Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have serious consequences for you and others. A DUI violation can also affect your car insurance.
While it is still possible to get auto insurance after a DUI violation, it is more challenging, more complex, and costlier.
Being Denied Car Insurance
If your DUI is a first offense, it is unlikely that you will be denied car insurance. However, if you have a prior DUI or other recent offenses on your driving record, conventional insurance providers could refuse your application.
All is not lost in that situation, though. Each state has a pool of high-risk insurers that you could consider. However, none will be inexpensive and they should only be used when you cannot get auto insurance elsewhere.
Understanding SR22 Car Insurance
Although you are legally allowed to get car insurance after a DUI, it does not mean all insurers will accept you. But when insurance companies do accept you, it will usually come with additional terms and conditions.
You will have to file form SR22. DUI offenders are usually ordered by courts to link the form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility, to their car insurance policies. It attests that you have the legally required minimum coverage of car insurance for your state’s requirements.
An SR22 form also means your insurer will notify your local Department of Motor Vehicles if your policy lapses for any reason, such as not paying your premiums. Any lapse will usually result in your license being suspended immediately.
When looking for car insurance, you are sure to want to compare different insurers and policies on platforms like Cheap Insurance. In addition to looking for the lowest costs, remember to find out if the insurers you are interested in are happy to provide insurance to DUI offenders who file SR22 forms.
Always disclose your DUI status to potential insurance companies when shopping around. Also, bear in mind that if you are convicted of a DUI, your license will usually be suspended for ninety days or more, so you will have to wait until your suspension is over before you can start applying for car insurance.
Expect to Pay More
Getting car insurance after a DUI violation is one thing. Finding affordable auto insurance is quite another. After a DUI violation, your premiums will go up. The amount of the increase will be dependent on your state’s rules and your driving history.
According to a survey by NerdWallet, car insurance rates for people with a DUI conviction increase by a whopping 93%. The reason is insurance companies consider drivers with DUI violations to be high-risk; meaning they are more likely to file insurance claims.
However, as long as you are canny in your search for car insurance and you spend time comparing different companies, it is possible to find more affordable insurance.
Be a Careful Driver from Hereon
Once you have qualified for car insurance after a DUI violation, it is important that you avoid DUI offenses and other traffic violations.
If you are not involved in accidents or caught speeding or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, over the years, your good driving will be noted and your premiums can come down.
Summing Up
The answer to “Can you get car insurance after a DUI violation?” Yes, it is possible. However, if it is your second DUI or traffic offense, it could become much more challenging to find an insurance company that is willing to insure you.
Regardless, you should file the form from SR22 insurance in Texas and compare different insurers. Be upfront with insurance companies about your DUI when you get a quote.
At the end of the day, most people with DUI offenses can still get car insurance. But be prepared that it will be more expensive.
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