I've heard similar stories, but do you think maybe a DUI could be different from a speeding ticket? I mean, insurers probably see DUIs as a bigger red flag safety-wise, so maybe shopping around could actually make more of a difference in that case. Also, have you looked into defensive driving courses or something similar? A friend of mine did that after a pretty serious violation, and it helped soften the blow on his premiums quite a bit...might be worth asking your insurer about it.
Yeah, good point about DUIs being a completely different beast from speeding tickets. A few years back, my brother-in-law got hit with a DUI here in Idaho, and let me tell you, his premiums went through the roof. It wasn't just a little bump like you'd see with a speeding ticket; it was more like a mountain he had to climb. He was pretty shocked at first.
He did shop around, and honestly, it helped a bit. Some companies were definitely more forgiving than others. He mentioned that smaller, local insurers sometimes offered better rates than the big national ones—probably because they evaluate risk a bit differently. But even then, it wasn't exactly cheap.
Funny you mention defensive driving courses—he actually did something similar, but specifically geared toward alcohol-related offenses. I think it was called something like an alcohol awareness or education program? Anyway, completing that course made a noticeable difference when he renewed his policy. It wasn't a miracle fix or anything, but it definitely softened the blow. He joked afterward that the class was boring enough to keep anyone from drinking and driving again, haha.
One other thing to consider is that the spike won't last forever. Insurers usually look back about three to five years for serious violations. In my brother-in-law's case, after about three years of clean driving, he finally saw his premiums start dropping back down to normal-ish levels.
So yeah, it's gonna sting for a while, but shopping around and looking into those classes could definitely ease the pain a bit. Hang in there—it's definitely manageable, even if it feels overwhelming at first.
Yeah, you're spot-on about the smaller local insurers sometimes being more forgiving. I've noticed that too—some of the bigger national companies tend to have stricter underwriting guidelines, so a DUI can really hammer you there. But smaller, regional insurers often have a bit more flexibility in how they assess risk. They might look at your overall driving history or other personal factors rather than just automatically slapping on a huge surcharge.
One thing I wanted to add is that Idaho actually has something called an SR-22 requirement after a DUI. Basically, it's a certificate your insurer files with the state to prove you're carrying the required liability coverage. Not every insurer offers SR-22 filings, and those that do often charge extra fees or higher premiums. So even if you find a decent rate, you might have to factor in those additional costs.
And yeah, those alcohol education courses can help quite a bit. I've heard from clients who've done them that they're not exactly thrilling (your brother-in-law's comment made me laugh), but insurers do appreciate seeing you've taken steps to address the issue. It shows responsibility, and that can translate into savings down the line.
Also worth mentioning—while it's true that most insurers look back about three to five years for serious violations, some companies might still factor it into their pricing models even after that window closes. It won't be as severe, but it could still linger slightly longer depending on the insurer's internal guidelines.
But overall, you're right—it's manageable. Shopping around definitely helps, and being proactive with classes or programs can make a noticeable difference. It's just one of those situations where patience and persistence really pay off in the long run...
Totally agree about the smaller insurers being more flexible. My cousin had a DUI a few years back, and he said the big-name companies practically treated him like he robbed a bank or something. He ended up going with a local insurer who actually took the time to look at his overall record (which was pretty clean otherwise). And yeah, those alcohol classes...he described them as "painfully educational," haha. But hey, they did help lower his rates eventually, so I guess boredom pays off sometimes.
Yeah, I've been shopping around for my first insurance policy lately, and hearing these stories makes me realize how tricky it can get. My older brother had a similar experience—got a DUI when he was younger and the big insurers basically ghosted him. He ended up finding this tiny local company that actually listened to him and didn't just see him as a walking red flag. Guess sometimes smaller really is better...and cheaper too, from what he's told me. Fingers crossed I never have to deal with those "painfully educational" classes though, haha.
