Here’s How A DUI Can Affect Your Car Insurance Rates
Most people know the dangers of drunk driving, but even in today’s age, there are people who drink and then drive. Even the ones that have managed to survive with a conviction will need insurance again at some point in the future. When you have a DUI in Houston and elsewhere, then insurance companies will consider you to pose a greater risk.
This means higher premiums. DUI insurance doesn’t exist, but we will tell you how your quotes for car insurance will be affected by a DUI conviction. Afterward, you’ll have a better idea of how a DUI can affect your insurance rates.
How Much Can A Conviction Raise Your Rates
In order to determine how much a DUI conviction can affect your rates, we researched quotes for a driver living in areas such as New York, Atlanta, Georgia, and Roselle. We used an example of a 30-year-old male who is single and drives a 2014 Toyota Corolla. As you can see from our example, rates in New York City are expensive as they are, but one DUI conviction can increase insurance by almost $1,100.
In Roselle, which is located in Chicago, we found that there were similarities between their rates and the rates in NYC. In other words, rates were cheaper in Roselle than in NYC, but the driver would still be hit with a similar increase for a DUI conviction. In NYC, the average increase was 35% and the increase in Roselle was 44 percent.
In Atlanta, the driver would incur a 31% increase in their insurance rate. As you can see, your insurance rates are heavily influenced by where you live. Regardless of where you live, a DUI conviction can greatly impact your insurance rates.
Other Factors
As previously mentioned, the example we used was of a 30-year-old male who is single and drives a Toyota, but there are other factors that can increase your insurance rates. Where you live is one of the biggest factors as to whether or not you have a DUI conviction, as previously mentioned. However, we decided to look at GEICO and see how they calculate rates for drivers in Utah. Some of these factors include:
1. Age – Age is a major factor and an 18-year-old who has a DUI conviction from 12 months previous will pay 5% higher property damage premiums than a 30-year-old that has a DUI conviction 12 months previous. In fact, any person who is under the age of 19 and has had one DUI within the last year will pay that much more than older people with the same profile. In short, younger drivers usually pay the most when they have a DUI charge on their record.
2. Time – Most insurance companies will look at your driving record and look at what’s on there from the last 3-5 years because this helps them get an idea of what your driving history is like. GEICO requires a clean driving record for at least 35 months before your premiums are not affected. For example, if you have a DUI conviction stemming from four years ago, then your Under-insured Motorist premium would be around 18% less than a driver who has had a DUI within the last year.
3. Number Of DUI Convictions – The number of DUI convictions you have had within the last three years is a huge factor. If you are 30 and you have four convictions, then you will pay about 58% more than a driver who has only one conviction. GEICO’s DWI calculation for someone who is 18 in Utah and who has four convictions in a year will pay around 110% or more than a person who is the same age but has a clean driving record.
4. Companies – One of the most important factors is the actual insurance company you go through. Different companies have their own set of rules for dealing with DUI charges. This is why it’s important to get quotes from multiple companies.
The rates vary from company to company. However, one thing all companies have in common is that they will likely charge you more for insurance if you have DUI convictions within the last few years. Some charge far more than others, so if you’ve been convicted of DUI, then it’s a good idea to take your time when shopping around for car insurance.
A DUI can cause you much more problems than expensive insurance, but if you are lucky, then you may be able to get out of a DUI in Houston without suffering serious consequences. As you can see, there are many factors, alongside having a DUI, that can determine how much your premiums will be. As previously mentioned, if you want to get the cheapest car insurance rates possible, then you should compare rates. The only way to reduce your insurance premiums is to become a better and safer driver.
The Butler Law Firm is looking forward to answering any further questions you have regarding your or a loved one’s DUI and what exactly it may entail. We encourage you to call us at 713-236-8744 for your free case consultation!
