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GEICO is the best insurance for a DUI in California in 2026, charging about $212 a month for full coverage after a DUI, the lowest rate in MoneyGeek’s 2026 California analysis. The state average after a DUI is $389 a month for full coverage, so GEICO saves about $177 a month, or $2,124 a year, against the average. Mercury is the cheapest in NerdWallet’s November 2026 analysis at $203 a month, and Progressive is the best overall carrier in MoneyGeek’s scoring at $228 a month with a 4.63 out of 5 rating. A DUI in California raises full coverage from a clean record average of $141 a month to $389, a 176 percent increase, and it stays on your driving record for 10 years.
Finding insurance after a DUI in California is harder than in most states, but it is not impossible. California requires an SR-22 filing for three years after your license is reinstated, and some carriers will not insure a driver with a DUI at all. The carriers that do will charge very different prices for the same driver, which is why comparing quotes matters more after a DUI than at any other time. This guide compares the cheapest carriers, explains the SR-22 and the 10 year record, and shows how to bring the price down over time.
What is the best insurance for a DUI in California?
GEICO is the best insurance for a DUI in California in 2026 because it charges about $212 a month for full coverage after a DUI, the lowest rate in MoneyGeek’s 2026 California DUI analysis, and it is available statewide with a simple online quote. Mercury is a close second at $203 a month in NerdWallet’s November 2026 analysis, and Progressive is the best overall pick at $228 a month, balancing price with the strongest customer experience and coverage scores in MoneyGeek’s system.
The three datasets disagree on the exact numbers, and that is worth knowing before you trust any single figure. MoneyGeek puts the California average after a DUI at $389 a month for full coverage, NerdWallet’s sample driver comes in lower, and ValuePenguin’s 2026 California study puts the average at $620 a month, with Mercury cheapest at $351. The samples differ by driver age, car, ZIP code, and coverage limits. Use the ranking, not the absolute number: GEICO and Mercury are cheapest in every dataset, and the average driver with a DUI pays roughly two to three times the clean record rate.
| Company | Full coverage after a DUI per month | Source and sample |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $212 | MoneyGeek 2026 California analysis, cheapest in its sample |
| Mercury | $203 | NerdWallet November 2026, 35 year old driver, cheapest in its sample |
| Progressive | $228 | MoneyGeek 2026, best overall score 4.63 out of 5 |
| USAA | $492 | ValuePenguin 2026 California study, military only |
| State average | $389 | MoneyGeek 2026, full coverage after a DUI |
The cheapest carrier for a driver with a DUI is not always the cheapest carrier for a clean driver. GEICO is the cheapest overall carrier in California for clean drivers too, at about $95 a month for full coverage in MoneyGeek’s data, but its DUI rate of $212 is only about $129 above its clean rate. A carrier that is cheap for clean drivers can be expensive after a DUI, and a carrier that is mid priced for clean drivers, like Mercury, can be the cheapest after a DUI. Get quotes from at least four carriers, including one high risk specialist such as National General or Kemper, before you buy.
How much does car insurance cost after a DUI in California?
Car insurance after a DUI in California costs about $389 a month on average for full coverage, according to MoneyGeek’s 2026 analysis, against $141 a month for the same coverage with a clean record. That is a 176 percent increase, or about $248 a month extra, which comes to $2,976 a year. Liability only after a DUI averages about $134 a month in Insurify’s November 2026 California data, against $280 a month for full coverage in the same dataset.
| Coverage | Clean record, per month | After a DUI, per month | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full coverage | $141 | $389 | 176 percent |
| Liability only | About $41 (GEICO minimum, MoneyGeek) | About $134 (Insurify average) | Roughly triple |
| Cheapest full coverage after a DUI | GEICO $95 | GEICO $212 | $117 a month |
The increase is not a fixed surcharge. Insurers reprice the whole policy after a DUI, so the new rate depends on your age, your car, your ZIP code, and how long ago the conviction happened. A 35 year old in a low cost ZIP code with an older car pays far less than a 22 year old in Los Angeles with a financed car. The rate also falls over time. Most insurers raise rates for three to ten years after a DUI, and the surcharge shrinks at each renewal as the conviction ages.
One cost drivers miss is the SR-22 filing fee. California requires an SR-22 after a DUI, and your insurer files it with the DMV and maintains it for three years from your license reinstatement. The filing fee itself is small, usually $15 to $50, but the SR-22 label tells insurers you are high risk, and that is part of why the premium jumps. Our guide to whether you need SR-22 and regular insurance explains how the filing works on top of a normal policy, and our guide to the cost and duration of SR-22 insurance covers the three year term in detail.
How long does a DUI affect your insurance in California?
A DUI affects your insurance in California for a long time, and the timelines are easy to confuse because three different clocks run at once. The DUI stays on your California driving record for 10 years under Vehicle Code sections 23152 and 23153. The SR-22 filing lasts three years from your license reinstatement. Insurers typically surcharge your rate for three to ten years after the DUI, depending on the carrier.
| Clock | How long | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| DMV driving record | 10 years | The conviction is visible to insurers and the court for a decade |
| SR-22 filing | 3 years from license reinstatement | Your insurer must keep the filing active; a lapse can suspend your license again |
| Insurance surcharge | 3 to 10 years, by carrier | Your premium stays elevated, shrinking at each renewal as the DUI ages |
| Other violations | 3 years | Speeding tickets and at fault accidents clear in three years, so a DUI outlasts them by seven |
The 10 year record is the trap. A driver who assumes a DUI clears in three years, like a speeding ticket, will pay about $129 extra a month for seven years longer than expected, which MoneyGeek puts at $15,480 over the full window for its sample GEICO driver. Mark the 10 year date from your conviction, and requote before the first renewal after it passes. The rate drop after a DUI ages off the record is usually the largest single saving a driver with a DUI will ever see.
