Yeah, insurers are all over the map on this stuff. A coworker of mine got hit with a DUI about two years ago, and his premium nearly doubled overnight—ouch. He shopped around after that, and surprisingly, found another company that was a bit more forgiving (still pricey, but not as brutal). Seems like some insurers specialize in higher-risk drivers, so definitely worth exploring options beyond your current provider.
Also, keep in mind Idaho has that SR-22 requirement after a DUI, which can add another layer of hassle and cost. My coworker grumbled about that paperwork for months, haha. But like others said, after a few years of clean driving, things generally start to mellow out. Just gotta ride out the storm for a bit...
Yeah, good point about shopping around. I've noticed some insurers really hammer you for a DUI, while others seem to factor in other stuff like your driving history or age. Definitely pays to compare quotes before settling on one...
"Definitely pays to compare quotes before settling on one..."
Yeah, totally agree—shopping around is key. Have you noticed if defensive driving courses help much in Idaho after a DUI? I've heard mixed things... some insurers seem to give decent discounts if you complete one, others barely budge. Also curious if anyone's seen how long the spike lasts—does it drop significantly after a couple years, or are you stuck paying high rates for longer?
From what I've seen, defensive driving courses might not be the silver bullet you're hoping for... at least not in Idaho. A friend of mine took one after his DUI, and the discount he got was pretty minimal—barely noticeable on his monthly bill. Also, insurers seem to hold onto that DUI record tightly for about three to five years before rates start easing up. Might be smarter to focus your energy on negotiating directly with insurers or exploring smaller, local companies.
Honestly, defensive driving courses seem more like a band-aid than a real fix. My cousin tried one after his DUI here in Idaho, and yeah...barely saved enough for a coffee each month. Better off shopping around smaller insurers—they're usually more forgiving on rates.
