All states, including Illinois, require car insurance. However, insurance companies have the legal right to deny car insurance to a person with a DUI. If an insurer is willing to cover a driver after a DUI, they often do so with a higher premium because the driver is considered a higher risk. Several factors will influence how much more you will pay in insurance premiums.
The first DUI
If this is your first DUI, you will likely not have as many problems as someone with multiple DUIs or previous traffic convictions. In most cases, first-time offenders can easily get insurance coverage. However, they will pay a whole lot more than a person who does not have a DUI.
Your age when you got the DUI
The younger you are, the more you will pay for a comparable insurance policy compared to a more experienced driver. Drivers under 21, even if it’s their first DUI conviction, could lose their insurance entirely.
An older driver with multiple DUI convictions during the past one to three years could have to pay rates on par with that of a younger driver that only has one DUI conviction.
Your moving violations history
Another factor influencing how high your insurance rates go up is how long it has been since your last DUI. Insurance companies focus on the past 3 to 5 years of driving history when determining your rate. If you have multiple driving violations on your record in the past few years, your rates will go even higher after you get a DUI.
How long will a DUI affect your insurance?
In Illinois, a DUI stays on your driver’s record indefinitely. Most people should expect to pay higher rates for at least seven years.
Getting a DUI is a serious offense that comes with a lot of consequences. If you have a DUI, work hard to keep your driving record clean, and eventually, you should see your insurance rates drop.