DWIs and Car Insurance Across the States

• Car Insurance

A DUI conviction can have a major impact on your car insurance premiums, not to mention your finances and your freedom. A single drunk driving offence on your record can, in some states, increase insurance costs threefold, and if you have other blemishes on your record, those rates will be astronomical.

But it’s not the end of the world. You can still get cheap auto insurance quotes with a DUI on your record; you just need to be extra cautious.

Why Do Insurance Rates Increase After DWI’s and DUI’s?

Insurance is all about risk. The insurers don’t want you to claim, as that’s not how they turn a profit, so they reward you with low rates when you’re less likely to claim and charge high rates when you’re more likely. 

For instance, they know that drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are significantly more likely to make a claim than drivers in pretty much all other age groups (except for those aged 70+). They also know that new drivers are at risk and that most drivers in this demographic will be climbing behind the wheel for the first time.

To offset the inevitably high claims they will pay, they charge each driver in this category much more than they charge others. 

When you’re convicted of drunk driving, you’re deemed high risk because drivers with these types of convictions are significantly more likely to be involved in costly car accidents and to receive additional traffic violations.

In your eyes, it might have been a harmless mistake, something that you promise to never do again and something that doesn’t reflect your abilities as a driver, but the insurer doesn’t care about any of those things.

Insurers are all about statistics and probabilities, not sentimentality, and if you have a conviction then you’re a high risk, which means you will be charged more.

State Car Insurance Rates with DWIs

How a DUI affects your car insurance quotes depends on a number of different factors, the biggest of which concerns your state of residence. In some states, you’ll pay just $1,500 for full coverage with a DWI; in others, you’ll pay closer to $6,000.

• Alabama – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,400; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $550; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,500
• Alaska – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,200; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $450; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,800
• Arizona – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,400; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $600; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,800
• Arkansas – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,450; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $550; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,400
• California – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,650; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $650; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $4,000
• Colorado – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,600; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $650; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,400
• Connecticut – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,700; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $850; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,200
• Delaware – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,550; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $850; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,600
• D.C. – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,550; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $750; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,600
• Florida – Full Cover Average Cost = $2,350; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $1,100; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,700
• Georgia – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,600; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $700; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,000
• Hawaii – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,200; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $500; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $4,200
• Idaho – Full Cover Average Cost = $950; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $350; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,500
• Illinois – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,150; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $450; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,900
• Indiana – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,500
• Iowa – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $300; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,700
• Kansas – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,300; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $450; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,200
• Kentucky – Full Cover Average Cost = $2,150; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,600
• Louisiana – Full Cover Average Cost = $3,000; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $1,150; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $4,200
• Maine – Full Cover Average Cost = $900; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $350; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,500
• Maryland – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,600; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $800; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,600
• Massachusetts – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,300; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $550; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,350
• Michigan – Full Cover Average Cost = $2,300; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $1,300; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $5,800
• Minnesota – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,300; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $550; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,350
• Mississippi – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,400; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $500; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,300
• Missouri – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,300; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $500; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,900
• Montana – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,250; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,100
• Nebraska – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,200; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,750
• Nevada – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,900; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $900; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,000
• New Hampshire – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,050; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,850
• New Jersey – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,800; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,000
• New Mexico – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,250; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $500; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,000
• New York – Full Cover Average Cost = $2,000; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,000
• North Carolina – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,100; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $4,400
• North Dakota – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,250; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,200
• Ohio – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,050; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $450; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,700
• Oklahoma – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,600; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $600; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,500
• Oregon – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,250; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $650; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,850
• Pennsylvania – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,150; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,850
• Rhode Island – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,700; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $800; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $3,350
• South Carolina – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,450; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $650; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,200
• South Dakota – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,200; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $300; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,200
• Tennessee – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,200; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,100
• Texas – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,500; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $650; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,300
• Utah – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,250; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $600; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,900
• Vermont – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $300; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,050
• Virginia – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $400; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,550
• Washington – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,250; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $650; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,000
• West Virginia – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,300; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $500; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,100
• Wisconsin – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,000; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $350; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $1,950
• Wyoming – Full Cover Average Cost = $1,200; Minimum Cover Average Cost = $350; Average Cost of Full Cover with a Single DUI = $2,200

How Much More Will I Pay?

You will always pay more for car insurance if you have a DUI on your record. That rate increase can’t be avoided, at least not entirely.

You can see the statewide average for full coverage insurance policies above and you can expect a similar price increase if you’re opting for minimum coverage, paying between 30% and 50% more on average.

How to Pay Less for DUI Car Insurance

As with any type of insurance and all types of insurance providers, there are ways you can reduce the cost of DUI insurance and save yourself a few dollars every month, including:

Move Quickly

Your insurer may increase your premiums as soon as you receive a drunk driving conviction. They may even drop you entirely, in which case you’re not insured and you’re somewhat in the dark.

It’s important, therefore, to act quickly and to start comparing rates as soon as that conviction lands. That way, if they offer you a new rate, you have something to compare it to and if they drop you completely, you have an alternative option.

Get Several Quotes

There’s nothing stopping you from getting multiple car insurance quotes from multiple car insurance companies. Thanks to online comparison websites and tools, it is easier than ever to get free insurance quotes, so shop around, get as many of these as you can, and don’t settle until you find the cheapest and best option.

Wait and Shop

DUI’s won’t affect your record in the same way forever. After a few years, it will stop having such a major impact on your rates. It’s imperative, therefore, that you shop for new car insurance policies after a few years and see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.

Don’t Forget About Discounts

You may have lost your good driver discount, but there are other discounts available and now that your car insurance rates have soared, they are more important than ever. 

Get all the discounts you can to bring those rates down as much as possible. You can get discounts for going paperless, paying in full, choosing auto-pay, completing driver courses, and being part of certain clubs.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies When You Have a DUI

If you have a DUI on your record, auto insurance companies will be less keen to throw cheap premiums your way, but they still want your business. We recommend adding the following companies to your comparison search, but don’t stop there, and make sure you include a few members-only insurers and local insurers in your search:

• Allstate
• GEICO
• State Farm
• Progressive
• Travelers
• Safeco

Bottom Line: Getting Car Insurance After a DUI

Once you have a DUI on your record, you may be required to file a form known as an SR-22, which essentially proves that you have the minimum amount of car insurance coverage required. In some states, an FR-44 is required instead, but the idea is basically the same.

Often provided by your insurance company, this form will be sent to the DMV. You can read our FAQ on SR-22 forms to learn more about this process.

Depending on where you live, your DUI may impact your auto insurance rates for three years, five years or even ten years. In any case, it’s important to adopt safe driving habits, keep violations to an absolute minimum, and work hard to reduce your premiums where possible.

That way, when the timeframe is up, you can get a cheap car insurance policy and stop paying those extortionate rates.

If not, and if you get additional violations and DUIs, you could find yourself in serious trouble, with limited driving privileges, an extended license suspension, extensive fines, and even jail time.

Source: pocketyourdollars.com