Reader’s Question:

How long does it take to remove your insurance points for a DUI in Newark, New Jersey?

Carl

Newark, NJ

Once a motorist is convicted of a violation, both the New Jersey insurance providers and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) can assign points and evaluate surcharges. The insurance points placed by insurance companies are known as insurance points or insurance eligibility points.

They are the same generally as the points imposed for motor vehicle points; but several major violations that do not have motor vehicle points assigned to them will result in an evaluation of points by the insurance provider. According to the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) fact page on purchasing insurance, insurance eligibility points for an accident or violation are removed when the incident falls outside the 3-year “look back” period. It would seem that your DUI insurance points would thus be taken off after three years but to be sure verify with your insurance company in Newark or the DOBI.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

How long does a drunk driving violation (DUI) remain on your driving record in New York State?

Roger

Hamburg, NY

In the state of New York, you may be arrested for any of these violations: driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more (.08 BAC), driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while ability impaired by a drug (DWAI-drug), or driving while ability impaired by alcohol (DWAI).

If you are found guilty of any drug or alcohol-related driving offenses, the court must suspend or revoke your license at the time of your sentencing. The license itself will be immediately taken, even if the court permits the person a 20-day continuation of driving privilege.

In New York State, a conviction that either drug-related or alcohol-related stays on a person’s driving record for exactly ten years. If a motorist is convicted of the same offense during that ten year period, the driver can receive additional penalties.

Tags: drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

How much does your auto insurance rise after your 1st accident? I am insured in Ames, Iowa.

Naomi

Ames, IA

The amount of an car insurance increase in insurance rate after your first accident will depend on various factors such as state law and your insurance provider’s rating plan in Ames Iowa so it is difficult to provide an actual average amount.

If you have had a good driving history, and you have been with a particular insurer for more than 5 years, there are some auto insurance providers that will not increase your car insurance rates if you are found to be at-fault in a relatively minor car accident.

If instead you were drunk driving or were racing on the street and got involved in an accident, you are likely going to be obtaining a big increase in your auto insurance premiums. There could be severe legal and insurance consequences if there is a major accident and you are the at-fault driver with serious bodily injury . There could be a dramatic rise in car insurance rates or even a termination of coverage, subject to state law.

Tags: automobile, car insurance rate, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

I recently received a second DUI in Portland, Maine. I am going to lose my license for a year. Is there a state where I can move to and try to get a license?

Helen

Portland, ME

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws concerning DUI and DWI. In all 50 states including Maine a DUI is a serious violation with hefty penalties such as jail time, loss of driver’s license, fines, etc. Most states are also part of the Driver’s License Agreement- meaning they share their DMV records with each other so the drunk driving charge would follow you if you move to a different state.

There are certain states which permit violators to drive cars that are equipped with ignition interlocks. This ignition interlocks analyzes the driver’s breath and will disable the ignition if it determines the motorist has been drinking. With this being your 2nd offense I would recommend getting legal advice to check if there is anyway in which you could not lose your license. If you are moving check with an attorney in the state you are moving to.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI