A DUI typically raises your car insurance by 40% or more — from around $143 to $205/month on average, and far more in some states. The cheapest companies afterward are Country Financial, Auto-Owners, NJM, USAA and State Farm. You’ll usually need an SR-22 too. The good news: it’s temporary — rates ease back after about three years of clean driving, and shopping the right insurers makes a big difference in the meantime.
Cheapest after a DUI
| Company | Avg. monthly (with DUI) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Country Financial | ~$64 | 19 states |
| Auto-Owners | ~$70 | Local agents |
| NJM | ~$76 | Regional (NE US) |
| USAA | ~$76 | Military only |
| State Farm | ~$79 | Largest agent network |
Source: Compare.com, 2026. Rates vary by state and how recent the DUI is.
What a DUI does to your rate
On average a DUI pushes the typical premium from about $143 to $205 a month — roughly a 40%+ jump — and some insurers punish it far harder than others. You’ll usually also need an SR-22 filing (a form proving you carry coverage). Because the surcharge varies so much between companies, shopping DUI-friendly insurers is where the real savings are.
Your state changes the rules
Where you live can make a DUI far more expensive. Most states raise your rate and require an SR-22 for about three years, but Florida and Virginia use a stricter FR-44 form that demands much higher liability limits after a DUI — which pushes the cost up further. A handful of states also keep a DUI on your insurance record longer than others. Always confirm your state’s exact rule, because the same offense can cost very different amounts depending on the map.
A real example
Here’s the moment that matters. Say your renewal was about $1,400 a year, then you get a DUI and your insurer re-quotes you at $2,900. If you just sigh and accept it, that’s your price for the next few years. But if you spend an afternoon quoting Country Financial, Auto-Owners and State Farm — all gentler on a DUI — you might land closer to $2,100 instead. That’s roughly $800 a year saved, every year until the DUI ages off. Shopping has never paid better than right after a mistake.
How to pay less
Smart moves
- Shop DUI-friendly insurers (Country Financial, Auto-Owners, State Farm)
- Get quotes from at least three
- Take a court-approved DUI/defensive course
- Keep continuous coverage — no lapses
Avoid
- Just accepting your current insurer’s renewal
- Letting the policy lapse (it resets the clock)
- Dropping to risky minimum coverage blindly
- Assuming the big-name brand is cheapest
The bottom line
Quote Country Financial, Auto-Owners and State Farm, sort out your SR-22 (or FR-44 in Florida/Virginia), and then drive clean. The surcharge is temporary — it typically fades after about three years. For the filing side of things, see our SR-22 guide, and if your credit also took a hit, our bad-credit guide.
A DUI feels like a financial scarlet letter, and I won’t pretend the hike is small — but the mistake I see people make is just accepting whatever their current insurer quotes. Some companies treat a DUI far more harshly than others.
I’d shop Country Financial, Auto-Owners and State Farm specifically, get the SR-22 sorted, and then treat it as a waiting game: every clean month counts, and in about three years it mostly washes out. Don’t overpay out of guilt — shop it like any other policy.
FAQs
How much does a DUI raise car insurance?
Which company is cheapest after a DUI?
Do I need an SR-22 after a DUI?
How long does a DUI affect my rates?
Will my current insurer drop me after a DUI?
Can I lower the cost while I have a DUI?
Sources: Compare.com (2026 DUI car insurance rates).