How to Get Automobile Insurance After a DUI

After a DUI, insurance is more important than ever

It is vital that you keep automobile insurance after a DUI conviction - even if the auto insurance coverage jumps up in price. Failure to have insurance can result in your driver's license being suspended in some states. Fortunately, many companies are willing to provide automobile insurance to you after a DUI if your original provider cancels or chooses not to renew your policy. In addition, if your rates climb too high after your DUI conviction, another insurance company may just provide you with a lower rate.

Instructions

1. Check your driving record to see if the DUI even appears. Many lucky drivers discover that the red tape involved with modifying driving records proves to be too much for their overworked state DMV to handle - and the DUI never makes it into the public record. Before you inform a potential auto insurer that you had a past DUI, make sure that you actually do. Otherwise, don't mention it.

   State regulations vary for obtaining a copy of your driving record. Check the website for your state's primary Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what you need to do to request a copy of your records.

2. Consider your driving record outside of the DUI. Most auto insurers take the past three years of driving history into consideration when offering a price quote. If your driving record is perfect aside from the DUI, you can expect to pay lower rates.

3. Comparison shop. The easiest way to do this is to use the internet to gather a series of anonymous price quotes. This prevents you from having to discuss your DUI with an insurance agent face to face. Keep in mind, however, that after a DUI you can expect your auto insurance to be more costly, and price quotes are not guaranteed to be accurate. They are just estimates.

4. Check forums, message boards and online support groups for those who have been previously convicted of a DUI. These people have already done the hard work for you and can probably steer you toward the cheapest auto insurance provider.

5. Talk to a DUI attorney about working with you to have the DUI expunged from your driving record. How long a DUI will appear varies by state, but in some cases it can remain on your driving record and damage your insurance rates indefinitely. A DUI attorney can work to find the smallest flaw in your case that may qualify you to have the DUI removed from your driving record.

   Even though a DUI attorney is expensive, remember that hiring legal help may pay for itself in the amount you stand to save in auto insurance over the years once the DUI is removed.