DUI Car Insurance in California (2025)

Drivers in California with a DUI pay an average of $153 per month for liability insurance. The cheapest monthly rate for liability coverage in California is $123.

You’ll typically pay more for car insurance if you have driving infractions on your record, especially for DUI convictions. California drivers with a clean record pay an average of $95 for state-minimum car insurance coverage.

Here’s what you should know about how a DUI can affect your car insurance rates in California.

Cheapest car insurance quotes after a DUI in California

Since different car insurance companies offer different rates, it’s important to compare multiple car insurance quotes. This is true whether you have a clean record, a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, or a DUI conviction. But USAA generally offers the cheapest coverage for California drivers with a DUI, according to Insurify data.

Here’s a look at average liability insurance rates by company.

How a DUI affects car insurance rates in California

If you have a DUI conviction in California, you’ll likely pay higher car insurance rates than if you had a clean record. The same is true for drivers outside of California — insurance companies will view you as a higher risk no matter where you live.

Below, you can compare the average cost of liability-only car insurance for California drivers with clean records and drivers with DUIs.

How to get car insurance with a DUI in California

Getting car insurance in California with a clean record is much simpler than getting it with a DUI conviction, which stays on your record for 10 years. Insurance companies will view you as a high-risk driver if you have a DUI on your driving record. That said, finding coverage isn’t impossible.

Follow these steps for finding car insurance with a DUI:

DUI laws in California

If you have a DUI in California, the charge will stay on your driving record for 10 years. You’ll also likely need an SR-22 form to reinstate your driving privileges. An SR-22 serves as proof that you have at least the state-minimum car insurance for California.

The consequences of a DUI conviction in California include license suspension. The duration of your suspension varies depending on whether you took a chemical test at the time of your arrest. Your age also plays a role. Drivers younger than 21 face harsher license suspension penalties for first offenses than older drivers.

For instance, if you’re older than 21 and it’s your first DUI offense, you’ll likely get a four-month license suspension, but a second offense within 10 years will result in a one-year suspension. If you have three DUIs in 10 years, you’ll face a three-year license revocation.

You may also need to install an ignition interlock device in your car and pay a $125 fee to reinstate your license after suspension.2

Minimum car insurance requirements in California

All California drivers need to meet the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. You’ll need to buy the following insurance coverages: