Getting arrested for driving under the influence can change a person’s life, and not for the better. In addition to the immense emotional strain of having your vehicle towed and locked up in jail, numerous financial consequences exist. Each state has different penalties for DUI offenses, but the national average cost of such an offense is about $15,000. If you lose your job, a DUI will cost you a lot more than $15,000.
Most people don’t even have $15 grand in the bank, so a DUI offense can ruin a person financially. You can lose your insurance coverage completely, or if you are lucky, your rates will skyrocket by 200% or more.
Other serious penalties can be a loss of a job, being shamed by friends and colleagues, and being banned from a profession for life. For example, in some cities like Vegas, once you get charged with drunk driving, you can never drive a taxi, cab, or limo again. In some cases, people are caught driving intoxicated after smashing into another car and doing horrific physical damage or even death to innocent people. This can result in long prison sentences and severe financial judgments against you, which could bankrupt almost anymore.
The highest risk Motorist to Insure
Another financial impact driving while intoxicated has, is a person’s auto coverage. If someone needs DUI car insurance after being caught, it may be really difficult to get covered again. Automobile insurers base their rates on perceived risk and then assign a monetary value for that policy based upon how risky of a driver you are. Drivers with a D-W-I are considered the highest risk motorists to insure and thus get charged significantly higher premiums. It will also be way more expensive than your old policy, which you might not be able to afford. If you have a DUI and need to search for the best rates, Insurance on the Spot can help you. Fill out a quick quote form, and you will be matched with multiple providers’ lowest rates.
A drunk driving conviction can cause your premiums to go up by $2,500 and more per year. For many people, this makes DUI auto insurance totally unaffordable. The best solution is to never set foot in a car after you have had two or more drinks, just to be on the safe side. If you have had a conviction and you need D-U-I auto coverage, here are some helpful tips that will get you covered at lower rates.
Getting Insurance Coverage After a DUI Charge
There’s already a good likelihood that your license is suspended, so you should not be driving anyway. Once your insurer finds out about your driving under the influence offense, your coverage might be dropped immediately. Once your suspension is up and you are cleared to drive again, believe it or not, you do have several options.
Amigos Auto Insurance specializes in insurance for high-risk drivers, which is probably your best bet. Several national firms like “The General” can get you covered at reasonable prices. Get a free D U I car insurance quote from Insure On The Spot today and get back on the road for less.
Your License will Likely be Suspended after a DWI
In most states, with the exception of a few Midwest states, your license will be suspended for 90 days after you are caught driving intoxicated. Some more stringent states will suspend your license for up to one year after your first conviction.
If you are a repeat D-U-I offender, your license may be suspended for more than two years. If you don’t like riding a crowded bus or bumming rides from friends, do not ever drive drunk. It might just save your life and others sharing the road with you.
SR 22 Proof of Auto Insurance
One of the things you probably will be required to get after a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense is an SR-22 legal form in order to be legally compliant as a driver. Your insurer simply files the SR 22 insurance form with the DMV in your state. This insurance verification proves that you indeed have a valid Amigos auto insurance policy.
In many states, strict laws demand motorists carry an SR 22, or their license will be revoked. Your insurer will go over the details with you, and it should only take a few minutes to get a valid SR 22 form completed and sent in. When your license is suspended, you may be required to carry an SR-22 for up to 3 years.
Should You Inform Your Insurer About a DUI?
Your insurer periodically will run a check on any traffic violations that are on your record. So, in the long run, you can be assured they will find out, and then the penalties will kick in almost immediately. Some insurers check driver’s records every six months or so, which may give you a little time to plan for any massive rate hikes.
If you feel compelled to immediately disclose the offense, call your Amigos auto insurance agent or customer service rep and explain the situation. More than often, your agent will be able to give you helpful advice and maybe even helpful tips on fighting the charge if you feel it was inaccurate or violated your constitutional rights. You will also be notified about what rate increases you can expect once your policy is adjusted for the DUI.
Some people like to know what they are facing so they can better plan ahead. If you have had a recent drunk driving conviction, perhaps you will feel better about informing your insurer and being completely upfront.
DUI Insurance Rate Factors
Once a DWI is on your driving record permanently, it will cause your insurance rates to be higher for sure. How much higher will depend on factors such as your age, the car you drive, and the number of points on your record, just to name a few. If you have a multitude of issues like a poor credit score, several at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and one or more DWIs on your record against you, it may be really difficult to get an insurer to take a chance on you.
If you find an insurer, your rates will be extremely high and could make getting automobile insurance coverage prohibitive. The best defense against higher car insurance prices is to drive responsibly and never get behind the wheel if you are intoxicated.
Your Insurer Can Cancel Your Coverage After a DWI
When you sign your insurance agreement, it is a non-binding policy. This means you can cancel the policy at any time and get cheaper coverage elsewhere, and the insurer can also cancel your policy whenever.
You essentially do not have a right to car insurance from your provider. Insurers always cancel policies, and one of the main reasons they do so is after someone is convicted of a DUI. Driving safely will not only keep you alive but keep you insured.
Lowering Your Insurance Rates After a DUI
Even though your initial rates will surely skyrocket after an intoxicated driving conviction, your premium should go down a lot after two or more years of clean driving. In addition, not having any traffic violations or accidents will demonstrate that you are a responsible driver, and your insurance costs will decline in most cases.
DUI car insurance quotes online with Insurance On The Spot and compares rates from up to ten insurers. The quote takes less than 5 minutes, and the savings can add up to hundreds of dollars. Get the coverage you need today and great low rates.