Plain Policy Guide
DUI & Insurance

How Much Does a DUI Raise Your Car Insurance?

A DUI can nearly double the cost of car insurance. See the latest averages, why insurers charge so much more, how long it lasts and how to keep your premium as low as possible.

By Plain Policy Guide Editorial Team Published 2 min read

A DUI conviction changes how every insurance company sees you. For several years you will be priced as a high-risk driver, and in many states you will also need an SR-22 or FR-44 filing. Here is what the numbers look like and how to limit the damage.

How much a DUI raises insurance: the averages

NerdWallet's 2026 analysis of insurer rate filings compared the same 35-year-old driver with a clean record and with different violations:

Driver profileFull coverage per yearChangeMinimum coverage per year
Clean record$2,361-$648
One speeding ticket$3,028+28%$840
One at-fault accident$3,524+49%$952
One DUI$4,437+88%$1,231

Source: NerdWallet, 2026. Median rates from public insurer filings (Quadrant Information Services) for a 35-year-old driver of a 2023 Toyota Camry with good credit; full coverage includes 100/300/50 liability and $1,000 deductibles.

In dollar terms, that DUI costs this driver about $2,076 more per year for full coverage. Other studies use different profiles and coverage levels: data from The Zebra cited by Experian found an average increase of 93% after a DUI, while liability-only studies tend to show smaller percentage increases. Whatever the source, a DUI is among the most expensive violations you can have on your record.

Why insurers charge so much more

Insurers price risk, and a DUI is one of the strongest predictors of future claims they have. A DUI can also come with other costly changes: an SR-22 or FR-44 filing, higher required liability limits in some states, a license suspension and, in many cases, the loss of good-driver discounts. Some insurers simply stop offering coverage to drivers with a recent DUI, which reduces your choices and pushes prices up further.

State rules that add to the cost

  • SR-22 filings. Many states require one before reinstating your license. See what an SR-22 is and how long you need it.
  • Florida's FR-44. For DUI convictions after October 1, 2007, Florida requires liability limits of 100/300/50, far above its normal minimums. See FR-44 insurance in Florida.
  • Long record periods. California's DMV says DUI convictions stay on your driving record for 10 years, which affects how long insurers can see them.

How long the increase lasts

Most insurers look back at the last several years of your record when setting your price, and a DUI typically counts for longer than a ticket. How long depends on your state's record rules and your insurer's own lookback period. Read how long a DUI affects your insurance for details.

How to keep your premium as low as possible after a DUI

  1. Shop widely. Prices for the same DUI driver vary a lot between insurers. Include companies that specialize in high-risk drivers.
  2. Choose coverage carefully. If your car is older and paid off, a liability-only policy at the required limits may be enough. See full coverage vs. liability.
  3. Raise your deductible if you keep collision and comprehensive.
  4. Don't own a car? Ask about a non-owner SR-22 policy.
  5. Never let coverage lapse. A lapse after a DUI can mean a new suspension and fees. See what happens if your SR-22 lapses.
  6. Keep the rest of your record clean and re-shop every year as the DUI ages.
  7. Ask about discounts you can still get, such as bundling, paying in full or completing an approved driving course where your insurer recognizes it.
Next guideHow Long Does a DUI Affect Your Car Insurance?

Frequently asked questions

Will my insurance go up after a DUI arrest, or only after a conviction?

Insurers generally react to what appears on your driving record, which is usually the conviction. Administrative license suspensions can also show up on your record, so the timing varies by state and insurer.

Can my insurer cancel my policy after a DUI?

Insurers usually can't cancel in the middle of a policy term except for limited reasons set by state law, but many choose not to renew drivers with a recent DUI. If that happens, you will need to find a company that accepts high-risk drivers.

Is a DUI more expensive than an at-fault accident for insurance?

Usually, yes. In NerdWallet's 2026 analysis, a DUI raised full-coverage rates by 88%, compared with 49% for one at-fault accident and 28% for one speeding ticket.

Do I need an SR-22 after a DUI?

In many states, yes. Florida and Virginia use the stricter FR-44 for certain DUI cases. Read what an SR-22 is and FR-44 insurance in Florida.

Sources

  1. Average Cost of Car Insurance (rate analysis, 2026), NerdWallet
  2. How Do Traffic Tickets Affect Insurance? (March 12, 2025, citing The Zebra), Experian
  3. California Driver Handbook, Section 9: Alcohol and Drugs, California DMV
  4. DUI Frequently Asked Questions, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Sources were checked on October 14, 2026. Laws, fees and prices change; always confirm with your state agency or insurer.

Keep reading

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