Drunk Driving Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I live in Michigan. I would like to know how long does a DUI conviction can affect my car insurance rate in my state.
Alfred
Lansing MI
In Michigan, they adopted an .08 BAC standard for DUI conviction. According to drivers responsibility program, those who have been convicted of DUI or drunk driving are subject to a $1000 penalty fee for about two years.
In Michigan, if this is your first offense of DUI, a convicted person may face up to 93 days in jail and may pay a fine up to $500. You will aslo be required by the state for 360 hours of community service and 6 points will be added to your driving record. Your drivers license will also be suspended for 30 days or so.
Drunk driving violation may stay in your driving record for 10 years. After DUI conviction, your car insurance rates may be affected for about three years.
According to the Michigan Financial and Insurance services, insurers may deny coverage if within the past three years you have been convicted of DUI or driving under the influence.
There are various ways on how to lower down your car insurance premium after dui conviction. One way to do this is to shop for car insurance prices. Make sure you compare car insurance rates offered by these car insurance companies. Do not expect to get a cheap insurance rate since you will be put in the high risk category if you have a dui conviction in your record.
Insurance After A DUI
Reader’s Question:
How does a DUI can 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.
DUI And Auto Insurance
Reader’s Question:
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.
Drunk Driving Laws in Texas
Reader’s Question:
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.)
Loading ...