Auto & Driving
Car Insurance Cost After a DUI
Surcharge data from Insurance.com; SR-22/FR-44 filing details sourced from this site's own SR-22 and FR-44 tools.
A DUI is the single most expensive violation on a driving record, and the premium increase is only half of what actually changes.
Data sourced from Insurance.com
The premium increase: more than double
A first DUI conviction raises the average car insurance premium by about 103%, according to Insurance.com's violation-surcharge data, more than triple the increase from a single minor speeding ticket (30%) and well above a first at-fault accident (61%).
On a $2,000-a-year policy, that means paying roughly $4,060 a year after the conviction, for the exact same coverage. A second DUI or a reckless-driving conviction typically surcharges further still.
To see this surcharge combined with your own age and existing driving record, the auto insurance cost by age and driving record calculator applies the DUI multiplier directly to your baseline.
The part that catches people off guard: the SR-22 or FR-44 filing
The premium increase is not the whole story. In most states, a DUI conviction also triggers a legal requirement to file an SR-22, a certificate your insurer submits directly to the state confirming you carry the required minimum liability coverage, typically for 3 to 5 years.
Florida and Virginia go further, requiring the stricter FR-44 filing instead, which comes with higher minimum liability limits than a standard SR-22 state. This filing requirement is separate from, and stacks on top of, the premium surcharge itself, and not every insurer offers SR-22 or FR-44 filings, which can narrow which companies you can even buy a policy from.
For the filing side specifically, the SR-22 insurance cost calculator and FR-44 insurance cost calculator cover the state-by-state filing requirement and typical added cost directly.
What to do if your current insurer will not renew you
Some insurers decline to renew a policy at all after a DUI conviction, rather than simply raising the price. If that happens, or if every quote you receive is still prohibitively expensive, every state maintains an assigned-risk or high-risk insurance pool specifically for drivers who cannot obtain standard coverage.
It typically costs more than even a standard insurer's post-DUI rate, but it exists precisely so that legally required coverage remains available even to higher-risk drivers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a DUI raise car insurance rates?
About 103% on average for a first offense, according to Insurance.com's violation-surcharge data, more than three times the increase from a single speeding ticket (30%) and well above a first at-fault accident (61%).
On a $2,000/year policy, that means paying roughly $4,060 a year after the conviction, before even accounting for state-mandated filings.
Does a DUI also require an SR-22 or FR-44 filing?
In most states, yes. A DUI conviction commonly triggers a state requirement to file an SR-22 (a certificate of financial responsibility your insurer submits to the state) for several years, and in Florida and Virginia specifically, the stricter FR-44 filing with higher minimum liability limits. This filing requirement is separate from, and in addition to, the premium increase itself.
How long does a DUI stay on my insurance record?
Typically 3 to 5 years for standard driving-record surcharges, but many insurers look back longer specifically for a DUI, sometimes the full length of the state's own reporting period, which can run past 5 years in some states.
Ask your specific insurer directly how long they weigh a DUI, since this varies more by carrier than most other violations.
Can I get insurance at all right after a DUI?
Usually yes, but not always from your current insurer, some drop DUI policyholders outright at renewal. If your regular insurer will not cover you, or the quotes you receive are still extremely high, a state's assigned-risk or high-risk pool exists specifically for drivers who cannot find standard coverage, though it typically costs more than even a standard insurer's post-DUI rate.