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Last updated: August 16, 2024
How Do DUIs Affect Car Insurance?
A DUI can increase your auto insurance rates by 80 percent on average.
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Getting a DUI or DWI can make the process of finding car insurance – affordable car insurance specifically – very difficult. Third-party data suggests that DUI convictions cause auto insurance rates to increase by an average of 80 percent, and statistics show that premiums for drivers with DUIs on their records are often even higher than that.
Irfan Chaudry – an actuary who has worked at EY, Aon Benfield, and Ernst & Young – analyzed thousands of data points for AutoInsurance.com from real car insurance customers. He found that customers with DUIs on their records were more likely than non-DUI drivers to have a number of factors that drove their insurance prices higher. Drivers with DUIs were more likely to have been in at-fault accidents and have several driving tickets, and less likely to own homes, than people without DUIs. Having a bad driving history and being a renter are two of many factors that push car insurance prices higher.
Here are our key findings:
- People without DUIs are 14 percent more likely to own homes than people with DUIs, and homeowners generally pay lower car insurance rates than renters.
- People with DUIs are 108 percent more likely to have gotten two to five tickets in the past five years than people without DUIs.
- People with DUIs are 136 percent more likely to have been involved in at-fault accidents in the past five years than people without DUIs.
How DUIs Impact Car Insurance Costs
When determining car insurance prices, companies calculate driver risk, the risk that someone will file a claim. A driver with a DUI on their record is part of a group of high-risk drivers or nonstandard drivers, and not all car insurance companies offer nonstandard insurance. Even companies that serve people with DUIs have higher rates, ranging from 28 to 371 percent higher than standard policies’ prices, with an 80 percent average increase1.
The exact increase will depend on these factors, among others:
- The amount of time that has passed since the DUI
- Age of the driver
- Driving history (at-fault accidents, tickets, etc.)
- Company
- State
How Long Will DUIs Impact Car Insurance Rates?
DUIs will impact car insurance costs for as long as the DUI is on the customer’s motor vehicle report. See below for how long a DUI stays on your record in your state.
| State | How long a DUI will stay on your driving record |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 5 years |
| Alaska | 10 years |
| Arizona | 7 years |
| Arkansas | 5 years |
| California | 10 years |
| Colorado | 5 years |
| Connecticut | 10 years |
| Delaware | Lifetime |
| District of Columbia | 15 years |
| Florida | 10 years |
| Georgia | 5 years |
| Hawaii | 5 years |
| Idaho | 5 years |
| Illinois | 5 years |
| Indiana | 5 years |
| Iowa | 12 years |
| Kansas | Lifetime |
| Kentucky | 10 years |
| Louisiana | 5 years |
| Maine | 10 years |
| Maryland | 10 years |
| Maryland | 5 years |
| Michigan | 7 years |
| Minnesota | 10 years |
| Mississippi | 5 years |
| Missouri | 5 years |
| Montana | 10 years |
| Nebraska | 15 years |
| Nevada | 7 years |
| New Hampshire | 10 years |
| New Jersey | 10 years |
| New Mexico | 10 years |
| New York | 10 years |
| North Carolina | 10 years |
| North Dakota | 7 years |
| Ohio | 6 years |
| Oklahoma | 10 years |
| Oregon | 10 years |
| Pennsylvania | 10 years |
| Rhode Island | 5 years |
| South Carolina | 10 years |
| South Dakota | 10 years |
| Tennessee | 10 years |
| Texas | Lifetime |
| Utah | 10 years |
| Vermont | Lifetime |
| Virginia | 10 years |
| Washington | 7 years |
| West Virginia | 10 years |
| Wisconsin | 10 years |
| Wyoming | 10 years |
Once the DUI is removed from your driving record, your average car insurance rates will decrease.
Are People With DUIs Less Likely to Own Homes?
People with DUIs are 14 percent less likely to own homes than people without DUIs.
| Driver status | Has not had a DUI in the past 5 years | Has had a DUI in the past 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Owns a home | 50% | 43% |
| Does not own a home | 50% | 57% |
While mortgage companies don’t perform criminal background checks, they do perform financial, credit, and employment history background checks. DUIs can affect your income, debt, stability, and job history, meaning they factor into whether or not you can get a mortgage. Therefore, homeownership is another area where DUIs can negatively impact your car insurance premiums.
