My friend told me that a sobriety ticket can greatly affect my auto insurance. Is that true?

Grisom

Aurora, Colorado

Yes, a sobriety ticket will affect your auto insurance, how greatly will depend with your insurance company.

Your insurance rate will probably rise significantly if you will be convicted of the absolute sobriety violation. We are not sure how much but it will depend on the rating system of your insurance provider. In some cases it will double or triple the amount you are paying especially if it’s for an alcohol offense. It will also depend upon the gravity of your violation. It is also possible that your auto insurance be cancelled because most insurance companies find this offense serious. Some insurance companies will increase your premium for a number of years or simply not allow you to renew your insurance policy. This is primarily because you have a higher risk to get into an accident as to a driver who never got cited for this kind of violation.

Different states will have their own laws and rules regarding drunk driving. In Wisconsin, each person under 21 should maintain absolute sobriety while driving, be it a motor vehicle or a motorcycle. There will be penalties if you refuse to submit if an officer demands you to take a blood test, urine test, breath test or any other test that will determine the alcohol content in your body. This may lead to license suspension or license revocation. Some convictions may also lead to monetary fines.

Insurance rates are affected as well for a minimum of three years if you are cited for underage drinking that involves a motor vehicle. Also in Wisconsin, a law prohibits a person below 21 to possess or consume alcohol.

Insurance companies consider drinking while operating a motor vehicle a serious offense especially if you were cited. This will mean that you have a higher risk and with that come a higher rate in your insurance policy.

My boyfriend was convicted of DUI last week. I want to know what does the conviction of DUI involved and what are the requirements needed so that he can continue driving his car in Nebraska.

Kathy

Aurora, NE

In Nebraska, when a person is found guilty of DUI, all vehicles owned by the person will be immobilized for not less than 5 days but not more than 8 months. Immobilization refers to the revocation or suspension of the vehicle registration including the license plates. The officer may confiscate the license of a drunk driver on the spot if the driver acts drunk or fails on field sobriety test. This may also eventually leads to the arrest of the driver for driving under the influence of alcohol.

A court ordered revocation is an order from the court to suspend any license or operating privileges for a specific period of time set by the court. Your boyfriend’s license was revoked because he is convicted of a traffic violation, specifically on driving under the influence or DUI.

Your boyfriend needs to meet the following license reinstatement requirements if he wants to continue driving his car here in Nebraska. He must sign an affidavit of lost license if he no longer has the possession of his license. However, this requirement does not apply to an expired license.

Another requirement is to file proof of financial liability coverage in the form of SR22 insurance. The filing for SR22 insurance for DUI convicted motorist can be requested from an insurance company. This type of insurance is usually for high risk drivers. So naturally, a requested SR22 insurance for DUI drivers is charged high by most insurance companies.

Your boyfriend must keep this certificate for a minimum period of three years from the date of eligibility. Failure to comply with this requirement would result to the re-suspension of his license and driving privileges.

A reinstatement fee of $125.00 must also be settled. Payment can be in the form of cashier’s check or money order and must be made payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Nebraska. He can also pay online using his credit card. Just do not forget to include his identifying information such as his name, date of birth, license or social security number and current mailing address.

My mom and sister had an argument. My sister’s boyfriend was caught driving while drunk and my mom commented that it’s impossible for my sister’s boyfriend to renew his car insurance policy. My sister argues that there are companies that offer DUI insurance. Who’s right?

Phoebe

Chicago, IL

I can’t blame your mom for her naiveté because probably, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs doesn’t exist in your family’s vocabulary. Forgive your mom for her being misinformed, but yes, there’s DUI insurance. Your sister was right that there are insurance companies willing to insure drivers who committed a DUI offense although the choices will be limited. Often, they’re not the original insurers of the violators prior to the DUI. But, yes, these companies exist.

Once the driver with a DUI record has decided what company to get his DUI insurance from, the chosen car insurance company will have to file a sr22 form to the state to inform that the offender has an active minimum state required insurance. It is the insurance company’s responsibility to do that.

