In addition to legal penalties, a DUI can have many collateral consequences on your life — like losing your car insurance.
A California DUI — like DUI convictions in many other states — is a serious offense. Because of the potential for fatalities, the legislature has imposed harsh sanctions on anyone who is convicted of the crime. The potential punishment for a DUI conviction includes a license suspension, costly fines and penalties, mandatory DUI school, probation, community service and even jail time, if the offense was severe or if it is a repeat offense.
What many people do not realize, however, is that the consequences of a DUI conviction are far-reaching and go beyond what the court imposes. If you are convicted of a DUI in the state of California, you could be facing a massive increase in your insurance premiums — if your insurer agrees to keep you on as a customer at all. This may make car insurance completely unaffordable for you, which could ultimately impact your ability to work, go to school or just live your life if you cannot drive because you can’t afford car insurance.
These potentially life-changing consequences are why it is so important that you seek a seasoned DUI Lawyer in Tustin, California as soon as possible after you are arrested. Even if it’s your first offense, having a lawyer by your side can help protect your rights — and possibly reduce the impact of a DUI conviction on your life.
What Charges Affect Your Insurance
In California, if you are convicted of an alcohol-related driving offense, your license will be suspended. To get your license back, you must prove that you have insurance through a form SR-22, which is submitted by your insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). DUI and “wet reckless” (reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol) will both require you to prove that you have insurance to the DMV.
You do not have a legal obligation to report a DUI or wet reckless arrest to your insurance company. However, your insurance company will likely learn about the arrest or a conviction through routine driving record checks when you renew your policy, or when you apply for a policy with a different company. You will also be required to inform your insurer about your conviction when you request a SR 22 form to show proof of insurance in order to get your license back after a suspension.
Impact on Insurance
When you are convicted of a DUI, your insurance will not be canceled during the current policy period. That is because California law bars insurance companies from canceling policies during the term. You’ll be able to stay on the same policy, at the same premium rate, until your policy is up for renewal.
Once your policy term is up, one of two things will likely happen: either your insurance company will renew your policy at a much higher rate, or your insurance company will cancel your policy. If the rates go up, the amount will depend on a number of factors, such as your driving history and length of time with the insurance company. The premium could go up by as much as 30%. It may rise even further because you won’t be eligible for a good driver discount for ten years after your arrest or conviction. You could also be deemed a high risk driver if you have to get a SR 22 form, and be required to pay an extra amount for every year that you are on SR 22 status.
If your insurance company cancels your policy, you will likely have trouble finding a new insurer that will give you a policy at a premium that you can afford. The California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan may be able to help you finding an insurer after a DUI conviction. You should expect to pay significantly higher premiums that you did before your conviction.
The impact of a DUI conviction on your insurance is just one of the consequences that you may face. If you have been arrested for a DUI, an experienced DUI lawyer in Tustin, California can help defend you against the charges. The Chambers Law Firm provides high-quality legal representation to anyone accused of a DUI in Southern California. Contact our firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com if you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Tustin or the surrounding areas.
