Houston DWI Lawyer: Can A DWI Affect My Insurance?
If you drive while intoxicated in the state of Texas, you will need to deal with serious consequences. Not only will you be arrested with driving while intoxicated charge and held in jail, but you could also experience various financial problems including fines and higher insurance premiums. Below is a review of the different laws for a DWI in Texas, as well as how it can affect one’s insurance if you were convicted of a DWI charge. If you have been charged with a DWI, it may be best to speak with a Houston DWI Lawyer immediately. Remember, your prior driving record plays a significant role in determining the cost of car insurance, and any prior convictions can translate into high car insurance rates. We will explain why insurers are so concerned with DWI charges.
1. Driving With A High Blood Alcohol Content
If a person has a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, the individual can be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. People holding commercial driving licenses, also known as CDLs, can be considered intoxicated if they present a blood alcohol content of .04 percent or above. A minor caught driving while intoxicated can be arrested and taken into custody regardless of their blood alcohol content level, as long as they have some detectable amount of alcohol within their system.
2. How Can A DWI Affect Your Driving Record?
If you are charged and convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, you will find it has a negative impact on your driving record. If you are charged in the state of Texas, the charge will remain on your driving record as Texas law does not allow drivers charged with DWI to have the data expunged from their record. Furthermore, it does not remove a record of any driving license suspension or revocation.
3. How Can A DWI Charge Influence Insurance Rates?
According to Insure.com, being charged with a DWI in the state of Texas can have detrimental effects on a person’s insurance rates. After a conviction, the insurance rate can increase by between 30 and 200 percent dependent on the details of the case and the driver’s policy provisions. The majority of drivers are surprised when an insurance company cancels their policy after a DWI conviction; however, insurance companies do not want the risk of insuring people who present with criminal records and questionable driving backgrounds.
4. What Is The SR-22?
In the state of Texas, a driver who is convicted of DWI needs to obtain an insurance rider known as the SR-22. The SR-22 is designed to ensure that high-risk drivers maintain a suitable level of car insurance for a minimum of 2 years following their DWI conviction. As the driver is considered a high-risk option following their DWI conviction, the use of the SR-22 can result in a dramatic increase of car insurance rates. The Butler Law Firm is here to assist you with your case if you are in need of legal representation from a Houston DWI Lawyer.
5. What Are Other DWI Factors To Consider?
Additional factors that could alter a person’s insurance premium following their DWI conviction, involve the driver’s age and gender. Believe it or not, age and gender play a large role in insurance premium calculation after DWI convictions within Texas. Moreover, people who maintain good driving records after their conviction will pay less for insurance because they are placed in the lower-risk group.
Speak With A Houston DWI Lawyer
If you are charged with a DWI within Texas, it is recommended that you contact a Houston DWI Lawyer immediately. By hiring a Houston DWI Lawyer, you will protect your interests during court proceedings and can ease the associated stress of a DWI case. You can find content related to DUI car insurance by checking the Houston DWI Lawyer blog. (713) 236-8744.