Arizona Car Insurance with a DUI

Finding cheap car insurance in Arizona with a DUI: a guide

Purchasing reasonable car insurance after a DUI offense is far from simple. In fact, a DUI typically results in a greater rate increase than any single driving violation — more than racing, reckless driving, or an at-fault accident.

If you're cited for DUI in Arizona, your car insurance rates are bound to rise: it's just a question of how much extra you'll pay. However, by shopping carefully and comparing rates, you can mitigate the costs of car insurance after a citation.

The best car insurance after a DUI in Arizona

If you've been found guilty of a DWI or DUI violation in Arizona, it’s critical to consider your insurance options carefully. Auto insurance costs following a DUI may fluctuate widely by company. For example, the cheapest auto insurance company with a DUI in Arizona, State Farm, provides annual premiums 33% below the statewide mean insurance premium after a DUI violation. The next-cheapest company for car insurance after a DUI in Arizona is American Family, while the most expensive firm is Allstate, with prices 38% pricer than average.

CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR DRIVERS WITH A DUI ON THEIR RECORD

Insurance Company	Avg. Annual Rate — After DUI
State Farm	$1,490
American Family	$1,556
GEICO	$1,603
Progressive	$1,977
Farmers	$2,636
USAA	$2,911

There’s no auto insurance offering particularly inexpensive DUI auto insurance. The best strategy to save after a DUI citation is to assess your options.

Compare auto insurance quotes online or reach out to an insurance expert to gauge your choices and discover the best plan.

How does a DUI impact auto insurance in Arizona?

In Arizona, a DUI will increase your yearly car insurance rate by an average of $769. That’s 43% less than the national average premium jump after a DUI.

CAR INSURANCE AFTER A DUI IN ARIZONA — AVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM

Area	Avg. Annual Rate — without DUI	Avg. Annual Rate — with DUI	Avg. Increase After DUI
Arizona	$1,470	$2,239	+52%
National Average	$1,548	$2,556	+65%

Learn more about car insurance and DUI violations.

Arizona DUI laws

In Arizona, you're considered to be driving under the influence if your blood alcohol concentration is above the limit of 0.08%. This is classified as a “standard DUI.”

Commercial drivers in Arizona are considered to be DUI if their BAC reads 0.04% or higher. Underage drivers are DUI in Arizona if there is any trace of alcohol in their system.

In Arizona, it is possible to commit an act of “extreme DUI” if a driver's BAC is at or above 0.15%.

You are guilty of an “aggravated DUI” if:

• You are DUI while your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled
• You are found to be DUI for the third time in an 84-month period
• You are DUI while transporting a passenger under 15 years old

Penalties for standard DUI in Arizona

Arizona maintains a zero-tolerance policy for DUI, so penalties are severe in an attempt to discourage drivers from driving under the influence.

For first-time DUI offenders in Arizona:

• Will be jailed for 24 hours to 10 days
• Must pay at least $1,250 in fines, plus jail costs and a monitoring fee
• Must undergo screening and counseling
• Will receive a 90-day license suspension or one-year revocation
• Must install and use an IID on every vehicle driven for a period of 12 months
• May have to perform community service

Those committing a standard DUI offense two or more times in Arizona:

• Will be jailed for at least 90 days
• Must pay fines of at least $3,000
• Will have their license revoked for 12 months
• Must undergo a mandatory alcohol/drug screening, treatment, and education program
• Require an IID on every vehicle driven for a period of 12 months
• Must perform 30 hours of community service

Penalties for extreme DUI in Arizona

Drivers found guilty of committing extreme DUI with a BAC of 0.15% or higher are subject to more severe penalties.

First-time extreme DUI offenders in Arizona:

• Will be jailed for 30 days (but are eligible for home detention after serving two days)
• Must pay fines of at least $2,500
• Must undergo screening and counseling
• Will have their license suspended for 90 days
• Will require an IID on all vehicles driven for a period of 12 months
• May have to perform community service

Those guilty of committing an extreme DUI offense for the second time in Arizona:

• Will be jailed for 120 days (but eligible for home detention after serving 24 days)
• Must pay fines of at least $3,250
• Will have their driver's license revoked for 12 months
• Must undergo alcohol/drug screening and participate in a treatment and education program
• Must use an IID on all vehicles driven for a period of 12 months
• Must perform 30 hours of community service

Penalties for aggravated DUI in Arizona

Because aggravated DUI demonstrates willful disobedience despite past DUI offenses, there are stiff penalties for aggravated DUIs in Arizona. Those guilty of committing an aggravated DUI:

• Will be imprisoned for up to two years
• Will have their license revoked for one year
• Must undergo a mandatory alcohol/drug screening, treatment, and education program
• Must install and use an IID for a period of time
• May be required to perform community service
• May be subject to other fees and fines as ordered by the court

DUI penalties for underage drinkers in Arizona

Those under legal drinking age and driving with any readable BAC are subject to the following penalties for underage DUI in Arizona:

• Unless charged as a juvenile, the DUI charge is added to the offender's permanent criminal record
• Up to 180 days in jail (no mandatory minimum if underage DUI is the only offense)
• No mandatory minimum, but up to $4,575 in fines and fees
• No mandatory probation, but the possibility of up to three years of probation
• Suspension of their driver's license for up to two years (with the possibility of a restricted license)
• Possibility of stricter fines and punishments for repeat offenses

 

Sources and references:

• https://www.dmv.org
• https://www.azcentral.com
• https://azdot.gov/mvd
• https://dui.findlaw.com
• https://dui.drivinglaws.org
• https://www.azleg.gov
• https://www.tobinlawoffice.com

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