As our Washington law makers see it, if you get caught driving under the influence you are putting yourself, others and even property at risk, so the measly ticket itself is not the only price you should pay. In addition to jail time and a hefty fine, drivers who receive a DUI will be saddled with alcohol education fees, lost wages, ignition interlock fees, probation fees and a slew of other punitive monetary sanctions.
One of the longest lasting monetary fallouts of a DUI conviction is the car insurance increases. In Washington, increases will last on a driver’s record for no less than three years and quite possibly up to five years. Drivers convicted of a DUI are required to maintain SR-22 insurance, which not all insurers support. After a DUI conviction the average Washington driver will see his or her car insurance increase by approximately 54.24%; the typical Washington driver will pay $466.80 extra each year for insurance after his DUI conviction.
Once convicted of a DUI, the provider may choose to drop coverage altogether, or alternatively may increase payments beyond what another insurance provider is willing to do for someone. This is so because insurance companies weight DUI convictions differently. In light of this, it may be a good idea to consider getting several insurance quotes so as to ensure the cheapest coverage.
If cited for DUI in Washington state be smart and immediately seek the assistance of a Seattle DUI lawyer. A qualified and respected Seattle DUI attorney can quite possibly save a person thousands of dollars in court and insurance fees. Washington DUI laws are far too complicated for any ol’ attorney to handle. Be smart … hire a qualified and skilled Seattle DUI attorney when arrested for DUI in Washington State.