MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021
One of the most serious traffic offenses that anyone can commit is to drive while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. DUIs are easily avoidable, which is why the penalties are often severe for those who willfully ignore the law.
After you get a DUI, you are likely to see your auto insurance rates increase. Your insurer simply has to recoup the extra cost risk of continuing to insure you. Still, you might wonder whether these rate hikes will be permanent. Will there ever be a situation where your rates will drop once again?
For as long as a DUI is on your driving record, you will likely see higher auto insurance rates. Still, if you commit to being a safer driver, you will often open yourself up to better savings potential.
The Risks of DUIs
Drivers who get behind the wheel intoxicated (by any substance) are not in full control of their senses. Therefore, your ability to see clearly, control your reflexes, react, concentrate and make rational decisions will be significantly impaired. At this time, your risk of causing car wrecks, damaging property and harming others will skyrocket. That’s why the penalties for these offenses are so severe.
To car insurers, DUI or DWI charges represent red flags. Even if the driver was caught before they could cause any harm to others, the offense itself will represent to the insurer that the offender has taken significant personal risks behind the wheel.
If this is you, then your insurer will recognize that you have a significant risk of filing a claim on your policy. That is a risk that might cost the insurer more money. To cover the additional cost risk, the insurer might have no choice but to raise your car insurance premium.
Stabilizing Rates After DUIs
You will almost certainly see higher car insurance rates after a DUI. At this time, you might wonder whether it is possible to ever see your rates drop to a more-affordable level.
Indeed, this is possible, and there are several different ways that you might be able to stabilize rates. Sometimes, your car insurer can help you change policies following the DUI. Some car insurance policies will cost less than others, even though you’ll still likely pay more than you would have before the DUI itself. Plus, you will often still qualify for other discounts despite the DUI.
One of the main ways to get lower rates in the future is to avoid reoffending. DUI charges remain on your record, usually for three to five years (or more, depending on your state). After the DUI disappears from your record, your rates might drop. Sometimes, they will even drop before the DUI disappears.
However, the goal is not to get another DUI. If you can demonstrate that you are a safer driver, you can likely keep low rates in the long-term, despite the DUI in your past.
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