As driving under influence (DUI) or drunken driving is a serious offense, if you had any conviction most certainly you will face humiliating and expensive consequences. This can also cause a long term impact on your insurance by way of higher insurance rates as well as coverage. Some insurance companies cancel your insurance or increase your premiums outrageously as you will be treated as a ‘high risk driver’.
If your DUI is not known to your insurance company, and you have been a long time customer without any other blemishes, your insurer may continue to maintain your low premiums though it is most unlikely. However, insurance companies do a random check of driving records of policy holders and if there is a DUI in your record your insurance will definitely not be renewed at the time of its expiry. In these circumstances other non-standard insurance companies may provide you insurance coverage for a ridiculously high rate. It is better to stay with the same insurer because if you go for a new policy companies usually ask for driving record and will come to know about your ticket.
Many auto insurance companies refuse to provide coverage to people with DUI conviction or for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). Auto insurance becomes a significant issue when you happen to be charged with DUI, etc. If you have been arrested for DUI, DUID or any such offense you should seek expert advice from a renowned insurance provider who will not turn you down for being a DUI driver with a pending case or conviction. This advice is free of charge and you also get a free DUI auto insurance quote.
Those who are charged with DUI but are defending their case in the court have to consult an attorney who is well versed in this subject. The law presumes that those who are charged are innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law. So it is advisable not to reveal the pending case to the insurer as there is no need for it as there is no conviction. The record of DUI conviction on your driving record means cancellation of your insurance or becoming more expensive. To avoid getting into this trap, you have to search online or enquire with brokers for DUI auto insurance policy.
It is also possible that sometimes DUI and other offenses might not appear on your driving record or escape the insurer’s attention as the insurers normal practice is to check the driving records once in three years at the time of your application for a new auto insurance policy. In most states it is required of the DUI convicted drivers to get SR22 from their insurance company. If the insurer provides proof of your auto insurance to the department of motor vehicles, DMV with the SR-22 form. The insurance companies label you as a high risk driver and will hike your premiums.