Taimoor Rana is seasoned criminal defense attorney specializing in DUI related cases. He shares his expert legal opinion here « How Does a Drunk Driving Conviction Affect Your Insurance?
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- Your automobile insurance rates are likely going to go up for at least three years, in most states, if you are convicted of drunk driving. Most probably, you will also be learning a lot about something called SR-22.
Your state may call it differently, but no matter whether it is called driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated or operating a vehicle while intoxicated, if you are convicted of any of those offenses, there are great chances that your insurance rates will increase before you are allowed to drive again.
Laws Vary by State
Different states may have various penalties regarding drunk driving, but it is for sure that in every state, impaired driving conviction may result in the suspension of your driving privileges, for at least 30 days to one year, even on the first offense.
In order to get your driver’s license and privileges back, most states require you to provide the licensing agency with an SR-22 form, which proves that you have motor vehicle liability insurance.
The SR-22 laws enforce that the insurance company should notify the licensing agency, usually the department of motor vehicles, if the policy is canceled, terminated or lapses.
Your Premiums Could Triple
In order to get an SR-22 form, you will have to go to your auto insurance agency. The company will consider you a "high-risk" driver and increase your insurance premiums. This will be especially applicable if you were previously in a preferred class or received safe-driver discounts.
Your auto insurance premiums can double and may even triple in some states, if you are convicted of drunk driving.
Not All Companies Offer SR-22 Policies
There are some insurance companies that do not offer SR-22 insurance policies. If your company does not offer SR-22, and you are convicted of drunk driving, the company will either cancel your current policy, or refrain from renewing it.
You will thus have to find another company that offers SR-22 and when you do, you should definitely expect your rates to be higher, because then you would also have a cancellation on your claims history.
There are some states that prohibit insurance companies from canceling policies before the term expires, even if you are convicted of a drunk driving charge.
How Long Will Your Rates Increase?
Depending on your state, a drunk driving conviction can affect your insurance status for at least three years on the first offense. The time duration may get longer for subsequent convictions.
Many states now have enhanced penalties in special situations. These include circumstances such as when someone gets injured, if a child is in the vehicle, if your blood alcohol concentration is above a certain level or if you are under the age of 21 at the time of your arrest.
All the 50 states consider a blood alcohol concentration of .08 to be legally intoxicated. But the penalties for a DUI conviction are doubled if the driver registers a high BAC level (usually over .15 or .20), in 40 states.
How Can You Avoid Increase Rates?
The increased rates for auto insurance will only apply if you want your driver’s privileges restored. If you want to avoid these extra costs, you can do so by walking or taking public transportation.
If you wish to have your driving privileges restored but don’t own a vehicle, then after a DUI conviction, you must provide a SR-22 form by buying a non-owner policy. This means that you will still have to buy insurance, for a car that you do not even own.
Thus ultimately, it is best not to drive at all when intoxicated. Go for a cab, or let someone else drive for you. You will be able to save yourself from a lot of problems.
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One commentto “How Does a Drunk Driving Conviction Affect Your Insurance?”
“Different states may have various penalties regarding drunk driving” Yes, in fact, there are several states that do not have SR22 which are:
* Delaware
* Kentucky
* Minnesota
* New Mexico
* Oklahoma
* Pennsylvania
SR22 Insurance´s last blog ..States That Do Not Require SR22