By Mat, owner of MIS Insurance Services
Quick answer: There’s no single number, because each insurance company rates a DWI differently. Some companies won’t renew your policy at all, and others keep you but raise the price so much that you end up shopping anyway. In one real Texas case, a driver’s liability insurance went from $65 a month to $122 a month after a DWI. MIS Insurance Services then found the same coverage for $74 a month. Prices vary, and your rate depends on your ZIP code, age and record.
Why can’t anyone give you an exact number?
People ask me this all the time. When someone finds out I do insurance and they just got a DWI, they want a number. The honest answer is that any number I give you will be wrong, because I don’t know how your insurance company will rate you. Every company looks at a DWI differently. Your ZIP code, your age, your driving record and the violation itself all change the price.
Will my insurance company drop me after a DWI?
It might. Many of the big-name insurance companies you’ve heard of don’t insure drivers with a DWI. For them, it’s not a matter of your rate going up. When your policy comes up for renewal, they send you a non-renewal notice.
Other well-known companies will keep you, but at a rate so high that it feels like they want you to look elsewhere.
A real Texas example
Here’s one client of ours in Texas, so you can see the ballpark:
| Monthly price (liability only) | |
|---|---|
| Before the DWI | $65 |
| Their insurance company after the DWI | $122 (almost double) |
| What MIS Insurance Services found for the same coverage | $74 |
This is one driver’s case, not a promise. Prices vary. Your rate depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record and the violation.
What should you do after a DWI in Texas?
Get ahead of it. Don’t wait for the non-renewal letter or the big renewal bill. Be proactive and look for an agency that works with high-risk drivers.
Some insurance companies specialize in high-risk drivers. That’s their niche: drivers with DWIs, accidents and tickets. They’re not afraid to insure these drivers. These are the customers they’re looking for, so their prices are often much better than what a big-name company charges a driver with a DWI.
Do I need an SR-22 after a DWI in Texas?
In most cases, yes. Texas DPS requires you to keep an SR-22 on file for 2 years from the date of your most recent conviction. MIS Insurance Services files it electronically the same day. If you don’t own a car, ask about a non-owner SR-22. Texas SR-22 insurance with MIS starts as low as $29 a month (prices vary). Learn more on our Texas SR-22 page.
For the license side of a DWI (the ALR hearing, an occupational license and DWI classes), see our Texas DWI Help Center. For your court case, talk to a DWI attorney.
How MIS Insurance Services helps Texas drivers
High-risk insurance is what we do. In Texas, we work with dozens of insurance companies that specialize in high-risk drivers with DWIs, accidents and tickets. We compare them for you, and our rates are very competitive, often much lower than what the big-name companies charge after a DWI.
Get a free quote: call (800) 726-0640 or get a Texas quote online. Hablamos español.
MIS Insurance Services, LLC | Texas License #2960567
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car insurance go up after a DWI in Texas?
It depends on the insurance company, your ZIP code, age and record. In one real case, a Texas driver’s liability insurance went from $65 to $122 a month after a DWI. MIS Insurance Services found the same coverage for $74 a month (prices vary).
Is there an average rate increase after a DWI in Texas?
Websites publish averages, but they’re based on sample drivers, not you. Each insurance company rates a DWI differently, and some won’t insure you at all. The only way to know your price is to compare quotes from companies that accept DWI drivers.
Can my insurance company cancel or non-renew me after a DWI?
Yes. Many big-name insurance companies don’t insure drivers with a DWI and send a non-renewal notice when the policy comes up for renewal.
How long do I need an SR-22 after a DWI in Texas?
Texas DPS requires an SR-22 for 2 years from the date of your most recent conviction. If the SR-22 lapses, your license can be suspended again.
How long do I have to request an ALR hearing after a DWI in Texas?
15 days from the date you were served the notice of suspension. If you don’t request a hearing, the suspension starts on the 40th day. See our Texas DWI Help Center, and talk to a DWI attorney about your case.
Can I get an SR-22 in Texas today?
Yes. MIS Insurance Services files Texas SR-22s electronically the same day. Call (800) 726-0640.
Where can I get the cheapest non-owner SR-22 in Texas?
If you don’t own a car, a non-owner SR-22 is usually the lowest-cost way to meet the requirement. Texas SR-22 insurance with MIS starts as low as $29 a month (prices vary).
What are the best companies for an SR-22 in Texas after a DWI?
The best company is the one that prices your record lowest, and that changes from driver to driver. MIS Insurance Services compares dozens of high-risk insurance companies in Texas to find it for you.