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After a DUI, State Farm’s rates typically increase the least compared to the competition. The company is known for its cheap car insurance and high customer satisfaction ratings.
Allstate’s post-DUI rate increases tend to be lower than the competition, as well. The company offers several ways to save, especially for young drivers with higher average rates in general.
If you’re convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there’s a good chance your insurance provider will drop your coverage at your next policy renewal. Even if your provider renews your policy, your car insurance rates will, most likely, rise substantially. After a DUI, it makes sense to shop around insurance providers that accept high-risk drivers.
The cheapest auto insurance rate you can get with a clean record might not remain the cheapest if you have a DUI. That’s why we’ve compiled the best auto insurance companies for returning to the road after your charge. However, to go beyond average rates to find the lowest car insurance rates for you specifically, call one of our Perfect Policy Connectors. They’ll provide car insurance quotes that will increase your rates as little as possible.
Category | State Farm | Allstate | National General | Direct Auto | USAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
What it’s best for | Overall | Young drivers | First-time DUI | Non-owners | Military members and families |
Rate increase after a DUI | 10%-40% | 40%-50% | Unknown | Unknown | 40%-80% |
Discount for defensive driver course | 5%-10% | Amount not specified | Amount not specified | Up to 10% | Amount not specified |
SR-22 filing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Our review | State Farm review | Allstate review | N/A | Direct Auto review | USAA review |
Best Overall: State Farm
Best for Young Drivers: Allstate
Best for First-Time DUI: National General
Best for Non-Owners: Direct Auto
Best for Military Members and Families: USAA
With over 87 million customers, State Farm is the largest auto insurance provider in the United States. The company is known for offering competitive rates, including to customers with DUIs. State Farm holds a customer satisfaction score of 847 from J.D. Power, surpassing the overall industry satisfaction score of 835.1
On average, a DUI will raise your insurance premiums by 75 to 80 percent. Your premiums could increase even more, however, depending on where you live, your coverage, and other factors. DUIs are more expensive than speeding tickets or accidents, which by comparison, may increase your premiums by 20 to 40 percent in most cases.2
State Farm offers some of the least expensive auto insurance for people who have DUIs. Depending on where you live, your premiums may only increase by a few hundred dollars at your next renewal. In addition, you can take advantage of the following discounts even if you have a DUI:
Each state has different DUI laws, but in general, the state will restrict your driving privileges after a conviction. For example, you’ll face a license suspension of 30 to 90 days or more, typically. When the suspension ends, you will most likely have to install a DUI ignition interlock.
If you’re driving fewer miles for any reason — including DUI restrictions — you can save on auto insurance. State Farm offers a low mileage discount if you drive 7,500 miles or fewer each year, which translates to about 20 miles a day. To apply the discount, State Farm will ask you to verify your odometer reading at various intervals, including the middle of your policy term.
Another way you can lower your cost of auto insurance after a DUI is to combine all of your insurance needs at State Farm.
State Farm claims that adding policies for homeowners, condo, renters, or even life insurance can save you up to 17 percent on your insurance premiums overall. By bundling home and auto policies, you may be able to save up to $1,127 or $722 for renters and auto, respectively. In addition, you can save 20 to 25 percent by insuring multiple vehicles in your household with State Farm.
Allstate is another major national auto insurance provider. It sells regular auto insurance policies as well as policies for drivers with DUIs. With an A+ financial strength rating from A.M. Best, you can count on Allstate’s ability to pay for a claim, no matter how high.4
Young drivers are more likely to drive inebriated than older ones. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, people ages 21 to 34 drive drunk the most.
Allstate offers several discounts that make it a good choice for young drivers with DUIs. If you’re under 25 and unmarried, you can qualify for Allstate’s student discount, even if you’re not a full-time student. To apply for the discount, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Research finds that, regardless of DUI status, millennials are driving less than previous generations. More young people live in urban areas and work remotely, meaning they drive less.6 If you add DUI restrictions on top of that, a young person might feel especially disinclined to drive.
