Auto insurance after a DUI in Pennsylvania

Alcohol-impaired driving carries steep costs that extend far beyond the initial fine. A single DUI conviction in Pennsylvania drives up the average cost of car insurance by 103 percent — and DUI surcharges could remain on your record for years. To help drivers understand what happens if you get a DUI in Pennsylvania, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team reviewed the laws and the data, including our best picks for affordable coverage in Pennsylvania after a DUI.

DUIs in Pennsylvania

The total cost of a Pennsylvania depends on various factors, including which legal penalties you’re subject to. 

DUI laws in Pennsylvania

Since 2003, the state of Pennsylvania has recognized three tiers of DUI offenses based on the individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC): 

• General impairment: .08 to .099 percent
• High BAC: .10 to .159 percent
• Highest BAC: .16 percent and above 

If you’re caught driving with a BAC of .08 percent or more, you could be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and face the penalties outlined below. The state will also consider any previous offenses when assigning penalties or treatment. 

DUI penalties in Pennsylvania

In most cases, the penalties that come with a Pennsylvania DUI conviction include fines, possible prison time, suspension of driving privileges, alcohol safety school and requiring the driver to install ignition interlock devices in all owned vehicles. The table below shows Pennsylvania’s penalties for drivers with no prior DUI offenses.

If you’ve had one or more DUI offenses already, the penalties for subsequent DUIs become more steep. For example, the ungraded misdemeanor charge attached to a first DUI offense could be upgraded to a second or first-degree misdemeanor for subsequent charges. In some cases, repeat offenders are also subject to steeper fines and longer jail sentences — up to $10,000 and five years. 

A few exemptions exist for these penalties. For instance, drivers can apply for a financial hardship exemption from the ignition interlock device requirement, which would allow them to install the device on only one vehicle. First-time offenders may also be eligible for an occupational limited license that allows driving for work, school and other essential functions after serving 60 days of their license suspension. 

DUI penalties for underage drinkers in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Zero Tolerance Law imposes penalties for individuals under 21 years of age who operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .02 percent or higher. If convicted, underage drinkers can be sentenced to penalties similar to those for High BAC DUI offenses:

• 48 hours to six months in jail 
• Fines from $500 to $5,000
• License suspension for 12 to 18 months 

Keep in mind that drivers under age 25 are already considered a high-risk cohort for auto insurance, so the insurance consequences of an underage DUI could be significant. 

How does a DUI affect car insurance in Pennsylvania?

A DUI conviction can double your minimum insurance required by Pennsylvania’s insurance laws, the average increase is higher — 109 percent. 

Insurance companies raise rates for drivers with DUIs because they signal a high risk of future accidents and claims. For Pennsylvania drivers with a single DUI conviction, full coverage car insurance costs an average of $4,835 per year, compared to the statewide average of $2,386. If you have prior DUIs or other high-risk factors, like poor credit or minimal driving experience, you may pay even more.

Cheap auto insurance after a DUI in Pennsylvania

Bankrate’s analysis of average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services found that Auto-Owners, Progressive and Geico are some of the best companies in Pennsylvania forother risk factors.

How to find affordable car insurance in Pennsylvania after a DUI 

While rate increases can add to the cost of a DUI in Pennsylvania, you may not be stuck paying a high premium forever. Smart savings strategies could help you secure more affordable coverage after a conviction — and even help you reduce the odds of another rate hike. 

• Shop around: Before anything else, it may be a good idea to compare rates from a wide range of insurers to find a company willing to work with your record. While almost any insurance provider will charge high rates for customers with DUIs, some carriers don’t penalize this offense as harshly as others.
• Ask your insurer about a defensive driving course: Some insurance companies may allow you to complete an approved defensive driving course in exchange for a discount on your policy.
• Look into payment discounts: Making small changes, like paying your annual premium in full, setting up autopay or enrolling in paperless billing, could help to lower your rates.
• Build your credit: While it might seem unrelated, your credit could be key to getting lower rates after a DUI. In Pennsylvania, drivers with poor credit pay, on average, 96 percent more for full coverage than drivers with good credit.
• Adjust your policy: Dropping deductible can lower your insurance premium, but be aware, both of these options expose you to more risk if you were to be involved in an accident. If you’re considering making adjustments, it’s advised that you discuss your policy with an agent first.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does a DUI affect your insurance in PA?

  You can expect a DUI conviction to affect your auto insurance cost for at least three years in Pennsylvania. The surcharge attached to your policy will often decrease over time before the conviction falls off your record. However, any DUI conviction will stay on your official Pennsylvania driving record for life.

• What is the cheapest car insurance for a DUI in PA?

  On average, we found that the cheapest Pennsylvania car insurance company for drivers with a single DUI conviction is Progressive. However, every driver’s profile and coverage needs are different, so it’s worth comparing rates from several companies before settling on a policy following a DUI.

• Is a DUI a felony or misdemeanor in PA?

  In Pennsylvania, all first offense DUI convictions count as an ungraded misdemeanor. If you’ve been charged with DUI in the past, any subsequent DUIs could be counted as a second- or first-degree misdemeanor. However, if your DUI caused serious injuries or death, you could be charged with a felony.

• Do I need an SR-22 in Pennsylvania?

  No, Pennsylvania is one of the few states that doesn’t require SR-22 insurance verification forms after DUIs. Instead, you’ll need to comply with ignition interlock device requirements to reinstate your driving privileges.

• What is the best car insurance company in Pennsylvania?

  There is no single Pennsylvania’s top-rated auto insurers or speak with a licensed insurance agent.

• How much does a DUI cost in Pennsylvania?

  For first-time offenders, a Pennsylvania DUI can cost $300 to $5,000 depending on your BAC at the time of the citation. However, on top of paying your fine, there are severe second-order costs that follow your DUI. One of these is several years of insurance surcharges, since providers will raise your rates to compensate for your risky driving behavior. Additionally, the criminal offense, jail time and license suspension that can come with a DUI could impact your employment eligibility or your method of transportation — limiting your earning potential.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze August, 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. Bundling and paperless billing discounts are applied.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.

If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:

• Credit-based insurance scores:

  Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

• Incidents:

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.

• Mileage:

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following differences in mileage: 2K, 5K, 12K (base), 15K and 20K.

• Model:

  Unless otherwise stated, rates are for 2023 vehicle models. For new vs. used vehicles, we included the following year in our calculations: 2013.

• Age:

  Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations. For teen drivers, rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents’ policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.

• Gender:

  The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.

• Status:

  Rates were evaluated based on the following marital/family status: single (base), married, 40-year-old married man and woman. Marital status is not a rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts.