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Icon CheckLast updated: October 9, 2024

The Best Auto Insurance for DUI

Best for Bundling Home and Auto
State Farm Logo

Full Coverage DUI Averages
• Annual Premium: $3,286
• Monthly Premium: $273.83

Pros + Cons
Discounts for bundling home and auto insurance
Accepts SR-22s
X DUI insurance could cost up to 40 percent more

Read our State Farm review.

Best for SR-22s
Progressive Logo

Full Coverage DUI Averages
• Annual Premium: $2,437
• Monthly Premium: $203.08

Pros + Cons
13 percent average premium increase after DUI
Accepts SR-22s
X People with unsafe driving behaviors may pay more after using the usage-based insurance

Read our Progressive Review..

Best for First-Time DUIs
National General Logo 2023

Full Coverage DUI Averages
• Annual Premium: N/A
• Monthly Premium: N/A

Pros + Cons
Low rates for first-time DUIs
Offers personal or commercial auto insurance
X Rates may not be lower for second and subsequent DUIs

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Need affordable insurance after a DUI conviction? 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.

We’ve also put together a complete guide to navigating a DUI, everything you need to know about ignition interlocks, and how a DUI impacts your insurance.

Editor’s note: We updated this article on June 5, 2024, to reflect the most recent data on carriers, their pricing, and customer satisfaction surveys.

Blue CarBest Auto Insurance Companies for DUIs

  1. State Farm – Best for Bundling Home and Auto
    You can save up to $1,273 when you bundle your home and auto insurance together, a boon for DUI drivers with inflated rates.
  2. Progressive – Best for SR-22s
    Progressive accepts drivers with DUIs, government-mandated proof of minimum coverage, and will file the form for you electronically or through the mail.
  3. National General – Best for First-Time DUIs
    National General can save someone with one DUI conviction $422, on average.

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance for DUIs of 2024

Category State Farm Progressive National General Direct Auto USAA
What it’s best for Bundling Home and Auto SR-22s First-time DUI Non-owners Military members and families
Rate increase after a DUI 10%-40% 13% average nationwide (does not include Alaska, North Carolina, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska ,New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wyoming) Unknown Unknown 40%-80%
SR-22 filing Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Our review State Farm review Progressive review N/A Direct Auto review USAA review

Summary of the Best Auto Insurance for DUI

  1. 1.

    Best DUI Auto Insurance for Bundling Home and Auto: State Farm

  2. 2.

    Best DUI Auto Insurance for SR-22s: Progressive

  3. 3.

    Best Auto Insurance for First-Time DUI: National General

  4. 4.

    Best DUI Auto Insurance for Non-Owners: Direct Auto

  5. 5.

    Best for Military Members and Families: USAA

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance for DUI

1. Best DUI Auto Insurance for Bundling Home and Auto - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
  • Local agents
  • Discounts for multiple cars

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. In the Central region, State Farm holds a customer satisfaction score of 833 from J.D. Power, surpassing the overall industry satisfaction score of 822.1 It also ranks above-average nationally for claims satisfaction; its score of 891 out of 1,000 surpasses the average by 13 points.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers looking for cheaper DUI insurance
  • pro
    People who drive fewer miles after their DUIs
  • pro
    Customers who bundle policies or insure multiple vehicles
  • pro
    People who want to handle their policies and claims on a mobile app
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Military members and their families
  • con
    People who live in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, where State Farm isn’t selling new policies

Low Rates and Discounts

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:

  • Drive Safe & Save: Get a discount for enrolling in this safe-driving program and up to 30 percent at your next renewal if you demonstrate good driving habits.
  • Defensive driver course: Earn savings for completing a course on defensive driving; this discount is available in some states, including Texas and Montana, which have some of the highest DUI rates.3
  • Good driver: You may qualify for this discount if your DUI happened more than three years ago.
  • Accident-free: You can often apply this discount as long as your DUI did not result in a car accident.
  • Safe vehicle: Drive a vehicle with safety features, like passive restraints and anti-theft technology, and lower your costs.

Save for Low Mileage

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.

