Your car insurance rates can nearly double after a DUI or jump by 50% after an at-fault accident. But you’re not stuck with sky-high premiums forever. You can take action now to reduce your costs and get back to affordable rates faster than you think.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Average DUI Rate Increase | 85-96% nationwide |
| Average Accident Rate Increase | 43-50% for full coverage |
| Impact Duration | 3-5 years on driving record |
| Cheapest DUI Insurance | Progressive ($2,707/year) |
| Cheapest Post-Accident Insurance | State Farm ($120/month) |
| Best Time to Shop | Every 6 months or at renewal |
Understanding Why Your Rates Increased
Your insurance company sees you as a higher risk now. That’s the bottom line. When you file a claim or get a DUI, actuarial data shows you’re more likely to file another claim in the future. Insurance companies price their policies based on this risk, which is why your premiums spike.
DUI convictions increased notably in 2024, with rates jumping 44.8% for drivers aged 66-90 and over 27% for those aged 36-45 compared to pre-pandemic levels. This trend has made insurers even more cautious about DUI cases.
For accidents, even if you weren’t at fault, your rates might still go up. Statistics show drivers who get in one accident are more likely to experience subsequent accidents. This makes you a higher liability, even when the first crash wasn’t your fault.
How Long Will Higher Rates Last?
Most insurance companies maintain elevated premiums for three to five years following a DUI conviction, regardless of how long the offense remains on your state driving record. The same timeline applies to at-fault accidents.
Here’s what happens over time:
- First year: You’ll see the maximum rate increase
- Years 2-3: Rates remain elevated but may decrease slightly if you maintain a clean record
- Year 3-5: Most insurers begin offering standard rates again
- After 5 years: Your DUI or accident no longer impacts most insurance quotes
Different states have different rules. In Nevada and California, a DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years, though insurance companies typically only review the past 3-5 years when setting rates.
12 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance After DUI or Accident
1. Shop Around Every Six Months
This is your most powerful tool. Different insurers apply vastly different penalties for DUI convictions, with some showing average increases of only 13% while others charge $244 more per month.
Get quotes from at least three companies every six months. The cheapest option changes as insurers adjust their pricing models and as time passes since your incident.
Best companies after DUI:
- Progressive: $2,707/year average
- State Farm: Lowest rates among major carriers
- USAA: $2,786/year (military families only)
Best companies after accident:
- State Farm: $120/month full coverage
- GEICO: $50/month minimum coverage
- USAA: $78/month full coverage (military only)
2. Bundle Your Policies
Combining your car and home insurance with the same provider can save you more than 20%. This discount applies even with a DUI or accident on your record.
Ask your insurer about multi-policy discounts for:
- Home and auto
- Renters and auto
- Multiple vehicles
3. Take a Defensive Driving Course
Many states offer discounts of 5-15% when you complete a state-approved defensive driving course. The completion of defensive driving classes is associated with lower accident risk by insurers.
Courses typically last 4-8 hours and cost between $15 and $100. The investment pays for itself within months through premium savings.
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4. Increase Your Deductible
Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower your premium by 10-15%. Just make sure you have enough savings to cover the higher deductible if you need to file a claim.
This strategy works best if you have some emergency funds set aside and drive carefully to avoid future accidents.
5. Use Telematics Programs
Usage-based insurance programs track your driving habits and reward safe behavior. Programs like Drive Safe & Save offer up to 30% off for lower mileage and safe driving habits.
Popular programs include:
- Progressive Snapshot
- State Farm Drive Safe & Save
- Allstate Drivewise
These programs monitor factors like:
- Hard braking
- Speeding
- Time of day you drive
- Total miles driven
6. Ask About Accident Forgiveness
If you haven’t already enrolled, ask your insurer about accident forgiveness programs. These programs prevent rate increases after your first at-fault accident.
Most programs require:
- Clean driving record for 3-5 years before enrollment
- No previous claims during that period
- Additional premium payment for the coverage
7. Improve Your Credit Score
In most states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores to set rates. Improving your credit can help lower your premiums over time.
Focus on:
- Paying bills on time
- Keeping credit card balances low
- Not opening too many new accounts at once
- Addressing errors on your credit report
8. Remove Unnecessary Coverage
If you drive an older car that’s fully paid off, consider dropping comprehensive and collision coverage. If additional coverage exceeds 10% of your car’s current value, it might not be worth paying for.
Check your car’s value through Kelley Blue Book before making this decision. Keep in mind that lenders require comprehensive and collision coverage if you’re still paying off your vehicle.
9. Look for All Available Discounts
Even with a DUI or accident, you can still qualify for many discounts:
- Good student discount: For young drivers with good grades
- Low mileage discount: If you drive fewer than 7,500 miles annually
- Anti-theft discount: For vehicles with security systems
- Auto-pay discount: For automatic payment setup
- Paperless discount: For electronic documents
- Military discount: For active duty and veterans
- Professional association discount: Through your employer or alumni group
10. Consider Non-Owner Insurance
If you don’t own a car but need to maintain insurance to keep your license reinstated, non-owner SR-22 insurance may be a suitable choice with lower premiums than traditional vehicle insurance.
This option works if you:
- Sold your car after the DUI
- Primarily use public transportation
- Borrow or rent vehicles occasionally
- Need to fulfill SR-22 requirements
11. Switch to a Safer Vehicle
Newer cars with advanced safety features often qualify for additional discounts. Features that can lower your rates include:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Electronic stability control
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
Hybrid and electric vehicles may also qualify for special green vehicle discounts with some insurers.