Are People With DUIs More Likely to Get Tickets?
Not surprisingly, people with DUIs are 108 percent more likely to have had two to five tickets in the past five years – another factor that increases car insurance costs.
| Driver status | Has not had a DUI in the past 5 years | Has had a DUI in the past 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Has had 2-5 tickets in the past 5 years | 4% | 8% |
| Has not had 2-5 tickets in the past 5 years | 96% | 92% |
Are People With DUIs More Likely to Get Into At-Fault Accidents?
Finally, people with DUIs are 136 percent more likely to have been involved in at-fault accidents in the past five years.
| Driver status | Has not had a DUI in the past 5 years | Has had a DUI in the past 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Has been involved in an at-fault accident in the past 5 years | 11% | 27% |
| Has not been involved in an at-fault accident in the past 5 years | 89% | 73% |
While some companies offer accident forgiveness, being at fault in a car accident will usually cause your premiums to increase, whether or not drugs or alcohol were involved.
Penalties for DUIs by State
Getting a DUI may require drivers to file an SR-22 form (proof of minimum coverage). They may also face license suspension or have to install an ignition interlock device. Find your state’s penalties for DUI convictions below.
| State | How long will your license be suspended for the first offense? | Do you still have driving privileges during the suspension (limited)? | When will you be required to install an ignition interlock device? | How long will you have to use the ignition interlock device? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 90 days | Must apply for hardship license | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15% and above) and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for
first convictions |
First offense, BAC under 0.15%: 6 months
First offense, BAC over 0.15%: 1 year Second offense: 1 year Third offense: 3 years Fourth and subsequent offenses: 5 years |
| Alaska | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | First conviction: 6 months
Second conviction: 12 months Third conviction: 18 months |
| Arizona | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | Second or third offense, or offense in which you are driving on a suspended or revoked license due to a prior DWI offense, or you endanger a child with your drunk driving: 1 year after the license suspension/revocation ends or the date of the conviction, whichever is later |
| Arkansas | 6 months | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | 1 year after the license is no longer suspended or revoked, or, if you have a restricted license, during the period of the original suspension |
| California | 4 months | After 30 days | Discretionary; mandatory for all convictions in Alameda, Los Angeles, Tulare, and Sacramento counties (pilot project –
extended) |
Determined by the court, but can’t exceed 3 years from conviction date |
| Colorado | 3 months | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15% and above) and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for
first convictions |
Longer than 1 year or the total time remaining on the license restraint for those who have had driving privileges revoked for more than 1 year for driving impaired or under the influence |
| Connecticut | 90 days | Yes | Highly
incentivized for all convictions |
No minimum |
| Delaware | 3 months | No | Highly incentivized for all convictions | No minimum |
| District of Columbia | 2-90 days or until deposition | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | First conviction: 6 months
Second conviction: 1 year Third or subsequent conviction: 2 years |
| Florida | 6 months for DUI; 12 months for refusal | After 30 or (for refusal) 90 days | Mandatory for repeat convictions | DWI defendant: 6 months
Someone reinstating their license: No minimum First conviction: No minimum but will need one installed if driver had someone under 18 in the car Second conviction: 1 year Third conviction: 2 years |
| Georgia | 1 year | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | First offense: Must use an interlock but no minimum
Second and subsequent offenses: 12 months from when driver is issued limited driving privileges |
| Hawaii | 3 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: 1 year
Second offense within 5 years, or first conviction if highly intoxicated: Must install interlock during revocation period |
| Idaho | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | No specified time period |
| Illinois | 6 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | Period of statutory license suspension |
| Indiana | 180 days | Available immediately | Mandatory for repeat convictions | Determined by the court but can’t exceed the maximum prison sentence |
