How Does DUI Conviction Affect Car Insurance Rate?

Reader’s Question:

How does a DUI conviction  affect your car insurance?

Michelle

Denver CO
If you are convicted of a DUI or driving under the influence, DWI or Driving while intoxicated, OUI or Operating under the influence or maybe OWI or operating while impaired, your car insurance rates will go up. Some insurance laws will actually triple your typical car insurance rates after DUI conviction.

Generally, drunk driving conviction will affect your car insurance rate for at least three years. If the state you live in permit car insurance providers to check your insurance record for longer period, it may affect your dui insurance rate for more than five years.

If you have a dui conviction in your driving record, you are now considered as a high risk to an insurance provider. According to statistics, driving under the influence causes more serious accidnets that is why car insurance companies increases your rates to cover your risk as a driver.

If your insurer will still continue to isnure you after DUI conviction, the increase on your car insurance rate will occur at your next renewal period when your insurer checks on your driving record and see the DUI offense. Your car insurance company and state laws will determine the amount of time for the increased of your dui insurance rate.

For example, in Colorado, car insurance rate may increase up to 30% after DUI conviction. Again, the car insurance increase will depend on the rating system of your car insurance company.

Having DUI conviction in your driving record can negatively affect your car insurance rate because you are being put to the high risk category by car insurance companies. It would be best to shop around for car insurance companies that may provide you a more affordable dui insurance that you can afford.

Will a DUI Affect Getting a Car Loan Approval

Reader’s Question:

My son had a DUI a year ago here in Indiana and had to get SR22. What is it? Will it affect his insurance premiums? And will it affect his chance of getting an approval for a car loan?

Thomas

Anderson, IN

The SR22 is a form filed by the insurance company to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle affirms that an individual has a certain car insurance coverage. This form is usually required when coverage is provided to an individual who was involved in an accident or was convicted for a traffic violation and was not able to show any proof of financial responsibility at the time of the incident.

Driving under the influence falls under the offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Indiana. In your son’s case, he needed to show proof that he was insured at the time he received the OWI infraction but was not able to provide the police officer with it. This is why he was forced by the state to file for SR22 to show that he now has proof of future financial responsibility if ever he causes an accident due to drunk driving again.

If a motorist has OWI offense, he will be required by the Indiana government to carry high-risk insurance for three consecutive years. If he decides to cancel this coverage, then his license will be cancelled. High-risk insurance coverage also costs more than the average policy. Some insurers may also refuse to renew your son’s policy because of this violation. Other insurers cancel the coverage of their customers cited for OWI altogether.

Regarding his plan to buy a new car, his SR22 requirement should not have a direct effect on the possibility of getting car financing. Since he is planning to apply for a car loan and is worried that his SR22 requirement will directly affect a favorable decision from a lender, then he can always do some more shopping around.

Super cheap rates on DUI insurance