A DUI could lead to higher premiums for up to ten years.
In California, the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is taken very seriously. The consequences for a DUI conviction depend on the facts of the case and whether or not it is a first offense. As a general rule, anyone who is convicted of a DUI or pleads guilty to a DUI can expect to have his or her license suspended, pay heavy fines and penalties, be sentenced to mandatory DUI school, perform community service, be on DUI probation, and even go to jail. All of these consequences are incredibly serious, and could affect your ability to work, go to school or even do things for or with your family and friends for years to come.
But there is another aspect of DUIs that you may not have considered. When you are convicted of a DUI, your car insurance company will eventually find out — and your rates will go up as a result. Your insurer may even drop coverage after your policy period has expired. That is because you will have to obtain proof of insurance in order to get your license back after a suspension. This is known as a SR 22 form, and the only way that you can get it is by requesting it from your insurance company. As soon as you do that, your insurance company will know that you have been convicted of a DUI — and will either decline to renew your policy or will hike your premium rates considerably. And even before you request a SR 22, your insurance company may find out about you DUI conviction simply by checking your driving record at renewal time. Your DUI lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA can advise you about informing your insurance company of a DUI conviction.
Most DUI drivers will see a substantial increase in their car insurance premiums because insurance companies will view them as higher risk. They will also lose the advantage of good driver discounts and other factors that may contribute to a lower insurance rate. The question then becomes how long this will affect your California car insurance. Under state law, the reporting period for driving records is ten years. That means that when an insurance company checks your record, they can look back as far as a decade ago to see if you have any infractions or convictions. In practical terms, this means that you may be paying significantly higher car insurance premiums for up to ten years after a DUI conviction.
Higher insurance costs are just one of the ways that DUIs can seriously impact your life, and why you should hire an aggressive DUI lawyer. In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the Chambers Law Firm will utilize their experience and skill to help you protect your legal rights — and to help avoid both the legal and collateral consequences of a DUI conviction. Our attorneys will fight for you, pushing for a favorable plea deal or outcome at trial, and will put together the strongest possible defense to help you move forward with your life after a DUI. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact our office at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.
