Driving under the influence (DUI) increased notably in 2024, according to LexisNexis, with convictions for drivers 66 to 90 up a staggeering 44.8% from 2019. For drivers 36 to 45, the increase was more than 27% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
A DUI violation, sometimes referred to as driving while intoxicated (DWI), categorizes you as a high-risk driver and makes it more difficult and expensive to obtain auto insurance. You may be required to file a certificate of financial responsibility (also known as an SR-22 or FR-44) to reinstate your driving privileges.
How much is car insurance with a DUI?
Insurance companies classify motorists with a DUI as high-risk drivers, but the amount your rates will go up depends on the provider, where you live and whether it's your first violation or a repeat offense.
According to a February 2025 Bankrate analysis of Quadrant Information data, a DUI conviction can cause insurance rates to nearly double, from an average of $2,670 to $5,185 for full coverage and from $773 to $1,531 for minimum coverage.
Depending on where you live, your provider may also have to file an SR-22 certificate of insurance to prove you have the minimum coverage required by law. There is typically a fee involved, usually about $25.
We've chosen the best insurance companies for drivers with DUI convictions, based on rates, coverage and more. (See our methodology for details on how we made our selections.)
The best car insurance after a DUI
Best for affordability: State Farm
State Farm Auto Insurance
Policy highlights
The largest auto insurer in the U.S., State Farm has an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction and affordable rates, even for teens.
Discounts
More than a dozen discounts, including for safe driving, bundling and good students. Drive Safe & Save program offers up to 30% off for lower mileage and safe driving habits.
Availability
State Farm liability car insurance is available nationwide except for Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Terms apply.
Read our State Farm auto insurance review.
Pros
- High customer satisfaction ratings
- Available in most states
- Affordable rates for teen drivers
Cons
- Doesn’t offer gap insurance
- Accident forgiveness requires 9 years accident-free
- Have to work with an agent to buy a policy..
Who's this for? State Farm has some of the lowest premiums we've seen for drivers with DUI convictions. It also offers affordable rates for those with at-fault accidents or speeding tickets on their record.
Standout benefits: State Farm's Drive Safe and Save app can monitor your acceleration, braking and other driving habits. Not only will it encourage safe behavior behind the wheel, but it could also save you up to 30%.
Best for availability: Progressive
- Available in all 50 states
- Low rates for drivers with DUIs
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers vanishing deductible as well as accident forgiveness
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rate increase
Who's this for? Progressive offers car insurance in all 50 states and you can get rate quotes or buy a policy in minutes on the highly-rated website or mobile app. The company's rates after a DUI are significantly lower than the industry average.
Standout benefits: Progressive offers three tiers of accident forgiveness, covering smaller and larger collisions.
Best if you've been denied car insurance: Dairyland
- Insures high-risk drivers
- Offers coverage for motorcycles and off-road vehicles
- Limited Mexico coverage included with California policies
- Lower volume of complaints
- Not available in all 50 states
- Higher-than-average rates
- Limited number of discounts
Who's this for? Dairyland specializes in non-standard insurance for drivers with DUIs and other violations, as well as those with poor credit.
Standout benefits: Dairyland provides non-owner coverage and all California policies come with limited coverage for travel in Mexico.
Best for non-owner insurance: Geico
- 16 discounts are available to lower premiums
- Easily purchase and manage policy online
- Policy add-ons can include roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance
- No gap insurance
- Few branches for in-person services
- Ranks below average for customer service and claims on J.D. Power surveys
Who's this for? If you don't own a car but drive frequently, Geico issues non-owner insurance, which is less expensive than a standard policy and includes liability insurance, underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, MedPay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Standout benefits: Geico has more than a dozen discounts, including for good driving, bundling and taking a defensive driving course. If you insure more than one car with Geico, you can save up to 25%.