Truth be told, Phoebe, the problem here isn’t really getting a DUI insurance: it’s more of getting the driver’s license back after a DUI, something that will give your sister’s boyfriend a real headache.

Meanwhile, be nice when correcting your mom about DUI insurance. Kudos to her (and probably your dad) for raising kids who don’t drink and drive.

Will you need sr22 insurance for a first DUI?

Sasha

Miami, FL

The one inescapable case where you need SR22 insurance is when you commit a DUI offense. Driving under the influence (DUI) in Florida is classified under the driving while impaired (DWI) offense. This pertains to individuals found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher while operating a motor vehicle. Since FL takes drunk driving very seriously, the laws governing this offense are quite strict. A first time offender will have to shoulder penalties ranging from $250 to $500. If the BAC is 0.20 or higher, or was driving with a minor in the vehicle, then penalties add up to almost $1,000. Community service of up to 50 hours will be ordered against the first time offender but however has the option to pay $10 for each hour. If drunk driving results in serious injuries or even death, then imprisonment of at least two years will be handed down by the court. Your vehicle will also be sent to the state impound for ten days. And to top all of this, your driver’s license will be suspended for at least six months. You need sr22 insurance to have your license reinstated especially if you badly need to use your car to drive to and from work. To facilitate the license reinstatement, your insurer will file an SR22 form with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

I was charged for DUI recently and now I need to get SR22 insurance. My friends say that I may have to shell out a lot for this. Why is SR22 insurance more expensive and what can I do to get it cheaper?

Matt

Houston, TX

SR22 insurance is more expensive than any other types of insurance because it is given to high risk drivers. When a driver is considered high risk, an insurance company normally charges high insurance rates and premiums.

SR22 insurance is required among drivers who have been charged with major traffic violations. For instance if you have figured in a car accident and you were driving without any car insurance policy, then you will be required by authorities to request for SR22 insurance. The same goes if you were caught driving under the influence of liquor. Now, drivers with SR22 insurance do not have any choice but to pay the high premiums of SR22 since they need the insurance so that they can continue driving.

But fret not, since SR22 insurance can be cheaper. You can search for cheap SR22 insurance online. There are a number of websites offering affordable SR22 insurance online. You can even them without leaving the comfort of your own home.

You can also ask your insurance broker if he or she knows companies offering cheap SR22 insurance online. Some of the insurance brokers have affiliations with companies offering sr22 insurances on the Internet. These people can help you find insurances that would fit your budget.

Hi! I was recently caught for DUI. Now I need SR22 insurance New Jersey so that I can continue driving. However I need SR22 insurance New Jersey that is cheap. How do I get one?

Vince

Newark, NJ

You can always go online and search for insurance companies offering cheap SR22 insurance in New Jersey. Go to Google and enter keywords like “I need SR22 insurance New Jersey” or “SR22 insurance in New Jersey,” and within seconds you will be given listing of insurance companies and insurance brokers offering cheap SR22 insurance. Click on any of these websites and read their terms and conditions for SR22 insurance. You can also get SR22 insurance quotes and compare them with other companies instantly.

You can also your insurance company handling your other insurance policies like life and health insurance if they can give you SR22 insurance. However most insurance companies may not give you SR22 insurance because this is a high risk type of insurance. Check first with your insurer if there’s any chance that they can grant you with one. You may even get a discount because you have multiple policies with them. However prepare to be saddled with high insurance premiums because SR22 is really expensive.

I had a DUI conviction 6 months ago, and I’m about to renew my car insurance policy. To my surprise, my insurance carrier wouldn’t renew my policy. Can you help me find DUI insurance at this point?

Ramil

Chicago, IL

All car insurance companies base their rates on many factors, including driving record. Drunk driving convictions (DUI) would cause many insurance carriers to raise their charges, or in your case, cancel or not renew your coverage. Raised premiums, though, should be the least of your problems right now. Finding a car insurance company that will cover for your DUI insurance should be foremost in your agenda.

