The cheapest car insurance options after a DUI.

If you have been convicted of DUI or DWI, you may face challenges in obtaining auto insurance and it may be more expensive. Additionally, you may need to file an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate of financial responsibility to regain your driving privileges.

Our research has identified the top insurance providers for drivers with DUI convictions, taking into account rates, coverage, and other factors. (For a detailed explanation of our selection process, please refer to our methodology.)

Best for affordability: State Farm

State Farm offers some of the lowest premiums for drivers with DUI convictions, as well as affordable rates for those with at-fault accidents or speeding tickets on their record.

The Drive Safe and Save app from State Farm can monitor your driving habits, including acceleration and braking, and could potentially save you up to 30% on your insurance.

Best for availability: Progressive

The company offers car insurance in all 50 states and allows customers to get rate quotes or purchase a policy in minutes on their highly-rated website or mobile app. Additionally, the company's rates after a DUI are significantly lower than the industry average.

Three tiers of accident forgiveness are offered by Progressive, covering both minor and major collisions.

Best if you've been denied car insurance: Dairyland

Dairyland offers specialized insurance for individuals with DUIs, traffic violations, or poor credit.

Dairyland offers non-owner coverage and limited coverage for travel in Mexico on all California policies.

Best for non-owner insurance: Geico

Geico offers non-owner insurance for individuals who frequently drive but do not own a car. This policy includes liability coverage, as well as UM/UIM, PIP, and MedPay coverage. Additionally, it is less expensive than a standard policy.

Geico offers over a dozen discounts, including those for safe driving, bundling, and defensive driving courses. Additionally, if you insure multiple cars with Geico, you can save up to 25%.

Best for military members or veterans: USAA

USAA offers low rates and widespread availability to active military, veterans, and their families.

Storing your car on base could save you up to 15% on comprehensive coverage, while being deployed and not using your car could result in up to 60% off your premiums.

Progressive

Since 1937, Ohio-based Progressive has been providing auto, homeowners, life, and pet insurance, among other products. In 2023, it was the second-largest auto insurer in the US, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Nationwide availability: Available in all U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: Slightly below average

NAIC complaint index: Much greater than expected

State Farm

State Farm, the largest auto insurer in the U.S., had nearly $58 billion in direct premiums in 2023. Despite being one of the highest-ranking insurers on J.D. Power customer surveys, State Farm has a higher-than-average volume of complaints and received a C- from the Better Business Bureau.

Nationwide availability: Available in all U.S. states except Massachusetts and Rhode Island

J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: Above average

NAIC complaint index: Slightly greater than expected

Dairyland

Since the 1950s, Dairyland has been offering specialized insurance for drivers who cannot obtain coverage elsewhere due to their driving history, credit score, or missed coverage. Sentry Insurance Group underwrites these policies.

The sentence is not provided. Please provide the original sentence for me to rewrite.

J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: Not rated

NAIC complaint index: Greater than expected

Geico

Geico, previously known as the Government Employees Insurance Company, is the third-largest auto insurance company in the U.S., with nearly $40 billion in premiums. Established in 1936, it was later acquired by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway in 1996.

Nationwide availability: Available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia

J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: Below average

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

USAA

USAA's membership is restricted to active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserves, ROTC cadets, and family members. Despite receiving high scores for customer satisfaction and claims experience from J.D. Power, USAA has a higher-than-expected volume of complaints.

J.D. Power declares that the satisfaction rating is above average nationwide, except in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

NAIC complaint index: Greater than expected

How much is car insurance with a DUI?

After a DUI, insurance companies may classify you as a high-risk driver, and the increase in your rates will depend on the provider, your location, and whether it's your first or repeat offense. According to an analysis of Quadrant Information data by Bankrate, the average increase in premiums after a DUI conviction is $190 per month. However, in some states, the increase can be significantly higher. Additionally, depending on your location, your insurance company may need to file an SR-22 certificate of insurance to prove you have the minimum required coverage by law, which usually involves a fee of around $25.

What is SR-22 insurance?

SR-22 insurance is not actually insurance, but a document filed by your insurer with the state confirming you have the minimum required coverage. It may also be called a "certificate of financial responsibility" or, in Florida and Virginia, a FR-44.

To regain your driving privileges after a DUI or serious violation, you may need to submit an SR-22 form. While all the companies we recommend file these forms, not all insurers do. Therefore, it's crucial to verify before purchasing a policy if you've been notified that you need one.

How to save on car insurance after a DUI

If you're denied insurance after a DUI

Not all car insurance companies will accept drivers with a DUI conviction, especially if they have more than one.

High-risk insurers

If several companies reject your application for insurance, consider insurers that specialize in non-standard coverage for high-risk drivers, such as Dairyland, Kemper, and The General.

State-assigned car insurance

If you can't obtain coverage through the voluntary market, you may have to resort to your state's assigned risk pool, which is mandatory for insurers to provide coverage, regardless of driving history. However, rates are typically higher, and you may only be eligible for liability coverage.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our mission at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their money. Each car insurance review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of insurance products. At CNBC Select, we take pride in our journalistic standards and ethics, and we earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. However, our content is created without any input from our commercial team or external third parties. To learn more about our methodology and how we select the best car insurance for high-risk drivers, please refer to our website.

Our methodology

CNBC Select examined numerous insurance providers that offer coverage to drivers with a DUI on their record to determine the best options.

We prioritized the average premium data from Bankrate when evaluating these companies, as the cost of insurance after a DUI is typically higher than for the average driver. The quoted premiums were determined based on a 40-year-old with a clean driving record, a 2022 Toyota Camry, a five-day-a-week commute totaling 12,000 miles, and the inclusion of the following coverage.

$100,000 bodily injury liability per person
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$50,000 property damage liability per accident
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
$500 collision deductible
$500 comprehensive deductible

In addition to evaluating customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power, the Better Business Bureau, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, we also took into account CNBC Select audience data, including demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

We sorted our recommendations based on affordability, availability, suitability for drivers who have been denied coverage, non-owner insurance, and military members and veterans after considering these factors.

Car insurance companies may modify their premiums and policy structures based on their own policies.

Stay up to date with CNBC Select's comprehensive coverage of credit cards, banking, and money by following us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.