Driving under the influence can get you convicted for multiple offences, and sometimes this may affect your car insurance. Thus, information about where to get cheap car insurance after a DUI is a valuable resource to keep handy.
Does that mean we are supporting drunk driving?
Of course not!
It is always a good idea to take measures to avoid driving while under the influence. This way, you will save yourself from the high costs associated with car insurance after DUI. Equally important to note, you save your life and your family the illness of losing you to accidents related to drunk driving.
However, information is very necessary if accidents happen. Trust us, DUI is an accident. Nobody would normally want to fall victim willingly.
Because of this, our post today will guide you on where and how to apply for car insurance after a DUI.
What is the cheapest car insurance if you have a DUI?
Guess you want to know which companies offer the cheapest car insurance if you have a DUI.
Well, many insurance companies offer cheap car insurance after DUI. Note, however, that these companies may not offer the best rates for good drivers.
Since there are different insurance companies, it is always good to get quotes from more than one company.
Research has shown that some companies offer insurance policies for less than $300 annually. Some of these companies include USAA, Progressive and American Family.
But, as mentioned earlier, it is always a good practice to get quotes from multiple companies. This way, you will be able to pick the one that works best for your pocket.
What is the highest cost for a DUI?
There is no set highest cost for a DUI. This is because insurance companies charge differently for their policy plans.
Some factors determine the cost of insurance coverage for DUI offenders. One of such factors is your area of residence. Another important factor is the charges.
DUI charges can cost you a lot. The bail amount sometimes can be as high as $50,000 or even more.
So average, insurance companies may charge from as little as $150 in fees to as much as $2500. As we said, it all depends on several factors.
Does your car insurance get affected after a DUI?
Yes, indeed.
Anybody convicted of DUI is likely to have his or her driving license revoked. However, you will have a grace period of up to 90 days before the penalty takes effect.
Different laws apply to DUI convictions, and each varies according to your state of residence.
In many states, you’ll be mandated to install an interlock for your ignition. This breathalyzer device will prevent your car from starting any time there is alcohol in your car.
While this is ongoing, you should take the following steps:
- Contact your insurance company after DUI to know the next line of action.
- File an SR-22 form. This form is an attestation by your insurance company that you have the legal minimum requirement for insurance coverage in your state.
- Expect that your premium will go high after a DUI conviction. The premium hikes may range from 28% to over 371% depending on your state of residence.
How to apply for car insurance after DUI
As mentioned in the previous section, a DUI conviction may result in many things. For one, your insurance company may decide to cancel your coverage. This can be very devastating as it is coming when you need them to cover you up.
In another case, the insurance company may decide to hike your premium when they learn of your DUI. This may make the premium to be unaffordable.
If you happen to face any of the situations above, or others not mentioned here, don’t worry.
Here are the steps you need to pursue to get cheap car insurance after DUI:
Get quotes from other insurers
Yes! It is always a good idea to get different market prices from different insurance companies. One way to go about this is by searching national car insurance websites. Check for “SR-22” or “FR-44”.
Go shopping for the lowest premiums
While you are shopping, just know that you will surely pay a higher premium than a driver without a DUI. However, you may be thrilled that some companies will charge way less than your present insurance company.
Note that most of these companies determine their rate differently. In most cases, the rate they will offer you has to consider a host of factors from your credit score.
Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state
If you are a first-time DUI offender, it is unlikely that you will be denied coverage by insurance companies. However, multiple offenders are likely to be denied coverage by conventional insurers.
If you have a bad driving history, then you will need to contact your state motor authorities. That may be your only resort.
Each state usually has a pool of high-risk insurance issuers. While this is true, you would normally expect that the charge will be high as this is a last-resort option.
10 Best car insurance companies after DUI
Since there are so many companies that offer car insurance for DUI offenders, you might want to know where to start your search. This is often a difficult task.
Here, we will help you narrow your search by providing a list of some of the cheapest car insurance after DUI. Our list is not exhaustive, but at least you can start from here.
Here is a list of the best car insurance companies:
- Progressive: offers a $2,776 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- American Family: Offers $2,983 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- USAA: Offers a $2,751 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- Auto-Owners: Offers $3,363 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- State Farm: Offers $3,235 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- Nationwide: Offers $3,677 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- Erie Insurance: Offers $3,390 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- Farmers: Offers $3,517 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- Travelers: Offers $3,675 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
- Geico: Offers $3,451 annual rate for drivers with DUI.
Conclusion
Driving under the influence is a serious offence which can lead to serious conviction cases. This is not forgetting the fact that it is an extremely dangerous act that may cost your life.
Convictions as a result of DUI should not entirely get you ruined. There is always a way out of it.
However, you should know that you can save yourself the heavy burden of insurance costs by avoiding the error in the future.
Learn from experience, and always try not to repeat your mistakes.