Car Insurance After DUI in California 2025

Car insurance increases 120-150% after a DUI in California. If you paid $100/month before DUI, expect to pay $220-250/month after. Young drivers (21-25) see increases up to 140%, while older drivers (46+) see 110% increases. The impact lasts 3-5 years, with rates gradually dropping after the third year.

Progressive, National General, Dairyland, The General, and Bristol West are best for DUI drivers. These companies specialize in high-risk and won't reject you for a DUI. Progressive has the best technology and mobile app. The General accepts 98% of applicants. National General offers most competitive rates. Avoid State Farm, GEICO, and Allstate which may cancel your policy.

California requires SR-22 for 3 consecutive years after a DUI. The period starts when you reinstate your license, not from the DUI date. If you cancel or let insurance expire even for one day, the 3-year period completely restarts. SR-22 costs $15-25/month additional to your regular premium. Your insurer notifies DMV immediately if you cancel.

Yes, you can get full coverage (comprehensive and collision) with a DUI, but it will be very expensive - up to 200% more than minimum coverage. Many drivers opt to maintain only liability with SR-22 during the first 3 years to reduce costs from $400+/month to $250/month, then increase coverage when rates drop after the SR-22 period.

Rates start dropping after 3 years (when SR-22 ends) approximately 10-20% annually. After 5 years, DUI has less impact and rates are 30-50% above normal. After 7 years, many standard insurers will accept you. After 10 years, DUI is removed from record and rates return to normal. Maintaining clean record accelerates recovery.

A DUI in California costs $15,000-20,000 total over 10 years. This includes: legal fines ($2,000-3,000), DUI program ($500-2,500), IID ($840-1,800/year), SR-22 ($540-900 over 3 years), insurance increase ($15,000+ over 5 years), attorney ($2,500-5,000), and lost income. Insurance is the biggest long-term cost.

Driving without SR-22 after DUI results in: immediate license suspension for 1 year, fine of $1,000-2,000, possible 90 days jail, restart of 3-year SR-22 period, and classification as unlicensed driver which increases insurance rates additional 50%. If you have an accident without SR-22, you'll be personally liable for all damages.

Yes, you can switch insurers with SR-22, but you must maintain continuous coverage. First get new policy with SR-22, then cancel old one. Any lapse, even one day, restarts the 3-year period. New insurer must file new SR-22 with DMV. Switching can save $50-200/month if you find better rate.

Yes, DUI affects your rates regardless of fault in accidents. DUI classifies you as high-risk driver automatically. Rates increase 120-150% even without accidents. If you have an accident (at-fault or not) plus DUI, rates can increase 200-300%. DUI remains on insurance record 5-10 years.

Though limited, some discounts are available: defensive driving course (5-10%), pay in full (5-15%), bundle policies (5-25%), monitoring device (10-30%), low mileage (5-20%), autopay (2-5%). Progressive and National General offer most discounts for DUI drivers. Discounts can reduce premium $30-100/month.