Cheap DUI Insurance in California
Finding Low-Cost DUI Insurance in California
California takes drinking and driving very seriously. Drivers who are convicted of DUI in the Golden State will face a multitude of issues, not the least of which is an increase in their car insurance premiums.
Upon receiving a DUI conviction, drivers will see their car insurance rates go up, sometimes doubling and tripling in cost. Some insurance companies will no longer insure you because you’ve become a riskier investment who needs high-risk car insurance.
Finding affordable DUI car insurance in California will take looking for insurance companies that will provide high-risk auto insurance coverage. Some insurers specifically cover high-risk drivers. They know you want to get on with your life. Shop around for the best coverage at the best price. Insurance providers may promote affordable DUI insurance coverage, but do your homework before making a final decision.
Freeway Insurance can help you get back on the road with car insurance you can afford.
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How Much is Insurance with a DUI in CA?
The estimated total cost for a DUI conviction in California is roughly $18,000 to $25,000. It can be more. This includes all fines and fees, attorney fees, court-ordered rehab or other programs, increased car insurance, lost employment due to jail time and more. How much is car insurance with 2 DUIs? Subsequent dui convictions will cost more. If there are injuries or deaths associated with your DUI conviction, your financial and emotional costs will be exponentially higher. You should expect DUI car insurance rates in California to be very expensive.
California DUI Insurance Laws
- Drivers with a BAC of 0.08% or more can be arrested for a DUI and charged with driving under the influence.
- When asked by a police officer, you must, by law, submit to a breathalyzer test. If you refuse the test, arrest and penalties may follow. You do have the ability to say no to a blood test if there is no warrant.
- Should your license be suspended, you do have the option to contact the California DMV for a review hearing. Do this within ten days of receiving the notice of suspension.
Getting DUI Insurance in California
Once you have been convicted of DUI in California, you may lose your current insurance coverage. In order to continue driving legally and avoid additional penalties, you will need to find an insurance carrier who provides coverage to individuals with a DUI or bad driving history. The following steps will guide you on your way to getting back in the driver’s seat.
- Obtain an SR-22 Certificate — Your insurance company completes the SR-22 form. An SR-22 is a notification to the state California DMV that you carry at least the minimum insurance.
- Enroll in DUI school — In some states, completing a state-approved course will reduce your points. Many states across the country do not allow any courses to minimize penalties and points from DUI convictions.
- Obtain auto coverage — Your SR-22 certificate requires you to have minimum state required insurance or liability coverage insurance. Even if you do not own a car, you have to buy auto insurance. In that case, you may purchase non-owner SR-22 auto insurance. Your new insurance premiums could be 80-100% higher. However, finding an insurer is possible.
- Install an ignition interlock device in your car — Some states require installing an ignition interlock device to keep you from driving under the influence.
At Freeway Insurance, we know you need to drive in order to pick up your kids from school, get to work and do grocery shopping. Our agents can help you find cheap car insurance after a DUI.
What are the Penalties for DUIs in California?
There are high-cost penalties associated with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Should you be convicted, expect fees, fines, license suspension, and a possible dui probation period. If any injuries or deaths result from a DUI charge, the courts may raise the conviction to a felony. Felony charges come with higher costs and longer prison time. See our chart below.
| California DUI Offenses | Penalties |
|---|---|
| 1st DUI offense (misdemeanor) | Jail: up to 6 months county jail |
| 2nd DUI offense (misdemeanor) | Jail: 96 hours to 1 year in county jail |
| 3rd DUI offense (misdemeanor) | Jail: 120 days to 1 year in county jail |
| DUI with injury (misdemeanor) | Jail: 5 days to 1 year in county jail |
| 1st offense DUI with injury (felony) | Jail: 16 months to 16 years in state prison |
| Felony DUI | Jail: up to 3 years in state prison |
What to Expect When You’re Pulled Over for a DUI in CA
Once you have been pulled over, an officer will go through standard procedures to measure whether you’ve been driving while under the influence.
- The Police Stop You — Police will stop you for driving erratically, running a stoplight, having a broken headlight, or for some other traffic violation. If you’ve been pulled over for no reason, you do have the option to bring forward a motion to suppress. This motion may be successful in having the case thrown out of court.
- The Police Approach — The police will note your car’s conditions, your behavior, your passengers’ behavior, as well as any unusual contents or smells. They will request your driver’s license and proof of insurance and might also ask if you’ve been drinking. All the while, the officer will determine whether to search your car.
- Vehicle Search — With your permission, the police will search your car. Should the officer smell drugs or alcohol in the vehicle, they have the right to inspect the entire vehicle.
- Standardized FST Battery (Field Sobriety Tests) — If the police sense or find evidence that you have been driving under the influence, they will ask you to take Field Sobriety Chemical Tests. These include the horizontal gaze test, walk and turn, and the one-leg standing test. According to research, the three FSTs are sufficient to determine if someone is above the BAC of 0.01%.
- Breathalyzer Test — Once an officer is confident that the driver may be under the influence, there will be a breathalyzer test. Drivers must submit to the test under “implied consent” laws. The Supreme Court ruled that blood tests without official warrants were unconstitutional and the driver protected by the 4th amendment. But this ruling does not apply to refusing a chemical, breath, or blood test. Across the country, if you refuse a test, it can mean arrest or license suspension.
- Arrest, Detention, Release — Finally, if the officer has determined that you are driving under the influence, you will be arrested and taken to jail. Your car will be impounded, your license suspended, and you will stay in jail until the court releases you or you’re bailed out.
How Long Will a DUI in California Affect Your Insurance?
A DUI will affect your insurance, driving record and may result in a criminal record. Typically, insurance companies will look back over a 3-5 year period; however, with multiple records affected, it’s hard to say just how long a DUI will continue to impact your insurance costs. The good news is that you may see your premium rates begin to drop after the look-back period ends.
Meanwhile, you can concentrate on following the rules set forth by the courts after your DUI conviction. Don’t let your SR-22 insurance lapse, as this will be reported to the state immediately and will most likely reset your time to carry this high-risk badge.
Getting a DUI While Underage
If you are under the age of 21 and tested at a BAC of 0.01%, you can be charged with a DUI. California is a zero-tolerance state. A first-time offender will have their license suspended for up to a year and pay additional fees. When blood alcohol levels go beyond the 0.05% and 0.08% limits, penalties are more serious. Adult misdemeanor DUI charges can apply, you may spend up to six months in jail, there could be other fines, and you may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID). Second, third and additional offenses will bring penalties that are even more significant.
Driving Drunk is Risky and Often Fatal
California reported 1,069 total alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2018, with 2.7 people out of 100k dying due to alcohol-related fatalities. Over 72% of those deaths involved high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing twice the legal limit of 0.08%. The statistics are fairly grim for underage drivers who choose to drink and drive. Young drivers who are legally intoxicated cause many teen fatalities.
Where to Find Low-Cost California DUI Car Insurance Coverage
Everybody makes mistakes. At Freeway Insurance, we aren’t here to judge you. As you put your life back together after a DUI conviction in California, you’ll need auto insurance you can afford. We can help you with that.