Drivers in the Empire State may face serious consequences if they are convicted of driving under the influence. Commonly referred to as DUI, New York law calls alcohol and drug-related violations “driving while intoxicated” (DWI). New York DWI convictions can not only lead to penalties like fines, jail time and license suspension or revocation but also increased car insurance costs. Bankrate explains how long a DUI might affect your insurance in NY and how to find the most affordable coverage for your situation.
DWIs in New York
What happens in the event of a DWI conviction in New York State depends on the circumstances and the age of the driver. Below are the categories of NY DWI infractions, but your specific driving record plays a large role in determining the penalties you may face.
DWI laws in New York
In New York, there are several categories of impaired driving, and convictions can be issued for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Here’s what you should know if you’re caught driving with a specific blood alcohol content (BAC):
- 0.08 or higher can be convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI). For drivers of commercial vehicles, anything over 0.04 BAC is considered a DWI.
- Over 0.05 but under 0.07 can be convicted of driving while ability impaired by alcohol (DWAI)
- 0.18 or higher can be convicted of an aggravated DWI
- 0.02 or over can receive a DWI if the driver is under age 21
No matter your driving record, drivers in New York are required to carry insurance coverage. Insurance laws here mandate a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $100,000 in bodily injury coverage for multiple deaths. New York drivers must also carry $10,000 in property damage liability per accident, as well as $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per person and $50,000 in uninsured motorist per accident.
DWI penalties in New York
Penalties vary in New York based on the severity and frequency of your DWI or DWAI conviction. Possible outcomes include license revocation, fines and even jail time.
- First DWI/DWAI convictions are the least severe, with fines of $500-$1,000, jail time of up to 1 year and license revocation for at least 6 months.
- Multiple DWIs/DWAIs can result in fines of up to $10,000, up to 7 years in jail and license revocation for at least 1 year.
- Aggravated DWIs can face steeper fines and license revocations for up to 3 years.
- Repeat violations of any sort can result in a felony conviction.
DWI penalties for underage drinkers in New York
If a driver is under 21 and gets a DUI, they violate the state’s zero tolerance law. Although there’s no jail time associated with breaking it, the underage driver faces the following:
- $125 civil penalty fee
- 6-month license suspension
- $100 fee to reinstate the license
Note that if the underage driver had previously violated the zero tolerance law and gets another DUI, their license is revoked for one year or until they turn 21. They’ll also have to pay the associated fees.
How does a DUI affect car insurance in New York?
A DUI conviction in New York is a criminal offense, and DWIs may stay on your record in the state for up to 15 years (more if vehicular homicide is involved). This is why drivers with DWI convictions are typically considered high-risk drivers by insurance companies. Companies that extend insurance policies to drivers with DUIs typically charge significantly higher premiums to compensate for this added risk.
On average, the cost of car insurance in New York for drivers with a clean record is $3,916 per year for full coverage and $1,685 for minimum coverage. In comparison, the national average costs are $2,638 and $767, respectively. Drivers pay 52 percent more for car insurance after a DWI in NY. Although this is less than the national average increase of 94 percent, New York’s already high insurance costs mean that the average annual insurance premium is $5,961 for full coverage and $2,595 for minimum coverage after a DWI.
In some states, drivers convicted of a DUI offense are required to file an SR-22 certificate stating that they have the legally mandated minimum insurance. New York is one of the few states that does not require this certificate.
Cheap auto insurance after a DUI in New York
After a DUI, auto insurance may cost more, but keep in mind that companies look at multiple factors when determining your rate — your driving record is just one. Insurers also consider your ZIP code, age, marital status and more. Further, every carrier uses its own algorithm to calculate rates, so some may weigh your DUI conviction more lightly than others. To find the cheapest company for you, experts recommend gathering quotes from multiple insurers to compare.
Below we’ve collected premiums from some of the largest national and regional carriers. These figures reflect average rates for New York drivers with a clean record and average rates for drivers with a single NY DUI. Your quotes will likely vary.
| Company | Avg. rate before DUI | Avg. rate after DUI | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYCM | $3,433 | $4,910 | 43% |
| Erie | $3,553 | $5,661 | 59% |
| Geico | $3,315 | $7,458 | 125% |
| USAA | $3,747 | $5,441 | 45% |
| Encompass | $4,536 | $6,875 | 52% |
How to find affordable car insurance in New York after a DUI
It may feel as though you’re powerless to stop your insurance rates from climbing following a DUI, but there are strategies you can use to potentially save money. If you’re hoping to reduce your insurance premium after a DUI, consider the following:
- Shop around: Request quotes from several providers to see which ones offer you the cheapest rates. Specify the same coverage types and policy limits when requesting a quote so it’s easier to make an even comparison.
- Look for discounts: You probably won’t qualify for a claims-free discount, but you might get a bundling discount, multi-car policy discount, low-mileage discount or something else. Plus, most providers allow you to combine discounts for maximum savings.
- Take a defensive driving course: While a New York defensive driving course won’t remove a DUI infraction from your license, completing a course might earn you a significant insurance discount.
- Avoid future infractions: Even though the DUI will remain on your license, you can make a point of driving safely so you don’t add violations to it. Other infractions can drive up your insurance rates even more (or cause you to lose your license).
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze January 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.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base) and a single DUI conviction.
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