November 28, 2014
Will a DUI Raise My Insurance Premiums?
Being charged with a DUI carries a number of serious consequences. Higher insurance premiums is just one of these. Nonetheless, as an experienced DUI lawyer can tell you, many people don’t understand why their insurance rates increase after being charged with a DUI.
How a DUI Affects Your Insurance Premiums
A DUI lawyer understands that insurance companies periodically review driver records. They do this when a new customer applies for coverage and before an existing policy renews. They are looking for tickets, DUI arrests and any other factors that may affect how much they will charge the customer. Simply put, a driver with a DUI on their record is a higher risk to the insurance company than someone with a clean record. They justify higher insurance premiums with the logic that they are more likely to have to pay out on a claim on behalf of that higher risk driver. Some insurance companies continue to charge at the higher rate for several years after the arrest or conviction.
Many a DUI lawyer has also seen a client’s insurance premiums increase because of the need for SR-22 filings. This form must periodically be filed with the state’s department of motor vehicles by the insurance company. Essentially, it attests to the fact that the insured carries the proper amount of coverage and that the policy is in good standing. A driver who loses their insurance may have their driving privileges revoked when an unsatisfactory SR-22 form is filed with the DMV.
A DUI lawyer is your greatest asset throughout this process. Whether you have just been charged or are dealing with the consequences of an infraction from years ago, a DUI lawyer has the professional expertise required to help you navigate through the process. It’s important to work with an experienced DUI lawyer because they have the knowledge you need to understand the process from beginning to end. Call or click if you would like to schedule an initial consultation to discuss a DUI.
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