A DUI is a major traffic violation that carries several penalties -both legal and auto insurance-related. A DUI, DWI, or OVI is when a driver gets behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Being an avoidable and highly reckless violation, there are a couple of ways a DUI can cling to you for years. Your car insurance premiums are sure to reflect it while it stays on your driving record. This post covers just how much your car insurance premiums will change and what generally happens to your policy after a DUI conviction. 

Car Insurance After a DUI Charge 

Your life and car insurance can take a dramatic turn after a DUI conviction, even if it’s your first offense. Penalties can include fines, days in jail, more than 90 days of license suspension, and a device that reads your BAC being installed on your car. These can be more severe if it isn’t your first DUI offense. In those cases, your insurance company may drop you all together as you lose your driving privileges for years or even for life. 

When it comes to your car insurance, here is what you should do after a DUI:

• Notify your insurance provider – Your insurance will not see your DUI on your record until it comes time to renew your auto policy. While it’s not required, it does some good notifying your insurance provider of the DUI conviction before they see it. You’ll know how much your rates increase or whether or not your policy has been canceled much sooner. 
• Get SR22 insurance – More on what SR22 insurance is can be found in the next section. What you need to know is that SR22s are required for high-risk drivers to be able to carry insurance. Typically, they are required for a driver after something like a DUI. 
• Rates increase, or insurance provider drops you – Your rates will increase after a DUI as high as 371%. This depends on your state, of course, but the national average shows a $1,163 increase in premiums for drivers with a DUI. If your policy is canceled, you can shop elsewhere for auto insurance designed for drivers with such violations as a DUI. 

What is SR22 Insurance?

The name can be deceiving because SR22 insurance isn’t an auto insurance policy. Every state, except New Hampshire, has car insurance requirements that drivers must meet to use the roads. This would be your basic car insurance with liability and property damage coverage. After a DUI, you may be in danger of having your policy canceled. In order to keep it, you will be required to file an SR22 with your insurance company and DMV. An SR-22 functions as a certification that you, as a high-risk driver, carry at least the required car insurance of your state. Florida and Maryland have what is known as FR-44, which functions similarly. 

Shopping For Car Insurance After a DUI Charge 

If you have been dropped by your insurance provider or your rates have gotten too high to pay, you have to shop around to find a more suitable provider. Keep in mind that your options may be limited with a DUI on your record, and rates still won’t be as low as they used to just because you found a policy elsewhere. 

However, as long as you have your SR22, finding insurance with a DUI isn’t impossible. Here are some tips to help you on your search:

• Get multiple quotes – This is a must for every circumstance of shopping for auto insurance. There are several insurance providers, both national and local, that specialize in coverage for drivers with SR22s. Pull quotes from every provider you’re interested in to see how much they charge for high-risk drivers. 
• Be mindful of how your rates are calculated – Every insurance provider charges their policyholders differently. It not only depends on them but also on you. Your age and even your zip code are taken into account when determining your rates. So will your driving record, but after a DUI, it isn’t the best thing to lean on. Instead, try to focus on aspects you can control, like your credit score. Again, you’ll be paying more than average, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be affordable. 
• Reach out to your DMV – This is only if necessary when you are continuously denied insurance coverage. This can be the case if you have more than one DUI conviction. Every state’s Department of Motor Vehicles has a high-risk driver insurance program. It’s not the cheapest option, but when you have nothing left, this is where to turn. 
• Pass on driving a car – If you don’t want to put up with any outstanding costs or long processes to get back behind the wheel, you can always opt for public transportation. Your driving record may cool off by the time you go seeking car insurance again, but a gap in insurance can also raise your premiums. 

Reducing Your Car Insurance Rates After A DUI 

You may have been waiting for this section on how to lower your premiums with high-risk driver insurance. 

Here’s how you can take matters into your own hands to do so:

• Opt for basic coverage – Basic coverage with only property damage and liability coverage is less expensive than full coverage, and it can help alleviate any unnecessary insurance on your policy. This can especially be worth it if you drive a car more than a decade old. 
• Opt for a non-owner policy – If you can’t drive your car anymore or no longer own it, you can get a non-owner auto policy for driving cars that you rent or borrow. This is common for DUI offenders with no cars. It is cheaper than standard coverage. 
• Work on your credit score – As previously mentioned, your insurance rates also depend on your credit score. You can improve your credit score by avoiding debt and making your payments on time. Your premiums may decrease if your score is good. 
• Stay out of trouble – A DUI can stay on your driver’s record anywhere from five to ten years, depending on the state. However, Florida is known to keep them on record for 75 years, while Alaska keeps them permanently. The best you can do at this time is to avoid any more traffic violations, even minor ones, and renew your SR22 insurance when it is required. 

At the end of the day, DUIs are serious offenses with a daily fatality rate of 28 people. But it’s all avoidable by just not getting into the car when under the influence.