Yeah, severity definitely matters, but even a first-time DUI without accidents can sting pretty badly. I've been researching this lately (first-time insurance buyer here), and from what I've seen, Idaho insurers can jack up your rates by around 50-80% after a DUI—sometimes even doubling them. Bundling might soften the blow slightly, but honestly, shopping around and comparing quotes seems way more effective. Idaho really could use tighter oversight... feels like we're at their mercy sometimes.
"Bundling might soften the blow slightly, but honestly, shopping around and comparing quotes seems way more effective."
Yeah, you're spot-on about shopping around. A good friend of mine got hit with a DUI about two years ago here in Idaho—first offense, no accident or anything—but man, did his premiums skyrocket. He was pretty stunned at first because he'd always been a careful driver otherwise. I remember him joking that he could've leased a brand-new car for what he was suddenly paying in insurance alone.
He tried bundling too, hoping it'd help ease the pain a bit, but honestly it didn't make much of a dent. What really helped him out was spending some serious time comparing quotes online. He said it felt like homework at first (lol), but after checking out several companies, he managed to find one that was significantly cheaper than the others. Still pricey compared to before the DUI, of course—but at least manageable.
One thing he learned through all this is that insurers don't all weigh DUIs equally. Some companies seem to penalize you harder than others, so it's definitely worth your time to shop around and see who's willing to cut you some slack. And yeah... Idaho could probably use a little more oversight or transparency on this stuff. It does feel like we're kinda stuck playing their game sometimes.
Anyway, hang in there—it's stressful now, but rates do eventually start dropping again if you keep your record clean afterward. My buddy's already seeing some relief after two years without any other issues. Just gotta ride it out and stay safe!
Yeah, bundling barely made any difference for me either. When my brother got a DUI, his insurance basically doubled overnight. Ended up switching companies after shopping around—still expensive, but way better than sticking with the old one. Definitely pays to look around...
- Totally agree, shopping around is key after a DUI. Insurance companies vary wildly in how they handle it—some are brutal, others slightly less so.
- From what I've seen, Idaho tends to be pretty harsh with DUI penalties in general, so insurance spikes can be steep. A friend of mine saw his premium jump about 80% overnight and it stayed high for around three years before gradually dropping.
- Also worth noting: some companies offer discounts if you complete an approved defensive driving or alcohol education course post-DUI. Doesn't erase the spike completely, but every little bit helps...
- Another thing to keep in mind is that smaller regional insurers sometimes have better rates than the big national brands after something like this. They might be more flexible or forgiving on pricing since they're competing locally.
- Bottom line though, it's gonna sting no matter what—just gotta minimize the damage as best you can by comparing options carefully.
"Another thing to keep in mind is that smaller regional insurers sometimes have better rates than the big national brands after something like this."
Good point about regional insurers—I've seen clients get noticeably better deals locally after a DUI. It's definitely a rough patch, but you're doing the right thing by shopping around and considering defensive driving courses. Hang in there; premiums will ease up eventually, just gotta ride it out carefully for a bit...
