Auto Insurance for Impaired Drivers (2024)
Auto insurance for impaired drivers often costs more as impaired drivers are considered high-risk by auto insurance companies. Unfortunately, once you find yourself classified as high-risk, you may have difficulty finding an auto insurance policy that you can afford. Auto insurance premiums for high-risk drivers can be three times higher than a standard risk policy.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Impaired drivers are often classified as high-risk drivers
- High-risk drivers are considered a different driver type and are subject to higher insurance premiums
- DUI and OWI convictions can stay on your record for up to 10 years, depending on your state
- A car insurance comparison tool can help you find a high-risk car insurance policy you can afford
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one million drivers were arrested in 2014 for driving while impaired, and 111 million individuals self-reported that they drove drunk at least once in 2014.
Unfortunately, being arrested while driving drunk and/or causing a car accident while driving drunk can result in your becoming categorized as a high-risk driver, and your previous car insurance policy may be canceled.
Once you find yourself in the high-risk pool, you may have difficulty finding an auto insurance policy that you can afford because the car insurance premiums for high-risk drivers can be three times higher than a standard risk policy.
If this situation sounds like what you’ve been experiencing, you need the services of a car insurance comparison tool. These insurance policy tools can find affordable policies even if you’ve been convicted of a DUI or OWI.
Comparison shop today to find the coverage you need at the best price.
Benchmarks for Driving While Impaired
The benchmarks for driving while impaired vary depending on the substance. If you have consumed alcohol, having a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or 0.08 or higher for a driver 21 and older is illegal and can result in a DUIconviction.
Other substances in your system that can result in a DUI conviction include:
- prescription pain pills
- narcotics, like heroin or cocaine
- other illicit substance
A blood or urine test can be administered to detect the presence of drugs in your system.
If any drugs of illicit substances are found in your blood or urine, you can be convicted of operating a vehicle while impaired.
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Refusing DUI or OWI Testing After Being Pulled Over by a Police Officer
If you are caught driving while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or an illicit substance, you could face severe consequences, including civil and criminal penalties as well as higher insurance rates.
In order to avoid these penalties, you may think that refusing a breathalyzer test, blood test or urine test is a good idea, but refusing to be tested for impairment could result in immediate penalties.
For example, the state of has an “Implied Consent Law” that states that the say you sign your driver’s license, you agree to be tested for drugs and/or alcohol if a police officer suspects you of driving under the influence.
If you refuse to take the test, your driver’s license will be immediately suspended for one year. If you get caught a second time and refuse the test, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended for a year and a half.
Auto Insurance Claims After an Impaired Driving Conviction
If you caused a car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your car insurance company may refuse the claim. Many, if not all, insurance companies exclude coverage if you get into an auto accident while impaired by an intoxicating substance.
This type of ruling by your insurance company would leave you responsible for 100 percent of the damages caused by the car accident, including the damages suffered to the driver you hit.
In some instances, your car insurance company may agree to pay the claim and the damages to the other driver’s vehicle and any related medical expenses and/or funeral costs, if your accident resulted in a death.
Unfortunately, your car insurance company cannot help you if you are sued for intentional misconduct, and you would be left to pay for those damages from your own personal finances.
Auto Insurance Rates for Impaired Drivers
Once you get put into the high-risk category for car insurance, your current insurance policy may becanceled.
Not all insurance companies can write policies for drivers that are at an increased risk for getting into a car accident or incident and causing damage, which means you may have to quickly find a new insurance policy.
What’s important to understand is that it does not matter if your current car insurance company writes you a high-risk policy or you find a new insurance company that can write high-risk policies, your rates will increase significantly.
Some drivers could see as much as a three or four-fold increase in their premiums amounts. If you need a cheaper high-risk policy, you can use a comparison tool to quickly compare rates and coverage levels.
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Impaired Driving Convictions and Auto Insurance Rates
When you are caught and convicted of driving while impaired, your insurance rates will increase because you will be categorized as a high-risk driver.
