DUI Car Insurance in Illinois


Updated: February 17, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways
blueCheck icon

Your driving record is permanently affected by a DUI in Illinois, while insurers raise rates for three to five years (read more).

blueCheck icon

Illinois requires an SR-22 form after DUI conviction, which your insurer submits to the DMV for three years (read more).

blueCheck icon

At $129 per month, Travelers provides the most affordable DUI coverage, making comparison shopping worthwhile (read more).

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Get the best insurance rate. Compare quotes from top car insurance companies.

How Long Does a DUI Affect Car Insurance in Illinois?

Most Illinois drivers face higher insurance premiums for three years following a DUI conviction. The offense remains on your driving record permanently. The exact timeline depends on your insurer and overall driving history, as companies use the conviction to calculate your risk level and pricing.

Drivers with clean records in Illinois pay around $99 per month for coverage, while those with a DUI pay approximately $181 monthly. This jump means drivers with a DUI will have difficulty finding cheap rates, making it essential to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find competitive options.

Illinois requires an SR-22 filing to prove you carry the state's minimum liability coverage of 25/50/20 ($25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident and $20,000 for property damage). Read more about insurance costs after a DUI in Illinois.

Insurance Requirements After a DUI in Illinois

Illinois's SR-22 filing requirement lasts three years after your DUI conviction, during which you'll need to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage. Your insurance company handles submitting the SR-22 form to the state, which proves you're carrying the required coverage. If your policy lapses or gets canceled during this period, you'll face license suspension since your insurer must notify the DMV immediately.

How Much Does Insurance Cost After a DUI in Illinois?

Illinois drivers face a steep jump in insurance costs after a DUI conviction. Those with clean records pay $99 per month for full coverage, but that climbs to $181 monthly after a DUI—an 83% increase that hits wallets hard.

Nationally, the pattern looks similar but slightly better for drivers. Americans with DUIs pay $219 per month compared to $122 for clean records, which works out to an 80% increase. Illinois's 83% jump puts the state above this national benchmark, making it tougher than average to afford coverage after a DUI.

Data filtered by:
Full Coverage
Illinois$99$181
National$122$219

Best Cheap DUI Car Insurance Companies

For Illinois drivers dealing with a DUI, Travelers offers both the cheapest car insurance and ranking as the best overall car insurance provider, according to MoneyGeek's scoring system. This rare combination means you don't have to choose between affordability and quality.

Travelers charges just $129 per month for DUI drivers, which saves you $52 monthly compared to the state average of $181. That's over $624 in annual savings, providing meaningful financial relief when you're already managing higher insurance costs.

What makes Travelers the top choice is how it balances competitive pricing with excellent service and coverage options. The company earns a 4.81 out of 5 rating from MoneyGeek, which weighs affordability alongside customer experience and coverage quality, proving you can get great value at $129 per month.

Erie Insurance4.42$186
Country Financial4.23$146
AAA4.08$194
Allstate3.91$229
Nationwide3.9$261
Farmers3.77$288
Travelers4.81$129
Progressive4.8$134
Auto Owners4.74$137
Geico4.43$147

Can You Get an Insurance Rate Reduction if You Don't Have a DUI?

Don't fall for ads promising special payouts for maintaining a clean driving record. Facebook ads claiming cash back for DUI-free driving are common scam tactics designed to steal your personal information. Insurance companies don't offer rebate programs for avoiding DUIs. Insurers price policies based on risk assessment, so drivers without DUI convictions pay lower premiums because they're safer to insure, not because of any bonus program.

Additional Costs to Consider After a DUI in Illinois

Insurance premiums rise after a DUI, but additional expenses pile up fast in Illinois.

  • Court penalties. You'll face fines imposed by the court, along with administrative fees and various court costs. These mandatory payments range from $500 to $2,500, depending on your case specifics and any prior offenses.
  • Vehicle retrieval costs. Getting your car back involves towing fees of $100 to $250, plus daily impound storage charges. Storage costs add $20 to $40 per day, so retrieving your vehicle quickly saves money.
  • Education and treatment programs. Illinois requires substance use assessments and DUI education courses for most offenders. Treatment programs may also be mandatory. These requirements cost $150 to $1,500 total.
  • License restoration fees. Reinstating your suspended or revoked license involves state processing fees. Illinois charges $100 to $500 for reinstatement, depending on your violation severity and license type.
  • Legal representation. Most people hire attorneys to navigate DUI proceedings effectively. Professional legal representation costs $1,500 to $5,000, varying by case complexity and attorney experience.
  • Breath monitoring device. Many Illinois DUI convictions require ignition interlock installation. Initial setup costs $70 to $150, with ongoing monthly monitoring fees of $60 to $100 per month.
  • Supervision costs. Probation involves monthly supervision fees and required testing expenses. These ongoing costs range from $20 to $50 per month throughout your probation period.

How to Get the Best Cheap Illinois Car Insurance With a DUI

If standard insurers won't offer coverage, backup options are outlined below.

  1. 1
    Understand Your Coverage Needs

    A DUI in Illinois often means higher required limits beyond state minimums. Carry extra protection based on your income, location and driving frequency. Illinois requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, and DUI convictions can lead to higher premiums. Use an auto insurance coverage needs calculator to determine appropriate coverage levels for your situation.

  2. 2
    Research Costs and Discounts

    Car insurance prices vary by location, driving history and DUI status across Illinois cities like Chicago and Springfield. Insurers don't offer DUI-specific discounts, but some provide breaks for requesting quotes online or paying your policy in full. Completing state-approved defensive driving courses in Illinois may help lower your rates after a DUI conviction.

  3. 3
    Compare Multiple Providers

    Get quotes from several insurance companies and review them side by side using identical coverage limits. This approach helps you spot real price differences between insurers. Even if you find affordable options initially, it's worth checking with other companies since rates can vary for drivers with DUI convictions in Illinois.

  4. 4
    Use State High-Risk Programs

    After a DUI, some insurers may decline to provide coverage entirely. Illinois offers a high-risk option through the Illinois Automobile Insurance Plan, administered by the Illinois Department of Insurance. This program allows drivers with DUIs to meet state insurance requirements when standard policies become unavailable through traditional insurers.

  5. 5
    Make Lifestyle Changes

    Credit history affects car insurance pricing in Illinois, so drivers with poor credit and a DUI pay much more than those with stronger credit scores. Switching to a lower-cost model like a dependable used car can reduce your premiums after a DUI conviction.

  6. 6
    Consider Nontraditional Coverage Types

    Low-mileage drivers who drive under 7,000 miles per year can save with pay-per-mile insurance programs. Many insurers offer usage-based programs that reward safer driving habits through telematics. Insurance offered directly by automakers sometimes costs less than traditional policies for Illinois drivers with DUI convictions.

DUI Insurance in Illinois: FAQ

MoneyGeek's experts answer your most common questions about getting car insurance after a DUI in Illinois.

Who has the cheapest car insurance for Illinois drivers with a DUI?

How much does a DUI increase rates in Illinois?

How We Chose the Cheapest Car Insurance for Illinois's DUI Drivers

MoneyGeek reviewed records from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services to find the best providers for Illinois drivers with DUIs. We examined financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims handling and affordability across companies.

These rates represent a 40-year-old male driver with both a clean record and a DUI conviction operating a 2012 Toyota Camry LE driven 12,000 miles annually. We created variations of this base profile for additional rate comparisons.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


Copyright © 2026 MoneyGeek.com. All Rights Reserved