How to Determine if DUI/DWI Affects Your Insurance Premium

Driving Under Influence (DUI) of alcohol or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a serious crime in the US. Have you ever been caught or convicted for these reasons? If your driving is reckless, you not only endanger your life but also of others. The consequences of these crimes are harsh. Your license would be suspended and the attorney fees may prove very expensive. Besides, you will have problem with insurance: some companies may refuse to offer you a policy while others would raise your premium substantially irrespective of your age and driving history. How can you know if DUI or DWI is going to affect your insurance premium?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Call the insurance company representative and inform him/her about your DUI /DWI offense. This information goes to the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Department of Labor (DOL) within 30 days. Only in rare cases your DUI/DWI gets passed the insurance company without being reported in which case your insurance premium is unaffected. Note that your driving license will be suspended.
2. Ask the insurance company about the status of your existing policy. It is most likely that the insurance company will put your name in the ‘high risk driver’ category. Consequently, your premium amount will go up substantially. Your insurance premium can increase by 30% to 40%. If it is your second conviction, the premium amount can go up by over 70%.
3. Contact the insurance company and get more information to rectify the situation. The company can guide you as they come across several such cases.
4. Find out if the SR-22 option is available for you. It is an official documentation prepared by the insurance company to restore your suspended license.
5. Pay for the relevant fees to reinstate your suspended license.
6. Contact your local DMV and check your State Laws for more details on how to deal with issues of DWI/DUI. The rules are often modified laws and you may not be aware. Moreover, some laws vary from one state to another. This will help you to take adequate precautions.

Tips & Warnings

• SR-22 form is only a proof that an insurance company is willing to insure you on the basis of the responsibility of evidence as you provided to the company. This in no way justifies that you are no more risky. Insurance companies can apply high premium to your policy before giving you the SR-22 form.