Question 1

Will my insurance company cancel me if I get a DUI?

Accepted Answer

Some carriers will cancel your policy immediately upon notification of a DUI conviction, while others will non-renew you at the end of your current term — typically 6-12 months away. A few standard carriers keep DUI drivers but raise rates significantly, often 70-130%. Whether you're cancelled immediately or non-renewed depends on your carrier's underwriting rules and your state's regulations, but most drivers with a DUI end up needing to move to a non-standard carrier.

Question 2

Do I need SR-22 after a license suspension?

Accepted Answer

You typically need SR-22 if your license was suspended for a DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance, or accumulating too many points — but requirements vary by state and violation type. SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it is a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you carry the minimum required coverage. Your state's DMV or licensing agency will explicitly tell you in your suspension notice whether SR-22 filing is required, and if so, for how long (typically 2-3 years). If you're unsure, call your state DMV directly with your case or citation number.

Question 3

How much will my insurance go up after a DUI?

Accepted Answer

A DUI conviction typically raises your auto insurance premium by 70-130% with carriers that continue coverage, though some drivers see increases of 200% or more depending on state, age, and prior record. If your current carrier drops you and you move to a non-standard insurer, you may pay 2-4 times what you paid before. These elevated rates typically last 3-5 years from the conviction date, decreasing gradually as the violation ages off your record.

Question 4

What is non-standard auto insurance?

Accepted Answer

Non-standard auto insurance is coverage from carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers — drivers with DUIs, violations, lapses, or suspensions on their record. The coverage itself is the same as standard insurance (liability, collision, comprehensive); what differs is the carrier's willingness to write elevated-risk profiles. Non-standard carriers charge higher premiums because they accept drivers that standard carriers like GEICO, State Farm, or Progressive have declined or cancelled. Most drivers with a recent DUI or serious violation end up in the non-standard market for 2-4 years.

Question 5

How long do I have to carry SR-22?

Accepted Answer

SR-22 filing periods typically last 2-3 years from the date your state requires it, though some states mandate 5 years for repeat offenses or particularly serious violations. Your suspension notice or court order will specify the exact duration. If your insurance lapses or is cancelled during the SR-22 period, your insurer is required to notify the state, which will re-suspend your license immediately. You must maintain continuous coverage and SR-22 filing for the entire required period without interruption.

Question 6

What should I do first after getting a DUI or suspension notice?

Accepted Answer

Read your notice completely to determine whether SR-22 filing is required, what your suspension period is, and whether you're eligible for a restricted or hardship license. Contact your current insurance carrier immediately to ask if they'll continue coverage and file SR-22 if needed — some will, most won't. If your carrier drops you or won't file SR-22, start shopping for a non-standard carrier that same day, because any lapse in coverage can extend your suspension or restart your SR-22 clock. Gather your suspension notice, driver's license number, current policy details, and violation date before requesting quotes.

Question 7

Can I still get insurance with a suspended license?

Accepted Answer

Yes — in fact, many states require you to purchase insurance and file SR-22 before they'll reinstate your license, creating a situation where you must buy coverage while suspended. Non-standard carriers routinely write policies for suspended drivers who need SR-22 filing to begin the reinstatement process. You'll pay for coverage during the suspension period even though you legally cannot drive, but that continuous coverage and SR-22 filing is what satisfies your state's reinstatement requirements.

Question 8

What's the difference between SR-22 and FR-44?

Accepted Answer

SR-22 and FR-44 are both certificates proving you carry auto insurance, but FR-44 requires higher liability limits — typically double the state minimum. Only Florida and Virginia use FR-44, and only for specific violations like DUI. For example, Virginia's FR-44 requires $50,000/$100,000 liability coverage versus the state's standard $25,000/$50,000 minimum. Like SR-22, FR-44 is filed by your insurer and must be maintained continuously for the required period, typically 3 years in both states.

Question 9

Will my current insurance find out about my DUI?

Accepted Answer

Yes — your insurance carrier will discover your DUI either when your conviction appears on your motor vehicle record at your next policy renewal, or earlier if they run periodic checks on existing customers. Most states also require you to notify your insurer of certain violations within a specific timeframe, often 30-60 days. Even if you don't report it yourself, carriers check driving records at every renewal, and DUI convictions remain visible on your record for 7-10 years in most states. Failing to disclose can result in policy cancellation for misrepresentation.

Question 10

How do I find insurance companies that accept DUI drivers?

Accepted Answer

Non-standard carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers — such as The General, Bristol West, Acceptance, and regional carriers — actively write policies for DUI drivers and file SR-22. These carriers don't typically advertise heavily, so most drivers find them through independent agents who work with multiple non-standard markets, or through quote comparison services that include non-standard carriers in their network. Calling a local independent agent and explicitly stating "I need SR-22 filing after a DUI" is often the fastest route to multiple non-standard quotes.

Question 11

When will my rates go back to normal after a DUI?

Accepted Answer

Your rates will begin decreasing 3-5 years after your DUI conviction date as the violation ages, with the most significant drop typically happening once the DUI is 5 years old. Most standard carriers won't accept you until the DUI is at least 3-5 years old, and some require 7-10 years depending on the carrier and whether you have other violations. Even after a standard carrier accepts you again, you may pay slightly elevated rates for another 2-3 years. Full normalization — paying what a clean-record driver pays — typically takes 7-10 years from conviction.

Question 12

Do I need special coverage types because of my DUI?

Accepted Answer

No — a DUI doesn't require different types of coverage, but it may require higher liability limits if your state mandates SR-22 or FR-44 filing, which come with minimum coverage requirements. You still choose the same coverage types as any driver: liability (required), collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and medical payments. Some non-standard carriers offer only basic liability policies, so if you want full coverage on a financed vehicle, confirm the carrier offers collision and comprehensive before binding the policy.

Question 13

How does this site make money?

Accepted Answer

This site earns a referral fee when you submit a quote request and are successfully matched with a licensed insurance carrier or agent who provides you a quote. The fee is paid by the carrier or agent, not by you — your quote price is the same whether you come through this site or contact the carrier directly. This referral model is standard across insurance comparison sites and allows the site to operate without charging visitors directly.

Question 14

What happens to my information when I submit it here?

Accepted Answer

When you submit a quote request, your information — including name, contact details, violation type, and coverage needs — is shared with licensed insurance carriers and agents in our network for the purpose of generating quotes and contacting you with pricing. These carriers may contact you by phone, email, or text to provide quotes or gather additional underwriting details. Your information is not sold to unrelated third parties outside the insurance quoting process. You can read the full privacy policy linked in the footer for complete details on data handling and retention.

Question 15

Is this site run by an insurance company?

Accepted Answer

No — this site is an independent lead generation and comparison platform that connects drivers with licensed insurance carriers and agents. We are not an insurance company, we do not underwrite policies, and we do not directly sell insurance. We maintain relationships with multiple carriers and agents across the standard and non-standard markets, and we earn referral fees when visitors submit quote requests and are matched with those partners. All policies are issued and serviced by the licensed carriers themselves, not by this site.

Questions Drivers Ask After a DUI, Suspension, or Serious Violation