Best for military members or veterans: USAA
- Cheapest insurer for liability policies
- Stellar customer satisfaction scores
- Available in all 50 states
- Limited to military families and veterans
- No physical branches
- Customer service not available 24/7
- Safe-driver discount not available in every state
Who's this for? Active military, veterans and their families enjoy low rates and widespread availability with USAA.
Standout benefits: If you're deployed and not using your car, you could get up to 60% off your premiums. If you store your car on base, you could save up to 15% on comprehensive coverage.
What is SR-22 insurance?
SR-22 insurance is somewhat of a misnomer: It's not actually insurance, but a form that your insurer files with the state to confirm you have the required minimum coverage. (It may also be referred to as a "certificate of financial responsibility" or, in Florida and Virginia, an FR-44.)
An SR-22 form is typically required to reinstate your driving privileges after a DUI or other serious infraction.
All the companies we selected file SR-22 forms, but not every insurer does. Be sure to check before buying a policy if you've been notified that you need one.
How to save on car insurance after a DUI
Be a safe driver
The mark on your record won't last forever, but additional DUIs or other violations will raise your rates even more. Additionally, many insurance companies reward safe driving. New State Farm customers can save up to 25% by remaining accident-free and violation-free for three years.
Explore discounts
Beyond a good driver discount, insurance companies often lower rates for homeowners, customers who switch insurers, insure multiple cars and many other categories.
When shopping for quotes, ask about discounts available in your state and whether they can be combined.
Bundle your insurance
One of the most effective ways to reduce your insurance bill is to purchase car and home insurance from the same provider. Known as bundling, it can save you more than 20%.
Improve your credit score
In most states, insurance companies are allowed to consider your credit history when determining your rates. Raising your credit-based insurance score is a lot like raising your FICO score — pay credit card bills on time, keep your ratio of outstanding debt to available credit low and check your report for errors.
Shop around for car insurance
Dings on your driving record are considered differently by different insurers. If your current provider has raised your rates too high, obtaining quotes from three or four insurers will allow you to see if you can find a more competitive alternative.
If you're denied insurance after a DUI
Not all car insurance companies will accept drivers with a DUI conviction, especially those with multiple convictions.
High-risk insurers
If you're turned down by several companies, you can try insurers that specialize in non-standard coverage for high-risk drivers, like Dairyland, Kemper and The General.
State-assigned car insurance
If you can't get coverage through the voluntary market, you may need to turn to your state's assigned risk pool. Insurers licensed in your state are required to provide coverage through these programs, regardless of an applicant's driving history.
Rates are significantly higher, however, and you may be limited to liability coverage.
DUI auto insurance FAQs
How much does car insurance go up after a DUI conviction?
On average, a DUI or DWI conviction can raise premiums between 70% and 150%. However, the amount could be greater if it's not your first violation.
How long does a DUI stay on your driving record?
Depending on your state, a DUI can stay on your record for as little as three to five years or for as long as 15.
What's the difference between a DUI and a DWI?
Many states use DUI ("driving under the influence") and DWI ("driving while intoxicated") interchangeably to refer to someone operating a vehicle while drunk or otherwise impaired. Some states classify them as separate offenses: In Texas, a DUI is a Class C misdemeanor that applies to minors, while a DWI is a more serious Class B misdemeanor for adults.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best car insurance for high-risk drivers.
Our methodology
To find the best insurance companies for drivers after a DUI, CNBC Select looked at dozens of insurers offering coverage to those with this on their driving record.
When selecting and ranking these companies, we focused on the average premium data from Bankrate, since the cost of insurance after a DUI is often higher than for the average driver. Quoted premiums were based on a 40-year-old with an otherwise clean driving record and a 2023 Toyota Camry, commuting five days a week for a total of 12,000 miles, and including the following coverage:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
We also reviewed customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power, the Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best. We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
After reviewing these factors, we sorted recommendations by the best for affordability, availability, for drivers who have been denied coverage, for non-owner insurance and for military members and veterans.
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