Cost of a DUI | The bank rate
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous for your safety and the safety of others. The impact lasts well beyond the event – even if you don’t have an accident, get arrested and accused of a DUI can cost you thousands of dollars in legal fees, higher insurance premiums and could even put your job at risk.
It is estimated that one in three people participating in a drinking and driving accident in their life. According to Federal Bureau of Investigation, for every drunk driving arrest made, an estimated 500 to 2,000 drunk drivers are not penalized.
Drunk driving is rife in our society, and getting caught while intoxicated while driving can have serious consequences in terms of risks and insurance rates after drunk driving.
How much does the insurance go up after a DUI?
A DUI is a serious crime. Insurers consider people convicted of a DUI to be high risk drivers and therefore more expensive to insure. That is why DUI insurance costs will be higher. At the bottom of the scale, you can expect your annual full coverage premium to increase by about $ 800 per year, on average. But on the high end, your costs can climb up to $ 3,000 per year. The penalty varies depending on your provider, as well as your old insurance premium. Here’s what to expect for insurance rates after a DUI, for a range of insurance companies across the country.
| Society | Average total coverage | Average total coverage, post-DUI |
|---|---|---|
| United Serv Automobile Assn Grp | $ 1,252 | $ 2,239 |
| Erie Ins Grp | $ 1,207 | $ 2,077 |
| Mercury Gen Grp | $ 1,577 | $ 2,287 |
| Sentinel Ins Grp | $ 2,643 | $ 2,657 |
| Progressive Group | $ 1,419 | $ 1,978 |
| Country Ins & Fin Serv Grp | $ 1,789 | $ 2,580 |
| Group of travelers | $ 1,428 | $ 2,442 |
| State Farm Grp | $ 1,422 | $ 2,182 |
| Automobile Owners Group | $ 1,374 | $ 2,646 |
| American Family Ins Grp | $ 1,827 | $ 2,004 |
| Berkshire Hathaway Grp | $ 1,325 | $ 2,939 |
| Kemper Corp Group | $ 2,659 | $ 3,216 |
| Amica Mut Grp | $ 1,318 | $ 3,511 |
| Farmers Ins Grp | $ 1,912 | $ 2,753 |
| Nationwide Corp Grp | $ 1,475 | $ 3,315 |
| Auto Club Entreprises Ins Grp | $ 2,007 | $ 3,279 |
| Allstate Ins Grp | $ 1,920 | $ 3,078 |
| CSAA Ins Grp | $ 2,115 | $ 5,056 |
| Metropolitan group | $ 2,237 | $ 4,646 |
| The Hanover Ins group | $ 4,532 | $ 5,534 |
| Automobile Club MI Grp | $ 1,931 | $ 5,573 |
| Hartford Fire & Cas Grp | $ 2,064 | $ 6,954 |
A DUI will follow you for seven to 10 years and count towards your car insurance rates for at least three years. Depending on the state, a DUI stays on your driving record for between three and five years. In Pennsylvania and California, a DUI conviction will remain on your driving record for 10 years. A Texas Drunk Driving Conviction will remain on your file for life.
Financial implications of a DUI
An NHTSA report found that 36,750 people died from drunk driving accidents in 2018. In addition to the risk of bodily injury, impaired driving comes with severe financial penalties – to deter people from driving while impaired.
The costs of a DUI can be costly for years to come. NOLO, a user-friendly online legal information library, surveyed how much a DUI for the first time costs its readers.
A DUI will cost thousands of dollars over several years in fees, fines, tests, and auto insurance premiums. According to Assurance, the Alaska DMV estimates that a DUI costs the convicted driver nearly $ 25,000 over five years. Anticipate the following full costs associated with a DUI:
- Fine
- Security deposit
- Attorney fees
- Court costs
- Driving school
- Ignition Lock Installation
- License reinstatement fees
- Loss of income for court and / or prison
Can the insurance company drop you off after a DUI?
An insurance company has every right to deny you coverage when you have a DUI on your record.
If you have multiple offenses and a DUI, an insurer may find it too risky to insure you. They may also abandon your coverage if they suspect that you will cause costly insurance claims in the future.
In some states, an insurer cannot legally cancel your coverage after a DUI, but they can choose not to renew you. The Automobile Insurance Plan Service Bureau (AIPSO) provides an online directory with information on the requirements of each state. This will help you find a provider who will cover you despite your record.
How To Reduce Auto Insurance Rates After A DUI
Insurance rates increase by at least $ 800 per year after a DUI. Consider the following ways that we can lower DWI insurance rates.
Research your state’s requirements
Not all states treat DUIs the same, so research your state’s requirements for DUI and DWI fees. Many states provide assistance and support to high-risk drivers through non-standard insurance programs companies like Geico and Progressive.
Compare the prices
Each insurer measures risk differently. Shopping and compare auto insurance companies could help you find cheaper auto insurance rates even after a DUI. For example, Progressive insurance says they “only increase rates by a national average of around 13% after a DUI.”
Protect your driving record
Be more careful than ever after a DUI conviction. Minor accidents or driving violations like speeding tickets can cause your insurance company to raise your rates again, or even abandon you.
The differences between DUI, DWI, OVI and OUI
For the sake of simplicity, we will refer to convictions for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol as a DUI. But there are several related terms that you should be aware of:
- DUI: Driving under the influence
- DWI: Impaired or Drunk Driving
- YES: Operate under the influence
- OVI: Driving a vehicle while intoxicated
- OMVI: Driving an Impaired Motor Vehicle
Many of these distinctions vary depending on what state you are in. DUI and DWI are terms often used interchangeably, but a state may only use one to refer to a driver whose blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit. If this is the case, then a DWI usually has the greater penalty compared to a DUI. In many states, these offenses also apply to driving under the influence of drugs.
Some states use alternative acronyms like OUI, OVI, and OMVI to include broader vehicle types. For example, states like Ohio got rid of “OMVI” in favor of OVI so that people who ride a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicles can also be held responsible when they do so under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
At the end of the line
A DUI is a serious offense with long-standing consequences. The shame and hassle of such a conviction is bad enough, but then there are the financial consequences. With thousands of dollars in attorney fees and court costs, higher insurance premiums are sure to follow.
However, all is not lost. Despite the dire consequences you face, there are steps you can take to get comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage without too much trouble. Everyone deserves a second chance, and there are things these insurance companies can do to save you money while you get your life back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best auto insurance company?
Shopping for auto insurance is always important, but it’s even more critical when you have a recent DUI on your record. Insurers have a wide range of what they charge, so shop around for some of the best auto insurance companies to compare quotes.
What happens after your first DUI?
In addition to the more expensive insurance premiums, you may also have to pay fines and have your license suspended after your first DUI. You may also need to take a course in driving or drug addiction education, and maybe even have an ignition interlock device installed on your car, which serves as a breathalyzer before driving.
What is the likelihood of a prison sentence for your first DUI?
Some states like Alabama and Kentucky don’t have minimum prison sentences for a first DUI, while others do. At the bottom of the scale, minimum jail terms, if any, start at 24 hours and can go up to two years.