Finding car insurance in Massachusetts after a DUI

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Being convicted of a DUI in Massachusetts comes with stiff penalties, including increased car insurance costs. In Massachusetts, the average cost of car insurance before a DUI is $1,223 annually. After a DUI conviction, the average cost of car insurance becomes $2,293, which is an 87% increase annually, according to data pulled from Quadrant Information Services. Geico offers the cheapest average full coverage premium for drivers with a DUI conviction on our list, with an average annual premium of $1,802.
Understanding the average annual premiums before and after a DWI in Massachusetts conviction from several companies in Massachusetts could help you understand if your premium is competitive. However, you may want to keep in mind that not all companies will write your policy if you have a DUI on your record.
- Massachusetts drivers see an 87% increase, on average, in car insurance premiums after a DUI conviction.
- Geico’s average annual premium after a DUI in Massachusetts is $1,802 per year, the cheapest carrier based on Bankrate’s research.
DUI laws in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, a driver is considered legally drunk when non-commercial drivers above 21 have a blood alcohol level higher than .08 percent. Commercial vehicle drivers are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is higher than .04 percent. Drivers under 21 only need to have a blood-alcohol level of .02 to be considered drunk.
The penalties for drunk driving in Massachusetts include the following:
- First offense: First offenders may face imprisonment for up to two and one-half years, a fine from $500 to $5,000 and driver’s license suspension from 45 to 90 days.
- Second offense: Drivers can face jail time from 60 days to two and one-half years, a fine from $600 to $10,000 and driver’s license revocation for two years years.
- Third offense: The offender could face jail time for 180 days to two and one-half years, a fine of $1,000 to $15,000 and driver’s license revocation of eight years.
- Fourth offense: The offender may face imprisonment for two years to two and one-half years, a fine of $1,500 to $25,000 and driver’s license suspension up to 10 years.
- Fifth and subsequent offenses: The offender will face imprisonment for at least two and one-half years, with imprisonment in a state prison for up to five years, a fine of $2,000 to $50,000 and driver’s license revocation for life.
How a DUI affects your car insurance in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, a DUI is considered a criminal offense and is illegal. If you are convicted of a DUI, insurance companies will likely view you as a high-risk driver. Not all Massachusetts car insurance companies will insure drivers with DUI convictions, which means you may need to find a new company and could be limited in what companies will offer you quotes.
On average, drivers in Massachusetts convicted of a DUI will pay 87% more for full coverage car insurance, which is in line with the national annual increase of 88%.
Pre-DUI | Post DUI | Percent increase | |
---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts | $1,223 | $2,293 | +87% |
National average | $1,674 | $3,139 | +88% |
Finding car insurance after a DUI in Massachusetts
Finding car insurance after a DUI in Massachusetts can be difficult. Once you are convicted of a DUI, car insurance companies will likely see you as a high-risk driver, meaning you will likely pay higher premiums than drivers with clean records.
Massachusetts drivers have several car insurance companies to choose from, which is good news for drivers with DUIs. Getting quotes from several companies could help you find a competitively-priced policy. Premiums can vary widely between companies, as demonstrated in the table below.
Car insurance company | Average annual premium after a DUI |
---|---|
Geico | $1,802 |
The Hanover | $2,035 |
Progressive | $2,151 |
Amica | $2,861 |
Travelers | $2,925 |
Frequently asked questions
How will a DUI in Massachusetts impact my criminal record?
In Massachusetts, any first offense for DUI will appear on your criminal record for life. You can request that your DUI be removed from your record, but your request may not be honored.
How can I lower my car insurance rates after a DUI in Massachusetts?
If you have been convicted of a DUI in Massachusetts and are facing higher insurance premiums, you may be able to lower your car insurance premium by looking for another car insurance company and by applying for discounts. Common discounts include multi-policy, paperless, paid-in-full and student discounts.
Which car insurance companies offer the best rates after a DUI in Massachusetts?
Your car insurance premium will vary depending on the insurance company and your personal characteristics such as your driving record, ZIP code, the type of car you drive and what coverages and levels you choose. On average, the car insurance companies in Massachusetts that offer the most competitive rates after a DUI include Geico, The Hanover and Progressive.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
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