According to InsuredCircle analysis of third-party rate data, Progressive is the cheapest car insurance company on average if you've had a recent DUI among the nation's largest insurers.

This is a full coverage insurance analysis, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage. Comprehensive and collision insurance, which are frequently required if you have a car loan or lease, pay for damage to your own car from most causes. Although USAA has lower average rates than Progressive, it is not included in our analysis because it is only available to military members, veterans, and their families.

However, averages aren't always a reliable predictor of the price you'll pay: Individual factors such as your age and location influence your rates, and smaller regional insurers may offer lower rates than larger national companies. It will take time and effort to find cheap DUI insurance, but comparing quotes can help.

Cheapest car insurance companies after a DUI

We looked at large companies that are available in many states and can serve the most customers to find the lowest prices for drivers with a recent DUI.

Here are the average monthly rates for drivers with a recent DUI from the nation's four largest auto insurance companies, ranked from cheapest to most expensive.

1. Progressive: $163.
2. State Farm: $211.
3. Geico: $241.
4. Allstate: $300.

However, large corporations are not your only options.

Smaller statewide and regional insurers have the lowest rates in many areas. Our research discovered that in 34 states and Washington, D.C., the lowest rates for a DUI driver come from an insurer that does not rank among the top ten largest auto insurers in the country. So, following a DUI, it's critical to compare car insurance rates and find the best deal for you.

Cheapest DUI car insurance in your state

The most affordable car insurance company in one area may not be the most affordable in another. In InsuredCircle analysis, for example:

• Geico was the cheapest insurer for drivers with a DUI in Florida, Maryland and Utah — but the most expensive option in North Carolina and North Dakota.
• Farm bureaus: On average, Missouri and North Carolina drivers can find the cheapest insurance at their state's farm bureaus, but Texas Farm Bureau was the most expensive option in Texas.
• Travelers was the cheapest option for DUI drivers in Delaware, but the most expensive option in Massachusetts.

The cheapest insurer for a driver with a clean record isn't always the cheapest after a DUI in the majority of states. Geico, for example, was the cheapest company in Arizona for a driver with no violations but the second most expensive after a DUI, with prices more than five times higher.

Check the table below to see which companies in your area have the lowest rates after a DUI.

How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?

Even with minimal coverage, which is typically one-third the price of full coverage, you're unlikely to avoid a rate increase for car insurance after a DUI. After a DUI, the average rate for both types rises by 96 percent or more.

While purchasing only the minimum required insurance coverage in your state is one option for keeping rates low after a DUI, it is not for everyone. Full coverage is typically required for auto loans and leases.

Furthermore, minimum coverage insurance frequently has relatively low liability limits. If you cause a collision and don't have enough insurance to cover the damage, you'll have to pay for it yourself.

• On average, full coverage car insurance for a driver with one DUI costs around $260 per month. That's nearly $127 more per month than a driver with no violations would have to pay.
• Minimum required car insurance costs $96 per month on average for a driver with one DUI — $49 per month more than someone with a clean driving record would pay.

However, where you live has a significant impact on those rates.

• After a DUI, average rates in Maine, Oklahoma, and Washington, D.C. rise by less than 60% for drivers with the bare minimum of insurance.
• However, in 16 states, average rates more than double after a DUI for drivers with the bare minimum of coverage. Drivers in California, Hawaii, and Michigan could face fines of up to 150 percent or more following a DUI.
• After a DUI, rates in Alaska, Florida, Mississippi, and Oklahoma increase by less than 50% on average for drivers with full coverage.
• In 11 states, average rates more than double after a DUI for drivers with full coverage, with carriers charging more than 165 percent more on average in California, Hawaii, and Michigan.

So, in terms of dollars and cents, what does it all mean? According to our analysis, drivers with a recent DUI could pay as little as $195 more per year for car insurance, or as much as $4,165 more, depending on the state and coverage level.

Keep in mind that the company you choose will also have an impact on your rates, and the cheapest company without any traffic violations isn't always the same after a DUI. While Geico had the lowest average rates for a good driver among the four largest insurers in the country, it was the second-most expensive after a DUI.

How to shop for affordable auto insurance after a DUI

Your car insurance company considers you a high-risk driver after a DUI. Your premium will almost certainly rise, and your carrier may even drop you. What you can do is as follows:

• Begin your car insurance search as soon as possible. Because your policy may be cancelled, you should begin looking for auto insurance quotes as soon as possible after a DUI. This allows you to compare rates.
• When shopping around, disclose your DUI status. If you compare quotes right away, an insurer may be unaware of your recent DUI. You'll need to share any recent traffic infractions, including DUIs, to get the most accurate rate.
• Make use of comparison tools. Your premium will be affected by factors such as where you live, your age, and your credit score. The InsuredCircle car insurance comparison tool can assist you in weighing your options.
• Get multiple quotes. Companies' pricing policies vary greatly. Obtaining car insurance quotes from multiple competitors is the only way to find the best deal.
• Shop again three and five years later. After these milestones, rates after a DUI tend to fall, and other insurance companies may be cheaper than yours at those points.
• Other traffic violations should be avoided. Even if you have a DUI, it will not affect your insurance rates indefinitely. To keep your car insurance bill low now and in the future, avoid any additional DUIs, accidents, or speeding tickets.
• Consider non-owner car insurance. You can get non-owner car insurance and still meet your state's liability insurance requirements if you don't own a car and occasionally drive someone else's vehicle. In an at-fault accident, liability insurance pays for the damage you cause to another person (or their vehicle).

Alternative car insurance after a DUI

Some insurance companies may refuse coverage to drivers they deem too risky, including those with a DUI.

Many large insurance companies cater to high-risk drivers, and some smaller companies specialize in this market. After a DUI, it's a good idea to get rates from both nonstandard carriers and the big ones, if possible.

If you are unable to find an insurer willing to insure you due to your driving record, you can turn to your state's high-risk insurance pool. These programs exist to help people who are unable to obtain auto insurance through traditional channels. To begin, look up your state in the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office directory.

Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Car Insurance

How long does a DUI remain on your insurance policy?

A DUI will raise your car insurance rates for at least three to five years, and often for much longer. Companies and states differ in how long and how much they raise your DUI insurance rates. In California, for example, a DUI remains on your record for ten years. You won't be able to get a good driver discount during that time.

Drivers with a recent DUI are typically regarded as high-risk, so you may need to obtain coverage from a nonstandard insurer.

Is an SR-22 required as proof of insurance after a DUI?

After a DUI, many states require your insurer to file a form with the state's motor vehicle department proving you have car insurance.

The form is known as an SR-22 in most states, and it proves that you have purchased at least the state's minimum required auto insurance. A similar type is the FR-44, which is found in Florida and Virginia. You must purchase more than the state minimum if you are required to file this form. Because not all insurers will file these forms for all customers, you'll need to find an insurance company that does.

How much will my car insurance cost after a DUI?

If you have full coverage, your auto insurance rates will increase by about 96 percent on average if you have a DUI. If you have the bare minimum of insurance, your rates will rise even more after a DUI — by around 104 percent on average.

What is the cost of DUI insurance?

The average annual cost of car insurance after a DUI for a 40-year-old driver with no prior violations is:

• $3,114 for full coverage, a $1,522 increase.
• $1,152 for the minimum required coverage, a $587 increase.

In comparison, the average annual cost of car insurance for a clean-record driver is $1,592 for full coverage and $565 for minimum coverage.