Home Car insurance How a DUI affects your car insurance rates How a DUI affects your car insurance rates A DUI can raise car insurance rates anywhere from 43% to more than 300%, depending on your state, insurer, and driving history — and the impact can last for years. View Carriers Please enter valid zip Compare top carriers in your area Written by Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir is an insurance expert and managing editor of Insure.com. She specializes in life and health insurance content, and has experience as a marketing consultant. | Updated on: August 16, 2026 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. A DUI can affect far more than your driving record — it can reshape your car insurance costs for years. From steep rate hikes and lost discounts to policy cancellations and high-risk classifications, the financial impact often extends well beyond the courtroom. Based on Insure.com’s rate analysis, a DUI conviction can raise car insurance premiums anywhere from 43% to 322%, depending on your state, insurer, and individual circumstances. On average, drivers pay 76.9% more, or about $1,163 extra per year, after a DUI. In some cases, insurers may even cancel or refuse to renew coverage, forcing drivers to look for insurance with multiple strikes against them. Understanding how a DUI changes the way insurers view risk can make a real difference in what you pay — and how quickly you’re able to bring costs back down. Key Takeaways A single DUI conviction can send car insurance rates soaring — from 43% to as much as 322%, depending on the circumstances. Some carrier will not renew, or even cancel, a policy after a DUI conviction, forcing the driver to look for new car insurance while having two dark marks: a DUI and a policy cancelation How long a DUI remains on a driver’s record varies by state. In most, an alcohol- or drug-related conviction stays on it from five to 10 years While no insurance companies ignore a DUI conviction, they vary widely in penalties on rates Generally speaking, insurance companies usually find out about the DUI charge How much will a DUI affect my rates? A DUI conviction almost always leads to higher car insurance rates — but how much they rise depends heavily on where you live. Insure.com’s rate analysis shows post-DUI increases ranging from 43% to 322% across the U.S., with the average driver paying almost 77% more, or about $1,163 extra per year. In some states, a DUI adds less than $1,000 annually to a policy. In others, it can push premiums up by several thousand dollars, dramatically changing the cost of staying insured. In some cases, insurers won’t raise your rates at all — instead, they may cancel or refuse to renew your policy after a DUI conviction. That can force you to look for new coverage with both a major violation and a policy cancellation on your record, which can make finding affordable insurance more difficult. The chart below breaks down average car insurance rates before and after a DUI in every state, highlighting just how wide the gap can be. StateAverage annual premiumAverage annual premium with a DUIPercent increaseDollar increaseAlaska$2,215$3,16443%$949Alabama$2,107$3,68275%$1,575Arkansas$2,723$4,76075%$2,037Arizona$2,333$3,98171%$1,648California$3,010$9,686222%$6,676Colorado$3,222$5,64775%$2,425Connecticut$2,726$6,864152%$4,138Washington, D.C.$3,394$5,29456%$1,901Delaware$3,097$5,39374%$2,296Florida$3,852$6,09358%$2,241Georgia$2,739$4,77474%$2,035Hawaii$1,721$5,981248%$4,260Iowa$2,228$3,47256%$1,244Idaho$1,791$3,00368%$1,212Illinois$1,901$3,23170%$1,330Indiana$1,856$3,24675%$1,390Kansas$2,410$4,21475%$1,803Kentucky$2,976$5,61389%$2,637Louisiana$4,180$6,44654%$2,265Massachusetts$2,430$4,49785%$2,067Maryland$2,273$4,14882%$1,875Maine$1,701$3,14385%$1,442Michigan$3,146$8,244162%$5,098Minnesota$2,561$5,598119%$3,036Missouri$2,410$3,58749%$1,177Mississippi$2,455$4,68491%$2,229Montana$2,541$4,17464%$1,633North Carolina$2,587$10,911322%$8,324North Dakota$2,079$3,78182%$1,701Nebraska$2,387$4,818102%$2,431New Hampshire$1,650$2,60858%$959New Jersey$2,736$5,27293%$2,537New Mexico$2,486$3,93458%$1,448Nevada$3,284$5,23859%$1,954New York$2,898$4,43353%$1,535Ohio$1,739$3,09678%$1,356Oklahoma$2,705$4,11252%$1,407Oregon$1,927$3,12062%$1,193Pennsylvania$2,428$4,55388%$2,125Rhode Island$2,706$5,799114%$3,093South Carolina$2,367$3,51949%$1,153South Dakota$2,635$4,53972%$1,904Tennessee$2,214$3,81672%$1,603Texas$2,631$4,18159%$1,550Utah$2,250$3,67863%$1,428Virginia$1,837$3,22576%$1,388Vermont$1,504$2,98799%$1,484Washington$2,175$3,84877%$1,673Wisconsin$2,026$3,52974%$1,503West Virginia$2,557$4,85490%$2,297Wyoming$1,984$3,74089%$1,757 Powered by: How long will a DUI affect my car insurance rates? A DUI can affect your car insurance for years — but not always for as long as it stays on your record. While a DUI may remain on your criminal record indefinitely, insurers typically base pricing decisions on what appears on your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record. In most states, a DUI stays on your DMV record for five to 10 years. For example, California, Florida, and New York keep DUI convictions on record for 10 years, while Arizona removes them after five. Some states are far stricter — New Mexico, for instance, keeps a DUI on record for up to 55 years. Once a DUI no longer appears on your DMV record, insurers generally stop factoring it into your rates, making it easier to qualify for lower premiums. How long does a DUI stay on your record? A DUI is considered a major driving offense, so it remains on your driving record much longer than minor violations, which typically fall off after about three years. While most states keep DUIs on DMV records for five to 10 years, timelines vary by state law. It’s also important to understand that your driving record and criminal record are separate. In many states, a DUI conviction can stay on your criminal record permanently unless it’s expunged or sealed. While this may not directly affect insurance pricing, it can impact background checks, employment opportunities, and other areas of life. What to read next The penalties for driving uninsured -- and why they may be meaningless Show more Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote. Call (844) 814-8854 Ethan Available Now Jack Available Now Robbie Available Now Ellie Available Now Could a DUI put me in a high-risk insurance