Auto Insurance
BestAuto InsuranceAfter a DUIMoneyGeek’s research shows that Erie offers the cheapest full coverage and minimum coverage policies for Maryland drivers with a DUI. If you’re looking for the best full coverage car insurance after a DUI, State Farm would be the best option. For the best minimum coverage policy, we found Travelers and State Farm to be the most suitable options.
BestAuto InsuranceAfter a DUIBest Companies for DUI Insurance in 2023
Best full coverage after a DUI - State Farm
Best minimum coverage after a DUI - State Farm
Maryland law permits insurers to deny you a policy after a DUI conviction. Rates can also vary based on the company. Since you’ll be considered a high-risk driver after a DUI, some insurers may refuse to cover you, while others will charge you higher rates.
MoneyGeek’s data shows that you would have to pay around 51% more for car insurance after a DUI in Maryland. In addition to higher car insurance rates, you may also face hefty fines and jail time after a DUI conviction.
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Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Maryland After a DUI
State Farm and Progressive are the cheapest companies for buying car insurance across the U.S. after a DUI. However, Erie offers the most affordable policy for drivers with a DUI on their record in Maryland.
Cheapest Companies for Full Coverage in Maryland After a DUI
MoneyGeek researched the following cheapest companies in Maryland for drivers looking for a full coverage policy after a DUI conviction:
- Erie: $1,611 per year
- Allstate: $1,724 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance for Full Coverage After a DUI
Rank | Company | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
1 | Erie | $1,611 |
2 | Allstate | $1,724 |
3 | USAA | $2,150 |
4 | State Farm | $2,229 |
5 | Progressive | $2,671 |
Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage in Maryland After a DUI
If you’re looking for minimum coverage in Maryland, MoneyGeek’s research shows that the following companies offer the most affordable policies after a DUI:
- Erie: $963 per year
- Allstate: $1,094 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance for Minimum Coverage After a DUI
Company | Minimum Annual Premium |
|---|---|
Erie | $963 |
Allstate | $1,094 |
USAA | $1,203 |
State Farm | $1,454 |
Travelers | $1,671 |
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While a minimum coverage policy costs less, it’s usually not enough as it doesn’t offer full protection. If you want a policy that’s the best fit for your needs, it’s best to estimate how much car insurance you need based on your background and profile.
Top Car Insurance Companies in Maryland After a DUI
MoneyGeek analyzed the affordability, financial stability and customer satisfaction scores of many different companies and found that State Farm offers the best full coverage car insurance after a DUI based on these factors. For minimum coverage, both State Farm and Travelers are the best options.
Best Companies for Full Coverage in Maryland After a DUI
In Maryland, State Farm and Travelers are the two best options for drivers looking for a full coverage policy if they have a DUI on their record.
1
State FarmBest full coverage after a DUI
Score:4.2
If you have a clean driving record, State Farm will charge you an average of $2,024 per year for a full coverage policy in Maryland. Having a DUI on your record will increase the premium to an average of $2,229 annually, which shows that your insurance cost will increase by 10% after a DUI conviction.
More About State Farm
State Farm has excellent ratings in terms of customer complaints, financial stability and discounts. The company offers several discounts, including those for being a student and being a good driver. It also provides rideshare insurance to its policyholders. However, the company does not offer many essential coverages, like new car replacement or better car replacement, or unique coverages like Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage.
2
Travelers
Score:4.1
Travelers charges an average of $2,794 per year to insure drivers with a DUI on their record. If you have a clean record, the company will charge you an average of $1,710 per year for the same policy. With Travelers, your policy cost will increase by 63% after a DUI conviction.
More About Travelers
MoneyGeek found Travelers to be an excellent choice for car insurance, as the company ranks pretty well for customer complaints, financial stability and discounts. It offers unique discounts like those for new vehicles, loyalty and bundling. The company also offers many add-on coverages, including roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, new car replacement and gap insurance.
Best Companies for Minimum Coverage in Maryland After a DUI
While it may be affordable to buy minimum coverage, it usually isn’t enough as it doesn’t fully protect you in case of an accident. MoneyGeek’s research shows that Travelers and State Farm are the best options for buying minimum coverage in Maryland.
1
State FarmBest minimum coverage after a DUI
Score:4
With State Farm, a minimum coverage policy for a driver with a clean record costs an average of $1,314 per year. If you have a DUI on your record, this cost increases to an average of $1,454 per year. Having a DUI conviction can raise your car insurance cost by 11%.
