I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve always been a bit skeptical about just bumping the deductible to save on premiums, especially after something like a DUI. Like you said,
That’s exactly what worries me. I’d rather pay a little more each month than get hit with a big bill when something minor goes wrong. Idaho insurance rates after a DUI are brutal, but sometimes the “quick fix” just bites you later....a rock cracked my windshield and it was all out of pocket.
Yeah, I hear you—raising the deductible can feel like playing with fire, especially after a DUI when rates are already sky-high. I’ve seen folks try to save a few bucks monthly, then get slammed with a $1,000 bill for something small. Sometimes it’s just not worth the gamble. If you’re worried about those “little” claims, keeping a lower deductible might actually save you stress in the long run.
How Bad Does It Really Get After a DUI in Idaho?
Man, this is the exact dilemma that keeps me up at night when I’m planning road trips. Like, is it better to just eat the higher monthly payment and sleep easy, or risk it with a bigger deductible and hope you don’t get unlucky? Especially after a DUI—does anyone actually know how much rates spike in Idaho? I’ve heard horror stories about them doubling or even tripling, but is that just insurance company scare tactics, or does it really happen?
I get the logic behind keeping the deductible low if you’re worried about little stuff. But then I start wondering: what counts as “little”? Is a cracked windshield gonna set me back $500, or are we talking fender-bender territory? Sometimes it feels like insurance is just a game of “how much can you tolerate losing at once,” and after a DUI, the stakes are way higher.
Has anyone actually tried shopping around after getting hit with a DUI in Idaho? Do all companies treat you like you’re radioactive, or are there some that are more forgiving? I’ve heard of people moving to those non-standard insurers (the ones with weird commercials and mascots), but do they actually save you money, or is it just trading one headache for another?
And here’s something else I’ve always wondered: does your rate ever go back down to normal after a few years, or are you stuck paying through the nose forever? If I’m gonna be paying double for five years, maybe it’s worth just driving an old beater and carrying liability only... but then what if something happens on one of my trips out to Stanley or up north?
Honestly, insurance feels like one of those things where no answer feels great. Just curious if anyone’s found a sweet spot that doesn’t feel like highway robbery (pun intended).
How Bad Would Insurance Spike After a DUI in Idaho?
It’s not just scare tactics, unfortunately—rates really can double or even triple after a DUI in Idaho. I watched my brother go through it about five years ago (Boise area), and his insurance basically went from “meh, annoying” to “are you kidding me?” overnight. He tried shopping around, too. The big-name insurers pretty much all treated him like a walking liability for at least three years. Some of those non-standard companies will take you, but the rates aren’t always much better, and sometimes the customer service is... let’s just say “quirky.”
As for deductibles, a cracked windshield is usually under comprehensive coverage and often has its own deductible (sometimes lower than your collision). Fender-benders are where the pain comes in, especially if you’re at fault post-DUI—they’ll hit you with everything.
Rates do eventually drop, but it’s slow. Most companies look at DUIs for 3-5 years, but it depends on their risk models. My brother finally saw his rates normalize after about four years of squeaky-clean driving.
Honestly, after a DUI, I’d lean toward liability only on an older car unless you really can’t afford to replace it if something happens. It’s a gamble either way, but paying double for full coverage on a beater just feels like lighting money on fire.
Yeah, that tracks with what I’ve seen. My cousin got hit with a DUI in Twin Falls and his insurance nearly tripled for a while. He ended up with one of those “quirky” companies too—customer service was pretty hit or miss. I agree, unless you’ve got a newer car, liability is probably the way to go while you wait out those years. It’s rough, but it does eventually get better if you keep your nose clean.
