A DUI conviction is recorded on your driving record for approximately ten years. When they examine your driver’s record during your policy renewal period, your auto insurance provider will detect your DUI. After your auto insurance company recognizes it, they can raise your vehicle premiums up to 72%. That’s three to five times greater than the average insurance premium. If this is your second or third offense, there may be no car insurance rates because your provider may have dropped you entirely, having decided you are no longer worth the risk of insuring.
How Much Exactly Does a DUI Increase Car Insurance Rates?
With a DUI conviction, your car insurance rates can increase on average by $1,657 annually. That’s almost the cost of an entirely new insurance policy. In some states, a DUI can quadruple the cost of coverage rather than double it. At the same time, how much a DUI will increase your car insurance rates also depends on your insurance provider. Major companies like Geico and Allstate are known to increase their rates by $2,000 to $3,000 after a DUI conviction. However, providers like State Farm, Progressive, and USAA have premium increases of $250 to $700 when it comes to DUIs. But in addition to your auto insurance provider, your place of residence and where you have your car registered also play a role in how much your premiums will increase.
Where do Car Insurance Premiums Rise the Most After a DUI?
It’s a little crazy how much your home state impacts how much your car insurance rates will rise after a DUI violation. Pennsylvania, for example, has a $625 increase in premiums for drivers with a DUI. Meanwhile, Michigan’s response to a DUI is to increase the driver’s premiums by $9,859. And yes, this is also for first-time offenders. Illinois is closer to the average premium increase at $1,166. North Carolina is another notable example with a $4,514 premium increase after a DUI.
What Else Affects How Much Your Car Insurance Increases After a DUI?
Aside from your home state and insurance provider, there are other factors that may affect how much your car insurance premiums rise after a DUI. Insurance companies will also take the following into account:
- Age – Younger drivers typically have higher insurance rates than the average driver. If they were to get a DUI, then it would cause their premiums to increase further -nearly double the amount of an average driver’s rates.
- Time between violations – Insurers look at the most recent years on your driving record after a DUI violation. Some insurance companies require a certain amount of time for violation-free driving before your rates are eligible for a decrease.
- Other DUIs – Naturally, the number of DUIs you are convicted of within a three to five-year period will also cause your insurance premiums to increase even more. Drivers with multiple offenses can see a rate increase of nearly 300%.
- Gender – Your insurance company takes your gender into account when first establishing your rates. Women typically have lower rates than men, so it’s possible that their premium increases after a DUI are less.
How do Insurance Providers Know About DUIs?
Your insurance provider will learn about your DUI and any other traffic violations when it comes time to renew your policy. From there, you will be subjected to the premium increases along with other penalties like license suspension and fines. When your license is suspended, you may need to file an SR22 with your insurance company to have it reinstated.
What is an SR22?
After a series of traffic infractions or a major one, most drivers must obtain SR-22 auto insurance. An SR22 isn’t an insurance policy but instead a form completed by your insurance company to show that you have the required auto insurance coverage. There’s usually a filing charge, and an SR22 is carried on average for three years. Depending on the state, the form may be referred to as an FR44 which is used and filed in the same fashion. A DUI violation is the most common reason why drivers file SR22s.
How Long Are Your Car Insurance Premiums Affect by a DUI?
Following a DUI conviction, your insurance is most likely to keep it on record for three to five years. A DUI conviction may remain on your driving record for five to ten years, and in some cases, longer; however, it will not have a significant influence on your rates for that long.