12. Maintain a Clean Driving Record
This is the most important long-term strategy. Every year without a new violation or accident improves your risk profile.
Avoid:
- Speeding tickets
- Traffic violations
- Additional accidents
- Lapses in coverage
After a few years with a good driving record, your insurance rates should return to pre-DUI rates.
Understanding SR-22 and FR-44 Requirements
Many states require special filing after a DUI to prove you carry insurance. SR-22 is the more common filing required in most states, while FR-44 requirements are specific to Florida and Virginia for more serious DUI offenses.
What you need to know:
- SR-22/FR-44 isn’t an insurance policy—it’s a certificate filed by your insurer
- You need continuous coverage for typically 3 years
- Any lapse in coverage restarts the clock
- Not all insurers file these forms, so you need a company that does
Companies that file SR-22/FR-44:
- Progressive
- State Farm
- GEICO
- Dairyland (specializes in high-risk drivers)
State-Specific Rate Variations
Your location dramatically affects how much your rates increase. Some states have much higher penalties than others.
Highest rate increases after DUI:
- California and Hawaii see average premium increases of 150% or more
- North Carolina: 296% average increase
Lowest rate increases after DUI:
- Alaska: 36% average increase
- New York: More moderate increases
Accident rate variations:
- California nearly doubles full coverage insurance rates after accidents
- Pennsylvania: Only 23% increase after accidents
When to File vs. Pay Out of Pocket
Sometimes paying for minor damage yourself costs less than filing a claim that raises your rates for years.
Consider paying out of pocket if:
- Damage costs less than your deductible
- Repair costs are only slightly above your deductible
- You’re already dealing with a DUI or previous accident
File a claim when:
- Injuries are involved
- Property damage exceeds $2,000
- Other parties are involved
- Your vehicle needs major repairs
Timeline: When to Take Action
Immediately after DUI or accident:
- Notify your insurance company (required by your policy)
- Ask about accident forgiveness if eligible
- Request information about available discounts
Within first month:
- Get quotes from at least 3-5 other insurers
- Research defensive driving courses in your state
- Review your current coverage for unnecessary extras
Every 6 months:
- Shop for new quotes as rates change
- Check for new discounts you might qualify for
- Review your coverage needs
At year 3:
- Aggressively shop around—this is when many standard insurers become available again
- Ask about removing high-risk classification
- Request SR-22/FR-44 removal if requirement period has ended
Red Flags: What Won’t Help
Some “solutions” don’t actually work and might make things worse:
Avoid these mistakes:
- Letting your coverage lapse (restarts SR-22 requirements and adds another penalty)
- Lying on insurance applications (fraud charges can result)
- Reducing coverage below state minimums (illegal and risky)
- Ignoring court requirements (leads to license suspension)
Working With High-Risk Insurers
If standard insurers won’t cover you, specialized companies fill this gap. Non-standard carriers will accept drivers with DUI infractions when traditional insurers may not.
High-risk specialists to consider:
- Dairyland
- The General
- Direct Auto
- Acceptance Insurance
These companies charge higher rates than standard insurers but provide essential coverage when you need it most. Once you’ve maintained a clean record for a few years, you can transition back to standard carriers.
The 3-Year Strategy
Your goal should be getting back to standard rates as quickly as possible. Here’s a proven three-year plan:
Year 1: Focus on compliance and finding the cheapest current option
- Maintain continuous coverage
- File all required paperwork (SR-22/FR-44)
- Complete defensive driving course
- Get quotes from 5+ companies
Year 2: Build your safe driving record and reduce costs
- Avoid all violations
- Re-shop insurance every 6 months
- Ask for loyalty discounts
- Consider telematics programs
Year 3: Transition back to standard insurers
- Shop aggressively at the 3-year mark
- Remove SR-22 filing when eligible
- Apply for accident forgiveness programs
- Request re-evaluation of your risk classification
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get my insurance company to lower my rates without switching?
Yes, but you’ll have better luck if you’ve been a long-term customer. Call your insurer and mention you’ve completed a defensive driving course, improved your credit score, or found lower quotes elsewhere. Some companies will match competitor prices to keep your business.
Q: Will my rates go down if I get my DUI expunged?
Criminal record expungement typically doesn’t remove a DUI from your motor vehicle record, which is what insurance companies use for rate calculations. The DUI will still impact rates for the full lookback period regardless of expungement.
Q: Should I switch insurance companies right after an accident or DUI?
Not necessarily. Wait until you receive your renewal notice with the new rates. Then shop around and compare what other companies offer. Your current insurer might have the best rate, especially if they offer accident forgiveness.
Q: Can I avoid reporting a minor accident to my insurance?
You’re required by your policy to report all accidents, even minor ones. If you fail to report a fender bender and the other party ends up suing you, your insurer might decide to drop you from the policy entirely.
Q: How much can I realistically save by shopping around?
Full coverage after a crash from Allstate costs two and a half times more than a policy from State Farm, showing that aggressive comparison shopping can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars annually.
Getting a DUI or being in an accident doesn’t mean you’re stuck with expensive insurance forever. Take action now—start getting quotes, look for discounts, and maintain a clean driving record going forward. Most drivers see their rates return to normal within 3-5 years if they follow the strategies outlined here.
Your insurance company isn’t going to volunteer ways to lower your bill. You need to be proactive, shop around regularly, and take advantage of every discount available. The effort you put in today can save you thousands of dollars over the next few years.
