Best Auto Insurance After a DUI in California (Top 10 Companies in 2026)

USAA, Safeco, and Travelers have the best auto insurance after a DUI in California. USAA is best for military and veterans with DUIs, with minimum rates starting at $44/month. California DUI drivers who don't qualify for USAA insurance will find affordable DUI car insurance coverage at Safeco and Travelers.

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Rachel Bodine

Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All...

Written by
Rachel Bodine
Daniel Walker

Licensed Auto Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...

Reviewed by
Daniel Walker

Updated December 2024

Top Pick for DUI in California: USAA
4.8

Company Facts

Full Coverage After a DUI in California

$136/mo

A.M. Best Rating

A++

Complaint Level

Low

Pros & Cons

  • Offers multiple products including financial services and banking
  • High customer satisfaction and financial ratings
  • Rates are lower than average
  • Coverage is available in all 50 states
  • Easy-to-use mobile app
  • Coverage isn’t available to everyone
  • DUIs drastically increase rates
  • SafePilot isn’t available in every state
  • Customer complaints are higher than competitors
Best DUI Tools in California: Safeco
3.8

Company Facts

Full Coverage After a DUI in California

$122/mo

A.M. Best Rating

A

Complaint Level

Low

Pros & Cons

  • Accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible
  • Multiple ways to customize coverage
  • Multiple discount options
  • Safeco RightTrack program
  • Low customer satisfaction ratings
  • Online quotes are obtained through agents
  • Not a lot of information on the price
Best DUI Claims in California: Travelers
4.4

Company Facts

Full Coverage After a DUI in California

$255/mo

A.M. Best Rating

A++

Complaint Level

Low

Pros & Cons

  • Largest U.S. Insurer
  • Nationwide Coverage
  • Broad Insurance Options
  • Below-Average Rates
  • IntelliDrive Rate Increase
  • Below-Average Reviews
  • Limited Rideshare Availability

The top companies that stand out for the best auto insurance after a DUI in California are USAA, Safeco, and Travelers.

Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI: USAA, Safeco, Travelers

The best auto insurance companies for DUI drivers in California offer discount savings and complete protection plans to DUI customers.

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

CompanyRankPay-in-Full DiscountA.M. BestBest ForJump to Pros/Cons
USAA Tablepress Logo#115%A++Military SavingsUSAA
Safeco TablePress Logo#220%AOnline ToolsSafeco
Travelers Tablepress Logo#312%A++Filing ClaimsTravelers
State Farm Tablepress Logo#418%BLocal AgentsState Farm
Progressive Tablepress Logo#510%A+Competitive RatesProgressive
Nationwide TablePress Logo#614%A+Accident ForgivenessNationwide
Amica TablePress Logo#717%A+Customer ServiceAmica Mutual
Farmers Tablepress Logo#813%AFirst-Responder DiscountFarmers
Allstate Tablepress Logo#916%A+Add-On CoveragesAllstate
The General TablePress Logo#1019%AHigh-Risk CoverageThe General

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Our guide goes over all the pros and cons of these companies so you can choose a California company that’s perfect for your individual needs. You can also enter your ZIP in our free quote comparison tool to find the cheapest California auto insurance after a DUI.

Things to Remember

  • USAA has the best car insurance in California after a DUI for military drivers
  • Non-military California drivers will find the next best DUI coverage at Safeco
  • California DUI drivers pay more than the average driver, even at the top companies

#1 – USAA: Top Overall Pick

USAA: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Military Savings: Military and veterans in California will find some of the best deals at USAA. Find out more in our USAA auto insurance review.
  • Customer Satisfaction: USAA has one of the highest ratings for overall satisfaction in California with services and claims for DUI drivers.
  • California Discount Opportunities: DUI drivers can work to lower their rates by participating in good driver programs, bundling their policies, and more.

Cons

  • Membership Restrictions: USAA only sells to California DUI residents who are military or veterans.
  • California Coverage Options: USAA doesn’t offer as many add-ons as other major California DUI insurance companies, although it has a good list of basics.

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#2 – Safeco: Best for Online Tools

Safeco: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Online Tools: Safeco has an online app, and Californian DUI customers can also use the company’s website.
  • Claims-Free Cash Back: California DUI auto insurance customers get cash back for not filing claims and driving safely.
  • Customizable Coverages: California DUI policies can be adjusted with different coverages and deductibles.

