Some drivers are learning an expensive lesson. There are still drivers on the road that believe it is safe to drive after drinking. It’s not, and with the help of passed laws and lots of publicity, it can be a costly lesson to learn. One of the biggest lessons that are being learned is what DUI car insurance is and why is it different from other car insurance policies.
What is DUI Car Insurance?
DUI car insurance is an insurance policy for riskier drivers. Once a driver is convicted of a DUI, car insurance companies will find out. A driver may tell their insurance company after a conviction or the company will be notified when reviewing a current copy of the driver’s record.
Being convicted of a DUI will almost automatically place a driver in the high risk category with an insurance company. Once in the high risk category, many drivers are shocked at the price increase of their insurance policy. The reason the increase happens is because the insurance company is taking a larger risk with the policy and will charge a policy holder more as a result of their increased risk. A convicted DUI driver will have to stay violation and conviction free for a number of years before being considered a lower risk driver.
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a Proof of Insurance Certificate. This is a part of a DUI driver’s life after a conviction. When a driver gets DUI car insurance, the company is required to file an SR-22 to the DMV. The SR-22 is proof that a convicted driver has the appropriate amount of DUI car insurance the state mandates. Once the SR-22 has been filed, by law, the insurance company has to report any lapses or termination of insurance coverage.
Not all insurance companies offer an SR-22. There are some instances that drivers are dropped after a DUI conviction. Because of the risk a DUI conviction is known for, it is not unheard of that an insurance company won’t continue coverage or offer coverage. If a driver has been convicted of DUI, they should contact their insurance company to verify SR-22 reporting.
Being convicted of DUI is a long, expensive lesson. With all the fines, court appearances and altered driving record, policy holders dread informing their insurance company of the conviction. With the requirement of getting DUI car insurance, it has to be done. After a period of time without any violations, the insurance company can place drivers in a less risky category and lower the cost of DUI insurance.