Ignition Interlock and Your Insurance
The interlock itself doesn't change your coverage, but it usually comes with an SR-22 that your insurer must file and price for.
A reader fitting an interlock after their DUI
A driver had the interlock installed as the court required, then called their current insurer to ask what else they needed. The insurer said they could keep the policy, but only if they also filed the SR-22, and the premium would rise because of the conviction on record, not because of the device itself. The driver asked whether removing the interlock early would lower the cost, and the answer was no, because the rate was tied to the violation, not the hardware in the car.
They shopped a couple of other quotes before renewing anything, since the increase varied more between insurers than they expected. One quote came in noticeably lower even with the same SR-22 attached, so they switched and had the new insurer file the form directly with the state. The interlock stayed between them and the court and the device vendor. Once the court-ordered period ended and the state confirmed it, they dropped the SR-22 and watched their rate ease back down over the following renewals.
Does removing the interlock lower my insurance rate?
No, not by itself. Your rate went up because of the conviction that led to the interlock and the SR-22, not because of the device sitting in your dashboard. Insurers price based on your driving record and the risk that record represents, and the interlock is just a tool the court or state uses to manage that risk during a set period.
What actually lowers your rate is time passing with a clean record and, eventually, the conviction aging off the lookback period insurers use. Once the SR-22 requirement ends and enough time passes, you'll likely see your premium drop at renewal. Check with your insurer about when they reassess your rate after a conviction, since that timing is theirs to set, not the court's.
Telling your insurer about the interlock
If you do
Your insurer confirms what the device means for your policy and whether an SR-22 is also required. You avoid surprises at renewal and get a clear answer about costs upfront. If your current insurer won't cover you well, you find out now, while you still have time to shop and switch before any lapse.
If you don't
Your insurer may find out anyway through the SR-22 filing or a records check, and an undisclosed change can cause problems at renewal or during a claim. You lose the chance to compare costs calmly and may end up scrambling for a new policy on worse terms, right when a coverage gap hurts most.
Now you know the interlock isn't what's priced. Compare SR-22 quotes to find the cheapest way to meet the requirement.
Will my insurance company know I have an ignition interlock installed?
They may find out, but not automatically just from the device. Insurers typically learn about your situation through the SR-22 filing, a motor vehicle record check, or because you tell them directly. The interlock vendor doesn't usually report to your insurer. Still, it's safer to tell your insurer yourself, since an SR-22 filing will reveal the underlying conviction anyway, and insurers can cancel or refuse to renew if they feel misled by an omission.
Do I need special insurance to get an ignition interlock installed?
No, you need a standard auto policy with liability coverage, since the interlock vendor typically just confirms you have active insurance before installing the device. There's no special interlock insurance product. What you likely also need is an SR-22 filed by your insurer if the court or state requires it, and that's a separate step from the interlock installation itself. Check with your interlock provider and your state's licensing agency to confirm what proof they need.
Can I get insurance if no company will cover me with an interlock requirement?
Yes, specialized high-risk insurers exist specifically for drivers with DUI or DWI convictions, including those with interlock requirements. If your regular insurer won't renew you or quotes an unusually high rate, shop with insurers who focus on this market, since they price and underwrite this risk routinely. Check that any insurer you consider can file the SR-22 in your state, since not all insurers offer that filing everywhere.
The device isn't priced. The conviction behind it is, and that has to age before your rate eases.
