How Much Does Car Insurance Increase After a DUI?

Updated October 2, 2026

The information below is general educational content drawn from public industry sources. Specific rate impacts vary by state, by carrier, by individual driving history, and by the rate factors filed and approved with each state Department of Insurance. The ranges and patterns in this article are industry estimates, not GoAuto rating factors. For an accurate quote, contact GoAuto directly.

A DUI is among the steepest increases in car insurance. According to NerdWallet’s 2026 rate analysis, a recent DUI raises the average full-coverage premium by roughly 90 percent nationally, which works out to roughly $2,113 more per year. The exact figure depends heavily on your state, your insurer, and the rest of your driving record, so two drivers with the same conviction can pay very different amounts. These figures are market averages, so your own number could land above or below them depending on your profile.

This guide walks through how much a DUI typically adds to a premium, why the increase varies so much from one state to the next, how long it stays on your record, how it connects to an SR-22 or FR-44 filing, and the steps that help bring the rate back down. Because a DUI is priced on top of your existing premium, it helps to understand how car insurance rates are calculated before you compare your options.

Key Takeaways

A recent DUI raises the average full-coverage premium by roughly 90 percent nationally, about $2,113 more per year, according to NerdWallet’s 2026 analysis.
The dollar increase varies by state because the same percentage surcharge applies to a base rate that already differs widely.
A DUI usually affects your rate for three to five years, and sometimes longer, with the sharpest impact in the first year.
Many states keep a DUI on your driving record for ten years or more, which is a separate clock from the pricing look-back.
A DUI often triggers an SR-22 filing, or an FR-44 in Florida and Virginia, with the filing period commonly running about three years.
Comparing quotes from several insurers and letting the look-back period age are the steps that bring a post-DUI rate back down.

How Much Does a DUI Raise Your Car Insurance?

A DUI is one of the largest single increases a driving record can trigger. The average full-coverage premium climbs about 90 percent after a recent DUI, close to doubling it, according to NerdWallet’s 2026 rate analysis. In dollars, NerdWallet puts that at roughly $2,113 more per year.

The size of the jump reflects how insurers view risk: a DUI signals a much higher chance of a future claim, so the surcharge is steep. Because pricing models differ, the same conviction can produce a modest increase with one company and a far larger one with another, which is why comparing quotes matters more after a DUI than at almost any other time. It also helps to separate the parts of the bill. The base premium reflects your car, your location, and your coverage choices, while the DUI surcharge is a multiplier layered on top, and only that surcharge fades with time. Knowing which part is fixed and which part eases makes the first-year figure easier to plan around.

Why the DUI Increase Varies by State

The same DUI can cost very different amounts depending on where you live, because a percentage increase is applied to a base rate that already varies widely by state. A 90 percent surcharge on a low base premium adds far less in dollars than the same 90 percent on a high base premium, so state pricing is the biggest reason two drivers see different numbers. State rules also differ. Some states cap how heavily insurers can surcharge a single violation, while others let the full risk-based increase flow through, and a few require higher liability limits after a DUI that raise the premium further.

The Insurance Information Institute lists your location and driving record among the core factors that determine what you pay, alongside age, vehicle, and coverage choices. Local claim costs, repair costs, and litigation patterns all feed into the base rate a DUI is then multiplied against. If you drive in one of the states GoAuto serves, the practical takeaway is the same: check how a DUI is treated where your policy is rated, because the national average is only a starting point. In some states a DUI can more than double the premium, while in others the increase is more contained. Because of that spread, a national average is best treated as a rough guide. The most accurate picture comes from a quote rated in your own state, on your own record, since that is where the base rate and the state’s surcharge rules actually meet. Local minimum-limit requirements can add to the gap as well, since a policy built to a higher required limit costs more before any DUI surcharge is applied.

Because insurers weigh a serious violation so differently from one another, the same conviction can produce a wide range of quotes, which is why comparing more than one company is worthwhile after a DUI. The increase is also not permanent. As the conviction ages and you avoid new violations, its weight on your premium eases, so it is worth rechecking your options at renewal rather than assuming the first quote is the one you are left with.

How Long a DUI Affects Your Rate

A DUI usually affects your car insurance rate for three to five years, and in some states longer. Most insurers use a look-back period, often three to five years, during which the conviction is priced into your premium. Many states keep a DUI on your driving record far longer than that, sometimes ten years or more, but the sharpest rate impact tends to fall within the first few years and eases as the conviction ages, provided you stay clear of new violations.

