Vehicle insurance premiums are one of the most significant costs of driving. They can be so prohibitive that some people avoid paying them altogether – which is a terrible idea and illegal.

If you want to keep your premiums as low as possible, you must ensure you don't do anything that could cause your insurer to increase them, such as having a collision or picking up a traffic ticket. One situation that will result in a premium spike is a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI).

An average 185% rise in California

Moneygeek.com found that a DUI conviction caused an average price increase of 185% for fully comprehensive insurance in California. Some insurers may charge more and some may charge less. Regardless, it will still be significant.

The circumstances of your DUI could see costs rise further

If you are convicted of a DUI after you have been found to be way over the legal blood alcohol limit, as opposed to only just over it, your insurer might push the price up even more. Other aggravating factors such as having children in the vehicle at the time you were stopped could also result in steeper increases. The same holds true if you have been the subject of previous DUI convictions.

It will stay high for around 10 years

California insurers check your driving record for the past 10 years, so you can expect to wait a decade before the DUI conviction ceases to affect your premiums.

Being charged with a DUI should not affect your insurance premiums. Being convicted of the charge definitely will. Hence, you'll probably want to seek legal guidance to give yourself the best chance of beating any charges that you may be facing.

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