Cons

  • Customer Satisfaction in California: Safeco may not be the best for DUI customers as it has low overall ratings, which you can learn about in our Safeco review.
  • California Agent Quotes: You can’t complete a DUI insurance quote online, as you will be directed to an agent to finish an online quote.

#3 – Travelers: Best for Filing Claims

Travelers: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Filing Claims: Travelers has a straightforward claims filing process for Californian DUI customers.
  • Financial Stability: An A++ rating from A.M. Best helps Travelers stand out from other Californian DUI companies.
  • California DUI Coverage Options: Lease insurance for cars and more is available from Travelers. For a complete list, read our Travelers review.

Cons

  • IntelliDrive Discount Not in California: DUI drivers in California can’t join the discount program.
  • Customer Service: The service from California representatives for DUI customers is considered average or below average in most customer reviews.

#4 – State Farm: Best for Local Agents

State Farm: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Local Agents: DUI drivers can work directly with a California agent. Read more in our review of State Farm.
  • California Coverage Options: State Farm DUI customers can pay extra for coverages like roadside assistance.
  • Discount Opportunities: DUI customers in California can work to lower rates with some of State Farm’s discount opportunities.

Cons

  • Fewer Online Tools: State Farm has fewer online customer management insurance tools for California DUI drivers.
  • Financial Rating: State Farm isn’t as financially strong as other California DUI auto insurance companies.

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#5 – Progressive: Best for Competitive Rates

Progressive: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Competitive Rates: Progressive has competitive auto insurance rates for DUI drivers in California.
  • Online Tools: Progressive has useful budgeting and online management tools for California DUI customers.
  • California DUI Coverage options: Lease payoff insurance and more are sold by Progressive. Read our Progressive review for a full list.

Cons

  • Snapshot Not Available in California: DUI drivers can’t try to get a discount with Snapshot in California.
  • California DUI Customer Ratings: Ratings for Progressive aren’t as good as those of other companies like USAA.

#6 – Nationwide: Best for Accident Forgiveness

Nationwide: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Accident Forgiveness: Nationwide forgives some California DUI drivers for their first accident.
  • Pay-Per-Mile Insurance: SmartMiles by Nationwide is available in California for low-mileage DUI drivers.
  • California Bundling Discount: DUI drivers can bring rates down by purchasing home or renters insurance with their auto insurance.

Cons

  • Local Agent Availability: Some California DUI customers may have trouble finding a local agent.
  • California DUI Customer Satisfaction: Ratings are average or worse from most customers, which you can learn about in our Nationwide review.

#7 – Amica: Best for Customer Service

Amica: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Customer Service: Amica has great satisfaction ratings from California DUI customers, which you can check out in our Amica review.
  • Add-On Coverages: Amica sells extras like full glass coverage to California DUI drivers.
  • California Discount Opportunities: DUI drivers can earn small discounts for doing simple things like going paperless.

Cons

  • Young Driver Rates: Amica is less affordable for young California drivers with a DUI.
  • No Rideshare Insurance: DUI drivers won’t be able to buy rideshare insurance in California.

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#8 – Farmers: Best for First-Responders

Farmers: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • First-Responder Discount: First responders in California will get a discount on DUI auto insurance rates.
  • Local Agents: California drivers with a DUI can get personalized assistance from an agent. Learn more in our Farmers review.
  • Coverage Options: DUI customers can add on extras like California roadside assistance.

Cons

  • Accident Forgiveness: California DUI customers will have to pay extra to add accident forgiveness to their policy.
  • Signal Discount Not in California: DUI drivers can’t participate in the Signal program, as it’s unavailable in California.

#9 – Allstate: Best for Add-On Coverages

Allstate: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • Add-On Coverages: California DUI customers can purchase extras like gap or roadside assistance. Read our Allstate review to learn what else is offered.
  • Online Tools: Allstate’s app lets California DUI customers file claims, pay bills, and more.
  • California Discount Options: DUI drivers can save small amounts for doing things as simple as joining auto-pay or going paperless.

