From what I've seen, insurers mostly care about completion rather than format. When my buddy had to do classes after his DUI, he went online and still got the same discount as another friend who did in-person. Seems they're more concerned with ticking boxes than judging commitment levels...
Wonder if that's always the case though... When my brother-in-law had his DUI, he did online classes too, but his rates still shot up quite a bit. Maybe insurers differ on how much weight they give these courses?
I've noticed this too—insurance companies definitely don't all treat DUIs the same way. A buddy of mine got hit with one a couple years back. He did the whole online class thing, thinking it'd help soften the blow on his premiums, but it didn't seem to make much difference. His rates jumped up pretty steeply and stayed high for quite a while.
From what I've gathered over the years, insurers tend to have their own internal formulas for risk assessment. Some might give you a decent break if you complete an approved course or defensive driving program, while others barely factor it in at all. It also depends on your overall driving record and history with that particular company. If your brother-in-law had other tickets or claims in recent years, that could've amplified the spike even more.
One thing I'd suggest is shopping around after something like this happens. I know people who've stuck with their insurer out of habit or loyalty, only to find out later they could've saved hundreds by switching after a DUI. Different companies have different risk appetites—some specialize in higher-risk drivers and offer more reasonable rates even after a major violation.
Also worth mentioning: time heals insurance wounds (at least partially). My buddy saw his rates gradually drop after about three years of clean driving post-DUI. It wasn't immediate relief, but things did get better eventually.
Bottom line is, it's tough to predict exactly how much your premiums will spike because there are so many variables at play—your insurer's policies, your past record, even your vehicle type and location within Idaho can affect it. But exploring options and comparing quotes from multiple insurers is usually your best bet to minimize the damage.
"One thing I'd suggest is shopping around after something like this happens. I know people who've stuck with their insurer out of habit or loyalty, only to find out later they could've saved hundreds by switching after a DUI."
That's solid advice right there. I've heard similar stories—people assuming loyalty means better rates, but it rarely does, especially after something major like a DUI. Honestly, it's worth the hassle to shop around and see what's out there. And yeah, patience helps... premiums do eventually drop if you keep your record clean afterward. Hang in there.
Good points here. I haven't had a DUI myself (thankfully), but when I got into a minor fender-bender last year, my insurance jumped way more than I expected. I stuck with my insurer at first, thinking they'd reward loyalty or something... nope. After shopping around, I found another company offering way better rates. Definitely pays to check around, especially after something serious like a DUI.
