DUI Car Insurance: Cost, SR-22 and How to Save
A DUI conviction typically causes car insurance rates to rise sharply, by roughly 40% to 90% depending on the study, and the increase usually lasts three to five years or longer. Most states also require you to carry an SR-22 (or an FR-44 in Florida and Virginia), a certificate your insurer files to prove you have at least the required liability coverage, usually for about three years. Some insurers will cancel or non-renew your policy after a DUI, so you may need to shop with companies that insure high-risk drivers.
How Much Does Insurance Go up After a DUI?
A DUI is one of the most serious violations for insurance pricing, but studies measure the increase differently, so their averages disagree:
| Source | Average increase after one DUI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insurify (updated October 2026) | About 44% | Based on quotes; many DUI drivers pay about 67% above their state’s average |
| ValuePenguin (2026) | About 88% | Full-coverage comparison, about $183 more per month |
Where you live matters more than any national average. In Insurify’s state data, increases ranged from about 20% in Minnesota, Utah and Wyoming to about 170% in North Carolina, where the state’s insurance point system adds large surcharges for a DUI. Alaska, New York and Hawaii were also near the top. Your age, prior record, insurer and coverage choices move the number further.
| Factor | Effect on DUI Insurance Cost |
|---|---|
| State | Big differences in penalties, SR-22 rules and average premiums |
| Blood alcohol level and circumstances | High BAC, an accident or injuries increase penalties |
| Prior violations | Repeat offenses raise rates far more |
| Age | Young drivers with a DUI see the steepest premiums |
| Insurer | Some companies price DUIs much more harshly than others |
| Coverage choices | Higher limits and full coverage cost more, but offer better protection |
What Is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is not an insurance policy. It is a form your insurance company files with your state’s motor vehicle agency certifying that you carry at least the minimum required liability insurance. States often require it after a DUI, driving without insurance, serious violations or license suspension.
- How long: usually about three years, but some states require longer.
- Filing fee: insurers commonly charge a one-time filing fee, often around $15 to $50.
- Lapse: if you miss payments or cancel, the insurer notifies the state (via an SR-26), and your license may be suspended again.
- Non-owner SR-22: available if you do not own a car but need to reinstate your license.
- Moving states: you usually must maintain the SR-22 required by the state where the violation occurred.
What Is an FR-44?
Florida and Virginia use an FR-44 after DUI convictions. It works like an SR-22 but requires higher liability limits, which makes coverage more expensive.
How Long Does a DUI Affect Car Insurance?
Insurers typically look back three to five years when pricing policies, and rates often start to fall around the three-year mark, although some consider DUIs for longer. The DUI itself may remain on your driving record for 5 to 10 years or more, and permanently in some states. Rates usually improve gradually as the violation ages, especially if you keep a clean record afterward.
Will My Insurance Company Drop Me After a DUI?
Possibly. Some insurers non-renew policies after a DUI, particularly for repeat offenses or if you are a newer customer. Others keep you but raise your rate at renewal. If you are dropped, you can shop with other standard insurers, non-standard insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers, or your state’s assigned-risk plan as a last resort.
How to Find Cheaper Car Insurance After a DUI
- Compare many quotes: DUI pricing varies enormously between insurers.
- Ask about SR-22 filing upfront so quotes include it.
- Complete required DUI education or treatment programs and keep documentation.
- Take a defensive driving course if your insurer offers a discount.
- Consider higher deductibles or dropping collision on an older car.
- Drive a car that is cheaper to insure.
- Bundle policies where possible.
- Keep continuous coverage with no lapses.
- Re-shop every year as the DUI ages.
When a cheaper option becomes available, follow our guide on how to switch car insurance, making sure the new insurer files your SR-22 before the old policy ends.
Ignition Interlock Devices
Many states require an ignition interlock device after a DUI, sometimes even for first offenses. The device requires a breath test before the car starts. See our guide on car breathalyzers and ignition interlock devices for costs and how they work.
Other Costs of a DUI
- Court fines and fees
- Attorney fees
- License reinstatement fees
- DUI education or treatment programs
- Ignition interlock installation and monthly fees
- Towing and impound fees
- Higher insurance premiums for years
Together, these costs often reach many thousands of dollars, in addition to the legal consequences.
Car Insurance Without a License After a DUI
If your license is suspended, you may still need insurance, for example to keep continuous coverage or to meet SR-22 requirements for reinstatement. See car insurance without a license for options, including non-owner policies.
Not legal or insurance advice: DUI penalties, SR-22 rules and insurance practices vary by state. Talk to a licensed attorney about your case and a licensed insurance agent about coverage. Never drive impaired; arrange a ride, use public transit or a rideshare service.
Related guides: Ignition interlock devices · How to switch car insurance · Car insurance without a license
DUI Insurance FAQs
National studies put the average increase at roughly 44% to 88%, and state averages range from about 20% to 170%. Your exact increase depends on your state, insurer, age and record.
Both certify insurance coverage, but the FR-44, used in Florida and Virginia after DUI convictions, requires higher liability limits.
Some insurers non-renew or cancel after a DUI, especially for repeat offenses. Others keep you and raise your rates.
The filing fee is usually around $15 to $50. The larger cost is the higher premium that comes with the underlying violation.
In Insurify’s 2026 data, North Carolina had the largest average increase, about 170%, followed by states such as Alaska, New York and Hawaii. Minnesota, Utah and Wyoming had the smallest, around 20%.
