Does car insurance cover DUI accidents?
Your car insurance will usually cover a DUI accident, but this isn't always the case. Your claim may be denied if your provider can show that you drove while intoxicated intentionally. Your car insurance rates will increase by a lot following a DUI accident, even if your policy covers it. It's to your advantage to never drive drunk or otherwise impaired because you could be denied coverage in the future.
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
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UPDATED: Apr 11, 2023
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UPDATED: Apr 11, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Car insurance may cover DUI accidents, but you may have to fight your insurance company for a payout if the DUI was intentional
- A DUI can result in a big increase in your car insurance premiums
- A DUI can also cause your insurer to cancel your policy
Does car insurance cover DUI accidents? That depends on your insurance company. Some companies believe that causing an accident while under the influence is a deliberate act. If you cause an accident while driving drunk, your insurance company may refuse to pay for it.
Even if you don’t cause an accident, a DUI will make you a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurers. All of these issues will leave you wondering, will your insurance cover a DUI accident?
For drivers with DUIs, the best option is to shop around and compare car insurance providers. High-risk drivers may have to pay hundreds of dollars more for car insurance.
Does car insurance cover DUI accidents? Before you learn more, enter your ZIP code, you can get free quotes from multiple top car insurers right now.
Will auto insurance cover DUI accidents?
Many drivers are shocked to find out that DUI accidents are covered by their insurer. In fact, your car insurance provider will cover it in the same way that they would cover an ordinary accident, up to the limits of your policy.
They’ll pay for the medical bills of anyone you hurt, as well as the price of fixing the other driver’s car (assuming you were at fault).
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Car Insurance Companies That Claim Your Accident Was Intentional
The reason insurance companies cover a DUI is because it is considered an accident: you didn’t plan to cause a collision while under the influence.
However, some insurance companies will try to deny your claim, by arguing that it was planned or intentional. If the insurance company can show that your accident was deliberate, they will not have to pay for it.
As the DUI will be noted on your insurance record, you may want to get new car insurance quotes.
What are the consequences of a DUI on my car insurance?
Even if your insurer pays out, you can still be subject to repercussions from a DUI. Denial and limitation of coverage after a DUI are common. Companies may refuse to renew your coverage.
You may be wondering, will a DUI be on my record forever? A DUI will typically stay on your insurance record for three to five years. If you’ve been ticketed for drinking and driving, it is in your best interest to find the best auto insurance after a DUI.
Now that you know more about if car insurance covers DUI accidents, enter your ZIP code right now, and free quotes from top companies in your area will be right at your fingertips.
Frequently Asked Questions: Does car insurance cover DUI accidents?
If you have more questions about car insurance and DUI accidents, here are the answers.
#1 – Do insurance companies cover DUI accidents when you only have basic insurance?
Yes, your liability coverage will cover you since liability insurance is a basic form of car insurance that is mandatory for everyone to have. It applies even if you are under the influence of alcohol.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Insurance Lawyer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.