DUI Car Insurance: How a DUI Affects Rates and How to Find Coverage
A DUI or DWI isn’t the end of your life. But this isn’t to say that you should go out there and become reckless — far from it. A DUI can have severe consequences — fines, jail time, and license suspension. This list isn’t complete; it’s just meant to give you an idea of what may follow after a DUI conviction. Equally severe are DUI car insurance rates, which can increase by over 30 percent from the normal rates. Why? Because a DUI tells insurance providers that you’re a high-risk driver. Thus, you have a higher probability of causing an accident and filing a claim.
This article will provide a detailed guide on how a DUI can affect your insurance premiums and how to find affordable coverage with a DUI. Let’s dive in.
Impact of a DUI on Car Insurance Rates
If you’re convicted of a DUI, this may stay on your driver’s record for up to three years in some states. There are extreme cases like California, where a DUI will stay on your driving record for up to 10 years. If you have a criminal record, a DUI can stick for life!
When selling car insurance, most providers check if you have a DUI on your driving record. If you do, they place you in the non-standard or high-risk drivers’ category. High-risk drivers in insurance refer to drivers who are more likely to file a claim than “normal” drivers.
These can include drivers with a DUI or DWI, a speeding ticket, a moving violation, an at-fault accident, and a driving conviction. It can also include teenagers, elderly persons, and people with bad credit. This classification may vary across insurers, but a DUI is the most common reason why your insurance company may consider you a high-risk driver.
How a DUI Increases Premiums
At EverQuote, we analyzed how your DUI car insurance rate increases by comparing it to drivers with a clean record. Our nationwide analysis revealed that the DUI car insurance premiums increased by 30 percent on average. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
State-Specific Effects on Insurance
Our analysis also covered how car insurance for DUI drivers varied across several states. Below are the average DUI insurance costs in some large U.S. states, as reported by our users:
Long-Term Effects of a DUI on Your Record
A DUI will affect your insurance premium rates for as long as it shows up on your driving record. Sometimes, a DUI can affect your insurance rates even after the standard three to five years it appears on your records. Even worse, if you have subsequent accidents or violations, these can exacerbate your situation and lead to higher premiums. Some insurance companies may also decline to renew your insurance coverage after a DUI.
Understanding SR-22 and FR-44 Insurance
Despite being commonly referred to as SR-22 insurance, it isn’t a type of policy. Rather, it’s a form that an insurance company files with the state to show proof that you have auto insurance that meets minimum coverage.
Also referred to as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (FR-44 form) in some states (Florida and Virginia), your state may require this form if law enforcement catches you driving without a valid license or insurance. You may also need to have your insurance company file an SR-22 form if you have a DUI conviction, too many driving violations, a hardship license, or too many repeat driving offenses within a short time.
Different states have varying SR-22 requirements. Generally, though, there are some guidelines worth noting, including:
- Your state may suspend your license if you fail to comply with the terms outlined in your SR-22 form.
- You’ll typically need an SR-22 indicating that you have insurance coverage for approximately three years. This period can be longer in some states. For instance, in Alaska, the period can be as long as 20 years.
- Your state requires your insurance company to notify them if your insurance expires during this period.
Managing Insurance Costs After a DUI
There are several things you can do to move past a DUI and bring your insurance costs down. One of the best ways to do this is by maintaining a clean driving record after the DUI conviction. Good driving behavior tells your insurance company that you’re committed to cleaning up your record. As such, you must avoid violating traffic laws. You can also take a defensive driving course to help earn you driver discounts on premiums.
If you aren’t sure about the course of action to take following a DUI, seek legal advice. Your lawyer can guide you on the best steps to take so you can reduce the financial and legal impact of the conviction. In some cases, lawyers can negotiate to reduce your charges, which can help reduce insurance rates.
Tips for Finding New Coverage
If your insurer refuses to renew your policy after a DUI, you should start looking for a new provider as soon as possible. Here’s how to go about it:
- Compare different insurers: Just because an insurer says they can provide you with car insurance with DUIs doesn’t mean you should settle. It’s best to compare several providers so you can get the best car insurance discounts and terms.
- Consider non-standard insurers: These insurance providers specialize in providing insurance for high-risk drivers. Some of these include The General, Direct General, Infinity Insurance, Dairyland Insurance, and Alliance United in California only.
Get a Quote
If you have a DUI and car insurance has proven hard to get, EverQuote can help. We can provide you with several DUI insurance quotes and connect you with insurance providers so you can choose what works best for you.
Get your free auto quotes today.