Skip to main content

How Does a DUI Affect My Auto Insurance?

Quick and Dirty Tips
  • Podcasts
    • Grammar Girl
    • Get-Fit Guy
    • Money Girl
    • Project Parenthood
    • Relationship Doctor
    • Modern Mentor
    • Nutrition Diva
    • Savvy Psychologist
    • Who Knew?
    • Curious State
    • Unknown History
    • Modern Manners Guy
  • Books
  • Categories
    • Health & Fitness
    • House & Home
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Pets
    • Education
    • Tech
    • Productivity
    • Business & Career
    • Money & Finance
  • Offers
  • About QDT

What's Hot

What Should You Wear to the Gym?

December 1, 2023

Your Money and Cybersecurity with Adam Levin

December 1, 2023

10 Best Personal Finance Tools and Budgeting Apps

November 22, 2023
opens in a new window Facebook opens in a new window Twitter opens in a new window Instagram
Quick and Dirty Tips
  • Podcasts
    • Grammar Girl
    • Get-Fit Guy
    • Money Girl
    • Project Parenthood
    • Relationship Doctor
    • Modern Mentor
    • Nutrition Diva
    • Savvy Psychologist
    • Who Knew?
    • Curious State
    • Unknown History
    • Modern Manners Guy
  • Books
  • Categories
    • Health & Fitness
    • House & Home
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Pets
    • Education
    • Tech
    • Productivity
    • Business & Career
    • Money & Finance
  • Offers
  • About QDT
opens in a new window Facebook opens in a new window Twitter opens in a new window Instagram opens in a new window Pinterest
Quick and Dirty Tips
You are at:Home » How Does a DUI Affect My Auto Insurance?
Money Girl

How Does a DUI Affect My Auto Insurance?

By Laura Adams, MBAAugust 8, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
opens in a new window Facebook opens in a new window Twitter opens in a new window Pinterest opens in a new window LinkedIn opens in a new window Tumblr opens in a new window Email
opens in a new window Apple Podcast Page opens in a new window Spotify Podcast Page opens in a new window Google Podcast Page opens in a new window Amazon Play Podcast Page
Share
opens in a new window Facebook opens in a new window Twitter opens in a new window Pinterest opens in a new window WhatsApp opens in a new window Email

Getting a single DUI conviction can negatively affect your life in many ways. Having too many drinks may seem harmless at the time, but the second you get behind the wheel intoxicated, you put yourself and others at risk. If you’re lucky enough to not hurt anyone, you will still face fines, potential jail times, and skyrocketing auto insurance premiums.

DUI vs. DWI

Depending on where you live, you may get convicted of DUI or a DWI; however, there’s little difference between the two. DUI stands for “driving under the influence,” while DWI is “driving while intoxicated.” Both describe someone driving a vehicle while legally impaired (i.e. over the legal limit) from alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or inhalants.

DUI convictions and car insurance

State penalties vary for getting a DUI. Fines range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of your case. It’s also possible that you could be sentenced to jail time, depending on the circumstances. And your driver’s license may get suspended or revoked.

Having a DUI is a major red flag for your auto insurer, and they will view you as a much riskier policyholder. At the very least, your car insurance premiums will increase significantly. In the most extreme DUI cases, your insurance rate could increase by 300%. Traffic violations cause premiums to go up because insurers know you’re more likely to get another violation or get involved in a car crash.

In the most extreme DUI cases, your insurance rate could increase by 300%.

After getting a DUI, you could lose your auto insurance, especially if you have other violations on your driving record. Your provider could drop you immediately or choose not to renew your policy. That would force you to get coverage somewhere else, which could be challenging with a DUI on your record. 

Fulfilling SR22 insurance requirements

Following a DUI conviction, some states require you to carry SR22 insurance. SR22 insurance is required when you’re deemed “high-risk” by an auto insurer. That could happen if you get:

  • A DUI or DWI conviction.
  • Several minor traffic violations in a short period.
  • Ticketed for driving without insurance or a valid driver’s license.
  • An offense for reckless driving.

Once insured, your insurer will file paperwork with the state serving as notice that you have the minimum amount of mandated liability insurance.

How long you must have SR22 insurance depends on the state where you live and the severity of your violation. On average, you must have it for three years. Failure to maintain coverage can result in severe penalties, including license suspension.

If you live in Virginia or Florida and get convicted of a DUI, you must have an FR-44, which is similar to SR22 but comes with a higher insurance limit. It proves to the state that you carry auto insurance, but with the requirement, you will need to raise your coverage limits. 

If you get a DUI and have an SR22 or FR-44 filing requirement, ask your insurer if they offer it. If not, you’ll need to find a company that provides same-day SR-22 certificates.

How long does a DUI affect your car insurance?

Due to the severity of a DUI conviction, your auto insurance premiums typically go up significantly for three to five years. However, it depends on how long your DUI stays on your driving record and the insurance laws in your state.

Exclamation point and word important
A DUI can follow you for up to a decade and prevent you from getting specific insurance policies and discounts. 

