Best Cheap Car Insurance After a DUI

There are a number of consequences that you need to deal with after you’ve gotten a DUI, some more expensive than others. While it may not be the first thing you think about after a DUI, finding car insurance for DUI is one of the most impactful consequences. Your insurance rates will go up after you get a DUI, but there are still car insurance options for you that won’t break the bank.

Best Car Insurance for DUI

• Best for SR-22 Assistance: Dairyland
• Best for Bundling: Progressive
• Best for Instant Discounts: Allstate
• Best for Accident Forgiveness: Liberty Mutual
• Best for Quick Quote Comparisons: Savvy

Best Car Insurance for DUI

When it comes to finding the best car insurance options if you have a DUI on your record, the search can often feel overwhelming. Take a look at our list of options.

1. Best for SR-22 Assistance: Dairyland

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI or DWI in the past, your state may require that you maintain an SR-22 certificate. An SR-22 is not a type of car insurance — rather, it acts as proof of insurance that you file with your state government that proves that you’re carrying car insurance that meets your state’s minimum requirements. Your insurance provider must submit your SR-22 to your local government if you are required to have one.

While some insurance companies charge extra to file your SR-22 with your state government, Dairyland offers this process free of charge when you purchase an auto insurance policy. The company can also assist you in getting car insurance if you have a low credit score or other types of violations on your policy — so don’t be afraid to request a quote if you’ve been denied by other insurance providers. 

2. Best for Bundling: Progressive

Auto insurance is only one of the many types of insurance that you might want to invest in to protect your valuables. Homeowner’s insurance, motorcycle insurance and business insurance are also necessary protections that you may need. If you’re shopping for multiple types of insurance, you might want to consider exploring Progressive’s many insurance options.

One of the largest insurance providers in the country, Progressive offers insurance options in all 50 states and Canada. If you purchase your car insurance and another type of insurance together, you can save on both policies by bundling them together. 

3. Best for Instant Discounts: Allstate

You can use auto insurance discounts to lower the price that you pay for car insurance. Allstate makes it exceptionally easy to apply for discounts as you sign up for your car insurance policy. The company will automatically apply discounts to your quote as you complete the enrollment process, making saving streamlined and simple.

Like Progressive, Allstate is another major insurance provider offering a multitude of coverages. You can bundle homeowner’s insurance, life insurance or any other type of protection together with your car insurance to save even more. This can be helpful in reducing your insurance expenses after a DUI. 

4. Best for Accident Forgiveness: Liberty Mutual

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in the past, you’ll notice that this conviction will increase the price of your insurance. Drivers who want to ensure that their auto insurance premiums won’t increase in the future may want to consider getting a quote from Liberty Mutual thanks to the company’s Accident Forgiveness policy.

Liberty Mutual’s Accident Forgiveness program keeps your rate locked in if you’re involved in a minor accident after having maintained a clean collision record for 5 years. Liberty Mutual also makes it easy to save on your car insurance upfront by paying in full and signing up for paperless statements. You’ll even be able to claim an instant discount for applying for your insurance online.

5. Best for Quick Quote Comparisons: Savvy

The best way to find affordable car insurance is to shop around and get more than one quote before signing onto a policy. But applying for quotes on multiple company websites can be a major hassle — and if you’re already searching for last minute coverage, every second can count. Savvy is a unique insurance solution that helps you view multiple quotes in under a minute.

Using Savvy is exceptionally simple — enter some information about yourself and your vehicle, and Savvy will do the rest of the work, collecting quotes on your behalf. Savvy checks hundreds of insurance providers around the country to match you up with the best possible rate, and most users will get their quotes in 30 seconds. If you need additional help finding the best car insurance for you, Savvy’s team is standing by via phone, email and text to help you lock in your rate.

Key Points

• Your car insurance will be more expensive after a DUI because insurance companies will classify you as a high-risk driver.
• You may need to maintain an SR-22 certificate after a DUI, which acts as proof of insurance. Not every insurance company offers SR-22 insurance.
• Depending on where you live, a DUI may remain on your driving record for 5 years to life.
• Proactive comparison shopping can help you find more affordable insurance after a DUI.

What Happens to Your Car Insurance and Driving Record after a DUI?

What happens to your car insurance and driving record after a DUI is dependent on the DUI circumstances. A few of the potential consequences you may face following a DUI include the following. 

• Your insurance provider cancels your insurance policy. 
• In most states, your driver’s license will be suspended for a certain period of time. 
• You are put into the high-risk driver category and your insurance provider raises your premium significantly. 
• The DUI will stay on your driving record for 5 to 10 years in most states. In some states, you might even have your DUI on your driving record for life. 

Of course, there are also legal consequences that come with a DUI conviction as well. You may face penalties, fines, and even jail time after being caught driving under the influence. 

How to Shop for Insurance Post-DUI

The insurance options available to you will be limited after a DUI, but there are still options. Use the following tips to explore your insurance choices for car insurance for a DUI. 

• Start immediately: It’s a good idea to start shopping around for a new policy as soon as the DUI happens, even if your current policy is still intact. This will allow you to check out better, cheaper options before your current insurance provider raises your premium or cancels your policy.
• Check for discounts: You’ll still be eligible for certain discounts even if your rates are increased. Check for home-auto bundling, loyalty or auto-pay discounts. 
• Work towards a clean driving record: Though the DUI will be on your driving record for the foreseeable future, you can still work hard to keep a clean driving record. Try reducing your driving distances or not driving on the dangerous DUI days, such as Labor Day or New Year’s Day. 

You may also want to reevaluate your insurance options by collecting quotes each year after a DUI. Maintaining a clean driving record can help reduce what you pay per month as you recover from your charge. 

Average Insurance Post-DUI Cost

Now that you understand the basics of a DUI and how it impacts both your driving record and your insurance costs, you can begin comparing insurance options to get back on the road safely.

Quotes were collected using data for a 35-year-old male driver with a DUI conviction within the last 3 years and no prior accidents or other convictions. The vehicle used to gather quotes was a 2012 Honda Civic LX. Rates reflect state-minimum coverage in the state of Pennsylvania. 

Starting Your Search for Insurance Coverage

Though having a DUI conviction on your record can make it more difficult to get car insurance, you still have plenty of options to get back on the road without breaking the bank. Start your search today by using Benzinga’s simple car insurance quote tool here to begin comparing prices. Getting a quote from multiple insurance providers can help you find the most affordable coverage in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions