Reader’s Question:

I have a DUI on my driving record. Is there anything I can do to get cheaper auto insurance?

Jean

New York, NY

Having a serious offense like DUI on your driving record can majorly affect your auto insurance rates since as a motorist you are seen as more of a risk to an insurance company. In most states if you have been convicted of drunk driving, your driver’s license will be suspended for a certain period of time and then when you go to reinstate your driver’s license you will have to get an insurance company to file a SR-22, certificate of financial responsibility, on your behalf.

The best way to find the cheapest rates after you have been convicted of a DUI is to shop around. You may use comparison shop in various websites. Make sure you ask for any discounts that are available to you. This can be for safety features on your car, driver improvement. anti-theft devices or traffic courses, etc. Discounts differ from one insurance company to another so ask what ones are available to see if you can lower your auto insurance rates by applying the most discounts to your insurance policy.

Reader’s Question:

I have a restricted driver’s license for a year and pays for the SR-22 insurance policy. I was charged with a small accident with no injuries and a DUI. I will be leaving to join the Navy so I will not be able to drive for 1 1/2 years. What do I need to do regarding the insurance and my restricted licenses?

Chris

Jersey City, NJ

I would suggest that you contact your local department of motor vehicle or the like agency that is requiring you to carry the SR 22 and explain the situation regarding you leaving for the Navy. They should be able to explain to you what you need to do concerning carrying the SR-22 and your restricted license.

If you have a car you will need to determine what you are going to do with it during your year and a half away in which you will not be driving. If you are not required to continue with your SR22 insurance and does not carry any car insurance many states will require that you turn in your license plates.

Reader’s Question:

What is the penalty for a minor driving without an insurance and got involved in an accident? Am I only required to carry an sr22?

Frank

Thank you for asking Frank.

Being involved in an accident while driving under the influence (DUI) and without insurance varies from state to state. The penalties for these type of violations may include fines, jail time, community service, vehicle impoundment, license and license registration suspension.

The penalties can be far more serious if you got involved in an accident and do not have insurance. You may have to comply with the state’s law of financial responsibility (SR22, SR22s, SR16) including having to pay for any injuries or damages out of your own pocket.

As a minor these types of violations may allow your state’s licensing department to delay your driver’s license application. In addition to that these violations will likely go on your driving record. Even being a minor without a license does not necessarily mean that your state has not started a driving history to record these offenses.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

How long do you need to maintain an sr22 filing after DUI conviction?

Brad

Thank you for asking Brad.

State’s regulation and guidelines differ and each state differ on the amount of time that a person is required to carry an sr22. Typically, after a DUI conviction an individual must carry and maintain an SR-22 for 3 years. The period of time the SR22 must be carried by a driver may differ depending upon their severity of the conviction and if there were other issues involved in the case, such as driving without insurance.

If you are mandated to carry an SR22 because of a DUI, you may contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to find out exactly how many years you are required to maintain it.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Does driving without insurance and DUI violations has a mandatory suspension or is it by the court’s discretion?

Julia

Thank you for asking Julia.

Driving Under the Influence(DUI) and Driving without insurance is a serious violation in most areas. The penalty for these infraction varies from state to state however these can include fines, suspension or revocation of driver’s license, impoundments of your vehicle (and payment of storage and towing charges incurred), jail time or community service.

This is regulated by each state.

It is also possible that you will have to comply with the state’s financial responsibility laws by getting an SR22 or SR16 or the financial responsibility certificate.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I was convicted of a DUI and I want to know what it takes to get my license back.

Angel

Thank you for asking Angel.

Reinstating your driving privilege depend on what your violation was and the state regulations and laws in which your driver’s license was suspended or revoked.

Since your driver’s license was taken away because of a DUI conviction, state laws might require you to take an alcohol or drug class, pay fines associated with the conviction and get an SR-22 or financial responsibility certificate.

To know the specific information on how to get your driving privilege reinstated you may contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or similar agency, in your state.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I had a DUI and was required to carry an sr22 but I wasnt been able to maintain, what will be the consequence or penalties for this?

Lara

Thank you for asking Lara.

Penalties and state laws differ regarding what the consequences are when an individual does not maintain their SR-22 or the financial responsibility certificate for the period of time the state required them to carry it. The penalties for a lapse in the SR22 coverage may result to suspension of the individual’s driver’s license.

Typically, the driver’s license is taken away since the SR-22 is usually mandated for the individual to reinstate their license after a suspension or revocation because of DUI. If the individual is not carrying the proper auto insurance coverage and the SR-22 that was mandated as terms of their license reinstatement, then the driver’s license can be suspended or revoked again.

To get information on what penalties you may be facing because of lapse in your sr22 you should try to contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I just want to know If I will see an increase in my insurance premiums after DUI if Im required to carry an sr22?

Lisa

Thank you for asking Lisa.

You will probably see an your auto insurance rates go up because of a DUI conviction on your driving record. Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs generally puts you now into a high risk class of motorist.

How much the amount of an insurance rate increase because of DUI and/or needing an SR-22 (certificate of financial responsibility) will all depend upon the insurance provider that you are dealing with and their rating system.

Some state insurance regulators and department of motor vehicles provide information on the average insurance increase for a DUI conviction. You may contact them or your insurance company to know the about this specific information.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I received DUI conviction and I just want to know what will be the possible cost or penalties for this conviction?

June

Thank you for asking June.

A single DUI conviction can cost an individual quite a bit after all the fines and fees have been paid. The following are the potential costs of a DUI conviction

* Fines
* Court Costs
* Bail
* Towing and storage fees
* Attorney fees
* Alcohol education program enrollment
* Driver license reinstatement fees
* Ignition interlock program costs
* Higher insurance premiums and SR-22 filing

If you want to get your license reinstated after a DUI conviction, one of the requirements is to provide proof of financial responsibility or an SR-22 filing by your insurance provider.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

My 19 year old son received a DUI and he is under our policy. What will happen to our insurance rates? We live in IL.

Will

Thank you for asking Will.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense that is considered as a violent crime in the state of IL. The offense will permanently remain on your driving record if you get convicted of the DUI.

Any type of conviction for driving under the influence or DUI is usually taken very seriously by an insurance providers since it makes the driver more of a risk to the company. An individual with a bad driving history is more of a risk for an insurance carrier then an individual with a clean driving record and thats why their premiums are normally higher. The whole insurance policy can be affected by one driver’s DUI or serious driving conviction.

Since your son now has a DUI offense on his driving history, when your insurance provider finds this out then his premium, and thus yours since he is on your insurance policy, will likely be increased. Insurance providers have different rating systems so you may check from your insurance agent to know how much your son’s DUI may affect all of your rates and for how long.

The IL Secretary of State states that, a DUI can subject you to high-risk auto insurance rates for three years. According to the IL SOS DUI Fact Book the high risk insurance for an individual convicted of a DUI averages an additional (over their normal car insurance costs) $1500 per year.

If the your car insurance rates go up because of your son’s DUI, then you may want to compare and shop around for auto insurance online to check if you can find a better rate.

Goodluck!

MariCAR