A conviction for DUI raises concerns about the ability to get car insurance afterward as well as its cost.

In this Drunk Drivers Rights article we will give you an overview of how a DUI conviction may affect your auto insurance premiums in the future.

Policy Cancellation

Many of the largest auto insurance companies will cancel your insurance premium if you are convicted of drinking and driving. What often happens then is that they offer you insurance from a separate company – often a wholly-owned subsidiary – that ensures high risk drivers. This is also what often happens to those who have several speeding tickets or accident claims in a 2-4 year period.

If your policy gets cancelled and you are forced to go with a high-risk automobile insurance provider, you can expect your rates to rise dramatically. They may double in some cases.

If this happens to you, you will receive a cancellation letter from your insurer explaining their reason for cancelling your policy. They might also, in the same letter, offer you insurance with their high-risk company. It might be to your advantage to shop around for the best rates from other high-risk insurers. There are many companies providing this type of auto insurance after a DUI conviction.

Higher Insurance Premiums

Some companies won’t cancel your care insurance after a DUI conviction, but they will raise your rates significantly. The increase probably won’t be as dramatic as if you had your policy cancelled and had to get high-risk insurance, but it will be substantial. Unfortunately, regardless of if your license is revoked and you are unable to drive after conviction, you will still have to keep insurance.

The SR-22 Form

Many state DUI laws require that you file a form SR-22 following a DUI conviction. It is on file with the state and goes with you driving record. It is essentially a proof of insurance showing that, despite your DUI and the higher insurance rates you are faced with, you are properly insured. If you shop for insurance from other companies, they will pull a copy of your driving record and see the SR-22. They will quote you auto insurance rates based on your entire driving record, including the DUI conviction.

A DUI Conviction Will Affect your Insurance Rate for Years

The length of time an SR-22 stays in effect in your state will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding your DUI conviction. Whether your state requires the form or not, you can expect your car insurance rates after a DUI conviction to be affected for a minimum of 3 years and most likely 5 or more.

If you’ve been arrested for DUI but not convicted, it makes sense to talk with an experienced DUI attorney who can advise you. Paying a DUI lawyer $3,000-$8,000 to fight a DUI conviction might make financial sense because of the long-term costs associated with a conviction.