Question:

How Does a DUI or DWI Affect My Car Insurance?

Answer:

There’s not much good news about how a DUI or DWI can affect your car insurance rate. Here are a couple of scenarios you might see with your policy, depending on your car insurance company’s policy about DUIs.

1. Your insurance rate will be increased. It might not happen immediately but when it comes time to renew, you can expect a significant increase.
2. You may lose your insurance entirely, especially if this is not your first offense.

If you keep your car insurance with the same company for years, it may be up to three years before the insurance company checks with the Department of Motor Vehicles to get an update on your driving record and finds your DUI. If you don’t see a rate increase right away, don’t expect you’ll keep that low premium forever.

Many states require you to fill out a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility from your insurance company. What this does is prove that you have liability coverage, which some states want to know when you get a DUI (because you have a higher risk of getting into an accident).

Some insurance companies can increase your rate as much as 200%! But then again, if you have had one or more DUIs, your license may be revoked by your state, in which case you won’t need car insurance.

If you’ve been denied car insurance coverage due to your DUIs, look for insurance companies that cover high risk drivers. The rate may be higher, but if having car insurance is your ultimate goal, these are a great way to go.

Each company is different and has different policies with regards to how they handle DUIs. If you have specific questions for your company, contact your local car insurance agent or call your customer service line. To find a company that won’t overcharge you for a DUI, get a quote here on CheaperCarInsurance.com.