DUI Insurance Fees

A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can be costly. Besides the obvious fees, such as fines, DUI School payments, and alcohol treatment expenses, other hidden costs are associated with a drunk-driving offense. One of these is the increase in DUI insurance fees.

After a DUI conviction, you may be required to obtain SR-22 insurance. This is proof of insurance which must be sent to the appropriate government agency in order to have your driver’s license reinstated. Not all insurance companies offer this insurance, so your policy may be cancelled if your insurance company does not provide it.

For the next three to five years after a DUI conviction, your insurance premiums will be increased because of your status as a “high-risk” driver. In some cases, your insurance rates could be doubled—or even quadrupled. A typical high-risk insurance policy may cost an extra $1,500 a year.

Some insurance companies even drop policy holders once they learn of the arrest, whether or not you are convicted. If your coverage is cancelled or your policy is not renewed, you will have to find a company willing to offer you insurance.

Most insurance companies check the last three years of a driving record; some go back five. In order to restore your reputation, you will need to avoid additional traffic citations, such as speeding tickets.

While your rates may decrease after three years, it could take five more years before you are eligible to receive “preferred” customer rates again.

Depending on your DUI insurance fee increase, you could expect to pay at least $4,500 in additional insurance costs over the course of three or more years. And insurance costs are not the only way you could lose money: if you cannot get to work because you no longer have a driver’s license or reliable way to get to the office, you may even lose your job.

An experienced attorney can help you avoid or minimize the economic impact of a DUI conviction. Your attorney may be able to have your charges reduced or even dismissed altogether. To learn more about DUI insurance fees, speak with a DUI defense attorney today.