DUI Effect on Auto Insurance Rate

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 rates.

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. It may be more cost effective for you and the policy holder to maintain separate coverage since you may lose the cost benefits of the multi-driver policy.

What Will Happen if I Drive Without Insurance?

Reader’s Question:

What will happen now if I received a ticket for speeding and driving without insurance?

Tom

Thank you for asking Tom.

State laws and jurisdictions vary considerably, so obviously we will not be able to provide the exact cost that you may incur with this problem. Even if you are driving without a license, you still have a driving record that will be impacted with these charges. These moving violations will show on your driving record.

Insurance companies sometimes use entirely different quote systems to handle potential customers who are already insured and those who don’t have insurance. You can expect to pay higher rates for the speeding ticket and additional rate hikes for having been ticketed for driving without insurance.

Each insurance provider has their own rating system and point values that are assigned for each type of violation or claim. Most minor violations count as two (2) points, for major violations count as three (3) points and serious violations like driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) may count as high as six (6) points. This is will not always be the case, because there are many factors that go into generating your insurance rate.

You will be required to pay the penalty to the state for the violation and your insurance costs may increase because of the added points on you driving record. You can get more information about your specific state laws and infractions by visiting your state’s Department of Motor Vehicle website.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Will my Auto Insurance Go Up If I Add a DUI Driver in my Policy?

Reader’s Question:

I want to know if my insurance rate will go up if I add my mother who has a DUI conviction? We live in the same house.

Chris

Thank you for asking Chris.

It is probable that your insurance rate will increase after you add your mother to your insurance policy. Even if each of you maintain your own insurance policies, the insurance provider will take into account all of the drivers/motorist, in this case you and your mother, and their individual driving history on these policies. Most insurance providers base the insurance rates on the driver who develops the highest premium. This is usually the younger motorist. Since your mother has a serious violation, that might cause your premiums to increase as a result.

You may speak with your insurance company to know for sure how much the increase will be if you add your mother with a DUI in your policy.

Goodluck!

MariCAR