Updated: May 20, 2024
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In Washington, State Farm was ranked the best car insurance company after a DUI by MoneyGeek, for both minimal and full coverage policies. The costs of several insurance choices are compared in the table below to help you fully understand car insurance after a DUI in Washington.
BestAuto InsuranceAfter a DUIBest Companies for DUI Insurance in 2023
Insurance companies are legally entitled to refuse coverage to anyone who has been convicted of a DUI. If your insurance company keeps your policy after you get a DUI, your rates will almost certainly rise because you are considered a high-risk driver.
A DUI conviction in Washington carries a potential prison sentence, license suspension and fines. These penalties are determined by the nature of the offense and the number of prior DUI violations. In Washington, drivers who have their license suspended due to a DUI pay over 73%more for full coverage car insurance.
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
State Farm and Progressive are the cheapest car insurance companies after a DUI nationally, based on MoneyGeek's findings. These car insurance companies are also the cheapest providers after a DUI in Washington.
The following insurance companies in Washington, according to MoneyGeek's research, offer the cheapest full coverage car insurance for DUI drivers:
| 1 | CompanyState Farm | Annual Premium$1,043 |
| 2 | CompanyProgressive | Annual Premium$1,187 |
| 3 | CompanyPEMCO | Annual Premium$1,314 |
| 4 | CompanyUSAA | Annual Premium$1,331 |
| 5 | CompanyAllstate | Annual Premium$1,514 |
MoneyGeek found the following companies that provide the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance for DUI offenders in Washington:
| State Farm | Minimum Annual Premium$550 |
| Progressive | Minimum Annual Premium$566 |
| USAA | Minimum Annual Premium$694 |
| PEMCO | Minimum Annual Premium$788 |
| Allstate | Minimum Annual Premium$917 |
The cheapest car insurance option isn't necessarily the best option for your needs. Minimum coverage policies should include all of Washington’s car insurance requirements, but you may need more coverage to safeguard yourself and your belongings. MoneyGeek recommends that you figure out how much car insurance you need to get the best policy for your situation.
MoneyGeek reviewed insurance companies in terms of financial stability, cost and customer satisfaction to help you find the best coverage for your needs. Based on this evaluation, State Farm is the best car insurance company after a DUI in Washington for both full and minimum coverage.
The top two full coverage car insurance companies for DUI offenders in Washington are State Farm and Allstate. Learn more about each insurer's coverage, pricing and major features by reading further at MoneyGeek's rankings below.
On average, State Farm's full coverage insurance policy costs $956 per year in Washington. It climbs by 9% to $1,043 per year for the same policy after a DUI.
When it comes to car insurance, State Farm has a solid track record in terms of customer service, financial stability and discounts. It provides conventional coverages such as liability, comprehensive and collision.
For Washington drivers without a DUI, an Allstate full coverage policy costs roughly $1,143 per year. DUI offenders, on the other hand, pay an average of $1,514 per year — an increase of over 32%.
Allstate offers above-average customer satisfaction, financial stability and complaint ratings. For most drivers, including those purchasing full or minimum coverage and those with a speeding ticket, the company offers car insurance rates comparable to the industry average.
Although minimum coverage is the most cost-effective option, it may not be appropriate in all situations. Based on MoneyGeek’s research, we found that State Farm and Progressive are the best providers of minimum coverage car insurance policies after a DUI in Washington.
Without a DUI, a State Farm minimum coverage policy costs around $501 per year. However, following a DUI conviction, the cost of your annual premium increases by over 9% to $550 per year.
State Farm is an excellent option for Washington drivers that only require basic coverage. Despite the lack of specific coverages, State Farm is an affordable solution for most drivers.
In Washington, drivers without a DUI pay $442 per year for a minimum coverage insurance policy with Progressive. Meanwhile, the average yearly cost of car insurance for DUI drivers rises by over 28% to $566 per year.
Progressive received a moderate complaint index, financial stability and discount availability rating. However, it has a low customer satisfaction rating and poor affordability score. For most drivers, getting Progressive car insurance is neither cheap nor expensive.
