You can get car insurance after a felony conviction in most states, but a DUI-related felony or a conviction in the last three years narrows your insurer options. Two factors determine which market you'll qualify for: the type of felony and how recently it occurred. Drivers with older, non-driving convictions often access the standard market without issue, while recent driving-related felonies push applicants toward high-risk car insurance specialists.
How to Get Car Insurance After a Felony
Updated: March 6, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Car insurance after a felony is available from both standard and high-risk insurers — the felony type (driving-related vs. non-driving) and how recently it occurred are the two factors that determine which market you'll qualify for.
Before shopping, gather your court disposition documents, driving record and a list of any SR-22 or FR-44 requirements your state imposed — some felonies trigger a mandatory SR-22 filing that only certain insurers handle.
Felony convictions tied to DUI can push full coverage rates to $159 to $267 per month based on MoneyGeek's data — roughly 20% to 67% more than a clean-record driver's rate of $98 to $161 per month.
Can You Get Car Insurance After a Felony?
How to Get Car Insurance After a Felony
Getting insured after a felony is a documentation and market-matching problem — here's how to work through it in the right order.
- 1
Determine Whether Your Felony Triggers an SR-22 Requirement
Your state DMV or court records will confirm whether your conviction requires an SR-22 filing. SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the DMV proving you carry at least state minimum liability coverage. Not every insurer files SR-22s, so confirming your SR-22 insurance requirements is your first filter before shopping.
- 2
Pull Your Official Driving Record from the State DMV
Your MVR is what insurers see, and it's separate from your criminal record. If the felony involved a vehicle, it will appear here. If it was a non-driving offense, it may not show up on your MVR at all — knowing this in advance lets you set accurate expectations with insurers.
- 3
Target Insurers That Specialize in High-Risk Drivers
If your offense is driving-related or recent, focus on carriers that routinely write policies for drivers with felony records. The General, Dairyland and Gainsco accept applicants in this situation, and Progressive also writes DUI policies in most states. These insurers offer non-standard auto insurance designed for higher-risk profiles.
- 4
Compare Quotes from at Least Three Companies
Include at least one standard-market insurer in your comparison — State Farm handles DUI cases in many states and may offer better rates than a specialist if enough time has passed since the conviction. Shopping broadly gives you the best shot at finding cheapest car insurance options within your risk tier.
- 5
Confirm Your Policy Start Date and Verify the SR-22 Filing
Before you drive, verify that any required SR-22 filing will be submitted to the DMV by your insurer. Your coverage isn't legally sufficient in SR-22 states until the certificate is on file. Ask your insurer to file electronically — most do so within 24 to 48 hours of policy binding.
What You'll Need to Apply
To apply for coverage, you'll need your court disposition documents, driving record, SR-22 status determination, vehicle information and current or prior policy details.
Court Disposition Documents
Show the nature of the conviction and sentencing date. Insurers may ask for these or use them to verify what's on your driving record.
Motor Vehicle Report
Your official driving record from the state DMV. Driving-related felonies appear here; most non-driving felonies do not. Pull it before shopping so you know what underwriters will see.
SR-22 Status Determination
Contact your state DMV to confirm whether your conviction requires an SR-22 or FR-44 filing. This determines which insurers can legally write your policy.
Vehicle Information
Year, make, model and VIN for each vehicle. Required for any coverage quote.
Prior Policy Information
Your previous insurer's name and coverage limits. A coverage lapse compounds the rate impact — document the timeline accurately. If your policy was canceled, see what to know about car insurance after a non-renewal.
What to Expect After Applying
A DUI-level felony produces the most severe rate impact of any conviction type. Based on MoneyGeek's data for a 40-year-old male driver with full coverage, State Farm and Progressive come in lowest at $159 to $161 per month, while Allstate reaches $267 per month and AAA can exceed $346 per month. Non-driving felonies that don't appear on the MVR produce no rate impact from that conviction — your premium reflects only what underwriters can see in your driving record.
Most insurers bind coverage the same day with payment. If an SR-22 is required, ask the insurer to file it electronically — most do so within 24 to 48 hours of binding. The filing, not the policy card, is what makes your coverage legally sufficient in states with SR-22 mandates. Don't drive until you've confirmed the DMV has received the certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get car insurance in every state after a felony?
Car insurance after a felony is available in all 50 states, but a handful of states — including California and Michigan — prohibit insurers from using non-driving criminal history as a rating factor. In those states, a non-driving felony has no legal effect on your rate.
Which insurers will cover me after a felony?
Progressive, State Farm and GEICO write policies for drivers with felony records in most states. High-risk specialists including The General, Dairyland and Gainsco accept applicants with recent driving-related felonies and SR-22 requirements.
How much more will I pay for car insurance after a felony?
A DUI-related felony pushes full coverage rates to $159 to $267 per month at major insurers, compared to $98 to $161 for a clean-record driver at the same coverage level, based on MoneyGeek's analysis. Rates vary by insurer, state and how recently the conviction occurred.
What if I don't disclose the felony on my application?
Omitting a felony conviction on an insurance application is a material misrepresentation and grounds for policy rescission. If you file a claim and the insurer discovers the omission, it can deny the claim and void your policy retroactively.
How quickly can coverage start after a felony?
Coverage binds same day in most cases. If your state requires SR-22 filing, the insurer submits it electronically within 24 to 48 hours — your driving privileges aren't legally restored until the DMV confirms the filing.
When will I qualify for standard-market rates again?
Most insurers look back three to five years for driving-related violations. Once a DUI conviction ages past five years on your MVR, standard-market insurers will reconsider your application at normal rates. Shopping at every renewal after year three is the most effective way to lower your rate as the record ages.
MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance rates for drivers with a felony DUI conviction using a profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and a DUI on record, insured at 100/300/100,000 full coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Rate data was pulled from major insurers across all 50 states. All rate comparisons on this page reflect this standardized profile to ensure consistency across carriers and markets.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.