A DUI (driving under the influence) charge is the result of being caught driving while impaired. It’s also commonly referred to as DWI (driving while intoxicated) and OVI (operating vehicle intoxicated). Aside from potential criminal charges, a DUI charge stays on your driving record for usually 3-5 years, but in California, it can stay as many as 10 years. 

This can understandably affect your car insurance after dui. You’ve just become a much riskier driver to your insurance provider than you were when they wrote your auto insurance policy. Your car insurance premiums will almost always increase and in some cases, your insurance provider may even cancel your policy. 

Obtaining Auto Insurance With DUI

The good news is that you can still maintain auto insurance with a DUI, you just may need to pay more or work a little harder to find a provider. Here’s what will most likely happen: 

• After a DUI charge, your license will likely be suspended for a certain period of time.


• Before reinstating your license, most states require you to file an SR-22 form. 


• Your insurance provider needs to file an SR-22 on your behalf with the state’s DMV to prove that you have the required auto insurance to drive. 


• If you miss a payment or cancel your policy, your insurance provider revokes the SR-22 and you’ll have your license suspended again.  

There’s no way to hide the fact that you’ve had a DUI from your insurance provider, so it’s always best to notify them yourself and determine the next steps. If they terminate your insurance coverage, you’re free to find another provider. 

If they raise your auto insurance (which is very likely after a DUI) and you can no longer afford the premiums, you’re also free to find a more affordable provider. 

The Cost of Insurance for DUI

Your insurance premiums will go up after a DUI charge and will stay high until the charge is wiped from your record. The length of time this takes varies by state but is generally about 3-5 years. 

Your driving history also makes a difference here: you’ll be less penalized if it’s your first driving offense versus if you’ve had other serious driving offenses, including previous DUIs. This will also affect your new auto insurance premiums because your provider will pull your record to reassess your rate.  

On average, you can expect your premiums to go up roughly $1,100 per year. Once the charge is cleared from your driving record, your premiums will very likely drop down significantly, as long as you haven’t had any new driving offenses. 

Saving on Car Insurance After DUI 

You should expect to pay more on your car insurance premiums after a DUI, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find ways to save. 

• Get multiple quotes


• Bundle insurance quotes with one provider


• Take a defensive driving course (if your provider offers discounts for this)


• Increase your deductible


• Install safety features in your car

These tips can all help you save hundreds of dollars a year on car insurance. You’ll have to ask for these discounts, but the worst your provider can say is no. 

The Best Auto Insurance for DUI Drivers

For several years after your DUI, your premiums will go up, but at least you’ll have auto insurance and can continue driving. Eventually, the charge will be wiped from your record and your premiums will go back to normal.  

In the meantime, make sure you drive as carefully as possible to prevent any other driving offenses from being added to your record or risk paying even more and potentially losing your license.  

Don’t be afraid to shop around and find a new policy. The best auto insurance for DUI drivers will be the one with the best coverage and most affordable premiums—you just have to find it.