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Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance.
For the past seven years, she’s dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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Amanda Clear is a licensed Property and Casualty insurance agent who runs her family insurance agency providing coverage in the states of Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. She specializes in providing customized insurance packages to her clients that provide the best coverage for the price that they can afford. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and works as a freelance editor, proofreader, and writer outside of her insurance career.
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Auto insurance is more expensive and harder to obtain for drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). The national average car insurance rate for all drivers is $129 per month, but drivers with a DUI pay an average of $243, according to Compare.com data.
A DUI can come with serious legal and financial consequences, including loss of your driver’s license, significant fines, and jail time. If you’ve received a DUI, shopping around for auto insurance quotes is even more critical. Fortunately, State Farm and American Family offer the lowest rates for drivers after a DUI, with rates less than half the national average.
This article explains everything you need to know about getting cheaper car insurance with a DUI.
State Farm, American Family, and Progressive are the cheapest options for drivers with one DUI conviction, with rates between $119 and $140 per month.
Drivers with a DUI in Maine, New Hampshire, and South Dakota pay the lowest statewide average rates compared to other states.
After a DUI, you can lower the cost of your car insurance premiums by shopping around, reducing coverage, and avoiding further traffic violations.
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Driving under the influence impairs your ability to operate a vehicle safely and puts everyone on the road at risk. In 2021, there were 13,384 alcohol-impaired traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Because of these risks, your car insurance rates will increase after receiving a DUI — and your insurer may even decide to cancel your policy. So, shopping around for car insurance after a DUI is even more important.
Let’s look at which companies offer the cheapest car insurance for drivers after a DUI, sorted by the cheapest.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $119 |
| American Family | $134 |
| Progressive | $140 |
| Erie | $142 |
| GEICO | $150 |
| Auto-Owners | $161 |
| Farmers | $215 |
State Farm is the cheapest option for drivers after a DUI, at $119 per month. Its rates may be cheaper because of the many discounts the insurer offers customers. The good news is that all of the insurers on this list charge less than the overall national average rate ($258 per month) for drivers with a DUI.
State Farm has an average monthly rate of $119 for drivers after a DUI. The best way to save with State Farm is by taking advantage of the company’s many available discounts.
For example, you can receive a discount for bundling your auto and home insurance or having certain safety features in your vehicle. Young drivers can receive lower rates by maintaining good grades. And, depending on where you live, State Farm may file an SR-22 certificate on your behalf, which provides proof of insurance to the state.
Above-average J.D. Power score
Rideshare insurance available
Must purchase a policy through an insurance agent
Gap insurance not available
American Family drivers with a DUI on their record pay an average monthly rate of $134. The company offers a wide variety of coverage options, including a diminishing deductible, accident forgiveness, and gap insurance.
American Family will also file an SR-22 form on your behalf after a DUI conviction. However, American Family is only available in 19 states, so only certain drivers will be eligible for coverage.
Above-average J.D. Power score
Wide selection of available coverages
Only available in 19 states
May charge higher rates than other insurers
Progressive has an average monthly rate of $140 for drivers after a DUI, and it offers several unique coverage options, including pet injury, custom parts and equipment, and loan payoff coverage.
With Progressive’s Name Your Price Tool, you tell your insurance agent what you can afford to pay, and they build a policy that fits your budget (as long as the price is reasonable for your unique insurance profile). But it's worth noting that Progressive received a below-average J.D. Power score rating for overall customer satisfaction.
Offers many ways to save on auto insurance
Personalized coverage options available
Below-average J.D. Power score
High number of customer complaints
Erie has an average monthly rate of $142 for drivers with one DUI. The company offers a wide range of coverage options, including pet coverage, roadside assistance, and personal item coverage. And Erie received a high J.D. Power score rating for overall customer satisfaction.
However, Erie is only available in 12 states, so many drivers won’t be eligible for coverage. And you’ll have to purchase a policy through an insurance agent.
Above-average J.D. Power score
Offers robust coverage options
Not available nationwide
Must purchase a policy through an agent
GEICO policyholders pay an average monthly rate of $150 after one DUI. GEICO is known for its wide selection of car insurance discounts. You could earn discounts based on vehicle safety, good driving history, or customer loyalty.
