DUI Penalties, Priors & Felony DUI

What does a DUI do to my insurance?

Attorney-Reviewed Answer
Reviewed by Christopher Walsh, Criminal Trial Attorney (Fla. Bar #127459). Last reviewed: September 2026
Short Answer
Substantially increases it, for years — and reinstatement after a DUI requires a specific filing that costs more than ordinary coverage.

Two separate effects, and the second is the one people don't anticipate.

The first is rate. Insurers treat a DUI conviction as a major risk event, and increases are typically large and sustained for a period of years. Some carriers decline to renew entirely.

The second is the reinstatement requirement. Getting a license back after a DUI requires proof of insurance through a specific filing that Florida mandates for DUI reinstatements, carried for a period of years. That coverage costs more than standard coverage, and lapsing it during the required period triggers another suspension.

Over the full period, the insurance cost commonly exceeds the fine, the court costs, and DUI school combined. It's the largest financial consequence of a DUI for most people, and it's rarely the one they ask about.

Worth pricing before deciding how to resolve a case, since the resolution affects it.

Get a quote for the required filing before you decide anything about the case. ---

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This page answers a common question for general informational purposes and is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading it. Florida law changes; while this answer is reviewed by a licensed Florida attorney, the right answer depends on the specific facts of your situation — consult an attorney. Serving Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties.