Reader’s Question:

I was convicted of DUI and the court told me that to reinstate my license after suspension, I need to get a New York SR22 insurance. What is an auto insurance SR22?

James

New York, NY

Since you have your license suspended, you have to face a more severe penalty than a simple few weeks suspension. For you to be able to comply with the SR22 law, you will have to purchase New York SR22 insurance for a total of 3 years before you are able to keep your license without it.

New York SR22 is proof of insurance. It’s a form that the auto insurance providers you purchase your insurance policy from and will file with the DMV in your area every month. If the form is not filed during the 3 year period you are required to have SR22 insurance, then your insurance will be cancelled and your license again will be suspended.

It’s sometimes not easy to find New York SR22, so you’ll have to look a little harder. Since you are now part of a high risk group of motorist, it’s also very likely that you will have to pay a lot more in order to keep yourself insured. If you don’t want to have to file SR22 insurance, then you can avoid it by simply allowing your license to remain suspended for 3 years–but then you won’t be able to operate a vehicle.

Reader’s Question:

If I receive a DUI but the insurance policy is not under my name do the insurance rates go up for the policy holder?

Anne

Buffalo, NY

Yes, your DUI may affect the insurance rates for the policyholder if you are a motorist listed under their insurance policy. The driving record of any licensed motorist on an insurance policy or in a household can have an impact on the insurance rate as well as the insurance provider’s decision to insure the car. Some violations may cause an insurance company to turn you or the policyholder down for insurance coverage or to pay high-risk rate.

An individual with a bad driving record is more of a risk for an insurance carrier than an individual with a clean driving record and thus their rates are normally higher. The whole insurance policy thus can be affected by one motorist’s DUI or serious driving violation.

If the policyholder’s car insurance rates go up due to your DUI, they may want to comparison shop for car insurance to see if they can find a better rate.

Reader’s Question:

I got a DUI three years ago. How long does my DUI affect car insurance rates? My insurance rate is still high!

Ben

Brooklyn, NY

The amount of time your DUI will affect your insurance rates depends on both your insurance company guidelines and your state’s regulations. States differ on how long a DUI or DWI stay on your driving record. It may stay on your MVR for as little as a few years to as many as 10 depending on the state and the situations regarding your DUI. As long as the infraction is on your DMV record it is likely to affect your car insurance rates.

Each insurance provider has its own method of rating and evaluating people. To know how long your DUI is going to stay on your MVR call your DMV and to find out how long your current insurance provider will continue to rate at a higher rate contact your insurance broker.

Reader’s Question:

My cousin got a DUI and he’s only 17, when he turns 18 will it go off his driving record? How will this affect his insurance rate?

June

Fresno, CA

In most states a DUI or DWI will stay on a driving record for a number of years, regardless if the person was a minor when they made the violation or not. For instance in California it is typically 7 years.

The state in which your cousin lives might have different laws than the state you are in so check with the department of motor vehicles to see how many years it will stay on your cousin’s record and to see if they have different rules for this if the DWI was received as a minor.

If the DUI continues to be on his driving record than it will likely affect his auto insurance rates by putting him in a higher risk category.