DUI Car Insurance in California (2025)
Drivers in California with a DUI pay an average of $242 per month for car insurance.
Excellent
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Drivers in California with a DUI pay an average of $151 per month for liability insurance. The cheapest monthly rate for liability coverage in California is $125.
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 $94 for state-minimum car insurance coverage.
Here’s what you should know about how a DUI can affect your car insurance rates in California.
Quick Facts
Having a DUI conviction can make it harder to secure car insurance because auto insurers will view you as a higher risk on the road.
You’ll need to file an SR-22 form with the California DMV to prove you have adequate car insurance coverage if you’ve received a DUI conviction.
A DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years in California.1
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.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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:
DUI car insurance in California FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about finding California car insurance with a DUI.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in California after a DUI?
The cheapest car insurance company in California after a DUI is USAA. Drivers pay an average of $125 for liability insurance from USAA.
How long will a DUI affect your car insurance premium?
In some states, a DUI will stay on your record for only a few years. But if you have a DUI in California, it’ll stay on your driving record for 10 years. So it could affect your insurance rates for a decade, though your insurer may reduce your rates sooner than that.
How much is DUI insurance in California?
The cost of DUI insurance in California depends on several factors, including the rest of your driving record, your age, gender, location, and more. But California drivers with a DUI pay an average of $151 per month for liability car insurance and $332 for full coverage.
How long do you need an SR-22 after a DUI in California?
You’ll typically need an SR-22 for three years after a DUI, though specifics may vary based on your situation. An SR-22 form proves you meet California’s minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage. But the exact time frame may vary depending on your past driving history.
How much does your insurance go up after a DUI?
Your car insurance will increase fairly significantly after a DUI, according to Insurify data. California drivers with a DUI pay $242 per month overall, while drivers with a clean record pay $150 per month.
)
Insurance Writer
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
