Do I need 2 car insurances after committing a DUI offense last week? I know it was a terrible mistake and I want to make amends by at least complying with what the state requires in terms of car insurance. Apart from DUI insurance, do I also need to have DUI SR22 insurance?

Ian

Pittsburgh, PA

To put it simply, DUI SR22 insurance is not really an actual car insurance. It’s nothing more than a form filed by the auto insurance company of the driver with DUI offense to the state, informing that the insured has the mandated insurance coverage.

Though I commend you for acknowledging your mistake (because you were caught and didn’t have a choice, right?) and wanting to make amends by at least complying with your state’s car insurance policies and regulations, it doesn’t mean you’re already considered a saint. Are you aware of the countless lives that were lost on the roads caused by drivers who were DUI? Every person is entitled to his/her own choice, but when that choice does harm to others, it is obviously so wrong. So, Ian, please drive responsibly next time.

By the way, I suggest that you check various DUI SR22 insurance companies online. You will find a lot of choices by just clicking. I’m sure that the best DUI SR22 insurance is just at the tip of your fingertips.

I hope you get a free rate quote while you are here DUI insurance

What is DUI SR22 insurance?

Nancy

Kansas City, MO

DUI SR22 insurance is the worst possible insurance a driver can get. This is not because the driver made the awful mistake of getting one (SR22 insurance is not a voluntary purchase) but because he or she made the awful mistake of driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. A DUI is one of those crimes that may not seem so serious in the beginning but later on when the consequences arrive you will see how it can really ruin your finances.

At worst this crime can lead to imprisonment. In most cases it leads to the loss of one’s driving privileges. That means a temporary suspension of your driver’s license, your car registration, or your car gets impounded. The only way of getting any of that back is to file an SR22. Most car insurance companies react to a DUI by increasing your rates or canceling your current policy. A DUI SR22 insurance is most likely in the high risk category. It’s an obligated added expense that can really break your budget. But unless you can bear commuting everyday for the rest of your life, you really don’t a have a choice. A DUI SR22 insurance is definitely not something you want on your record.

My son is out drinking with his friends a lot. It’s fine by me as long as he takes care. Once, however, I caught him driving while drunk. What are the consequences of this? Can you tell me about the state sanctions for DUI as well as DUI insurance?

Mary Jane

Baton Rouge, LA

The most frightening thing about drinking under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is that one can get into an accident and suffer unspeakable injuries. For this reason alone, everyone must be cautious in driving. One mustn’t drive if he/she feels unwell or distracted. He/she mustn’t speak on the phone or attempt to do several things at the same time while on the road. Driving a car requires one’s full attention. Being alert and sober is imperative.

As for state sanctions and regulations, Louisiana considers the first DUI as a criminal offense. The punishment includes a fine of $1000 — not an easy amount of money to let go — on top of paying for all the legal proceedings. Mary Jane, one may also face jail time depending on his/her age.

And what constitutes DUI? A drunk driver is any adult with a BAC of at least .08; a minor with a BAC of .02 or higher; and finally a commercial vehicle driver with a BAC of .04 or more. If you would notice, it takes less intake of alcohol for your teenage son to be arrested for DUI.

After the first offense, it is normally mandatory for arrested drivers to show proof insurance so that they can get their licenses reinstated. By the way, DUI insurance is much more expensive because there is a higher probability that the driver will make a claim.

I have a DUI on my record here in Arizona and I wanna know how long this violation will affect my auto insurance premiums. Thanks!

Gage

Glendale, AZ

As per Arizona Division of Motor Vehicles, all sentences received and displaying on your driving record in the past 39 months would be given to an auto insurance carrier that asks for a copy of your motor vehicle record (MVR) which is the printout of your driving record. The means in which an Arizona driver’s license or MVR information could become available is regulated by the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). This mandates the driver to have a “permitted use” for asking and receiving an MVD record that has personal identifying details (such as your name, SSN, etc.)

The amount of time your auto insurance premiums would be affected by your DUI rely on the look back period of your auto insurance provider and its rating system. In the event that your auto insurance provider could see your DUI on your MVR for 39 months, it would possible that your auto insurance premiums will be higher for this whole period. If you feel that what you pay now for your auto insurance is too high, you can definitely make it lower. You can shop around and compare auto insurance quotes to find the best coverage that you can afford. You can compare auto insurance quotes by visiting comparison quotes Website (like this Website) and you may be surprised to know that you can surely have lower auto insurance premiums.

My boyfriend was recently charged with DUI. What is the consequence of this on his auto insurance?

Rose

Seattle, WA

Driving under the influence can give your boyfriend a lot of problems when it comes to his vehicle insurance. He will have to request for a DUI insurance from his insurance company. This is also called as SR-22, although in reality this is not a type of insurance policy but more of a certification from his insurer. When he is given a DUI insurance, it means that your boyfriend has the policy or coverage to pay off any damages that he may incur on the road.

The problem is that DUI insurance is very hard to gain. Most insurance companies do not give SR-22 since this is high risk. Even if they do give SR-22, insurance companies will be charging your boyfriend with pretty high premiums. Your boyfriend will have to deal with larger monthly payments for his insurer.

When your boyfriend fails to pay off his monthly obligations with his insurer, the company can cancel the SR-22 and that could lead to more troubles for him. Your boyfriend cannot drive a vehicle without SR-22 for at least 3 years, so he either has to deal with expensive insurance premiums or be barred from driving.

Wow, super cheap rates on DUI insurance see for yourself!

How long does a DWI offense remain on your driving record in Bossier City? Will this affect my car insurance rate if this is my first conviction?

Wilson

Bossier City, LA

A Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction in Bossier City and any areas in Louisiana would remain on your driving history for ten years from the date of the conviction. According to the Louisiana driver’s manual, a first conviction for a Driving While Intoxicated charge can cost you $4500 in court costs, lawyer fees, insurance costs, fines, etc.

Your car insurance rates will rise typically, sometimes substantially, or, the car insurance carrier will simply cancel your insurance policy if you are convicted of a DWI or DUI. If your insurance provider increases your insurance rate premiums but keeps you as an insured, you will likely be labeled a high-risk driver because of the seriousness of the violation you were convicted of and therefore the risk you are now to an insurance company.

My nephew was arrested for drunk-driving last year. He’ll be 19 next year. Will his DWI conviction go off his record? And how will his car insurance rates be affected?

Lisa

Beaumont, TX

Thanks for your question Lisa. Whether the DWI offender was a minor or not during the time the violation was made is not going to change the fact that his driving records will still show a DWI conviction.

DWI laws vary per state regarding how long a DWI conviction will stay on a DWI offender’s driving records. In California , DWI record stays for 7 years. In other states, for example, in New Mexico , it stays for 25 years while in Georgia it stays forever.

To know how many years it will stay on your nephew’s driving record and to see if your state has different rules regarding DWIs committed by a minor, I would suggest checking with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area since your state may have different laws to the ones mentioned here.

Lastly, if the DWI conviction continues to stay on his record for a number of years, it will likely affect his auto insurance premium rates by putting him in a higher risk category. An individual in this category can expect the insurance premiums paid to possibly double, maybe even triple. (If he needs to look for a new insurance company he can get a car insurance quote online.)

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.