Being convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) carries many penalties. Some of these are imposed by the state, such as license suspension, fines or even jail time. One very expensive penalty that is not imposed by the state is losing your car insurance or having your insurance rates greatly increased.
Once someone has been convicted of a DUI or DWI charge, getting or even keeping their current car insurance can become an obstacle. Many large insurance companies will cancel an existing car insurance policy once they find out there is a DUI/DWI conviction. Other companies may just raise the insurance rates by a large amount.
After a DUI Arrest But Before a DUI Conviction
If a driver has been arrested for a DUI but has not yet been convicted, they are not legally bound to inform their car insurance company. If you are facing a DUI charge, asking your insurance company how a DUI will affect your premiums will likely result in an immediate rate hike or cancellation of your policy.
SR-22
Many states require drivers convicted of a DUI/DWI to provide their Department of Motor Vehicles with an SR-22 Proof of Insurance Certificate in order to remove a license suspension. Just asking for the SR-22 will alert the car insurer that the insured is a high-risk driver. In addition, many companies do not have SR-22 insurance policies and the insured will have to find a new insurance company. There are car insurance companies that specialize in covering high-risk drivers, but for much higher premiums.
Some states even require people that don’t own a car to carry an SR-22 policy. It certifies that a driver has the ability to be financially responsible for any future claims. A non-owner’s SR-22 policy would provide liability coverage for a driver that doesn’t own a vehicle. A non-owner’s SR-22 policy does not cover a car that is borrowed by the insured, only any liability the driver might cause, such as injuries suffered by others if the insured causes an accident.
Expungement
Depending on which state you live in, a DUI violation will remain on your driving record anywhere from 5 years to the rest of your life. If you are able to get your DUI expunged from your record you could once again get regular car insurance without the higher rates high-risk drivers must pay.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact an attorney in your local area for more information about DUI/DWI Law.
Additional Legal Information Site: Driver Law Firm. Serving clients throughout North Carolina.