What happens to your car insurance after a DUI?

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, you may be worried about how your auto insurance rates could be impacted. Following a DUI conviction, car insurance can be very expensive — or difficult to obtain altogether. It all depends on the nature of your conviction and your overall driving record.

After receiving a DUI, there is no DUI insurance trick to prevent you from paying high-risk car insurance rates, at least temporarily. But there are some ways to potentially lower your rates and help you obtain the insurance coverage you want at an affordable price.

Shopping for car insurance after a DUI can be difficult, so you should be sure to compare auto insurance quotes from multiple companies at once. This will help ensure that you are not overpaying for minimum coverage.

You can use our free quote tool above to find and compare rates from companies in your area that deal with high-risk car insurance coverage today.

How do insurance companies find out about a DUI?

Some people assume that they can keep their DUI offense a secret from their insurance company, but this is never a good idea. Car insurance companies are certain to ascertain your DUI conviction. Most of the time, insurance companies get this information from checking your driving record.

Most auto insurance companies regularly examine the driving records of their policyholders. Because your DUI will go directly on your record, your car insurance company is sure to see it the next time they run your information. While it may take a few weeks — or even months — for your insurance company to discover the information, you can bet that they will discover it sooner or later.

If you plan to switch from your current car insurance company to avoid paying higher rates, think again. Any new company with which you apply for coverage will check your driving record before issuing you a car insurance policy.

While it is not mandatory for you to call and personally inform your car insurance company about your DUI, you should not ever attempt to actively hinder any current or potential insurance company from learning about it.

How much is auto insurance after a DUI?

Auto insurance rates after a DUI offense will vary based on numerous factors, but you can expect your rates to nearly double if you stay with the same insurance company.

The table below provides examples of annual car insurance rates from several companies before and after a DUI conviction.

Average Annual Auto Insurance Premium Before and After DUI

As you can see, the individual rates vary from one company to the next after receiving a DUI conviction. But there’s no doubt that your rates will increase as a result of your infraction. Your best bet may be to shop for insurance with a new company altogether to determine if you can obtain cheap auto insurance in comparison.

How long does a DUI affect your insurance?

The answer to this question greatly depends on where you live. In some states, DUI convictions are dropped from your driving record after three years. In others, a DUI will remain on your record for up to 10 years.

Since car insurance companies check driving records before issuing any policies, the length of time a DUI stays on your record can be extremely important.

Similarly, different states have different rules regarding license suspensions following a first-time DUI offense. Some states do not penalize drivers unless someone is injured in the accident, while other states immediately suspend the driver’s license for a minimum of one year.

You will need to check your state’s rules regarding license suspensions and how long a DUI remains on your record to get a better idea of how your DUI conviction will impact your car insurance rates.

What’s the best auto insurance for a DUI?

Most people who receive a DUI infraction have to look for a new car insurance policy. This is normally either because their rates have become too expensive or because their previous insurance company refused to continue offering coverage.

As you look for the best car insurance for a DUI offense, you may want to consider high-risk car insurance. Most people who purchase high-risk auto insurance do so for one or more of the following reasons:

• They have been in multiple car accidents
• They have received multiple traffic citations
• They have received multiple speeding tickets
• They have been convicted of a DUI or a DWI
• They are either new or young drivers
• They have had to file an SR-22 with their state
• They have a below-average credit rating

High-risk car insurance will be more expensive than a standard car insurance policy because you are considered more of a financial risk to the company insuring you. But you may be able to find a high-risk car insurance policy that allows you to meet your state’s minimum requirements for coverage at an affordable price.

No matter what type of insurance you are looking for after a DUI, you will need to spend some time conducting your own research to ensure that you find the best — and most affordable — rates in your area. You can compare multiple companies online simultaneously to discover which companies offer the best quotes.

In fact, you can use our free quote tool below today to find and compare rates from high-risk auto insurance companies that would work for you.