Bundle Policies and Insure Multiple Vehicles

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 $1,273 or $704 for renters and auto, respectively. In addition, you can save 20 to 25 percent by insuring multiple vehicles in your household with State Farm.

2. Best DUI Auto Insurance for SR-22s - Progressive

What We Like Most:

  • Cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI
  • Several ways to save if your premium increases
  • Accident forgiveness automatically applies to policy in most states

Coverage for Drivers with SR-22s

After a DUI conviction, the government may force you to get an SR-22, proof that you have the minimum car insurance that your state requires. However, not every company accepts high-risk drivers with SR-22s, as they’re more likely to have claims.

Progressive is not one of these companies. It accepts both new and existing customers with SR-22s and will file the form with the DMV for you, either electronically or by mail. You can easily get SR-22 insurance from Progressive via an online quote, or their phone line, if you prefer.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People with SR-22s
  • pro
    Those who want to bundle home and auto insurance
  • pro
    Pet-owners
  • pro
    Teen drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who owe more than 25 percent on their auto loan than what their car is worth
  • con
    Drivers with DUIs in Alaska, North Carolina, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska ,New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wyoming

Lowest Average Increases After DUIs

While companies like State Farm may increase your car insurance rates by 10 to 40 percent following a DUI, Progressive has an average increase of 13 percent in every state except:

  • Alaska
  • North Carolina
  • Hawaii
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Wyoming

While the increases are usually higher in these states, they still may not be as high as State Farm or USAA, so it’s worth getting a quote to compare.

Usage-Based Insurance

Although you may have a spotty driving record, that doesn’t mean you’re an unsafe driver now. If you want to be rewarded for your current safe driving behaviors now and in the future, take advantage of Snapshot, Progressive’s take on usage-based insurance, or UBI. Essentially, Snapshot monitors your driving behaviors via the Snapshot app or a plug-in device, whichever you prefer. You’ll drive as you normally would, and the app will see how hard you’re braking, how fast you’re accelerating, how late into the night you’re driving, and how much you’re driving overall. The average customer saves $94 just for signing up, then $231 by the time the program completes (this discount excludes Hawaii and North Carolina, and the program isn’t available for policyholders in California.)

Note that, if you don’t display safe driving behaviors, you could end up paying more than you would have originally, but that only happens to about 20 percent of drivers, so only do the program if you know you drive safely.

3. Best Auto Insurance for First-Time DUI - National General
National General Logo 2023

What We Like Most:

  • Personal and commercial policies available
  • Lower rates for good drivers with DynamicDrive app
  • Report claims, and get reimbursed, within 48 hours

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.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    First-time DUI offenders
  • pro
    People who want rental coverage
  • pro
    Customers who want 24-hour claims reporting
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Second and subsequent DUI offenders
  • con
    Customers who want to manage their policies on a mobile app

Special Policies for a First DUI

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.

Most People Recover

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that three in four people who experience addiction eventually recover. Individuals who receive substance abuse treatment at some point in their lives are nearly twice as likely to recover as people who don’t.4

Take note that this opportunity is not available to second and subsequent DUI offenders.

Valet Rental

Research finds that DUI arrests occur more frequently in rural areas, where people rely on their cars to get around, compared to urban areas.5 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.

Lifetime Repair Guarantees

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.

4. Best DUI Auto Insurance for Non-Owners - Direct Auto
Direct Auto Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for high-risk drivers
  • Can pay in cash locally
  • Save money by bundling with life insurance

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.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People who don’t own cars but need to file SR-22s
  • pro
    Drivers looking for an array of discounts
  • pro
    Customers who want flexible payment options
  • pro
    People who want to purchase life insurance or accidental death coverage in addition to car insurance
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People outside of the following states:
    • Alabama
    • Arkansas
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Louisiana
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • North Carolina
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Virginia
    • Washington
  • con
    iPhone and iPad users, as the Direct Auto app has only a 2.4-star rating.

