A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) carries a wide range of consequences, and a major—often overlooked—cost is the long-term effect on your car insurance. Beyond fines, court requirements, and potential license suspension, a DUI can dramatically change your insurance situation for years.
Once a DUI appears on your driving record, your insurance carrier will typically categorize you as a high-risk driver. Because of that designation, you’ll likely face steep premium increases when your insurer becomes aware of the conviction.
The financial consequences can extend well beyond court costs. Insurers can choose to cancel your policy altogether or decline to renew it. If that happens, you may need to shop for a new insurance provider, often at significantly higher rates while carrying a DUI on your record.
In most states, a DUI conviction triggers the requirement to file an SR-22 form. This document, issued by your insurance company, verifies to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you have the minimum level of liability coverage required by law.
You cannot reinstate a suspended driver’s license until the DMV receives proof of this coverage. The SR-22 effectively signals to the state—and to insurance companies—that you present a higher risk. If your policy lapses or is canceled, your insurer must notify the DMV, which can result in another suspension of your driving privileges.
Depending on the state, you may need to maintain SR-22 certification for up to five years. Not all insurers offer SR-22 policies, and some will cancel or refuse to renew coverage following a DUI conviction.
There are a few states do not require an SR-22 filing after a DUI such as 1) Delaware, 2) Kentucky, 3) Minnesota, 4) New Mexico, 5) Oklahoma and 6) Pennsylvania.
Insurance companies don’t treat every DUI the same. Many carriers review the circumstances on a case-by-case basis. For drivers with an otherwise clean record and a first-time DUI, some insurers may apply a smaller rate increase—though any increase will still be noticeable.
Multiple DUI convictions, however, nearly always result in much higher premiums. In fact, many insurers simply refuse to cover repeat offenders. Even if your insurance provider doesn’t immediately learn about your DUI, most states and carriers allow a window of time during which your rates can still be adjusted.
A DUI may also affect your eligibility and pricing for other types of insurance, including life insurance.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations immediately contact a Seattle DUI Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle DUI Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
