If you are found guilty of DUI in Pennsylvania, your car insurance policy is going to get more expensive — it's just a question of by how much. Read on to learn how a DUI can affect your insurance quotes and discover companies with the most competitive rates.
How does a DUI affect auto insurance in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a DUI conviction will increase your yearly car insurance rate by an average of $548. That is 101% less than the United States average rate jump following a DUI.
AUTO INSURANCE AFTER A DUI IN PENNSYLVANIA — AVERAGE ANNUAL PENALTY
| Location | Avg. Annual Rate — no DUI | Avg. Annual Rate — with DUI | Avg. Increase After DUI |
| Pennsylvania | $1,475 | $2,022 | +37% |
| United States | $1,548 | $2,556 | +65% |
Finding car insurance in Pennsylvania after a DUI violation
Purchasing cheap car insurance soon after a DUI conviction isn’t easy. In fact, a DUI usually leads to a bigger premium increase than any other driving violation — more than an at-fault accident, racing, or reckless driving. Pennsylvania is a somewhat benign place in which to be convicted of a DUI: its auto insurance rate hikes are some of America's least severe.
Best car insurance after a DUI in Pennsylvania
If you have been convicted of a DUI or DWI violation in Pennsylvania, it’s essential to weigh each of your insurance possibilities thoroughly. Auto insurance premiums after a DUI may vary greatly by insurer. For instance, the least expensive auto insurance company with a DUI in Pennsylvania, State Farm, offers annual premiums 38% below the statewide mean insurance rate with a DUI conviction. The second-cheapest insurer for car insurance with a DUI in Pennsylvania is Erie, while the most expensive insurer is Nationwide, at 33% above average.
CAR INSURANCE RATES AFTER A DUI IN PENNSYLVANIA — BY INSURER
| Insurance Company | Avg. Annual Rate — After DUI |
| State Farm | $1,254 |
| Erie | $1,486 |
| GEICO | $2,011 |
| Allstate | $2,129 |
| Progressive | $2,299 |
There’s no car insurance company in particular that sells cheap DUI auto insurance. The easiest way to save money post-DUI citation is to compare policies.
Compare car insurance quotes online or reach out to an insurance expert to gauge the choices and discover a suitable plan.
Learn more about car insurance and DUI violations.
Compare rates and find a cheap insurance policy.
Pennsylvania DUI laws
Drivers are DUI in Pennsylvania when their blood alcohol concentration measures 0.08% or higher. Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard and are considered DUI when their BAC reads 0.04% or higher.
Drivers under 21 years old are DUI in Pennsylvania if their BAC is 0.02% or higher.
There are multiple levels of DUI offenses in Pennsylvania:
General impairment: BAC between 0.08% to 0.099%)
High BAC: 0.10% to 0.159% BAC
Highest BAC: 0.16% and higher
General impairment DUI penalties in Pennsylvania
The lookback for DUI offenses in Pennsylvania is 10 years. Multiple offenses within this timeframe will result in enhanced penalties.
First-time DUI offenses are ungraded misdemeanors in Pennsylvania and lead to:
- $300 in fines
- Up to six months probation
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
A second DUI offense in Pennsylvania is an ungraded misdemeanor and results in:
- Five days to six months in jail
- $300 to $2,500 in fines
- License suspension for one year
- Requirement to install and use an ignition interlock device for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
Third-time DUI offenders in Pennsylvania are guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor and subject to:
- 10 days to two years in jail
- $500 to $5,000 in fines
- License suspension for one year
- Requirement to install and use an IID for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
High-BAC DUI penalties in Pennsylvania
The lookback for DUI offenses in Pennsylvania is 10 years. Multiple offenses within this timeframe will result in enhanced penalties.
Those found to be DUI may be charged with a High-BAC penalty even if their BAC is below 0.10% if the DUI has led to damage or injury.
First-time High-BAC DUI offenses are ungraded misdemeanors in Pennsylvania and lead to:
- 48 hours to six months in prison
- $500 to $5,000 in fines
- License suspension for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
A second High-BAC DUI offense is an ungraded misdemeanor in Pennsylvania and results in:
- 30 days to six months in prison
- $750 to $5,000 in fines
- License suspension for one year
- Requirement to install and use an IID for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
A third High-BAC DUI in Pennsylvania is a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties are:
- 90 days to five years in prison
- $1,500 to $10,000 in fines
- License suspension for 18 months
- Requirement to install and use an IID for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
A fourth High-BAC DUI in Pennsylvania is a first-degree misdemeanor and results in:
- One to five years in prison
- $1,500 to $10,000 in fines
- License suspension for 18 months
- Requirement to install and use an IID for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
Highest-BAC DUI penalties in Pennsylvania
The lookback for DUI offenses in Pennsylvania is 10 years. Multiple offenses within this timeframe will result in enhanced penalties.
In addition to those drivers guilty of a DUI with a BAC of 0.16% or higher, the following penalties also apply to those who refuse a breath or chemical test.
First-time Highest-BAC DUI offenses are ungraded misdemeanors in Pennsylvania and lead to:
- 72 hours to six months in prison
- $1,000 to $5,000 in fines
- License suspension for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
A second Highest-BAC DUI offense is a first-degree misdemeanor in Pennsylvania and results in:
- 90 days to five years in prison
- $1,500 to $10,000 in fines
- License suspension for 18 months
- Requirement to install and use an IID for one year
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
A third Highest-BAC DUI offense in Pennsylvania is a first-degree misdemeanor and leads to:
- One to five years in prison
- $2,500 to $10,000 in fines
- License suspension for 18 months
- Requirement to install and use an IID for one year
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
DUI penalties for underage drinkers in Pennsylvania
Drivers under the age of 18 and charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania are punished under the Juvenile Act.
Drivers between 18 and under 21 years old are subject to the following penalties.
For a first-time underage DUI, offenders will:
- Be jailed for at least 48 hours
- Pay a fine between $500 and $5,000
- Receive a suspended license for 90 days
- May be required to serve up to 150 hours of community service
- Be required to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Be required to undergo treatment when ordered
A second underage DUI offense leads to:
- At least 30 days in jail
- Fines between $750 and $5,000
- License suspension for one year
- Possible requirement to serve up to 150 hours of community service
- Requirement to attend alcohol highway safety school
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
A third underage DUI offense in Pennsylvania results in:
- At least 90 days in jail
- Fines between $1,500 and $10,000
- License suspension for two years
- Possible requirement to serve up to 150 hours of community service
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
Four or more underage DUI offenses in Pennsylvania result in:
- At least one year in jail
- Fines between $1,500 and $10,000
- License suspension for two years
- Possible requirement to serve up to 150 hours of community service
- Requirement to undergo treatment when ordered
Sources and references:
https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Information-Centers/Laws-Regulations/Pages/DUI-Legislation.aspx
https://www.dmv.org/pa-pennsylvania/automotive-law/dui.php
https://www.edgarsnyder.com/drunk-driving/driving-alcohol-laws/Pennsylvania.html