Alcohol-impaired driving carries steep costs that extend far beyond the initial fine. A single DUI conviction in Pennsylvania can drive up the cost of car insurance by an average of 79 percent or more — 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.
| Penalty | General impairment | High BAC | Highest BAC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | $300 | $500 to $5,000 | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Prison time | None; 6 months probation | 48 hours to 6 months | 72 hours to 6 months |
| License suspension | None | 12 months | 12 months |
| Alcohol highway safety school | Required | Required | Required |
| Ignition interlock device (IID) | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Treatment | When ordered by a court | When ordered by a court | When ordered by a court |
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?
On average, a DUI conviction can raise the cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania by 79 percent or more. For drivers who only carry the minimum insurance required by Pennsylvania’s insurance laws, the average increase is closer to 94 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 $4,656 per year, compared to the statewide average of $2,461. If you have prior DUIs or are already paying a high rate due to your age, credit or other factors, you may pay even more for auto coverage.
Cheap auto insurance after a DUI in Pennsylvania
Bankrate’s analysis of average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services found that Progressive is one of the best companies for cheap auto insurance after a DUI in Pennsylvania. The table below compares some other strong picks for Pennsylvania DUI insurance. Keep in mind that the rates shown here are averages — your own driver profile may return different rates based on other risk factors.
| Company | Avg. rate before DUI | Avg. rate after DUI | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,998 | $2,367 | +19% |
| Erie | $1,752 | $2,764 | +58% |
| Nationwide | $1,510 | $2,903 | +92% |
| Geico | $1,435 | $3,214 | +124% |
| USAA | $2,675 | $3,613 | +35% |
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 making regular payments 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 about 56 percent more for full coverage than drivers with good credit.
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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There is no single best car insurance company in Pennsylvania for every driver. Your personal risk factors (age, credit and more), along with your vehicle, location and coverage needs, all influence which carriers may be best for you. If you’re not sure which insurance provider is right for you, compare rates from some of Pennsylvania’s top-rated auto insurers or speak with a licensed insurance agent.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2024 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 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 2022 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 single DUI conviction.
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