At this point, it is essential for you to seek professional advice regarding your car insurance situation. Fortunately for you, there are auto insurance companies that will insure you regardless if you have a DUI or not. Expect, though, to be charged properly. A DUI in your driving record may cause you to be considered a higher risk driver, raising your insurance premium significantly. As most states require you to file an SR-22, check if the auto insurance company you’re eyeing can do this for you. This is a statement of financial responsibility that shows proof that you have the right amount of insurance that is required by your state. How long your insurance company will bill you the rates of a DUI insurance will depend on your policy and your state rules. As long as your conviction is in your record, you will be charged accordingly.

DUI insurance may be a bit costly, but it is something you simply must have to prove that you’re a responsible driver.

Hello, I’m Hannah of San Antonio, Texas. I got a ticket from a policeman for drunk driving two years ago and not have gotten any since then. Will I be rated a low risk driver now? If not, how long will it take before I am taken off the list? I will be renewing my car insurance in three weeks.

Hannah

San Antonio, TX

Hi, Hannah. So, now you know the effects of police reports to your insurance premiums. It hurts our pockets a little bit, doesn’t it? In the auto insurance industry, normally, it takes 3 to 5 years from the date of violation before you’re written of the list. Drunk driving offenses are looked on very seriously by auto insurance companies. Having a record of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol just makes you a very high risk driver. The reason for this is because most fatal accidents result from… you guessed it… the driver was either smashed from alcohol or high on drugs.

Automobile insurers want to be sure that you’re cleaning yourself up, and that’s why you are given 3 to 5 years to establish a good driving record. Depending on the severity of the accident, if no fatalities were incurred, then you can try to plead to your insurer for 3 years, instead of 5, to place you back to a good driver status. You can also earn additional good driving points if you attend seminars from your local Department of Motor Vehicle offices in San Antonio, Texas. No more tickets since then? Good. Keep up the good work.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI insurance

Just a theoretical question. What if a family member drives my car, this family member is not listed in my policy, and then he has an accident? Will he or she be covered by my insurance policy? Janice of Kenosha, WI.

Janice

Kenosha, WI

Janice, this is when the importance of thorough reading comes in. It’s not fun reading them, but read the fine prints anyway. Auto insurance companies have mastered the art of writing fine prints, and we should learn to master the skill of reading it. There really is no general answer to that question. Some auto insurance company would only cover the ones listed in the policy, the ones you acknowledged, while others would automatically insure immediate family member.

There are auto insurance companies that would cover any one that you, the primary insured, allow to drive the car. To avoid scenarios like this, it is best to make sure that you include the usual drivers of your car in your policy. If possible, include your buddy that usually drives you home when it’s not safe for you to drive. You need to check with your auto insurance company and be sure about the details, check the inclusions and the exclusions, etc.

If you inform your insurance company that a member of your household, for example, will not drive the car, they will have you exclude that person. Let this remain a theoretical question. Be very mindful of your insurance policy and always be safe in Kenosha, WI.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company, car insurance rate

What will happen to the insurance coverage for a vehicle if the insured and the owner of the car has his drivers license revoked? Can the car owner have someone else operate the vehicle? I live in North Miami FL.

John

North Miami, FL

The insurance carriers vary when it comes to their rules and guidelines regarding what happens with your car insurance policy once your drivers license is revoked or suspended. So I would really suggest that you speak with your car insurance carrier to check if they are terminating your car insurance policy while your drivers license is not valid.

If your car insurance is not going to cover you during this time period and nobody in your your household is on the car insurance policy to operate the car in North Miami Florida, some insurance carriers do permit for somebody else to operate and get insurance for the car although they do not have insurable interest on the vehicle.

Some insurance carriers permits this type of car insurance coverage so to check if it will work for you, you may start now obtaining an auto insurance quote.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate