How a DUI Affects Your Car Insurance in South Carolina

What happens to your car insurance after a DUI conviction

A DUI conviction in South Carolina will raise your insurance rates significantly, and your current insurer may cancel your policy. Most insurers consider a DUI a major violation and will either drop you or move you to a high-risk pool with much higher premiums. If your insurer cancels, you will need to find a new company willing to cover you — not all will.

The timing matters. Your insurer typically learns about the conviction through a motor vehicle record check, which can happen weeks or months after the court date. Some insurers check records regularly; others only when you renew. You may not see a rate increase immediately, but it will come when your policy renews or when the insurer discovers the conviction.

South Carolina does not require you to carry an SR-22 form (a certificate proving you have insurance) unless the court orders it as part of your sentence. If the court does order one, you must file it with the Department of Motor Vehicles and maintain it for the period the court specifies — usually three years. Without it, your license will be suspended.

Key Takeaways

• Your insurer will likely raise your rates or cancel your policy once they discover the DUI conviction, which may not happen until your next renewal.
• If your insurer cancels you, you will need to find a new company; some specialize in high-risk drivers but charge substantially more.
• If the court orders an SR-22, you must file it with the DMV and keep it active for the period the court specifies, or your license will be suspended.
• Rate increases for a DUI conviction typically last three to five years on your record, though some insurers penalize longer.
• Completing a defensive driving course may lower your rate increase, and some insurers offer discounts for doing so.

How much your rates will increase

The amount varies by insurer, your driving history, and the specific circumstances of the DUI. A first DUI conviction typically results in rate increases of 50 to 100 percent or more, meaning your premium could double. Some insurers will increase rates by less if you have an otherwise clean record; others will increase by more if you have prior violations.

The increase is not a one-time adjustment. You will pay the higher rate for each renewal until the conviction ages off your record. In South Carolina, a DUI stays on your driving record for ten years, but most insurers only penalize you for three to five years. After that period, the rate should return to what you would pay without the conviction, though it may not drop to your pre-DUI rate if other factors have changed.

Shop around before renewing. Different insurers weight a DUI differently, and some specialize in high-risk drivers. Getting quotes from three to five companies can reveal significant differences in how much they will charge you.

Finding an insurer after a DUI

If your current insurer cancels you, you have several options. Standard insurers (the major companies) may still cover you, though usually at a higher rate. High-risk or non-standard insurers specialize in drivers with violations and are more likely to accept you, but their rates will be higher than standard insurers charge.

Contact your state's insurance commissioner's office or use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website to find insurers licensed to write policies in South Carolina. You can also ask your current insurer for a list of companies they recommend for high-risk drivers — many have relationships with non-standard carriers.

Get quotes from at least three companies before choosing. Rates vary widely, and a company that charges significantly more than others may not be your best option just because they will accept you. Some non-standard insurers are competitive; others are not.

The SR-22 requirement and what it means

An SR-22 is a form your insurer files with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to prove you have the minimum required insurance. It is not a separate policy — it is a certificate attached to your existing auto insurance. You do not apply for it yourself; your insurer files it on your behalf once you purchase a policy.

The court will specify how long you must maintain the SR-22, usually three years from the date of conviction. During that time, if your policy lapses or you cancel it, your insurer must notify the DMV. The DMV will then suspend your license. You cannot simply switch insurers without ensuring the new company files an SR-22 immediately — there cannot be a gap.

When the court-ordered period ends, you can ask your insurer to stop filing the SR-22. After that, you can carry standard insurance like any other driver, though your rates will still reflect the DUI conviction until it ages off your record.

Defensive driving courses and rate reductions

Completing a court-approved defensive driving course may reduce your rate increase. Some insurers offer a discount — typically 5 to 10 percent — if you complete the course within a certain time after the conviction. The discount is not automatic; you must ask your insurer whether they offer it and provide proof of completion.

The course must be approved by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. You can find a list of approved providers on the department's website. The course is usually four to eight hours long and can often be completed online. Cost ranges from about $20 to $100 depending on the provider.

Even if your current insurer does not offer a discount, a new insurer might. When you get quotes from other companies, mention that you have completed a defensive driving course — some use it as a factor in their rates.

How long the DUI affects your insurance

The DUI will remain on your driving record for ten years in South Carolina, but most insurers only use it to set rates for three to five years. After that period, the conviction should no longer affect your premium, though the record itself does not disappear.

Some insurers are stricter than others. A few may penalize you for longer than five years, while others may stop after three. When you shop for insurance, ask each company how long they penalize a DUI — the answer can vary significantly and may influence which company you choose.

If you have a second DUI or other violations during the ten-year period, the impact on your rates will be much worse. A second DUI is treated as a more serious offense, and insurers will charge substantially more and may refuse to cover you at all.

Other factors that affect your rates

Your age, driving history before the DUI, the type of vehicle you drive, and where you live in South Carolina all influence how much you will pay. A young driver with a DUI will pay more than an older driver with the same conviction. A driver with prior accidents or violations will pay more than someone with a clean record except for the DUI.

The specific circumstances of the DUI can also matter. A conviction for driving with a very high blood alcohol level, or one that involved an accident or injury, may result in higher rates than a standard DUI. Some insurers ask about these details when you apply.

Your coverage choices affect the total cost. Choosing higher deductibles (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in) will lower your premium, but it means you pay more if you have an accident. Bundling auto insurance with home or renters insurance may also lower your overall cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my insurance company find out about the DUI if I don't tell them?

Yes, almost certainly. Insurers check motor vehicle records regularly or when you renew your policy. The conviction will appear on your driving record, and the insurer will see it. Failing to disclose a DUI when asked on an application can give the insurer grounds to cancel your policy or deny a claim.

Can I get insurance without an SR-22 if the court ordered one?

No. If the court orders an SR-22, you must maintain it for the period specified. You cannot legally drive without it. Your license will be suspended if the SR-22 lapses. Once the court-ordered period ends, you can stop filing it.

What if I get a second DUI while the first one is still on my record?

A second DUI within ten years is treated as a more serious offense in South Carolina and carries harsher penalties. Your insurance rates will increase much more dramatically, and many insurers will refuse to cover you. You may be limited to very high-risk, non-standard insurers with the highest rates available.

Does paying off a DUI conviction faster lower my insurance rates?

No. The conviction date is what matters to insurers, not when you finish paying fines or court costs. Your rates are based on when the conviction was entered, not on your payment schedule.

Can I remove a DUI from my driving record to lower my insurance rates?

In South Carolina, a DUI conviction cannot be removed from your driving record. It will remain for ten years. However, after three to five years, most insurers will stop using it to set your rates, even though the record still exists.