pool? A DUI can make it harder to find car insurance, but it doesn’t automatically send you to your state’s high-risk (or assigned-risk) insurance pool. These pools exist as a last-resort option for drivers who can’t get coverage from private insurers. High-risk pools are run by states and funded by insurance companies, which are required to accept drivers assigned to them. Coverage is limited — typically only the minimum liability required by law — and premiums are significantly higher than standard policies. Discounts and money-saving options are rare. Most drivers with a first DUI can still find coverage in the regular insurance market, though often at higher rates. However, if a DUI is combined with multiple traffic violations, prior accidents, or repeat DUI offenses, insurers may decline to offer coverage. In those cases, the high-risk pool may be your only option until your driving record improves. What is an SR-22 — and why is it required after a DUI? After a DUI, many states require drivers to file an SR-22, a form your insurance company submits to the DMV to prove you carry the state’s minimum liability insurance. It’s often a condition for reinstating or keeping your driver’s license. An SR-22 also puts your policy under closer supervision. If your coverage lapses or is canceled, your insurer must notify the DMV, which can lead to further penalties or another license suspension. Most states require drivers to maintain an SR-22 for three to five years after a DUI. Not all insurers offer SR-22 filings. If your current company doesn’t, it may cancel or refuse to renew your policy, forcing you to find a new insurer that specializes in high-risk coverage. Can I get car insurance if my license is suspended after a DUI? Yes — but your options may be limited. If your license is suspended or revoked, your insurer may cancel your policy at renewal, or in some states, cancel it midterm once the suspension is discovered. Finding coverage without a valid license can be difficult, but it’s still possible. If your car is financed or someone else needs to drive it, you may be able to insure the vehicle by listing another primary driver and excluding yourself from the policy until your license is reinstated. Is there anything I can do to lower my premiums after a DUI? Yes — and one of the most effective steps is shopping around. Even after a DUI, car insurance rates can vary widely from one company to another. Each insurer evaluates DUI convictions differently, which means the same driver with the same coverage can see dramatically different prices depending on the provider. The chart below shows how average rates change after a DUI across major insurers. In some cases, the difference between companies adds up to thousands of dollars per year, making comparison shopping one of the most reliable ways to reduce costs after a DUI. CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage annual premium after a DUIDollar increasePercent increaseAllstate$3,205$6,255$3,05095%Farmers$3,085$6,630$3,544115%GEICO$2,148$5,489$3,340155%Nationwide$2,463$5,771$3,308134%Progressive$2,675$3,625$95035%State Farm$2,874$4,613$1,74061%Travelers$2,103$3,926$1,82387%USAA*$1,572$3,171$1,599102% *USAA is only available to military community members and their families.Powered by: Frequently asked questions Is there such a thing as DUI forgiveness? There’s no true “DUI forgiveness” in car insurance. While some insurers forgive a first at-fault accident, all treat a DUI as a serious violation. How severe the penalty is, however, varies by company. Some insurers will raise your rates but keep your policy active, while others may move you into a higher-risk category or decline to renew coverage. That’s why shopping around after a DUI can make a meaningful difference. Will my insurance company find out about a DUI? It’s possible your insurer won’t learn about a DUI right away — but it’s not something you should count on. Insurance companies typically review motor vehicle records when you apply for a policy and periodically at renewal, which can be every few years depending on the insurer. In some cases, traffic convictions don’t immediately appear on a driving record due to reporting delays between courts and state motor vehicle departments, or because a charge is reduced or handled through alternative programs. That can temporarily delay how quickly a DUI shows up. Even so, insurers can still discover a DUI later — and when they do, they’re usually allowed to raise your rates at your next renewal. In most cases, that means a significant premium increase. What happens if I refuse a breathalyzer after a DUI? In most states, refusing a breathalyzer can lead to immediate penalties because of implied consent laws, which require drivers to submit to chemical testing to keep their license. A refusal can trigger automatic consequences, such as a longer license suspension, fines, or other penalties — sometimes more severe than a DUI conviction itself. While some drivers refuse testing in hopes of limiting evidence, this rarely prevents higher insurance rates. Insurers may still learn about the incident or license suspension and raise premiums accordingly. Nupur GambhirManaging Editor | . .Nupur Gambhir is an insurance expert and managing editor of Insure.com. She specializes in life and health insurance content, and has experience as a marketing consultant. In case you missed it The most expensive and cheapest cars to insure in 2026 Do you have to add a teenage driver to your car insurance policy? Teenage car insurance rates: How much is car insurance for teens? Most and least expensive trucks to insure in 2026 How much does car insurance cost for seniors in 2026? Non-owner car insurance: How to get car insurance if you don’t own a car i... 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How much used car insurance costs: Most and least expensive models to insure Average car insurance rates by age and gender 1/1 On this page How much will a DUI affect my rates?How long will a DUI affect my car insurance rates?How long does a DUI stay on your record?Could a DUI put me in a high-risk insurance pool?What is an SR-22 — and why is it required after a DUI?Can I get car insurance if my license is suspended after a DUI?Is there anything I can do to lower my premiums after a DUI?Frequently asked questions ZIP Code Please enter valid ZIP See rates (844) 645-3330