| Iowa | 180 days | After 30 days | Highly incentivized for all convictions | First offense: $1,000-$2,000 fine, up to 9 months in jail, minimum 6 months with interlock
Second offense: $2,000-$4,000 fine, up to 12 months in jail, minimum 2 years with interlock Third and fourth offenses: Minimum $4,000 fine, plus the above penalties Additional penalties for BAC 0.15% or above while under age 18 |
| Kansas | 30 days | Can apply for limited license after 45-90 days | Highly incentivized for all convictions | First offense and BAC over 0.08%: 6 months if driver’s record is clear; 1 year if driver has a prior open-container violation or at least 3 moving violations
BAC over 0.15% on first offense, BAC over 0.08% on the second or subsequent offense, or refusal of a breath, blood, or urine test: Length dependent on priors |
| Kentucky | 30-120 days | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: 6 months after license revocation
Second offense within 5 years: 1 year Third or subsequent offense within 5 years: 30 months |
| Louisiana | 2 years | Vehicle confiscation | Mandatory for BAC 0.2% or above and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | No specified time period |
| Maine | 90 days | Yes | Highly incentivized for all convictions | As a condition of license reinstatement: 2 years
2 OUI offenses and license revoked for 2 years: 9 months 3 offenses: 3 years 4 or more offenses: 4 years |
| Maryland | 90 days | Yes, with interlock | Mandatory for all convictions | 1-3 years
BAC of 0.15% or more: 1 year minimum |
| Massachusetts | 90 days | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | First offense, high BAC: 2 years
Second offense: 2 years Third offense: 3 years Fourth and subsequent offenses: 5 years |
| Michigan | 30-180 days | After 45 days | Mandatory for high BAC (0.17%) and repeat convictions | 1 year, regardless of number of offenses |
| Minnesota | 90 days | After 15 days | Highly incentivized for high BAC (0.16%) and repeat convictions | At court’s discretion |
| Mississippi | 90 days | Yes, with interlock | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: At court’s discretion
Second and subsequent offenses: 6 months minimum |
| Missouri | 90 days | Immediately with interlock use or after 30 days (restricted) | Mandatory for repeat convictions | 6 months minimum |
| Montana | 6 months | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions | First offense: 6 months
Second and third offense: 1 year Fourth offense: 1 year or more |
| Nebraska | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: 60 days to 6 months
Second offense: 1 year Third offense: 2-15 years Fourth and subsequent offenses: 15 years |
| Nevada | 90 days | After 45 days | Mandatory for all convictions | First and second offenses: 3-6 months
Third and subsequent offenses: 12-36 months |
| New Hampshire | 6 months | No privileges during suspension | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: 1-2 years, if aggravating factors are present (e.g., high BAC)
Second and subsequent offenses: 1-2 years |
| New Jersey | 3 months | Must apply for hardship license | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: 6 months to 1 year
Second and subsequent offenses: 1-3 years |
| New Mexico | 1 year for those under 21; 6 months for those over 21 | Immediately with interlock | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: 1 year
Second offense: 2 years Third offense: 3 years Fourth and subsequent offenses: Lifetime (reviewed after 5 years) |
| New York | Yes | Yes | Mandatory for all convictions | First and second offenses: 6 months minimum
Third and fourth offenses: 5 years Fifth offense: Permanent license revocation (barring extenuating circumstances) |
| North Carolina | 30 days | After 10 days | Mandatory for high BAC (over 0.15%) and repeat convictions | First offense: Not required for low-BAC offenders
Second offense or high BAC: 3 years Third offense: 7 years (if license is restored) |
| North Dakota | 91 days | After 30 days | Discretionary | First offense: Not required
Second and subsequent offenses: Encouraged, but at court’s discretion |
| Ohio | 90 days | After 15 days | Mandatory for repeat convictions | At court’s discretion |
| Oklahoma | 180 days | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15% and above) and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | First offense: Not required for low-BAC offenders
Second offense or high BAC: 4 years minimum Third and subsequent offenses: 5 years minimum |
| Oregon | 90 days | After 30 days | Mandatory for all convictions and diversions | First offense: 1 year
Second and subsequent offenses: 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | 12 months | Yes, with Occupational Limited License and Ignition Interlock Limited License programs | Mandatory for high BAC (over 0.1%) and repeat convictions | First offense: Not required for low-BAC offenders
