Our take in 10 seconds
A DUI moves you into a different insurance market: high-risk carriers who write these policies every day, and preferred carriers who mostly won't. Don't spend weeks trying to keep your old insurer. Get the SR-22 filed correctly with a carrier that handles them routinely, keep every payment on time, and re-shop every year because the surcharge shrinks each year the record stays clean.
The requirements
What's actually required after a DUI
| Item | What it means |
|---|
| SR-22 (or FR-44) | Not insurance itself: a form your insurer files with the state proving you carry the required coverage. Most states require it for about three years after a DUI. |
| Continuous coverage | If the policy lapses while the SR-22 is active, the insurer notifies the state and your license can be suspended again. This is the single most important rule. |
| Higher minimum limits | Some states (FR-44 states especially) require higher liability limits than the standard minimum after a DUI. |
| Non-owner policy | If you don't own a car but need the SR-22 to keep your license, a non-owner policy is usually the cheapest way to meet the requirement. |
The cost
How much it goes up, and for how long
Expect the premium to double, sometimes triple, for the first year. The surcharge typically runs three to five years depending on state and carrier, and it eases each clean year rather than dropping off all at once. Which carrier you're with matters enormously here: preferred carriers that keep DUI drivers often price them punitively, while carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers price the same record much closer to normal. Comparing the two isn't optional; it's most of the savings.
Quote coverage that handles the SR-22Start with a carrier that files these routinely and compare from there.
Get a Farmers Quote →Paid partner link · WiseIQ earns a commission if you request a quote. Rates and availability vary by state and driver profile.
Bringing it down
The moves that shorten the penalty
Never let the policy lapse. Autopay it. Complete any court-ordered program early and tell the carrier; some discount for it. Re-quote every year. Each clean year changes how carriers see you, and a company that declined you at year one may be the cheapest at year three. Once the SR-22 requirement ends, confirm the filing is removed, then shop the full market again; you're back in preferred-carrier territory and the rate difference is large.
Avoid: unlicensed "SR-22 specialists" that charge filing fees on top of the premium. The SR-22 filing itself typically costs a small one-time fee from the insurer. Anything more is markup.
Who gets paid on this page
Farmers Insurance — if you request a quote through our linkpays us a commission
Every other company discussedpays us $0
Questions
FAQ
How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?
Typically it doubles, and can triple, for the first year. The surcharge usually lasts three to five years and shrinks each clean year. The range between carriers is very wide, so comparing quotes matters more after a DUI than at almost any other time.
What is an SR-22 and do I need one?
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you carry required coverage. Most states require it for about three years after a DUI. It's a filing, not a separate policy, and only some carriers will file one.
Will my current insurer drop me after a DUI?
Some will non-renew; others will keep you at a much higher rate. Either way, don't assume staying is cheapest. High-risk specialists often beat a preferred carrier's DUI pricing by a large margin.
How long does a DUI affect insurance?
Three to five years at most carriers, sometimes longer in strict states. It appears on your driving record, which insurers check at every quote, and its impact fades gradually rather than ending abruptly.
Can I get car insurance after a DUI without a car?
Yes, with a non-owner policy. It satisfies the SR-22 requirement so you keep your license, and it's usually the cheapest option when you don't own a vehicle.