How DUIs Affect Your Auto Insurance

Driving under the influence is incredibly dangerous for everyone on the road—you know that already. But what happens in the aftermath of such an incident? Every state in the country has DUI/DWI laws designed to penalize those reckless enough to get behind the wheel after drinking. While laws vary from state to state, you can generally be convicted if you measure a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent.

The immediate results of a DUI or DWI may include fines, suspension of your license, jail time and/or increased auto insurance premiums. But such a conviction has lingering effects that many people don’t think about. These effects stem from the fact that the conviction will remain on your record for a minimum of three years.

Having a DUI/DWI on your record alerts insurance providers of the high risk of covering you. Some providers may drop or refuse to renew your coverage and other providers may raise your rates dramatically. However, the biggest financial burden comes when the state requires you to file for SR-22 auto insurance.

SR-22 insurance, in its most basic sense, serves as proof of coverage. Your state will tell you how long you must maintain SR-22 status, which can be up to three years. For that period of time, you can expect extremely high auto insurance rates to make up for the bigger risk your insurance provider takes in covering you.

And if that wasn’t enough, having that DUI or DWI on your record may even surface during background checks, which can affect your ability to obtain credit, find work, rent an apartment, apply for a mortgage or even adopt a child. So think twice the next time you consider getting behind the wheel after drinking. Taking a cab instead could save both money and lives.

We’ll help you find the coverage you need. Call Breathe Easy Insurance at 866.822.7755 for more information on California DUI insurance and to get a free SR22 insurance quote.