How a DUI affects your car insurance rates

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A DUI can raise your car insurance rates 43% to 322%, with the average driver paying about 77% more — or $1,163 extra per year. Beyond higher premiums, some insurers may cancel or refuse to renew your policy, making coverage harder and more expensive to secure.

A DUI doesn’t just affect your driving record — it changes how insurers assess your risk. That shift can impact your rates, eligibility for discounts and even whether a company is willing to insure you at all.

Understanding how long the increase lasts and what steps can reduce it can make a significant difference in what you pay over time.

How much does a DUI affect car insurance premiums?

A DUI raises car insurance rates by 43% to 322%, depending on your state and insurer. On average, drivers pay about 77% more, or roughly $1,163 extra per year, after a conviction.

The size of the increase varies widely by location. In some states, a DUI adds less than $1,000 annually. In others, it can raise premiums by several thousand dollars per year, dramatically changing the cost of staying insured.

In some cases, insurers don’t raise rates at all — they may instead cancel or refuse to renew your policy. That can make finding new coverage more difficult, since you’re shopping with both a DUI and a prior nonrenewal on your record.

The table below compares average car insurance rates before and after a DUI in every state, showing just how wide the pricing gap can be.

How long does a DUI affect car insurance premiums?

A DUI typically raises your car insurance rates for three to five years, though in some states and with some insurers, the impact can last up to 10 years. The surcharge period depends on state law and how long the DUI remains visible on your DMV driving record.

Insurance companies price policies based on your motor vehicle record (MVR) — not your criminal record. That’s why the insurance impact usually ends once the DUI drops off your DMV record or falls outside the insurer’s underwriting lookback period.

In most states:

• Insurers apply their highest surcharge during the first three to five years after a DUI.
• Rates may gradually decrease if you maintain a clean driving record.
• Once the DUI no longer appears on your DMV record, insurers generally stop factoring it into pricing.

State rules vary. For example:

• In California, a DUI remains on your driving record for 10 years, but many insurers heavily surcharge for about five.
• In Arizona, the record period is five years.
• Some states, like New Mexico, track DUIs for decades — though insurers don’t typically surcharge for that entire time.

How to lower premiums after a DUI

One of the most effective steps to lowering your premium after a DUI 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.

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How long does a DUI stay on your record?

A DUI stays on your driving record far longer than a minor traffic violation. In most states, it remains on your motor vehicle record for five to 10 years, though the exact timeframe depends on state law. Because a DUI is considered a serious offense, it’s tracked much longer than speeding tickets or other minor violations, which often fall off after about three years.

It’s also important to understand that driving records and criminal records are separate.

• Your driving record (maintained by your state’s DMV) is what insurers review when setting your rates.
• Your criminal record reflects the legal conviction itself.

In many states, a DUI conviction can remain on your criminal record permanently unless it’s expunged or sealed. While insurers primarily focus on your driving record, a DUI on your criminal record can affect background checks, professional licensing and employment opportunities.

Below is a snapshot of how long a DUI stays on a driving record in select states:

Keep in mind that in some states, such as Florida or New Mexico, the DUI may technically remain on your driving history for decades or even a lifetime for legal tracking purposes. However, insurers typically surcharge for a shorter period, depending on the company and state underwriting rules.

Will a DUI force me into a high-risk insurance pool?

A DUI does not automatically place you in a state high-risk or assigned-risk insurance pool. Most drivers with a first DUI can still buy coverage from traditional insurers, though at significantly higher rates. High-risk pools are typically a last resort for drivers who have been denied coverage elsewhere.

High-risk (assigned-risk) plans are state-run programs designed for drivers who cannot obtain insurance in the standard market. Insurance companies operating in the state are required to participate and accept assigned drivers.

Coverage in these pools is usually limited to the state’s minimum liability requirements, and premiums are much higher than standard policies. Discounts and policy options are limited, and flexibility is minimal.

You’re more likely to be placed in a high-risk pool if your DUI is combined with:

• Multiple recent traffic violations
• At-fault accidents
• A suspended or revoked license
• Repeat DUI convictions

For many drivers, assigned-risk coverage is temporary. As violations age and your driving record improves, you may be able to return to the standard insurance market and qualify for lower rates.

Can I get car insurance if my license is suspended after a DUI?

You can still get car insurance after a DUI-related license suspension, but your options will be limited. Some insurers may cancel your policy at renewal — and in certain states, they can cancel midterm once the suspension appears on your driving record.

Most insurance companies require all listed drivers to have a valid license. When a suspension is reported, you’re considered a higher risk, which can make coverage more difficult or more expensive to maintain.

Coverage may still be possible in certain situations:

• If your car is financed or leased, your lender will usually require continuous insurance.
• If someone else needs to drive the vehicle, you may be able to list that person as the primary driver.
• If you won’t be driving, you can sometimes exclude yourself from the policy until your license is reinstated.

In some states, you may also need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form to prove you carry the required coverage before your license can be reinstated.

Once your suspension ends and your license is restored, you’ll typically have more coverage options — though premiums will remain elevated for several years following a DUI.

What is an SR-22 — and why is it required after a DUI?

An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the state to prove you carry the required minimum liability coverage after a serious violation like a DUI. It’s commonly required before your license can be reinstated or to legally continue driving.

An SR-22 is not insurance itself — it’s a state-mandated filing that verifies you have active coverage. If your policy lapses, is canceled or falls below required limits, your insurer must notify the DMV immediately.

That notification can trigger:

• Another license suspension
• Additional fines or penalties
• A restart of your required filing period

Most states require drivers to maintain an SR-22 for three to five years after a DUI, though timelines vary by state.

Not every insurer handles SR-22 filings. If your current company doesn’t offer them, it may refuse to renew your policy, which means you’ll need to switch to an insurer that specializes in high-risk drivers.

Once the required filing period ends and you maintain continuous coverage, the SR-22 requirement is lifted — though your DUI may still affect your insurance rates for several more years.

What happens next — and how to move forward

A DUI can feel financially overwhelming at first. Between court costs, reinstatement fees, possible SR-22 filings and sharply higher insurance premiums, the expenses add up quickly.

But the spike in rates isn’t permanent.

For most drivers, the highest insurance penalties apply during the first few years after a conviction. As time passes and you maintain a clean driving record, insurers gradually reassess your risk. That means:

• Your rates can decrease over time
• You may qualify again for standard-market insurers
• Discounts can become available again
• You can drop an SR-22 once the filing period ends

Avoid additional violations, maintain continuous coverage and comparison shop regularly — especially after the three-year mark. Even after a DUI, insurers vary widely in how they price risk, and switching companies can sometimes save thousands per year.

A DUI changes how insurers see you, but it doesn’t permanently lock you into the highest rates. With time and careful driving, most drivers can work their way back toward more affordable coverage.

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

 

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Nupur Gambhir is the editor-in-chief of Insure.com and a licensed life, health and disability insurance agent in New York with seven years of experience covering insurance. Her expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Balance, The Financial Gym and MSN. She holds a BA in Economics from The Ohio State University.