Non-Owner Insurance

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

Multitude of Discounts

On average, a DUI can cost you upwards an average of $6,500, which includes an average of $1,900 in attorney’s fees. That cost, however, does not include lost wages, which were a reported $4,400, on average.6

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%

Flexible Payment Options

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:

  • Payment method: You can make one-time payments online with a debit or credit card, set up auto-payments online, pay by eCheck, over the phone, and even with cash at a Direct Auto location or partner location.
  • Frequency: You choose how often you pay, whether upfront in full or in several installments.
  • Down payment: You can choose to pay more upfront and lower your subsequent monthly costs.
  • Payment schedule: You pick the day of the month you make your payment, which allows you to schedule around your payday.
5. Best for Military Members and Families - USAA

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest rates for teens on a family policy or on their own
  • Special discount for teens transitioning off their parents’ policy
  • Strong customer service and claims process

Holding 6 percent of the private auto insurance market, USAA is the eighth-largest provider in the country.7 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.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Members of the US military, veterans, and their families
  • pro
    People looking for some of the least expensive insurance available
  • pro
    Customers who want to purchase accident forgiveness
  • pro
    People who are driving less after their DUIs
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Nonmilitary members
  • con
    Veterans who received a discharge type other than honorable or general under honorable conditions

Low-Cost Auto Insurance

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%

Accident Forgiveness

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.

Low Mileage and Stored Vehicle Rates

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.

Methodology

We focused on providers that cater to high-risk drivers and offer competitive rates despite the increased risk associated with a DUI conviction. Our evaluation analyzed insurers across four key categories:

  • Pricing (40% weighting): We examined average premiums and discounts available specifically for drivers with DUIs across different coverage levels and driver profiles. Affordability is crucial for this higher-risk group.
  • Claims Handling (25% weighting): At the end of the day, claims servicing is an insurance provider’s core offering. We prioritized insurers with high ratings from independent sources like J.D. Power and CRASH Network.
  • Customer Service (25% weighting): Using J.D. Power reports, NAIC complaint data, and mobile app ratings, we assessed the ease of obtaining quotes and purchasing policies, as well as the quality of service provided to policyholders through digital and in-person channels.
  • Coverage Offerings (10% weighting): We considered whether companies offer additional protection options like gap coverage, accident forgiveness, rideshare coverage, and other endorsements valuable to high-risk drivers.

Our decades of industry experience also informed our analysis, allowing us to speak to each provider’s strengths, weaknesses, and alignment with the unique needs of drivers with DUI convictions on their records. By evaluating these key factors and weighing them appropriately, we aimed to identify the insurers best equipped to provide reliable and affordable coverage for drivers with DUIs.

FAQs

How long does a DUI affect your insurance?

A DUI will affect your insurance rates for at least three years. Whether it lasts longer than that depends on a couple of factors:

  • How long a DUI stays on your record in your state
  • How far back on your record the state allows insurance companies to look

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.

How do insurance companies find out about a DUI?

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.

What is the cheapest insurance after a DUI?

The cheapest insurance providers after a DUI are State Farm and USAA. In addition, Progressive and Erie usually offer good DUI rates.

What is the best insurance for a DUI in California?

The best insurance companies for a DUI in California are National General, Mercury, and Grange Insurance.

Citations

  1. Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, 13 Jun).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-auto-insurance-study

  2. How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Increase After a DUI? J.D Power. (2022, Feb 25).
    https://www.westvirginiaduilawyers.com/blog/2022/february/how-much-will-my-car-insurance-rates-increase-af/

  3. 2021 State Traffic Data. U.s. Department of Transportation. (2023, Sep).
    https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813509.pdf

  4. Prevalence and correlates of ever having a substance use problem and substance use recovery status among adults in the United States, 2018. ScienceDirect. (2020, Sep 1).
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871620303343

  5. A descriptive analysis of drugged driving among rural DUI offenders. Taylor & Francis Online. (2018, Mar 14).
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15389588.2018.1450980

  6. How Much Does a First Offense DUI Cost? Driving Laws Published by NOLO. (2024).
    https://dui.drivinglaws.org/resources/how-much-does-a-first-offense-dui-cost.htm

  7. Facts + Statistics: Insurance company rankings. III.org. (2024).
    https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-insurance-company-rankings

  8. General Risk of Substance Use Disorders. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024).
    https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-use-military-life