Because you’re classified as a high-risk driver after a DUI, the average yearly cost of a full coverage policy in Washington increases by over 73% from $1,207 to $2,096 for a full coverage policy.
MoneyGeek outlines how and why the cost of your Washington car insurance after a DUI may vary.
How long does a DUI affect the cost of your car insurance?
Depending on your state, a DUI conviction may stay on your record for several years. The amount of time a DUI conviction stays on your record is known as a look-back period. In Washington, the look-back period is seven years. Look-back periods are often long and variable — typically ranging from five years up to life — to deter repeat offenders from committing additional violations; any violations made within the look-back period are often subject to harsher penalties.
Full Coverage
$1,207
Full Coverage
$2,096This is 74% more expensive.
Because you've been considered a high-risk driver, your car insurance rates will increase after a DUI in Washington. You may use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator to get a better idea of how a DUI will impact your car insurance premiums.
MoneyGeeks's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Jul 26, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
You will be responsible for additional DUI penalties and charges, including a license suspension of 30 days or more, jail time or community service.
Some car insurance companies can refuse to cover drivers who have been convicted of a DUI since they are private businesses and are under no legal obligation to provide coverage.
Because Washington has a seven-year lookback period, buying car insurance after a DUI could be difficult. Regardless, you research different companies, compare estimates and ultimately select the best-fit insurance provider for you.
Drivers in Washington who commit a high-risk traffic violation, such as DUI, must purchase SR-22 insurance. The Washington SR-22 insurance is a document that verifies that the driver's car insurance meets the state's liability coverage minimums. State Farm offers the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Washington, with an average annual rate of $550.
After receiving a DUI, a higher cost of insurance may be of minor concern in comparison to the other more severe implications. Penalties vary by state, but MoneyGeek outlined Washington’s DUI laws and associated penalties below.
MoneyGeek’s table below explains the DUI laws of Washington.
Driving with a BAC at or above 0.08% is considered a DUI
If you fit any of the following scenarios, you may be prosecuted for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol:
Driving with a BAC of 0.15% will result in increased penalties
DUI offenders in Washington face heavy penalties, especially repeat offenders. When your BAC is greater than 0.15%, the state authorizes judges to raise your penalty, and you could face up to a year in prison.
90-day administrative license suspension on first offense
A first administrative offense involving a breath/blood test results in a 90-day license suspension, regardless of the value of the result as long as it is at or over the legal limit. A first-refusal administrative offense leads to a one-year license suspension.
Limited driving privileges during suspension with an Ignition Interlock Driver License (IIL)
While your regular license is suspended or revoked for a drug or alcohol-related violation, you can drive cars equipped with an Ignition Interlock Driver License (IIL).
Ignition interlocks are mandatory for all convictions
After the license suspension or revocation time has ended, the court requires that the offender drive only vehicles that have an ignition interlock device installed. If you have never used an ignition interlock device before, you must wait at least one year before using one.
Open container laws
The open container rules in Washington make it illegal to drink any alcoholic beverage or have an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle on the highway.
It is a known fact that it can be challenging to find suitable car insurance in Washington after a DUI. MoneyGeek has provided answers to some frequently asked questions to help you find the best policy for your needs.
Any accident, regardless of responsibility or whether you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, may be covered up to the limits of your policy. However, because Washington law does not mandate insurers to continue to cover DUI offenders, you should speak with your insurance provider directly; they may choose to cancel or refuse to renew your insurance.
After a DUI in Washington, the average annual cost of full coverage car insurance spikes by over 73% to $2,096 per year. Drivers with no prior driving offenses pay only $1,207 for the same coverage.
In Washington, the most common selections for consumers looking for the cheapest car insurance after a DUI conviction are State Farm and Progressive. Meanwhile, State Farm is the best car insurance provider in Washington for drivers with a DUI for both full and minimum coverage policies.
Due to Washington's look-back period, your auto insurance premiums may be higher for the next seven years. It's important to note, however, that the cost of your car insurance is always determined by your individual decisions and needs.
It is widely understood that obtaining the right car insurance after a DUI can be challenging. MoneyGeek recommends researching rates to get the best insurance company for your needs.
To determine the top companies for individuals with DUIs in Washington, 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 12K annual mileage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