However, GEICO isn’t always the most affordable option for drivers after a DUI. And the company received a below-average J.D. Power score rating.
Wide selection of available discounts
Accident forgiveness available
Below-average J.D. Power score
Rideshare insurance not available
Auto-Owners policyholders with a DUI pay an average monthly rate of $161. It’s an excellent option for drivers with specialty or vintage vehicles who want to protect their car’s value. With Purchase Price Guarantee, you can protect your car’s value from the start.
However, Auto-Owners received a below-average J.D. Power score rating. And coverage is only available to customers in 26 states.
Wide variety of available coverage options
Purchase Price Guarantee program ensures vehicle valuation based on purchase price
Below-average J.D. Power score
Only available in 26 states
Farmers has an average monthly rate of $215 for drivers with a DUI. The company offers many types of coverage, including 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, and locksmith services. And if you have to rent a car, you’ll receive coverage for up to 30 days.
Farmers also provides accident forgiveness and will forgive one at-fault accident every three years. However, the company is more expensive than the other insurers on our list.
Wide variety of available coverages and discounts
Rideshare insurance available
Below-average J.D. Power score
Most expensive insurer on this list
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Your location is one of the biggest factors affecting auto insurance rates. If you live in a ZIP code with higher crime rates, theft, or vandalism, you can expect to pay more for car insurance.
The following table outlines different statewide averages for drivers with one DUI on their record and the cheapest car insurance company for each state.
State | Statewide Average Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Average Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $161 | State Farm | $75 |
| Alaska | $102 | Umialik Insurance | $50 |
| Arizona | $193 | State Farm | $58 |
| Arkansas | $171 | State Farm | $46 |
| California | $152 | National General | $98 |
| Colorado | $202 | State Farm | $68 |
| Connecticut | $225 | State Farm | $86 |
| Delaware | $226 | State Farm | $91 |
| Florida | $316 | State Farm | $130 |
| Georgia | $220 | COUNTRY Financial | $86 |
| Hawaii | $169 | State Farm | $53 |
| Idaho | $106 | State Farm | $43 |
| Illinois | $167 | State Farm | $52 |
| Indiana | $133 | GEICO | $54 |
| Iowa | $110 | State Farm | $46 |
| Kansas | $164 | State Farm | $69 |
| Kentucky | $236 | State Farm | $82 |
| Louisiana | $402 | State Farm | $145 |
| Maine | $83 | State Farm | $52 |
| Maryland | $258 | GEICO | $95 |
| Massachusetts | $170 | State Farm | $49 |
| Michigan | $285 | SECURA | $78 |
| Minnesota | $168 | State Farm | $73 |
| Mississippi | $137 | State Farm | $73 |
| Missouri | $217 | Missouri Farm Bureau | $78 |
| Montana | $168 | State Farm | $57 |
| Nebraska | $126 | EMC Insurance | $57 |
| Nevada | $227 | COUNTRY Financial | $58 |
| New Hampshire | $95 | Hanover Insurance | $48 |
| New Jersey | $297 | NJM Insurance | $83 |
| New Mexico | $140 | State Farm | $65 |
| New York | $378 | NGM | $194 |
| North Carolina | $111 | Titan Insurance | $81 |
| North Dakota | $129 | State Farm | $60 |
| Ohio | $123 | Grange Insurance | $46 |
| Oklahoma | $142 | State Farm | $63 |
| Oregon | $214 | State Farm | $77 |
| Pennsylvania | $178 | State Farm | $83 |
| Rhode Island | $212 | State Farm | $50 |
| South Carolina | $156 | American National | $60 |
| South Dakota | $95 | State Farm | $61 |
| Tennessee | $138 | State Farm | $69 |
| Texas | $157 | State Farm | $60 |
| Utah | $181 | GEICO | $76 |
| Vermont | $99 | State Farm | $46 |
| Virginia | $162 | Virginia Farm Bureau | $56 |
| Washington | $160 | State Farm | $58 |
| Washington, D.C. | $135 | State Farm | $70 |
| West Virginia | $162 | State Farm | $61 |
| Wisconsin | $149 | State Farm | $48 |
| Wyoming | $123 | State Farm | $62 |
Louisiana is the most expensive state for drivers with one DUI to purchase auto insurance, with an average monthly rate of $402. And Maine is the cheapest state, with an average monthly rate of $83. State Farm is the cheapest option in 34 different states, which is consistent with the national average.