More About State Farm
State Farm’s auto insurance policies are ranked the best among all insurers. The company rates strongly for financial stability, customer complaints and discounts. It offers many discounts to its policyholders, including discounts for being a student and a good driver. The company also offers rideshare insurance.
2
Travelers
Score:4
The average cost of a minimum coverage policy with Travelers for drivers with a DUI is $1,671 per year, while it’s $1,020 per year for drivers with a clean driving record. Therefore, a DUI can increase your insurance costs by an average of 64%.
More About Travelers
With unique discounts for insuring new and hybrid vehicles, Travelers provides one of the best car insurance policies in the state. It offers homeowners and loyalty discounts to policyholders. The company also offers several add-on coverages, including roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, new car replacement and gap insurance.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Maryland After a DUI?
In Maryland, the average cost of full coverage car insurance after a DUI is $3,075 per year. For drivers with a clean record, insurers charge an average of $2,036 per year for a similar policy. MoneyGeek’s data shows that having a DUI conviction can increase your car insurance costs by 51%. Since having a DUI proves you’re a risky driver, insurers will charge higher rates.
How long does a DUI affect the cost of your car insurance?
Average Cost
Full Coverage
$2,036
Average Cost with DUI
Full Coverage
$3,075Full coverage policy premiums after a DUI cost::$1,039 more
This is 51% more expensive.
With a DUI on your record, insurers will consider you a high-risk driver and charge you higher rates for car insurance. Use MoneyGeek’s calculator to get a personalized car insurance estimate based on your background and profile.
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Besides increased car insurance premiums, having a DUI on your record also has the following financial implications:
- Fines, court and attorney fees: A DUI conviction will certainly come with hefty fines and various court costs. You might also have to hire an attorney to help you post bail or fight an unfair charge.
- Towing/impound fee: If the police arrest you, they will tow and impound your car. You would have to pay a fee to recover it.
- DMV reinstatement fee: In case of license suspension, you would have to pay a fee for the reinstatement of your license.
- Drug education and treatment: Depending on how high your BAC was, you might also have to go through a drug education and treatment program.
Getting Car Insurance in Maryland After a DUI
Sometimes insurers may refuse to insure you after a DUI. Because insurance companies are private businesses, the law permits them to do so. You might also struggle to get a policy due to the look-back period of your state, which in Maryland is five years. If you want the best rates and a policy that fits your needs, it’s essential to shop around and compare quotes from different companies.
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Having a DUI on your record can cause insurers to consider you a high-risk driver. MoneyGeek’s guide on The Best and Cheapest Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers can help you find a policy that fits your needs best.
Maryland DUI Laws
In Maryland, driving under the influence of alcohol can have severe legal consequences. A DUI conviction can usually result in license suspension, hefty fines and jail time. MoneyGeek explained the DUI laws in the state below.
Driving with a BAC at or above 0.08 is considered a DUI
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. In Maryland, the law prohibits you from driving with a BAC above 0.08. Even if you’re not over that threshold, the police can still arrest you if they deem you unable to drive safely.
Driving with a BAC at or above 0.15 will result in increased penalties
If a driver in Maryland is found driving with a BAC greater than 0.15, they won’t be allowed to have a restrictive license. They would also be ineligible for the modification of a license suspension.
180 days administrative license suspension on first offense
If you fail an alcohol test in Maryland for the first time, your driver's license will be suspended for 180 days.
Limited driving privileges during suspension
In Maryland, the law allows drivers to have limited driving privileges while suspended only if they install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
Mandatory ignition interlocks
Maryland’s law makes it mandatory to install and maintain an ignition interlock device in the vehicle for all convictions.
Open container laws
Drivers in Maryland are not allowed to carry an open container of alcohol in their vehicle.
Repeat offender laws
If a driver has repeatedly violated Maryland’s laws in the previous five years, they may face license suspension, imprisonment and hefty fines. They would also be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
MoneyGeek answered the following frequently asked questions to help you understand how a DUI affects car insurance in Maryland.
Methodology
To determine the top companies for individuals with DUIs in Maryland, MoneyGeek analyzed each company’s financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims and affordability based on data and information obtained from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services. The rates above are based on a 40-year-old male with and without a DUI driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE with 12,000 annual mileage.
sources
- IIHS. "Alcohol and Drugs." Accessed April 25, 2022.
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. "Maryland Impaired Driving Laws." Accessed April 25, 2022.
- NCSL. "Increased Penalties for High Blood Alcohol Content." Accessed April 25, 2022.