Finding car insurance in Kentucky after a DUI

Getting a DUI in Kentucky can have serious consequences, including civil fees and more. If you have had one or more DUIs in the Bluegrass State, you may also struggle to find affordable car insurance. Bankrate’s research, sourced from data provided by Quadrant Information Services, indicates that Kentucky drivers with a single DUI on their record pay an average of 78 percent more for full coverage than a driver with a clean record. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team created this guide to help you understand Kentucky DUI laws in 2024, and to offer some strategies to help you find car insurance at a reasonable cost.

DUIs in Kentucky

DUI laws in Kentucky are clear: the state frowns on these infractions and has a range of penalties depending on your age, as well as the severity and number of DUI violations you have. Even a single instance of driving while under the influence can lead to serious consequences, while multiple DUIs may even lead to jail time and license suspension.

DUI laws in Kentucky

Drinking and driving is a serious offense in most states, and Kentucky is no different. Kentucky legislators have placed numerous insurance laws and more in place to combat drunk driving.

DUI laws in Kentucky state that drivers over the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) in Kentucky. Kentucky DUI laws also allow underage drivers to be charged with a DUI or DWI if they have a BAC of 0.02.

DUI penalties in Kentucky

If you are over 21 years of age and are convicted of a single DUI, you would face the following penalties for your first offense:

• A fine of between $200 and $500
• Two to 30 days in jail
• 30-120 days of license suspension
• A 90-day alcohol or substance abuse treatment program
• Possible 48 hours to 30 days of community labor

Second and third offenses increase the fines, jail time, suspension and other penalties. A fourth offense in a five-year period is considered a Class D Felony, and brings with it a minimum of 120 days in jail without probation, a year-long alcohol or substance abuse program and 60-month license suspension.

There are certain “aggravating circumstances” that could add additional penalties to your conviction. Some of the circumstances include:

• Driving 30 mph or more above the speed limit
• Having a BAC of 0.15 or more within two hours of operating a vehicle
• Refusing to submit to a sobriety test
• Driving the wrong way on a limited access highway
• Driving with children under the age of 12 in the vehicle
• Causing a crash that leads to serious injury or death

The penalties for violating DUI laws in Kentucky may depend on the individual circumstances of your offense. Staying sober behind the wheel is the best way to avoid these penalties.

DUI penalties for underage drinkers in Kentucky

Drivers who are under 21 face their own penalties. These include the following for a first offense:

• A fine of $100-$500, or 20 hours of community service
• 30 days to six-month license suspension

In addition, if the driver’s alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher, they will be subject to all the penalties established for drivers over the age of 21.

How does a DUI affect car insurance in Kentucky?

Your car insurance premium rate is based on multiple factors. One of the most important of these is your driving record. A DUI is likely to mean that insurers will consider you a high-risk driver. Some insurers won’t write policies for drivers in the high-risk category; others are likely to charge significantly more than they would for drivers with a clean record.

Bankrate’s data shows that Kentucky drivers with a DUI pay an average rate of $4,640, which is 78 percent higher than drivers with no marks on their license. If you have earned a DUI, your insurer may choose to cancel or not renew your coverage, or they may renew with a steep premium increase.

Cheap auto insurance after a DUI in Kentucky

Although you are likely to pay more for your car insurance after a DUI, it’s not all bad news. It is possible to find affordable coverage from some of the best companies writing policies in the state. Shopping around and asking for quotes from a handful of likely insurers is one way to find the best rate for your needs.

Consider companies with a reputation for writing cheap insurance policies, such as those in the following chart. Several of these insurers offer average rates that are below the state average, with Kentucky Farm Bureau coming in with the lowest average.

How to find affordable car insurance in Kentucky after a DUI

Acquiring car insurance after a DUI conviction can be challenging in all states, Kentucky included. A DUI is one of the most serious driving offenses, and not all insurers will agree to write a policy for a driver with one on their record. It’s best to be upfront and honest about a DUI conviction when you are collecting and comparing auto insurance quotes.

Fortunately there are tactics you can take when looking for insurance that may help you find a policy with affordable rates. Consider the following:

• Maintain a clean record going forward: Possibly no factor is more important after your DUI than working to improve your driving skills so you can keep from earning more infractions. If necessary, consider taking a defensive driving course to work on your skills and improve your driving experience.
• Shop around: No two insurers are likely to offer you the same rate, even if the coverage types and levels are exactly the same. You can sometimes find a cheaper rate by asking for quotes from a range of potential insurers. Since quotes are free and easy to ask for, it won’t be difficult to gather a list of options for your consideration.
• Make use of discounts: Almost all insurers offer at least a handful of discounts that can save you money. Some can be easy to earn, such as a discount for receiving your policy documents digitally rather than by postal mail.
• Consider a telematics program: If your driving skills are generally good, you may want to see if your insurer offers a telematics program. These app-based programs monitor your driving in real time and reward good drivers with discounts of up to 40 percent off. Be aware, however, that some of them can also increase your rate if you engage in unsafe practices.

Frequently asked questions

• Will insurance cover a DUI in Kentucky?

  This depends on your policy. In general, if you have an accident while under the influence and have a valid policy in place at the time, damage and injuries will be covered up to your policy’s limits. In some cases, however, an insurer will deny coverage if you were found to be acting illegally at the time of the accident. Following a DUI-related accident, you may also be subject to policy cancellation along with other civil penalties.
  

• Will a DUI impact my criminal record in Kentucky?

  Yes, it will. A DUI conviction is considered a criminal offense and may result in a permanent criminal record. If you have only one or two instances of DUI, it may go on your record as a misdemeanor. More than that, however, may be considered a felony by the court and remain on your criminal record indefinitely. This also means it will show up on background checks conducted by potential employers, landlords and others.
  

• What is the best car insurance company in Kentucky?

  There is no single company that will always offer the best options for all drivers, all the time. To find the best car insurance company in Kentucky for your needs, consider the factors that are most important to you and look for companies that excel in that area. For example, if superior customer service and claims management is high on your list of priorities, you may want to consider a company that places well on the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. If you are retired or work from home, a company that sells low-mileage insurance may be a good option for you. If your family includes teen drivers, consider a company known for offering policies geared toward young drivers.
  

• Does Kentucky require SR-22 insurance?

  Kentucky is one of the six states in the country that does not require SR-22 insurance. In most other states, drivers with a DUI conviction or license suspension are required to obtain coverage from a car insurance company that will file either an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate on their behalf with the state’s department of motor vehicles. These filings prove that you actively carry a car insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum car insurance requirements. Drivers in Kentucky, Delaware, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania do not have SR-22 filing requirements.
  

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base) and single DUI conviction.