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Again, a DUI will increase your auto insurance rates — but your driving history, where you live, and the severity of the offense determine how much it increases. How long a DUI stays on your driving record will depend on the state you live in. For example, if you live in California, a DUI can stay on your record for up to 10 years.
Here are five ways a DUI can affect your car insurance coverage.
Getting a DUI causes your car insurance company to see you as a high-risk driver. For that reason, your rates can increase by as much as 94% after one DUI conviction, according to Compare.com data.
A DUI can also make it difficult to find auto insurance. Depending on the severity of the offense or if you’ve received multiple DUIs, some car insurance companies may decide not to offer you coverage.
Some insurance companies will agree to insure you but may offer you limited coverage options. You may have to accept high-risk car insurance with fewer coverage options.
If you receive a DUI, your current insurance company could decide not to renew your policy. Many states will allow insurers to drop you as a customer mid-policy if the insurance company determines you’re too high risk.
After a DUI, your state will require you to file an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate. This form proves that you meet the state’s minimum-coverage requirements. Your insurance company may be able to file this form on your behalf.
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Finding cheaper car insurance after a DUI isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. Here are five steps you can take to lower your insurance costs after a DUI.
Most insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders to save money. For example, you could earn a discount for maintaining good grades, bundling your auto and homeowners insurance, or remaining accident-free.
Your driving history is the biggest factor affecting how much you pay for auto insurance. Receiving a speeding ticket or getting involved in an accident will only cause your rates to increase. The best way to reduce your car insurance rates after a DUI is to avoid any other driving incidents.
If you drive a vehicle more than 10 years old or that’s paid off, you might consider reducing your coverage to liability insurance. That way, you’ll meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements and save money on your coverage. But only do so if you can afford to replace your car if it's totaled in an accident.
It’s a good idea to receive car insurance quotes from at least three different companies before you decide on a policy. Shopping around will help you determine which company offers the best rates and coverage options. Using a free quote tool will make comparing offers and finding cheap car insurance easier.
A DUI on your record doesn’t mean you can’t find more affordable auto insurance coverage. Here are answers to common questions about finding car insurance after a DUI.
How long a DUI stays on your record depends on the state you live in and the severity of the offense. For example, a DUI received in California can remain on your record for up to 10 years.
Multiple DUI convictions could cause you to lose your license, and your insurance company could drop you from your policy.
Most states allow insurers to deny coverage to drivers with a DUI on their record. If you’re denied car insurance after a DUI, the best thing you can do is shop around and get quotes from different companies to see which will provide you with the coverage you need at an affordable rate. And if you still have trouble finding a company to insure you, meet with an independent agent to talk about how to get a policy through your state's auto insurance pool.
The term DUI refers to driving under the influence, while a DWI means you were caught driving while intoxicated. There’s no significant legal difference, and these two terms are often used interchangeably.
Insurance companies find out about a DUI when they check your driving record. They can find out through your motor vehicle report (MVR) or if you file an SR-22.
Sources:
Insurance Information Institute, “What if I can’t find auto coverage?,” Accessed November 20, 2023.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Drunk Driving,” Accessed November 20, 2023.
J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study,” Accessed November 20, 2023.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Consumer Insurance Search Results,” Accessed November 20, 2023.
Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” Accessed November 20, 2023.
NOLO, “Does a DUI Stay on Your Record Forever?,” Accessed November 20, 2023.
Insurance Information Institute, “How to save money on car insurance,” Accessed November 20, 2023.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance.
For the past seven years, she’s dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Amanda Clear is a licensed Property and Casualty insurance agent who runs her family insurance agency providing coverage in the states of Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. She specializes in providing customized insurance packages to her clients that provide the best coverage for the price that they can afford. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and works as a freelance editor, proofreader, and writer outside of her insurance career.
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