If a DUI suspension leaves you without a vehicle but you still need an SR-22, a non owner policy costs less, because the coverage attaches to the driver rather than a car. Our guide to the cheapest SR-22 insurance covers non owner SR-22 pricing and the cheapest filing options.
How do you get the cheapest insurance after a DUI in California?
The cheapest insurance after a DUI in California comes from comparing quotes across at least four carriers, including Mercury and GEICO, and then stacking every discount you can claim. Start with the carriers that price DUI drivers best: GEICO, Mercury, Progressive, and National General. Jerry’s November 2026 California data adds Root at about $291 a month and Mapfre at about $315, so include them if they write in your area. Avoid assuming your current carrier is still competitive, since some carriers raise rates more than others after a DUI, and some will non renew you entirely.
Five moves cut the price after the quotes are in. First, raise your collision and comprehensive deductible to $1,000 if you can pay it after a crash. Second, drop collision and comprehensive if your car is old and paid off, since liability only after a DUI averages about $134 a month in Insurify’s data, less than half the full coverage average. Third, take a defensive driving course, which earns a discount with several carriers. Fourth, ask about telematics, since a year of clean monitored driving can offset part of the surcharge. Fifth, bundle home or renters insurance with the same carrier, which usually saves 10 to 20 percent.
California’s minimum liability limits are 30/60/15 since January 1, 2025, meaning $30,000 per person for injuries, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. That is the legal floor, not a recommendation, and a driver with a DUI should carry more if they can afford it, since a second serious crash with minimum limits can leave personal assets exposed. Our guide to California minimum car insurance requirements explains the 2025 limits, the 2035 increase to 50/100/25, and the low cost program for drivers who cannot afford standard rates. Our guide to how a DUI affects your car insurance rates covers the national picture beyond California.
What if no standard carrier will insure you after a DUI?
If no standard carrier will insure you after a DUI, you still have options. High risk specialists such as National General, Kemper, and The General write policies for drivers with DUIs, multiple violations, or lapses in coverage. Their rates are higher than GEICO or Mercury, with Jerry’s data putting National General at about $283 a month and Kemper at about $398, but they keep you insured and on the road while the DUI ages.
California also runs the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program, which provides affordable liability insurance to low income drivers who cannot get coverage in the regular market. The program caps liability at 10/20/3, which is below the standard 30/60/15 minimum, and eligibility depends on income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. It is a safety net, not a first choice, but it keeps a driver legal while they rebuild their record.
Whatever you do, do not let coverage lapse. A lapse in coverage after a DUI resets the SR-22 clock in some cases and raises your rate further when you buy again, since insurers price continuous coverage as a sign of lower risk. If money is tight, buy the minimum liability policy and keep it active, then raise your limits as soon as you can afford to.
Key takeaways
GEICO charges about $212 a month for full coverage after a DUI in California, the lowest rate in MoneyGeek’s 2026 analysis, with Mercury cheapest in NerdWallet’s data at $203 a month and Progressive the best overall pick at $228. The state average after a DUI is $389 a month, 176 percent above the $141 clean record average. A DUI stays on your California record for 10 years, the SR-22 lasts three years from reinstatement, and insurers surcharge for three to ten years. Compare at least four quotes, raise your deductible, and requote before the first renewal after the 10 year date passes, since that is when the largest rate drop happens.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance after a DUI in California?
GEICO is the cheapest in MoneyGeek’s 2026 California analysis at about $212 a month for full coverage after a DUI, and Mercury is cheapest in NerdWallet’s November 2026 analysis at $203 a month. The state average is $389 a month for full coverage. Quotes vary by age, car, and ZIP code, so compare at least four carriers.
How much does insurance go up after a DUI in California?
Full coverage rises from a clean record average of $141 a month to $389 a month after a DUI, a 176 percent increase, according to MoneyGeek’s 2026 analysis. That is about $248 extra a month, or $2,976 a year. GEICO’s own increase is smaller, from $95 to $212 a month, a difference of $117 a month.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in California?
A DUI stays on your California driving record for 10 years under Vehicle Code sections 23152 and 23153. The SR-22 filing lasts three years from your license reinstatement. Insurers typically surcharge your rate for three to ten years after the DUI, with the surcharge shrinking at each renewal.
Do I need an SR-22 after a DUI in California?
Yes, California requires an SR-22 filing after a DUI conviction. Your insurer submits the form to the DMV and maintains it for three years from your license reinstatement. The filing fee is usually $15 to $50, but the SR-22 label marks you as high risk, which is part of why the premium jumps.
Can I get car insurance after a DUI if my carrier drops me?
Yes. High risk specialists such as National General, Kemper, and The General write policies for drivers with DUIs. California also runs the Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program for low income drivers who cannot get coverage in the regular market. Do not let coverage lapse, since a lapse raises your rate further and can reset the SR-22 clock.
When will my insurance go down after a DUI in California?
Your insurance goes down gradually as the DUI ages, with the largest drop after the conviction passes the 10 year mark on your driving record. Most insurers surcharge for three to ten years. Mark the 10 year date from your conviction and requote before the first renewal after it passes.
