How Does a DUI Affect Insurance?

 Posted on March 06, 2019 in DUI/OWI

Getting a DUI can be detrimental in many ways. You may face driver’s license suspension, jail time, and expensive fines, but you could also face other financial burdens relating to your DUI. One complication is you will probably see an increase in your car insurance rates. With any person’s auto insurance, the rate you pay is typically dependent on the person’s driving record. If you have an OWI conviction on your record, your car insurance company will likely raise your premiums, although the percentage your rate is raised depends on the company.

What Causes Car Insurance to Go Up?

Your insurance rates are usually determined by how much of a risk your insurance company considers you to be. If the insurance company has reason to believe that you are a risky driver, then you will pay more for your insurance coverage. There are a number of factors that affect how your insurance company determines whether you are a risky driver. These include:

Your age: Typically, any car insurance company will look at your age as a factor. This is also true when car insurance companies reevaluate you after you have had a DUI conviction. Essentially, the younger you are, the more you will pay for car insurance, especially after a DUI.

Time since your DUI: In general, insurance companies focus on your driving record from the past three to five years. Usually, rates decrease the longer it has been since your DUI. This means someone who has a DUI on their driving record from four years ago may pay less in insurance than someone with a DUI on their record from last year.

Number of DUIs: This goes back to how risky of a driver the insurance company sees you as. The more DUI convictions you have, the more you will pay in insurance premiums.

A Waukesha County OWI Defense Lawyer Can Help

In Wisconsin, all DUI charges are serious. You can pay dearly for just one mistake, especially through your car insurance. If you face DUI charges, a skilled Delafield, WI DUI defense attorney will fight to keep a conviction off your record. At the Bucher Law Group, LLC, we believe a quick response to DUI charges is the best way to help you avoid harsh penalties. Do not delay, call our office today at 262-303-4916 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.esurance.com/info/car/how-a-dui-affects-car-insurance-premiums

https://www.valuepenguin.com/how-does-dui-affect-your-auto-insurance-rates