For low-mileage drivers (regardless of age), Allstate offers a pay-per-mile insurance option called Milewise. With Milewise, you’ll pay a daily rate and per-mile rate rather than a monthly or annual premium. Here’s an example of what you might pay, depending on the miles you drive:
Miles driven | Daily rate | Per-mile rate | Total cost per day |
---|---|---|---|
5 | $2.25 | $0.09 | $2.70 |
10 | $2.25 | $0.09 | $3.15 |
15 | $2.25 | $0.09 | $3.60 |
Keep in mind that after a DUI, your daily and per-mile rates may be higher than the example rates Allstate shares online. To learn how much you’ll pay, you’ll need to get a quote from an agent, either on the phone or online.
Some discounts require you to have a clean driving record, which isn’t possible with a DUI. However, you can prove yourself to be a safe driver with your actions on the road. Allstate offers several ways for safe drivers to save on auto insurance:
Allstate recently purchased National General (or NatGen), which specializes in insuring high-risk drivers. In particular, National General sells special policies for first-time DUI offenders.
National General believes in second chances after a DUI, which is why it offers discounted rates to customers who complete safe driving and substance abuse therapy programs.
The company claims that first-time offenders can save $442 each year, or about $36 each month. Take note that this opportunity is not available to second and subsequent DUI offenders.
Research finds that DUI arrests occur more frequently in rural areas, where people rely on their cars to get around, compared to urban areas.8 If you need a car on a daily basis, purchasing rental coverage is a good idea.
National General’s offering stands out because it offers valet service as part of its rental reimbursement coverage. After you file a claim, the company will send someone to pick up your damaged car and drop off a rental. Once your car is repaired, a representative will bring it back to you and return the rental car.
Keep in mind that rental car companies can deny you a vehicle if you have a DUI. Many want to see that it’s been at least two or three years since your conviction. So, this offering is best if your DUI is further in the past and you have kept a clean record since then.
A DUI can serve as a serious reminder of how important it is to stay safe on the road. Road safety includes driving a vehicle that is mechanically sound. National General guarantees repairs made at repair shops in its network for the lifetime of your vehicle. If you have any concerns about a repair, National General will send someone to re-inspect your car and confirm its safety.
Like National General, Direct Auto specializes in insurance policies for high-risk drivers. It’s a good option if you have a DUI or if insurance companies consider you to be high risk for another reason. This can include things like a lapse in insurance coverage, history of infractions, or multiple accidents.
In most cases, after a DUI or another serious offense, you will need to file an SR-22 form with the state. An SR-22 certifies that you hold liability coverage, and filing one is often a condition for license reinstatement after a DUI.
If the state requires you to have an SR-22, you must file one, even if you don’t own a car. In this situation, you’ll need to purchase non-owner auto insurance. You might need non-owner insurance for an SR-22 if you got a DUI in a borrowed car, or if you sold your car after a DUI.
Direct Auto sells non-owner insurance to anyone, including people with DUIs. The company will file your SR-22, as well. With non-owner insurance, you can purchase many of the same coverages as you can with regular auto insurance.
Coverage Type | Required |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | Always |
Property damage liability | Always |
Medical payments | Sometimes |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Sometimes |
Comprehensive | No, and not available with non-owner insurance |
Collision | No, and not available with non-owner insurance |
Rental reimbursement | No, and not available with non-owner insurance |
Towing | No, and not available with non-owner insurance |
On average, a DUI can cost you upwards of $4,000 once you account for raised insurance premiums, fines, an ignition interlock device, bail, lost wages, and more. If you hire an attorney, the average cost rises to about $6,500.9
Direct Auto offers an array of discounts that can help you save money in the aftermath of a DUI. While some discounts require a clean driving record, many are available regardless of your driving history.
