Auto insurance after a DUI in Texas
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
On top of legal penalties from a DUI, you might find that your car insurance is significantly more expensive following a Texas DUI conviction. How much does a DUI cost in Texas? On average, you will pay about 50 percent more than you would for full coverage with a clean driving record. The average annual cost of car insurance in Texas for a driver with a clean record is $2,019. After a DUI, however, the average cost of full coverage increases to $3,026 per year. This is similar to the national post-DUI average, which is $3,091 per year.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
DUI laws in Texas
There are multiple penalties you may experience if you receive a DUI in Texas. In addition to increased insurance rates, a first offense carries a fine of up to $2,000, the loss of your driver’s license for up to one year and the possibility of up to 180 days in jail, with a minimum of three days.
A second offense increases the fine to up to $4,000, with between a month and a year in jail and the loss of your driver’s license for up to two years. A third offense, meanwhile, will see you paying a fine of up to $10,000, loss of your license for up to two years and two to ten years in prison. There may be other fines that will be assessed as well.
In addition, if you have a child under the age of 15 in your car when you are driving under the influence, you could be charged with child endangerment and the penalties associated with that infraction.
How a DUI affects your car insurance in Texas
If you need car insurance with a DUI in Texas, you are almost certainly going to pay more than you would with a clean driving record. The average increase is 50 percent, which is slightly less than the national average increase of 53 percent. However, some carriers may not write policies for drivers with DUIs, so you may need to search around to find a company that is willing to offer you coverage.
Why is car insurance expensive with a DUI? Insurers are in the business of risk. A driver with a DUI on their record may be more likely to drink and drive again as well as engage in other risky driving behaviors. Based on this increased risk, insurers may charge significantly higher rates for drivers with DUIs or refuse to extend them coverage altogether.
Average annual full coverage car insurance rates before and after a DUI
| Pre-DUI | Post DUI | Percent increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $2,019 | $3,026 | +50% |
| National average | $2,014 | $3,091 | +53% |
Finding car insurance after a DUI in Texas
As we have already noted, you may need to switch to a new insurer, possibly a high-risk insurer, after a DUI if your carrier is not willing to renew your policy. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team evaluated rate data from Quadrant Information Services to assess average rates from some of the top insurance companies following a single DUI conviction. Note that your rate may vary from these averages, and not all carriers necessarily will write policies for drivers with DUISs.
Each company has also been given a Bankrate Score. These scores are developed by analyzing average rates, coverage options, discounts and third-party rankings for customer satisfaction and financial stability. Bankrate Scores are rated 0.0 to 5.0, with higher numbers indicating a company that excels across all parameters.
| Car insurance company | Bankrate Score | Avg. annual minimum coverage premium post-DUI | Avg. annual full coverage premium post-DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 3.8 | $803 | $4,005 |
| Dairyland | 3.1 | $853 | $2,818 |
| Geico | 4.4 | $633 | $2,113 |
| Nationwide | 3.9 | $1,276 | $3,125 |
| USAA | 4.3 | $769 | $2,575 |
Frequently asked questions
-
-
There is no single best car insurance company in Texas. The best company for you will vary based on your coverage needs, driving history, customer service preferences and more. It may be a good idea to compare coverage options, discounts and digital tools from several carriers. Then, you can ask for quotes to see which offers you the lowest rate for your desired coverage.
-
A Texas DUI generally stays on your record for the rest of your life. However, most insurers only look back five to ten years when determining your rates, so if you drive safely after your DUI, your rates should go down eventually. However, unless your record is sealed or you are able to get the DUI expunged, anyone who runs a criminal background check — such as potential employers or landlords — will be able to see that you’ve had a DUI conviction.
-
That depends on a number of factors. Keep in mind that every driver pays a different rate for insurance, and even after a DUI. In Texas, your age, credit history, claims history and the type of car you drive will impact all the price of your policy. The best way to find the cheapest Texas car insurance company for you is likely to compare personalized quotes.
-
-
-
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. 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 coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 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) and single DUI conviction.
-
Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
-
Related Articles
Related Articles