Drinking and driving is never a good decision. There is significant potential to harm yourself or others, damage your personal reputation, spend time behind bars and/ or pay steep fines and court fees, and damage your vehicle or property. In addition to the several drastic consequences you may face upon a DUI conviction, you can also expect a sharp increase in your insurance premiums, if you are so fortunate as to keep your insurer.
How Does My Car Insurance Coverage Change After a DUI?
Nearly all drivers who face a DUI conviction run into some kind of trouble with their insurance company. According to the Sun-Sentinel, the cost of auto insurance for Florida drivers nearly doubles the very first year following a conviction. After that, they continue to climb. In all, a Floridian’s insurance will go up an average of $5,525 for the 7 years following the DUI conviction.
In just the first year, a driver in West Palm Beach who has a DUI conviction can expect an 86% jump following that conviction. According to CoverHound.com, a website that compares car insurance providers, a person who previously paid $1,650 for insurance could pay $3,072 in Florida. Overall, the national rate for increasing insurance premiums after a DUI can reach an average of 94.13%!
One thing insurers try to avoid at all costs are high-risk drivers. Unfortunately, after receiving a DUI conviction you have proven yourself to be just that. Some insurers will purposely hike the rates to be even higher than the state averages for price increases simply because they do not want the risk of covering a driver who could potentially cause a serious accident. Many times, insurers completely drop drivers with a DUI on their record, and can even drop everyone under that policy, which usually extends to immediate family members.
What Affects Car Insurance Premiums after DUI?
A few factors can influence your auto insurance rates following a DUI besides the DUI itself.
Age: Your age affects the rate at which your premiums will increase after a DUI. Consider a 30 year old driver of a Toyota Corolla versus an 18 year old driver of the same car. The 30 year old’s car insurance premiums following a DUI within one year would be 5% less than the 18-year old’s. That’s because anyone under 19 is already considered higher risk than an older driver, regardless of having a DUI.
Time: The time that has passed since your DUI can influence what you will pay. Insurers generally consider a period of 3 or 5 years to judge your driving record and calculate your quote. Some companies require a specified minimum of clean driving for your premiums to be shielded from your DUI.
Total of DUI convictions: The number of DUI convictions you’ve had within three years alerts the insurance companies to your level of risk. A driver with 4 DUI convictions can expect bodily injury premiums to be more than 50% higher than those of the same profile driver with just 1 DUI conviction.
A tough DUI attorney: Realistically, the best way to avoid repercussions after you have been charged with DUI is to speak with a dedicated DUI lawyer in West Palm Beach. Attorney Brian Gabriel has over 30 years of experience fighting DUI in Palm Beach and neighboring counties. He has specific experience challenging the results of the state’s breathalyzer test and can build a strong defense for your case. Call 561-622-5575 or contact The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel online for a free consultation.