Second and subsequent offenses: 1 year |
| Rhode Island | 30-180 days | Conditional hardship license to commute to work, contingent on interlock | Mandatory for high BAC (over 0.1%) | First offense: Not required
Second offense: 1-2 years, if required Third and subsequent offenses: 2 years, if required |
| South Carolina | 1 month for BAC over 0.15% | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (0.15% or above) and repeat convictions | First offense: Not required for low-BAC offenders
Second offense: 2 years Third offense: 3 years Fourth and subsequent offenses: Lifetime, if license is reinstated (may apply to remove interlock restriction after 10 years) |
| South Dakota | 30 days | Yes | Discretionary | At the court’s discretion |
| Tennessee | 1 year | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | Up to 1 year upon license reinstatement, regardless of prior offenses |
| Texas | 90 days for BAC of 0.08% or greater; 180 days for refusal | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC and repeat convictions | First offense: 45 days to 6 months
Second offense: 90 days to 1 year Third offense: 1-10 years |
| Utah | 120 days | Temporary limited privileges (for employment, education, child visitation) | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | First offense: Not required, but may be a condition of probation
Second and subsequent offenses: Required as a condition of probation for a time period determined by the courts (3 years for drivers under 21 years old) |
| Vermont | 90 days | Eligible for interlock restricted license after 30 days to a year, depending on number of prior offenses | Highly incentivized for all convictions | First offense: 6 months
Second offense: 18 months Third offense: 3 years Fourth offense: Lifetime license suspension, no interlock possibility |
| Virginia | 7 days | Yes | Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions | Minimum 6 months upon license reinstatement, regardless of prior offenses |
| Washington | 90 days | Yes, with an interlock driver’s license | Mandatory for all convictions | First offense: 1 year minimum
Second offense: 5 years minimum Third offense: 10 years minimum |
| West Virginia | 6 months | After 30 days | Mandatory for BAC over 0.15% and repeat convictions | First offense: 6 months minimum
Second and subsequent offenses: 1 year minimum |
| Wisconsin | 6-9 months | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (over 0.15%) and repeat convictions | First offense: Not required for low-BAC offenders
Second and subsequent offenses: 1 year minimum, once driving privileges are reinstated |
| Wyoming | 90 days | Yes | Mandatory for high BAC (over 0.15%) and repeat convictions | First offense: Not required for low-BAC offenders
Second offense: 1 year Third offense: 2 years Fourth and subsequent offenses: Lifetime (can appeal for removal after 5 years)2 3 |
Recap
DUIs don’t occur in a vacuum. Rather, people with DUIs are also more likely to have had multiple traffic violations and at-fault accidents in the past five years, which also increases their auto insurance costs.
This can be a vicious cycle. People with DUIs may have trouble finding employment, leading them into debt and difficulty getting mortgages, and lack of homeownership increases car insurance costs further. To learn more, read our other car insurance research.
Methodology
We used thousands of data points from real car insurance customers, collected from May to October of 2021. We also consulted Irfan Chaudry – a former actuary at EY, Aon Benfield, and Ernst & Young – and used third-party data from Alcolock USA, Rubinstein Law Offices, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Staff Writer
Nicole Urbanowicz is a writer at AutoInsurance.com. Previously, she has created personal finance and insurance-related content for Business.com as well as articles for FN Magazine and The Wall Street Journal’s Marketplace and Personal Journal sections. Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Boston University College of Communications and her Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University, where she received the Dean’s List Academic Achievement Award. Finally, Nicole is certified in life, accident, and health insurance with the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Citations
Does an Interlock Affect Insurance? ALCLOCK. (2021).
https://alcolockusa.com/faq/does-an-interlock-affect-insurance/Alcohol-Impaired Driving Laws by State. GHSA. (2021, Jul).
https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/DrunkDrivingLaws_0720.pdfState Ignition Interlock Laws. NCSL. (2021, Sep 24).
https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/state-ignition-interlock-laws.aspx
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