How Long Does a DUI Raise Your Car Insurance in Illinois?

A DUI can raise your car insurance for several years in Illinois. How long depends on the insurance company, because each one looks back at your record a different way. The SR-22 the state asks for lasts three years on its own.

Here is what to expect, and what you can do about the price.

What does Illinois ask for after a DUI?

A DUI conviction revokes your license in Illinois. To get it back, the Secretary of State asks for an SR-22 along with its other steps.

The Illinois Secretary of State asks you to have that SR-22 for three years. Your policy has to be paid and active the whole time.

Does a DUI ever come off your record?

In most cases, no. A DUI conviction is not removed from your Illinois driving record. The University of Illinois Student Legal Service explains this in its guide to DUI in Illinois.

That does not mean you pay the highest price forever. Most companies care most about the last few years of your record when they set your price.

Why does the price go up so much?

To an insurance company, a DUI says the driver is more likely to have a claim. Some companies will not quote a driver with a DUI at all. Others will, at a higher price.

This is where shopping around helps most. The gap between the highest and lowest quote is often wide for a driver with a DUI.

How can you bring your price down?

You cannot erase the DUI, but you can stop adding to it. Here is what helps:

• Pay every bill on time so the SR-22 never lapses.
• Go without tickets or claims. Every clean year helps.
• Ask about a defensive driving course. Some companies give a discount for it.
• Raise your deductible if you can afford a bigger bill after a claim.
• Have an agent compare companies each year, not just once.

What if you need to drive for work?

Losing your license after a DUI can cost you your job. Illinois has permits that allow limited driving in some cases.

Ask a lawyer about what your case allows. Then call us for the insurance part.

DUI and SR-22 help in Schaumburg

We help drivers in Schaumburg, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates and Elgin after a DUI, in English and in Spanish. Our page on SR-22 insurance in Schaumburg explains the filing and what to bring.

Call us at (847) 238-3861. We will compare the companies that write SR-22 policies and show you where your price lands.