Best DUI Car Insurance (2026)
Progressive is the cheapest major car insurance company for drivers with a DUI, at $268 per month for full coverage.
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Best cheap car insurance with a DUI
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Best cheap auto insurance with a DUI
Progressive, Travelers and American Family are the cheapest major companies for drivers with a DUI, DWI or DWAI.
All three companies are at least $95 per month cheaper than the national average, which is $391 per month.
However, some midsize insurance companies — such as NJM, Erie and Shelter — may be more affordable after a DUI.
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DUI and DWI car insurance rates differ a lot from one company to the next.
The most expensive major company, Nationwide, costs twice as much as the cheapest option, Progressive, for the same coverage. That's why it's important to get online car insurance quotes from multiple companies.
Cheapest full coverage DUI insurance rates
Data-powered research on DUI car insurance
| Data-powered research on DUI car insurance |
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Cheapest DUI car insurance for most people: Progressive
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Editor's rating
- Full coverage after one DUI: $268/mo
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance quotes after a DUI among major insurance companies.
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Cheapest widely available rates
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Lots of discounts
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Includes small accident forgiveness
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Poor claims experience
A full coverage policy from Progressive costs $268 per month after one DUI. That's $123 less per month than the national average.
Drivers with a DUI can get even better rates by qualifying for Progressive's many discounts.
You can save by getting a quote online, bundling home and auto insurance or paying your bill automatically.
In addition, drivers in most states automatically get small accident forgiveness when they switch to Progressive. That means your rate won't go up if you cause under $500 in damage in an accident. This is particularly helpful if you cause a small crash.
But customers aren't always happy with Progressive's service. The company gets 39% fewer complaints than an average competitor. However, Progressive got the third-lowest score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction study. That means it may take longer for Progressive to get you back on the road after an accident.
Cheapest midsize company for DUI car insurance: NJM
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Editor's rating
- Full coverage after one DUI: $223/mo
NJM is the best company for DUI insurance if you live in a state where it sells car insurance.
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Very cheap rates
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Excellent customer service
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Full coverage comes with extra protection
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Only available in 5 states
Full coverage insurance from NJM costs $223 per month after a DUI, on average. That's $168 per month cheaper than the national average.
NJM also offers outstanding customer service.
It earned the third-highest score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. It also gets 84% fewer customer complaints than an average company its size. That means NJM customers are typically happy with their experience after an accident.
In addition, NJM's full coverage policy comes with rental reimbursement and new car replacement. Most insurance companies charge extra for these coverages.
The main downside to NJM is its limited availability — it's only available in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
If you can't get NJM, you should consider Erie or Shelter. Both companies offer low-cost auto insurance after a DUI, along with great customer service.
Best DUI insurance for military members and veterans: USAA
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Editor's rating
- Full coverage after one DUI: $248/mo
USAA offers military members and veterans cheap insurance and great customer service after a DUI.
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Affordable DUI insurance
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Good customer service
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Lots of discounts
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Only available to military members, veterans and their families
USAA has the best auto insurance after a DUI for drivers with military ties. A full coverage policy from USAA costs $248 per month after one DUI, on average. That's $143 per month less than the national average.
You can count on USAA to get your life back on track quickly after a crash.
The company consistently earns a high score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. However, USAA gets 31% more complaints than an average company its size. That means other aspects of its customer service, like making changes to your policy or fixing a billing error, may be a bit more difficult.
USAA also offers lots of discounts to help lower your car insurance bill. For example, you can save money if you garage your car on a military base or sign up to make automatic payments.
The biggest downside to USAA is that it's only available to military members, veterans and some of their family members. So, many people can't get a policy.
Best insurance for drivers with multiple DUIs: The General
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Editor's rating
Unlike many other auto insurance companies, The General doesn't shy away from high-risk drivers.
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Specializes in high-risk drivers
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Poor customer service
The General specializes in insuring high-risk drivers, including people with multiple DUIs, and provides relatively affordable rates. This makes it one of the better choices for DUI auto insurance.
The General even tailors its quote process to high-risk drivers. When you're getting a quote, The General asks if you need an SR-22 filing. If you need it, The General includes the form with your policy.
Some auto insurance companies that offer nonstandard insurance offer fewer coverage options and features. That isn't the case with The General. It offers a convenient mobile app, along with the option to add coverage like roadside assistance and gap insurance.
However, The General gets three and a half times more customer complaints than an average company its size. So you should see if you can get affordable coverage from another company, like Progressive, NJM or Erie, before buying a policy from The General.
Cheapest DUI car insurance by state
Progressive has the cheapest DUI insurance quotes in 15 states, more than any other company.
However, the cheapest company nationally may not be the best option near you.
