DUI insurance

How a DUI impacts your car insurance coverage

When it comes to driving, we all make mistakes from time to time. One of those could be getting behind the wheel after drinking.

If you get a DUI driving conviction, you likely have a million thoughts running through your head, from possible costs to how you’re going to tell your family and friends. We’re here to provide some information on what happens when you get a DUI citation, including possible outcomes and answers to common DUI-related questions.

To be blunt, a DUI conviction has many ramifications—now and in the future. For instance, if you had cheap car insurance before the DUI, expect those rates to go up, and you might have trouble getting insurance after a DUI.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Please read below for some questions and answers you might have about DUIs.

What happens after a DUI violation?

If you’re convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), there are numerous possible consequences, from losing money to losing your right to drive. Depending on your history and the severity of the offense, you might incur:

• A fine reaching several hundred dollars
• Jail time
• Loss of driving privileges—a driver’s license suspension or restriction
• Mandatory enrollment in a DUI program
• Probation in lieu of jail time
• Community service requirements
• A court-ordered mandate to use an ignition interlock device
• Required attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
• Impoundment of your vehicle

This isn’t a complete list—nor meant to discourage you. But you should be aware of what could happen.

In general, if you’re convicted of a DUI, you may face jail time and substantial fines, especially if you’re a repeat offender. State laws and regulations vary, as do the consequences. If you’re a first-time DUI offender, most states mandate a probationary period of approximately three years. However, in some states, your conviction could remain on your driver’s record longer.

A DWI or OWI—are these the same as a DUI?

Essentially, yes. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating while intoxicated (OWI) are each a criminal offense involving operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) above the state limit. States vary in how these terms are used, and often, these terms are used interchangeably.

Will I have problems getting insurance after a DUI?

If you’re convicted of a drunken driving offense, you may have trouble obtaining auto insurance coverage. Drivers convicted of DUI are usually considered high-risk or nonstandard drivers—and not all car insurance companies offer nonstandard car insurance. Even when you find an insurance company offering coverage, you may end up paying a lot more than drivers without a DUI conviction.

If you can’t afford to pay the rate increase for your car insurance coverage, you do have options. However, driving without insurance isn’t one of them. Every state has minimum car insurance requirements.

Consider taking public transportation, walking, or biking. You might also consider purchasing a Dairyland® non-owner car insurance policy, with SR22 insurance, if you don’t own a vehicle but need to drive from time to time. It’s a cheaper car insurance option.

Luckily, there are companies like Dairyland that understand mistakes happen and are available to provide options in times like this.

Tell me more about an SR22

If you incur a DUI conviction, you may be required to have a certificate of insurance with your respective state that proves you’re meeting your state’s car insurance coverage requirements. These certificates are typically known as SR22s or, if in Florida or Virginia, FR44s. At minimum, you’ll need to purchase liability insurance coverages to get the filing.

When you buy your auto insurance, the insurance company will give you this form and send a copy to the state. Note that some insurance companies charge you for this filing. However, at Dairyland, we typically handle that for free with the purchase of an auto policy.

What else affects my car insurance premiums?

When determining the appropriate policy and rates for a driver who has a DUI conviction on their record, insurance companies may consider more than just the DUI. They may also look at driving history for moving violations, reckless driving violations, lapses in insurance coverage, multiple car accidents, or excessive insurance claims.

How can I get my license back?

Some states require a mandatory hearing within a 30-day period of the DUI offense. At this hearing, you may get your license back. However, it might be a restricted license. Getting a restricted driver’s license generally requires three actions on your behalf:

• Show proof of enrollment in an approved DUI program
• Show proof of financial responsibility—depending on your state, an SR22 or a FR44
• Pay a reissue fee to the state licensing department

You should also consult the appropriate court or a local attorney for specific requirements.

What’s an ignition interlock device?

If you’re convicted of multiple DUI offenses (or per court order), an ignition interlock device may be installed on your vehicle. This device measures the driver’s BAC and won’t allow the car to start if the BAC is over the state’s legal limit or the limit the court has set on the device.