How Does A DUI Affect Your Insurance Rates?

A DUI charge, or driving while under the influence charge, will negatively influence your auto insurance rates. This is important to know and understand should you ever find yourself in this situation or are currently in this unfortunate situation right now. 

Obviously, a DUI can have a major impact on not only your life in general but your finances as well. Consequently, it is nothing to take lightly. Here are some of the effects you can expect a DUI to have specifically on your auto insurance policy and your rates:

Your Insurance Premium Will Increase

Auto insurance premiums are based on several factors. One of which is violations that appear on your Motor Vehicle record MVR. Your auto insurance policy is rated by the violations recorded on each driver’s MVR. Premium increases for violations and at-fault accidents will remain as surcharges on your auto policy for between 3-5 years, depending on your carrier. 

An SR-22 Filing Is Required to Reinstate Your Driver's License

An SR-22 Filing is an endorsement on a personal auto policy, which requires an insurance provider to forward proof of insurance to the Department of Revenue for the convicted driver. The SR-22 filing is usually a mandatory requirement for two consecutive years. Not all insurance companies offer the SR-22 endorsement, in which case, the client would need to find a different insurance carrier. You need to obtain SR22 insurance in order to be able to drive again, which is of course, a vital part of getting your life back on track (more on this below).

Your Insurance Policy Might Be Cancelled

In some cases, a DUI could result in your insurance policy being canceled by your insurance carrier. It is important to be aware of this possibility. 

How To Restore Your Life After A DUI

As mentioned above, a DUI has many lasting impacts on various elements of your life. Here are a few suggestions on how to get your life back on track outside of insurance rates:

• Get Treatment: If your DUI was the result of an existing struggle with alcoholism, you might need to seek rehabilitation treatment. There are many options for this you can choose from, including out-patient and in-patient options. Recovery isn’t a quick process. It’s a long process that requires commitment and patience.

• Reach Out to Loved Ones: While you might want to isolate yourself from others after a DUI, don’t make this mistake. Now is the time to reach out to your support system, those you love, your family and friends. Ask for their help to keep you on the right track. 

• Consider Other Hobbies: If you are like many, drinking is a form of entertainment. If you want to get your life back on track, you need to fill that space with other hobbies that are healthier and more advantageous to your life. 
  
  
• Make Goals For Yourself: If you want to set your life back, you should set quantifiable goals to reach. These can include personal goals like not drinking any longer or could include more broad goals like career ambitions.

Bottom Line: a DUI is a Big Deal

Being charged with a DUI is not a fun process, and it will cost you, but you can move forward from it thankfully, as outlined above. At Winter-Dent, our team offers SR-22 filing as a possible option if you find yourself in this situation. Contact our team of auto insurance experts today to see how we can help, and remember, stay safe while on the road.