Travelers has the cheapest quotes in 13 states, while Geico is the cheapest option in five states.
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Best cheap DUI auto insurance by state
State | Cheapest company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Travelers | $194 |
| Alaska | Umialik | $199 |
| Arizona | Progressive | $226 |
| Arkansas | Farm Bureau | $233 |
| California | Mercury | $351 |
Rates are for a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, along with higher liability limits than the state requirement.
In 13 states and Washington, D.C., drivers with military ties can find the cheapest DUI insurance at USAA. However, you can only get insurance from USAA if you're a military member or veteran, or if your family member has had USAA insurance at some point.
DUI insurance in California and Florida
In California, it's against the law for your car insurance company to raise your rates or cancel your policy until your policy renews.
For example, say you buy a six-month policy and get a DUI in the third month. Your insurance company can't raise your rates or cancel your coverage until the policy ends. However, you should still tell your company that you got a DUI and prepare to shop around for new coverage.
California removes DUIs from your public driving record after 10 years. During that 10-year span, you will not be eligible for any good driver discounts.
Florida drivers with a DUI must have higher insurance limits than drivers with a clean record.
To get your license reinstated after a DUI in Florida, you'll need to have an insurance company file an FR-44 form. This form proves that you have the right amount of coverage.
How to lower car insurance after a DUI
Getting a DUI almost always causes your car insurance rates to go up. That's because insurance companies believe you're more likely to cause another accident in the future.
To find cheap DUI insurance, you should shop around, look for discounts and practice safe driving habits in the future.
Shop around: The best way to save money on car insurance after a DUI is to compare quotes from multiple companies. There's a difference of $326 per month between the most expensive major company, Nationwide, and the cheapest, Progressive. That's more than $3,900 per year.
To find the best policy for you, start by getting quotes from companies that offer the cheapest rates for high-risk drivers.
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Look for discounts: Most insurance companies offer discounts that can lower your rates. You can usually save a lot by bundling your auto insurance with a home or renters policy.
Smaller discounts, like those for signing up for automatic payments or getting your statements via email, can add up to big savings over time.
Practice safe driving habits: Going forward, it's important that you avoid tickets and accidents so your insurance bill doesn't go up even more.
You won’t see the effects of safe driving right away. But over time, safe driving can lower your insurance quotes after a DUI and get you discounts.
Some companies offer usage-based discounts that can save you money right away. Companies track your driving habits using your phone or a device that plugs into your car. If you're committed to driving more safely in the future, these programs can save you a lot of money.
Keep in mind that in some states, like California, you can't qualify for good driver discounts for a set period of time after a DUI.
How do insurance companies find out about a DUI?
Your insurance company will most likely find out about your DUI through the DMV. Different insurance companies check these records at different times, but many check when you're renewing your policy.
Your insurance company will also find out about your DUI if you need an SR-22 filing. After a DUI or a DWI, many states require an SR-22 form to get your license reinstated. Your auto insurance company needs to file the SR-22 with your state's DMV on your behalf.
It is highly unlikely — if not impossible — to hide a DUI from your insurance company.
Instead, you should tell your insurance company about your DUI conviction. If you don't let your insurance company know about your DUI, it may cancel your policy. That could lead to a lapse in coverage and higher rates.
Your company may still cancel your policy after you share the information about your DUI. But at least you won't be caught off guard and will have time to shop around for coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest DUI insurance?
Progressive is the cheapest major insurance company after a DUI. Full coverage car insurance from Progressive costs around $268 per month. However, midsize companies — like NJM and Erie — tend to have cheaper rates than large national companies.
What is the best insurance for a DUI?
NJM, Erie and Shelter are the best car insurance companies for drivers with a DUI. However, these midsize companies aren't available in every state.
American Family is the best major insurance company after a DUI. Full coverage from American Family costs around $296 per month after one DUI, which is $95 per month cheaper than average. Although it's more expensive than Progressive or Travelers, American Family has much better customer service reviews. That could make things easier if you have an accident in the future.
Is there any DUI insurance trick?
No, there is no trick to prevent your rates from going up after a DUI. Your insurance company will find out through the DMV at some point.
Instead, be honest with your insurance company and then shop around for the best rate. Try to find as many discounts as you can and then be sure to drive safely in the future.
Methodology
To find the best cheap auto insurance for DUIs, ValuePenguin collected rates from ZIP codes across every state in the U.S. Quotes are for a single 30-year-old man with good credit, a 2018 Honda Civic EX and one DUI.
Rates are for a full coverage policy. It includes comprehensive and collision coverage, along with higher liability limits than state minimum requirements.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
Rates were provided by Quadrant Information Services and sourced from public insurance company filings. Your rates will likely be different, as these are for comparison purposes only.
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