The exact amount of the increase will depend on whether your conviction is a felony or a misdemeanor and the circumstances surrounding the conviction.
However, once the insurance company calculates your new rates based on your conviction, you will pay higher premiums, and those inflated premiums could last as long as ten years.
Some states mandate that a drunk driving or impaired driving conviction stay on your record for an entire decade.
Shopping for Auto Insurance After a DUI or OWI Conviction
If you have a DUI or OWI conviction on your record, do not despair, a car insurance comparison tool can help you shop for a new car insurance policy.
To get started, all you have to do is input the following:
- your personal information
- your vehicle’s information
- information about your driving record, accidents, and convictions while operating a motor vehicle
When you input your information, do not lie or omit information as this could result in your new policy being canceled.
Once you have entered all the applicable information and made sure that it is as accurate as possible, submit it. The tool will search all of the insurance carriers and available policies to find car insurance that meets your needs.
After you have the results, all you have to do is choose the policy that provides the right amount of coverage for a price you can afford. Enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool to get started right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can impaired drivers obtain auto insurance?
Yes, impaired drivers can generally obtain auto insurance. However, it’s important to note that impaired driving, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is illegal and highly dangerous. Insurance companies consider impaired driving violations when determining eligibility and premiums for auto insurance coverage.
Will impaired driving convictions affect auto insurance rates?
Yes, impaired driving convictions can significantly impact auto insurance rates. Insurance companies view impaired driving as a high-risk behavior, which can result in increased premiums. The exact impact on rates may vary depending on the insurance provider and the severity of the impaired driving offense.
Are there specific insurance policies for impaired drivers?
There are no specific insurance policies designed solely for impaired drivers. However, drivers with impaired driving convictions may need to seek specialized insurance coverage known as “high-risk” or “non-standard” auto insurance. These policies are often offered by insurance companies that specialize in providing coverage to drivers with a history of traffic violations or DUI offenses.
Can impaired drivers with a suspended license still obtain auto insurance?
While impaired drivers with a suspended license may face challenges in obtaining auto insurance, it is possible to find coverage. Some insurance providers offer non-owner auto insurance policies, which provide liability coverage for drivers without a vehicle of their own. However, it’s crucial for impaired drivers to comply with the terms of their suspended license and any requirements set by their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Are there ways for impaired drivers to reduce insurance premiums?
While impaired drivers may face higher insurance premiums, there are a few ways to potentially reduce the costs:
- Completing a defensive driving course: Some insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete a defensive driving course, which can help mitigate the impact of impaired driving convictions on premiums.
- Maintaining a clean driving record: By driving responsibly and avoiding further traffic violations or impaired driving offenses, impaired drivers can demonstrate improved behavior to insurance companies over time.
- Shopping around for quotes: It’s advisable for impaired drivers to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the most competitive rates available for their situation.
What happens if an impaired driver is involved in an accident and is uninsured?
Being involved in an accident while uninsured can have significant legal and financial consequences. Depending on the jurisdiction, an uninsured impaired driver may face penalties, fines, license suspension or revocation, and potential legal liabilities for damages and injuries caused. It’s crucial for impaired drivers to maintain proper auto insurance coverage to comply with the law and protect themselves from potential financial hardship.
Can impaired drivers seek rehabilitation programs or counseling to improve their insurability?
Yes, impaired drivers can seek rehabilitation programs or counseling to address their behaviors and improve their insurability. Some insurance companies may consider this as a positive step towards responsible driving and may provide more favorable rates or options after completing rehabilitation programs. It’s advisable for impaired drivers to inquire with insurance providers about potential discounts or benefits associated with completing such programs.
Can impaired drivers be denied auto insurance coverage?
Insurance companies generally have the right to deny coverage to impaired drivers based on their underwriting criteria. However, there are typically options available in the form of specialized high-risk auto insurance coverage. Impaired drivers should research insurance providers that specialize in providing coverage for high-risk drivers and DUI offenses to ensure they can obtain the necessary coverage.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.