Car Insurance After a DUI – Everything You Need to Know

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense that will raise your car insurance rates significantly. To find affordable coverage, look at usage-based policies which monitor driving habits to save money.

DUI offenses often remain on your record for three to five years, depending on state laws and your insurer’s restrictions. But by following some simple tips to practice safe driving and reduce premium costs over time:

What is DUI insurance?

If you are found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), car insurance premiums will likely skyrocket significantly and remain higher until such time that your policy can be renewed without infractions.

As soon as your DUI conviction has been upheld, an SR-22 or FR-44 form may need to be filed with your insurer – these forms typically required of those charged with DUIs. Furthermore, you may need to switch insurance providers or find one offering high-risk car insurance policies.

Since DUI convictions make you a high-risk driver, it is crucial that you shop around and compare rates before selecting an insurer. Consider alternative transportation solutions such as buses, cabs or Uber and Lyft as this may be more affordable than paying high-risk car insurance premiums.

How to get insurance after DUI?

Insurance after a DUI can be tricky. Your insurers may deem you high-risk, so even if coverage can be found it will likely cost more than with standard policies. In addition, depending on your state of residence you may also be required to file either an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate of financial responsibility for financial responsibility purposes.

As such, you may require nonstandard car insurance providers, like The General or your state’s assigned-risk pool should your current provider drop you. However, you should begin searching as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance at finding affordable rates; NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool can assist in helping you compare quotes and select an ideal policy.

Is it possible to get DUI charge dropped?

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an offense with potentially lasting repercussions, including increased liability insurance rates or even being denied coverage altogether. Many states require drivers to carry liability insurance; being charged with DUI could significantly raise rates. It could even prevent someone from purchasing car insurance altogether!

Under certain conditions, it may be possible for drivers charged with DUI to have the charges dropped with professional legal help in time. A skilled attorney can review arrest details and look for police mistakes that could lead to dismissal, such as errors with blood test samples or improper breathalyzer testing, which could have an impactful influence on their case outcome.

How does a DUI affect my insurance rates?

After being charged with DUI, their car insurance rates will increase drastically as insurance companies view them as high-risk individuals who are more likely to get into an accident and file claims. Unfortunately, however, rate changes won’t take effect immediately due to restrictions from insurance providers; thus people will only notice it when renewing or purchasing new policies.

DUI convictions have the potential to significantly raise car insurance rates by 74% depending on your insurer and rating factors, such as age, location and vehicle type. Drivers with poor credit may also see their car premium increase.

How to get the best possible insurance rates

After receiving a DUI, shopping around is the key to finding affordable car insurance. Compare rates between multiple insurers, adjust coverage amounts or increase deductibles accordingly and see which option best meets your needs.

State Farm and Progressive are generally the least costly large insurers after being charged with DUI, though neither cover all states. USAA may also be an excellent option as it specifically serves veterans and active military.

On average, DUI convictions increase auto insurance premiums by 83%; however, your actual increase may vary based on state laws, insurance company and other rating factors. After receiving a DUI charge it’s wise to shop around since every insurance provider uses different formulas to calculate rates; you might find one company’s DUI premium much higher than another’s.