When you are convicted of a DUI, one of the first things to suffer is your bank account. Each state has their own method concerning DUI punishments, but normally the penalties include a pricey ticket. State law enforcement uses these hefty fines to keep people from driving with high blood/alcohol content. This eliminates the amount of drunk driving accidents on the highways, and saves thousands of lives every year. While DUIs have been instated for a noble purpose, they can be a trial for people who are falsely accused of driving while intoxicated. Incorrect breathalyzer readings or misconstrued details can convict and innocent driver. If you have been falsely charged, you will want to contest this in court. Not only will a DUI zap thousands of dollars from your account to pay fines, but your insurance rates will skyrocket, costing you even more than you anticipated.
Most insurance companies classify DUI offenders as high-risk drivers, which translates into very high interest rates. Approximately every three years, insurance companies check their client's motor vehicle records to note any changes. Convicted individuals are normally issued a mark on their record. This mark acts like a brand, warning insurance companies to hike your rates. Even if your DUI goes unnoticed for a few years, it can still become a problem if it is discovered down the road. Insurance providers will also take a look at your record if you apply for a new policy. If it's time to renew your policy, you may want to shop around for a new provider. Oftentimes as soon as your company sees the DUI, you will be paying escalated costs that will be hard to handle. Insurance rates vary among companies, so it's best to research and find the best deal to save some money.
Sometimes, a skyrocketing insurance rate may not be the worst of your worries. Many companies will cancel your policy or refuse to renew it if you were caught driving while intoxicated, or were involved in an alcohol-related accident. This is especially likely if you are in a preferred rate class. When this happens, it makes it incredibly difficult to locate a new insurance company, because you will be shopping around with a DUI and a cancellation on your record.
Each state has its own laws regarding car insurance coverage and DUIs. Most of America agrees that a DUI offender must obtain a SR-22 form from his or her auto insurer. This way, the convicted person cannot hide the crime to keep low rates. An SR-22 is essential to prove to your DMV that you carry liability insurance. Most states place priority on this form, and will not revoke a license suspension without it. As well, an SR-22 normally requires an insurance company to notify your DMV if they plan to cancel your coverage. In addition, you will need to file a proof of insurance for between three to five years with your state DMV after you are reissued your license.
There is a possibility that your insurance company may never know about your DUI conviction. In Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, drivers do not need to fill out an SR-22 to receive their license after a DUI suspension, so it is easier to hide these criminal charges. According to the Insurance Research Council, one in every five DUI convictions is not recorded on a motor vehicle record. These marks are sometimes forgotten because of a miscommunication between the prosecuted party and the court. Some drivers are able to erase marks by taking a driving school course. Also, some plea bargains involve keeping a DUI from your driving record. A limited license suspension (a license suspension that lasts less than a month) is normally left off of a record. Still, when you are convicted of a DUI it is best to contact a lawyer immediately. That way you can fight for your innocence and may be able to bypass the devastating financial effects of heightened interest rates.