The pattern mirrors other marks on a record. Speeding tickets and similar violations follow a comparable curve: the surcharge is largest right after the incident and shrinks each year the record stays clean, until it eventually drops off entirely. With a DUI, the starting point is simply higher and the tail is longer. This is why the premium that feels heavy in the first year usually softens by the third or fourth, and why staying claim-free and violation-free during the look-back does more to lower your rate over time than almost any other single step. Keep in mind that the look-back an insurer uses for pricing and the period a state keeps the conviction on your record are two separate clocks. Your premium can improve while the DUI is still visible on your record, because insurers weigh recent years most heavily.

DUI and SR-22 or FR-44 Filings

A DUI often comes with a filing requirement on top of the higher premium. In most states, a DUI triggers an SR-22, a certificate your insurer files with the state to confirm you carry at least the required liability coverage. In Florida and Virginia, the equivalent is an FR-44, which certifies higher liability limits than a standard policy. The filing itself is usually a small one-time fee, so it is the DUI behind it, and any higher limits it requires, that drive the cost rather than the paperwork.

The filing matters because it ties your rate to keeping coverage continuous. If a policy with an SR-22 or FR-44 lapses, the insurer notifies the state, which can suspend your license again and restart the clock. That makes on-time payment and continuous coverage especially important during the filing period, which commonly runs about three years. These filings are their own topic, with their own limits and timelines, so treat this section as an overview. The key point for rate purposes is that a DUI often adds a filing obligation, and the cost of that obligation comes mainly from the conviction and the required coverage levels. It also helps to plan for the filing before your policy renews, since your insurer usually handles the submission once your coverage meets the required limits. If you are unsure whether an SR-22 or FR-44 applies to you, your state motor vehicle agency or your insurer can confirm what your case requires and how long the filing must stay in place.

How to Lower Your Rate After a DUI

You have more control over a post-DUI premium than it might seem, mostly by comparing options and letting time work in your favor. The most effective step is to compare quotes from several insurers, because pricing models treat a DUI so differently that the range between one offer and another for the same driver can be wide. Completing any court-ordered program, such as an alcohol education or treatment course, can also help, since some insurers weigh it and some states require it before reinstatement. Asking each company how it treats a completed program is worth the time, because policies differ on whether it lowers the surcharge.

Beyond that, the usual levers still apply. Keeping the rest of your record clean, maintaining continuous coverage, choosing a higher deductible where it fits your budget, and reviewing available discounts can all soften the increase. Our guide to lowering your premium walks through those options in more detail. Above all, let the look-back period work for you. Much of the increase falls in the first year and then eases as the conviction ages, so the amount you pay right after a DUI is usually the heaviest you will carry, and it comes down from there as long as you keep the record clean and the coverage active. Patience is part of the strategy here. The steep first-year figure tends to be the peak, and re-shopping once you have a year of clean driving behind you often changes the math. Small choices, such as bundling eligible policies or updating your annual mileage, can add to the savings while the surcharge winds down. If you are not sure which of these moves apply to your record, contact GoAuto to talk through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?

About 90 percent on average nationally (NerdWallet, 2026), or roughly $2,113 more per year for full coverage. The exact amount depends on your state, your insurer, and the rest of your driving record, so comparing quotes is worthwhile. Because the increase is a percentage of your base premium, drivers in higher-cost states tend to see larger dollar jumps than the national average suggests.

How long does a DUI affect your insurance?

Usually three to five years, and sometimes longer. Most insurers use a look-back period of about three to five years for pricing, though a DUI can stay on your driving record much longer. The rate impact is largest at first and eases each year you stay violation-free. Planning around that timeline helps, since re-shopping near the end of the pricing look-back can surface a better rate.

Does a DUI require an SR-22 or FR-44?

Frequently. Many states require an SR-22 after a DUI, and Florida and Virginia use an FR-44 that certifies higher liability limits. The filing fee is small; the cost comes from the conviction and any higher required limits. Keeping coverage continuous during the filing period is essential.

Can you lower your car insurance after a DUI?

Yes. Comparing quotes from several insurers is the most effective step, since companies price a DUI very differently. Completing any required program, keeping your record clean, and letting the look-back period age all help the rate ease over time. Reviewing your coverage each renewal keeps you from overpaying as the surcharge winds down.

About GoAuto

GoAuto Insurance writes auto coverage across its licensed states, with a focus on the state-minimum liability coverage that drivers are required to carry. Because what applies to you depends on your state, your record, and your individual situation, the reliable way to see your options and what they cost is to get a quote. You can start a policy or ask questions about your coverage directly with GoAuto.