Discount | Possible Savings |
---|---|
Track your driving with the Routely app (DynamicDrive program) | 10% |
Defensive driver course | 10% |
Full-time student with good grades (no age limit) | 10% |
55 and older and completed an accident prevention course | 5% |
Active-duty military | 25% |
Insure multiple vehicles with Direct Auto | 25% |
Vehicle anti-theft and safety features | 10% |
Bundle multiple policies | 10% |
Buy another Direct Auto product (e.g., roadside assistance) | 5% |
Prior coverage (insurance with another company for at least 6 months, lapse of fewer than 90 days) | 25% |
Homeowner | 15% |
Renewal | 20% |
Previous Direct Auto policyholder, but not in the last 6 months | 6% |
Active member of an affinity organization | 5% |
Automatic payment, pay in full, or paperless billing | 9% |
If the costs associated with a DUI pose a financial hardship to you, you might benefit from Direct Auto’s flexible payment options. The company lets you choose the following when it comes to paying your insurance bill:
Holding 6 percent of the private auto insurance market, USAA is the fifth-largest provider in the country.10 The company offers financial services to active military members (including pre-commissioned officers), veterans, and their families. It’s a good choice for military-affiliated individuals convicted of DUIs.
Studies find that alcohol abuse is more prevalent among veterans than nonveterans and that rates of binge drinking are higher among active-duty military members than civilians.11 USAA offers cheaper insurance rates after DUIs than many competitors. Depending on your circumstances, your coverage may increase by around 40 percent (compare that to the average post-DUI increase of 75 to 80 percent).
In addition, USAA offers several discounts that individuals with DUI convictions can take advantage of, such as:
Discount | Savings up to |
---|---|
Track driving with the SafePilot app | 30% |
Defensive driver course | Not specified |
Bundle auto and property policies | 10% |
Good student | Not specified |
Automatic payment | 3% |
Garage your car on a military base | 15% |
Multiple vehicles | Not specified |
Transition off parents’ policy and buy own policy | 10% |
In most cases, an at-fault accident will increase insurance costs, which you might not be able to afford if you’re already paying increased DUI rates. On average, after an at-fault accident, your premiums will increase by about 42 percent and will stay that way for several years until the accident drops off your record.
If your household goes five years without an at-fault accident, USAA offers free accident forgiveness coverage. Additionally, you may be able to purchase this coverage for an additional premium earlier than that. With this coverage, your rates will not increase after an accident even if you’re at fault. Once you apply for accident forgiveness, the clock resets and you must go another five years accident-free before you qualify again.
Keep in mind that accident forgiveness does not require an insurer to renew your policy. So, if you cause an accident because of another DUI, USAA may drop your coverage at your next policy renewal.
After a DUI, you may choose to stop driving temporarily. Maybe your insurance rates are too high, you have a license suspension, you’re being deployed, or you feel you need to take a break from the road. If you decide to store your vehicle — whether for deployment or another reason — you can save up to 60 percent on your auto insurance costs. If you’re garaging your car on a military installation, you’ll get 15 percent off your comprehensive coverage as well.
When choosing our top picks, we prioritized companies that offer low rates, wide coverage options, and potential discounts for drivers with DUI convictions. Our methodology uses three key elements:
A DUI will affect your insurance rates for at least three years. Whether it lasts longer than that depends on a couple of factors:
In many states, a DUI stays on your record for five years to seven years, and in some cases, longer. However, some states have laws preventing insurance companies from looking more than three to five years back on your record. So, it’s possible that a DUI might remain on your record, but may not affect your insurance rates.
Insurance companies find out about a DUI when they check your driving record before renewing or selling you a policy. If you have to file an SR-22, that will also alert your insurance company to the DUI. While the DMV does not inform insurance companies of a DUI directly, it’s always best to contact your insurer immediately about how to proceed. Otherwise, if your insurer decides not to renew your policy, you may find yourself scrambling to find new coverage before your insurance lapses.
The cheapest insurance providers after a DUI are State Farm and USAA. In addition, Progressive and Erie usually offer good DUI rates.
The best insurance companies for a DUI in California are National General, Mercury, and Grange Insurance.
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Generational travel patterns in the United States: New insights from eight national travel surveys. RePEc. (2021, Dec).
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Substance Use and Military Life DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, OCt).
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