Auto insurance companies take DUI convictions very seriously. That is because of the dangers that result from mixing alcohol and driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,773 people died in alcohol related crashes in the U.S. in 2008. That is a 32% of all driving fatalities for that year. 1.5 million motorists were convicted of a DUI in that year, which equates to about 1 in every 139 motorists.
With alarming statistics such as those, auto insurance companies cannot afford to take a DUI conviction lightly. The chance of getting into an accident rises dramatically after the motorist’s blood alcohol content reaches 0.05%. The legal limit for blood alcohol in all states in the U.S. is 0.08%.
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What Does A DUI Conviction Do To A Person’s Car Insurance?
The shame, humiliation and monetary costs of DUI conviction have been well documented. It has been estimated that one conviction can possibly cost a person over $10,000 if you add up the legal fees, court costs, and traffic school expenses that result from a DUI. But the tab doesn’t stop there. A DUI has dramatic consequences for your car insurance:
You Could Get Dropped
If convicted, it is possible your auto insurance will decide to drop you, citing the fact you have become too big of a risk. The insurer could cancel your policy in the middle of a policy period, or decide not to renew your insurance.
You Will See Higher Rates
If your auto insurer decides not to drop you, you will be bumped up to a higher risk category. This translates into higher premiums. Car insurance rates can skyrocket after a DUI. Sometimes, the rates can jump as much as 400%. What’s worse, these higher rates can last for years. At a minimum, a conviction will force you to pay higher rates for at least three years and can impact your auto insurance for up to ten years. If you add up this extra insurance, this could mean thousands of dollars in extra auto insurance costs.
You May Have To Submit a SR 22 Form
In most states, after a DUI offense you will be required to submit a SR 22 form. This form guarantees that your auto insurer will learn of your DUI ticket at some point. Currently, only Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, New York and North Carolina don’t require SR 22 forms. However, if you live in these states, your auto insurer will still likely learn of your DUI offense sooner or later. Insurance companies have been known to randomly check driving records. If the conviction is on your driving record, the insurance company will know about it.
Not Impossible To Get Car Insurance
Okay, we have reviewed all the bad things that accompany a DUI ticket. It is a serious violation and the costs that come with it are very high. At this point, though, let’s remember that everyone makes mistakes. Yes, a DUI is a serious mistake, but that doesn’t the motorist can’t learn from it. Nor does it mean you can’t find car insurance. A number of auto insurers, including the major players, still insure drivers who have a DUI on their record.
First, it’s important to never drink and drive again. One DUI is bad enough; a second conviction brings much harsher consequences, including jail time. If you have had a received a DUI ticket, you must learn from the experience and execute better judgment in the future.
Over time, if you maintain a clean driving record and refrain from drinking and driving, your car insurance rates will drop. In the meantime, the best way to find the most affordable rates possible is to get multiple quotes here at Cheap Quotes Car Insurance. By filling out multiple quotes forms you can find the auto insurance company that will give you the cheapest rates for high-risk drivers . So, fill out some quotes today and save some cash.