How to save money on car insurance after a DUI

While getting a DUI causes your auto premiums to go up, there are ways to reduce your rate. Use the following tips to find affordable auto insurance:

  • Shop around and get quotes from various insurers, so you get familiar with potential offers and choose the best deal.
  • Look for discounts such as bundling your auto and home insurance or paying premiums annually. Ask your insurer what discounts they offer that you might be eligible for.
  • Practice safe driving habits so you appear less risky to your insurer and avoid another violation.
  • Consider usage-based insurance (UBI) that monitors your driving habits and rewards safe drivers with discounts.
  • Raise your deductible to reduce your insurance premium. Just be sure you’d have enough in savings to cover it if you need to make an auto claim.

Listen to learn more insider tips on how to cut insurance costs for you and your teen.

Laura Adams, MBA
  • opens in a new window Facebook
  • opens in a new window Twitter
  • opens in a new window Pinterest

Laura Adams was named one of Empower's "Top 50 Women in Personal Finance" in 2018. She's one of the nation’s leading personal finance and small business authorities who works as an on-camera spokesperson, voice-over talent, and multimedia creator. She’s written multiple books, and the latest title, Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers, was an Amazon #1 New Release. As an award-winning author and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers, listeners, and loyal fans benefit from her practical advice. Laura is a trusted source of practical financial advice for the national media, including TV, radio, digital, and print outlets. She’s been featured on most major network news outlets, Bloomberg, NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Money, Time, Kiplinger’s, USA Today, US News, Forbes, Fortune, Consumer Reports, MSN, and many more. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and prosperous lives by making the most of what they have, planning for the future, and making smart money decisions every day. Laura received an MBA from the University of Florida. She lives in Vero Beach, Florida, with her husband. Visit LauraDAdams.com to learn more.


Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Don't Miss

What Should You Wear to the Gym?

By Kevin DonDecember 1, 2023

Workout Gear and Supplies  A few weeks ago, I spoke about training shoes. What kind…

Your Money and Cybersecurity with Adam Levin

December 1, 2023

10 Best Personal Finance Tools and Budgeting Apps

November 22, 2023

HSAs in 2024–Understanding Changes and Maximizing Benefits

November 21, 2023

Stay In Touch

  • opens in a new window Facebook 12K
  • opens in a new window Twitter 25.7K
  • opens in a new window Pinterest 18.5K
  • opens in a new window Instagram 123K
  • opens in a new window YouTube 23K
  • opens in a new window Vimeo 11.2K

Our Picks

What Should You Wear to the Gym?

By Kevin DonDecember 1, 2023

Your Money and Cybersecurity with Adam Levin

By Laura Adams, MBADecember 1, 2023

10 Best Personal Finance Tools and Budgeting Apps

By Laura Adams, MBANovember 22, 2023
opens in a new window Demo

Subscribe

opens in a new window Laura Adams, MBA for Apple Podcast Page opens in a new window Laura Adams, MBA for Spotify Podcast Page opens in a new window Laura Adams, MBA for Google Podcast Page opens in a new window Amazon Play Podcast Page

Books

Money Girl
opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Amazon.com opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Barnes and Noble opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for IndiBOund opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for  Apple iBookstore
Money Girl
opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Amazon.com opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Barnes and Noble opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for  Apple iBookstore
Money Girl
opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Amazon.com opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Barnes and Noble opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for  Apple iBookstore
Money Girl
opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for  Apple iBookstore opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Teaser
Money Girl
opens in a new windowMoney Girl image for Teaser

Don't miss

Never miss another tip! Join our list to get updates from your favorite hosts delivered straight to your inbox
Sign Up

ABOUT US

logo-img

Whether you want to manage your money better, rock your professional life, stay fit and eat healthy, or discover the keys to better mental health, Quick and Dirty Tips delivers short-form podcasts and articles every week to keep you at the top of your game, usually in ten minutes or less!

Email: contact@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email

QUICK LINKS

  • opens in a new windowHealth & Fitness
  • opens in a new windowHouse & Home
  • opens in a new windowParenting
  • opens in a new windowRelationships
  • opens in a new windowPets
  • opens in a new windowEducation
  • opens in a new windowTech
  • opens in a new windowProductivity
  • opens in a new windowBusiness & Career
  • opens in a new windowMoney & Finance
  • opens in a new windowHow to listen
  • opens in a new windowPrivacy notice
  • opens in a new windowYour Privacy Choices Button Image
  • opens in a new windowAds & Cookies
  • opens in a new windowTerms of Use
  • opens in a new windowAbout QDT
  • opens in a new windowOur Hosts

OUR PICKS

What Should You Wear to the Gym?

December 1, 2023

Your Money and Cybersecurity with Adam Levin

December 1, 2023

10 Best Personal Finance Tools and Budgeting Apps

November 22, 2023
opens in a new window Facebook opens in a new window Twitter opens in a new window Instagram
Copyright © 2023 Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC. Quick & Dirty Tips™ and related trademarks appearing on this website are the property of Mignon Fogarty, Inc. and Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.