Car Insurance and Driving Under the Influence – not a Good Mix
Drinking and driving is obviously a mistake for many reasons. One of the effects of driving under the influence that many people don’t realize involves your car insurance. If you’re covered by a policy at the time you’re convicted of a DUI, your rates may increase dramatically, or your policy may be canceled at the end of its contract. If you aren’t covered at the time of a DUI conviction, you may find it difficult securing future coverage.
Below, you’ll learn more about how drunk driving can affect your car insurance policy and your rates. We’ll also describe the purpose of an SR-22. Finally, we’ll offer a few tips that you can use to get car insurance in the event you’re caught driving under the influence.
The Purpose Of An SR-22
Driving under the influence carries significant consequences. You’ll likely be required to file an SR-22 if you’re caught and convicted of a DUI. In its simplest form, an SR-22 is a statement that validates that you have adequate car insurance coverage. An offender’s suspended driver’s license is usually returned when this statement is filed.
Most states (there are a few exceptions) legally require drivers who have received a DUI conviction to file an SR-22 with their local DMV. By charging much higher premiums, some car insurance carriers will offer special SR-22 coverage for “high risk” drivers. Other insurers do not offer insurance to “high risk” driver’s and will typically cancel a “high risk” driver’s policy.
Remaining Under The Radar
For years, there’s a been a bit of a disconnect between the some court systems and some local departments of motor vehicles. DUI convictions are supposed to be delivered to the DMV that is located in the jurisdiction of the court. Sometimes, this fails to happen. A driver can in effect avoid filing an SR-22 if for some reason the DUI offense is not reported to the driver’s local DMV. If this is the case, the driver’s alcohol-related offense may not be discovered by his car insurance company. Though this happens quite frequently, many providers learn of a policyholder’s DUI years later and raise the premiums accordingly.
Don’t Wait To Shop Around
A common mistake among those who have been convicted of driving under the influence is waiting until their policy has been canceled before finding an alternative. If you find that your current insurer is canceling your policy, it may be because they have found about your DUI conviction. In that case, anticipate other providers discovering your DUI, too.
It’s easier to find an insurer willing to offer an SR-22 insurance policy if you’re already covered. Shop early while you still have coverage from your current carrier. If you find that the larger, established carriers are unwilling to insure you, check with the independent agents in your area.
Picking Up The Pieces And Planning Ahead
Driving under the influence can have a dramatic impact on your car insurance for several years. It can substantially increase your rates or cause your current provider to cancel your policy. Basically, a Driving Under the Influence conviction limits your options severely. But, don’t let that dissuade you from shopping for car insurance. If the Department of Motor Vehicles has your DUI in their records, paying higher premiums for your policy is pretty much inevitable. But, the alternative – driving without coverage – can lead to hefty penalties, financial loss and even jail time.
While a DUI conviction may stay on your record for 10 years, auto insurance companies usually only use it for calculating your premium for about 3 years, sometimes less. Know your options, plan ahead and work toward putting the experience behind you.
Kade Phillips
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/car-insurance-and-driving-under-the-influence-not-a-good-mix-657867.html
I got a misdemeanor for driving under the influence of marijuana?
I am 22 years old, I was at a party and smoked a joint of marijuana. I was driving in my truck, and got pulled over by a cop for not making a complete stop at the stop sign. The policeman thought he smelled something in my truck, and gave me some tests, then he arrested me, took me to jail which I stayed there for 24 hours, impounded my truck which I had to pay $250 the next day to get out of the impound. This has never happened to me before, I have a clean record, this is a first offense. I have a court date on April 3rd . What will happen to me, and do I need a lawyer, and will I get my license taken away, and will my car insurance go up? I can’t afford a lawyer, will the court assign me one? And is a lawyer that is assigned to me as good as getting a private one? Also, I heard that I need to contact the DMV about this, so I don’t get my license taken away in 30 days. Please help, I need advice!
I live in Southern California
you’ll probably get probation. that sucks, man. I’m sorry that happened. it’s not really a huge charge so you dont really need to hire a good lawyer. court appointed will work just fin. you’ll need the money for proabation anyway.
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get a lawyer and ask about the "first time offenders program" which is one urine test and 24 hours community service thats the best deal
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personal experience
If you can afford a car you can afford a lawyer.
Public defenders are ususually very busy, inexperienced, overworked and underpaid. Ask for one and take your chances.
I have no idea what state you are in, and I cannot tell you what will happen.
I am in Pennsylvania, and there are billboards everywhere,
they say , "Dui- youcan’t afford it."Aslo, DUI in PA makes no distiction wherther it is liquor drugs, or even prescription drugs.In short, PA is a "show no mercy " state.’
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ha youll prolly get a slap on the hand. but what state do you live in cuz it might depend. but i think youll be okay. you might jus get some community service. i know in ct if you get introuble for the first time we have programs like YO and AR and you can take one of those if your state has them. and you pretty much have a couple fines and community service to do. public defenders are good. they will help you out. they are real attorneys but just paid by the state. i had one for multi felony cases. and i got probation for 3 years 18 months suspended. and i pled out guilty on a felony case *larceny in the third* and two misdeamors *larceny in the fourth and possession of a controlled substance* my car was impounded at the state police baracks for three months. and i didnt go to jail. probably shouldve but i had a PD. well good luck and if you got ne more questions you can email me. i know its bad but im a pro when it comes to court systems. oh and what state do you live in btw?
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myself.
Honetly if you have a clean record you will be fine. Its not good, but its not that bad either because this is your first offense. This is not serious enough that you’ll have to go to trial, so your not gonna need a lawyer. You’ll go to court the same way you would for a traffic ticket. It would have been a lot worse if you had gotten possession. When you go to court, you’ll be brought before the judge, he will inform you of the charge brought against you, you’ll please guilty, and then he will tell you to pay a fine or some other means of punishment. I don’t see any reason to contact the DMV, you’ll only have to worry about your license if the judge decides to suspend your license, but you wont know until you go to court. Good luck to you! Oh also when you talk to the judge, make sure you always say," yes sir, no sir or yes ma’am…you get the picture.
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I just got charged with on myself. Well if you submitted to a urine test there is no way they will get the charge to stick since they found nothing on you and marijuana stays in the system for a couple weeks. If you took a blood test the argument is harder, but still no urb no pipe just a hunch. A lawyer will help with the scientific part of how urb stays in the system and to hurt the creditability of the officer. This is importnant because right now the only evidence of you being high at the time of arrest is his judgement which should e called into question as well as his trianing in the area or drug recognition.
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just seach google