A California DUI will typically result in higher insurance premiums
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in California (DUI), you are likely familiar with the likely criminal consequences of this crime — which include possible jail time or probation, community service, a license suspension, fines and fees, and mandatory alcohol education classes. But what you may not be aware of is that there are many other consequences of getting a DUI in California. One of the most significant is the impact of a DUI on your ability to get car insurance.
In California, you do not have to report a DUI to your insurance company, unless your DUI involved an accident. However, the insurance company will likely learn about your DUI regardless. This will typically happen when you go to renew your policy, when you request a SR-22 certificate to get your driver’s license reinstated, or if you apply for a new policy.
SR-22 certificates are also known as proof of financial responsibility. They are issued by a driver’s car insurance company, and are required by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order to reinstate a suspended driver’s license after a DUI. To obtain a SR-22, a driver must have car insurance that complies with California’s minimum limits. Because drivers must request these certificates directly from their insurance companies, the insurer will typically learn about the DUI when the driver requests a SR-22 certificate. Note that it is possible to buy a separate SR-22 insurance policy from a different insurance company to keep your premiums low on your primary insurance, since you are not under any obligation to inform your insurance company about your DUI. However, this can be expensive — and it may not serve any purpose if your insurance company finds out about your DUI in another way, such as by running a background check.
If you do report your DUI to your insurance company, it cannot cancel your policy midterm or raise the premium. It can decline to renew the policy or require a higher premium. The insurance company will also be required to remove any good driver discounts from your premium.
According to a DUI defense lawyer Los Angeles County, CA, having a DUI conviction will typically result in higher insurance premiums for car insurance. The loss of a “good driver” discount alone can significantly add to the cost of DUI. Insurance companies cannot offer this discount — which can take between 20 to 30% off of insurance premiums — for 10 years after a DUI conviction.
The premium that you pay will depend on a number of factors, such as your age, gender, marital status, driving experience and history, and how long you have had insurance coverage without a claim prior to your DUI. To get insurance after a DUI, you will need to comparison shop to get the best rate. There are many companies that offer DUI-friendly policies. California also offers the CAARP (California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan), which matches high risk drivers with companies that are willing to offer insurance to them.
If you are convicted of a DUI, you may face consequences beyond what the court may hand out at sentencing. That is why it is so important to hire a skilled DUI defense lawyer Los Angeles County, CA to represent you. The Chambers Law Firm offers aggressive legal representation to all clients charged with DUIs in California. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation.
