers with a DUI are CSAA, GEICO and Mercury. While this is what our research found, we still recommend that you compare rates for yourself, research costs and decide what coverage you need.

Below, we've provided MoneyGeek's expert answers to frequently asked questions about California DUI insurance.

To determine the top companies for drivers with DUIs in California, MoneyGeek analyzed each company's financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims and affordability based on data from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services.

The rates above reflect a 40-year-old male with and without a DUI driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE with 12,000 annual miles. We modified this base profile to create the other profiles presented.