France: Driving under influence leads to massive insurance hikes

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in France carries significant financial consequences beyond legal penalties. Drivers convicted of such offenses are reclassified as ‘aggravated risks’ by insurance companies.

This classification can lead to premium increases of approximately 50% upon contract renewal or when seeking new coverage. In some cases, total costs for maintaining insurance can rise by as much as 400% as drivers are forced to seek specialized insurers for high-risk profiles. Such financial penalties can persist for several years until a clean driving history is re-established.

Data from the Observatoire national interministériel de la sécurité routière (ONISR) indicates that between 2012 and 2025, 39% of road fatalities involved at least one driver who tested positive for alcohol or drugs. Those facing difficulties finding affordable coverage may need to contact the Bureau central de tarification (BCT) to secure mandatory civil liability insurance.