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Getting a DUI can be especially costly in these states, study shows
By Jeremy Tanner,
26 days ago
(NEXSTAR) – In time for the Fourth of July, one of the more DUI-prone days of the year, a recent study ranked states based on how much a violation will increase a driver’s average insurance cost.
Analysts from financial marketplace LendingTree found that, among the detrimental consequences of a DUI conviction, there are major financial penalties – even if the crash doesn’t injure or kill anyone.
Insurance premiums jump by 74.5% on average, the study found, with drivers in some states facing sharply higher increases.
Parasitic illness cases are spiking: The symptoms to watch for, including ‘explosive’ diarrheaThe study found that the top three states when it comes to the greatest post-DUI insurance increase, are North Carolina, California and Delaware, respectively.
| Rank | State | Avg. annual premium before | Avg. annual premium after | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | $1,208 | $4,640 | 284.1% |
| 2 | California | $2,600 | $6,135 | 136.0% |
| 3 | Delaware | $2,542 | $5,694 | 124.0% |
| 4 | West Virginia | $1,502 | $3,216 | 114.1% |
| 5 | Kentucky | $2,066 | $4,354 | 110.7% |
| 6 | Indiana | $1,490 | $3,122 | 109.5% |
| 7 | Connecticut | $2,651 | $5,464 | 106.1% |
| 8 | Georgia | $2,489 | $5,079 | 104.1% |
| 9 | Michigan | $2,440 | $4,961 | 103.3% |
| 10 | Minnesota | $1,998 | $4,053 | 102.9% |
See the LendingTree website for the complete list of states.
Within each state, the study’s authors found that two groups of people see the largest increases in premiums – the youngest and oldest. Part of the reason is that insurance premiums for a 20-year-old and an 80-year-old are already the highest by age group before a DUI raises rates.
“Insurance companies are pricing for risk. Their data shows that people with a DUI are more likely to have a future car accident than a typical driver. Accidents cost insurance companies money in the form of claims payments, and they factor these potential costs into the rates they charge after a DUI.”
Rob Bhatt, LendingTree auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent
According to AAA, every state in the US has laws that prohibit drinking with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, while Utah has the lowest limit – .05%.
For those drivers convicted of a DUI, Bhatt had the following advice: try to reduce a sentence through a diversion program, compare insurance plans, stay on top of all paperwork requirements to avoid additional penalties, consider public transportation and practice good driving habits.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
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