Cons

  • Milewise Not in California: Allstate’s mileage-based insurance isn’t sold in California, which will reduce saving opportunities for DUI drivers.
  • Drivewise Not in California: Allstate’s discount program is also not available in California, reducing saving opportunities for DUI drivers.

#10 – The General: Best for High-Risk Coverage

The General: Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI

Pros

  • High-Risk Coverage: The General specializes in high-risk coverage for California DUI drivers, which you can read more about in our review of The General.
  • California SR-22 Filing: The General will file SR-22 insurance forms for its high-risk DUI customers.
  • Mobile App: The General’s app is intended to make policy management for California DUI customers easier.

Cons

  • California Coverage Options: The General doesn’t sell as many add-on coverages as other DUI California companies.
  • Higher California Rates: The General is one of the pricier companies for DUI customers in California.

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Compare Rates From the Best DUI California Companies

Drivers with one DUI will have more affordable rates than multiple DUI offenders, making it easier to get cheap insurance from the best California companies.  The table below shows average rates for a DUI offender at the top companies.

California DUI Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level & Provider

Insurance CompanyMinimum CoverageFull Coverage
Allstate$110$336
Amica Mutual$86$283
Farmers$76$232
Nationwide$96$294
Progressive$57$176
Safeco$47$122
State Farm$46$140
The General$166$426
Travelers$83$255
USAA$44$136

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While drivers can still get cheap auto insurance after a DUI, rates won’t be as cheap as if drivers had a clean driving record. Rates will be even more expensive if drivers are required to buy high-risk insurance.

Minimum coverage will be the cheapest option for DUI drivers in California, although it doesn’t offer much financial protection in an accident.

How to Save on California DUI Insurance

Drivers looking to lower their rates at the best California DUI companies can start by applying for discounts. The top companies on our list offer plenty of discounts to help DUI customers save.

Multi-policy discounts are one of the best ways for DUI drivers to save on their car insurance policies in California, and they offer the convenience of keeping insurance policies at one provider.

Best Auto Insurance in California After a DUI: Multi-Policy Auto Insurance Discount Definition Card

DUI drivers in California can also adjust their auto insurance deductibles or shop around for auto insurance quotes to get a lower rate on DUI insurance.

If DUI offenders maintain a clean driving record after their DUI, their auto insurance rates will drop after a few years.

Brandon Frady Licensed Insurance Producer

Because companies consider DUI drivers high-risk, DUI drivers in California will pay more for car insurance than drivers without a DUI.

Finding The Best California Auto Insurance Company After a DUI

USAA, Safeco, and Travelers are the best California auto insurance companies after a DUI, with full coverage options and auto insurance discounts.

best auto insurance in California after a DUI: USAA

High-risk drivers also have plenty of other great options on our list, and we recommend shopping around to find the company that is the best fit for your budget and insurance needs.

Ready to get quotes for DUI auto insurance in California? Use our free tool to find the best insurance in California after a DUI today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does your insurance go up after a DUI in California?

It depends on the offense, but rates can double after a DUI in California.

How long does DUI stay on insurance in California?

DUIs stay on record for ten years, but rates can go down on insurance after a few years if drivers don’t get another DUI.

What is the cheapest car insurance after a DUI in California?

Minimum coverage will be the cheapest car insurance option for DUI drivers in California, although carrying just minimum coverage is not recommended for all drivers (Learn More: When to Buy More Than Minimum Auto Insurance).

How long can you not drive after a DUI in California?

The law typically suspends driving privileges for at least six months.

Will Progressive drop me after a DUI?

Progressive usually won’t drop customers after a DUI, but the company will raise rates.

How long after a DUI does your insurance go down in California?

It depends, but it takes at least a few years for California rates to go down again after a DUI (Read More: Factors That Affect Auto Insurance Rates).

What is the best insurance for a DUI in California?

The best coverage for a DUI incident will be full coverage insurance. To get a good deal on full coverage insurance in California, make sure to compare rates with our free quote tool.

Does Geico insure DUI?

Yes, Geico will insure DUI drivers, but it is not one of the best auto insurance companies for DUI drivers in California.

Who has the best auto insurance in California for DUI drivers?

USAA, Safeco, and Travelers are the best high-risk auto insurance companies in California for DUI drivers.

How many points is a DUI in California?

A DUI will result in two points on a driver’s record.

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