Reader’s Question:

I am planning on going to truck driving school. I have had 3 DWIs and the last DWI was 6 years ago. Will I be insured by an insurance company in a commercial car?

Paul

Nashua, NH

Many commercial car insurance companies do not want to insure a motorist with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) that has a DWI, DUI or OUI. Since your last DWI was over 6 years ago, you might be able to find an insurance company that will insure you but the costs will likely still be high.

I would verify with the trucking school you are going to attend to for more information since they would typically deal with the insurance carriers that you would possibly want to be insured through. You can also check if the school thinks you will be insurable through an insurer plan once you acquired a job after your truck driving school is over.

Reader’s Question:

In North Carolina, how long will a DUI remain on your driving record?

Anna

Charlotte, NC

The North Carolina Driver’s Handbook does not show how long a DUI or DWI infraction stays on your driving record but it is likely three to seven years. This offense can increase your auto insurance rates for at least 3 years and that if you have multiple DWI offenses within seven years it can be considered to be a felony.

To get more information regarding a DUI/DWI and your North Carolina driving record, you may contact the Department of Transportation. If you are in need of cheap auto insurance for North Carolina begin now.

Reader’s Question:

My brother in law was driving my car over the past weekend. He got pulled over for speeding. He was also cited for DUI and driving without a license in Maryland. Will this affect my car insurance rate?

Carlo

Baltimore, MD

Tickets that your friends or anyone who borrows your car receive while driving your vehicle in Maryland generally will not affect your auto insurance rates. The tickets for speeding, driving without a license and DUI should all have been issued to your brother in law, the motorist, and not the car, so typically will show up on his driving record and affect his insurance rate in Maryland.

If your brother in law had crashed while driving your vehicle in Maryland it would have affected your car insurance since most likely it would be your insurance that would have to pay out on claims that was caused from an accident.

Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI on my driving record and I just want to find out if there is anything I can do to get a cheaper car insurance?

Jason

Chicago, Illinois (IL)

Having a major conviction like DUI on your driving record can seriously affect your car insurance rates since as a motorist you are seen as more of a risk to an insurance company. In most states if you have been convicted of drunk driving (DUI) your license will be suspended for a certain period of time and then when you go to restore your driver’s license you will have to get an insurance company to file a SR-22, certificate of financial responsibility, on your behalf.

With a major offense like this on your driving record and the needing to file an SR-22 you may not be able to find car insurance with a standard insurance company. A standard insurance company will generally give better rates for those with clean driving records and may not offer competitive insurance rates for those with DUI and other serious related infractions or bad driving records.

The best way to get the cheapest rates after you have been convicted of a DUI is to shop around. Make sure to ask for any discounts that may be available to you. This can be for driver improvement or traffic courses, safety features on your car, anti-theft devices, etc. Discounts differ from one insurance providers to another so ask what ones are available to check if you can get cheaper rates by applying the most discounts to your insurance policy.

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.

Reader’s Question:

Will a case of DUI that was dismissed in court can still affect my record and thus my insurance?

Neil

Thank you for asking Neil.

It is possible that for a dismissed DUI case to affect your driving record still. I would suggest that you check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what exactly will be listed on your driving record. The cost of a SR-22 will depend upon your driving history and other personal information.

The Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) will be able to give you more information if a dismissed case of DUI will still show up your your driving record. You may also contact your insurance company to know if this will affect your auto insurance.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

My license was suspended because of the DUI and my parents want to add me to their policy. Will the company be able to know if about the DUI?

John

Thank you for asking John.

I would suggest that you let the insurance company and your parents know that your driver’s license is suspended because of the DUI. You should not operate a vehicle or be insured on their insurance policy with a suspended or revoked license. You could put your parents or their car insurance policy at risk for non-disclosure.

The insurance company can pull up your driving history when they try to add you to the insurance policy. They can disclose the information that they are cannot add you because of your your license is suspended because of DUI. They can provide the inquirer for the information to use in order to contact the reporting agency.

Goodluck!

MariCAR