February 10, 2010

How A DUI Charge Affects Auto Insurance Quotes

The way that a driving under the influence (DUI) charge will affect any auto insurance quote that you request may vary by company. Most companies will check your motor vehicle record at the time of your application for a new policy. Some companies will allow you to get auto insurance coverage with them, while others will not cover a person with a recent DUI charge on their record. Your auto insurance will usually be considerably higher in cost if you have a DUI conviction in your past, but a DUI charge is not an insurmountable obstacle to getting auto insurance or an auto insurance quote. Here are some tips on how to deal with a DUI charge in regards to getting new car insurance quotes.

When you are looking for a new car insurance policy, it is best to shop around for the best rates yet also be straightforward with each auto insurance company regarding your DUI. The main reasons for this are simple: The company will more than likely find out about it anyway when they check your record, since this is routine procedure whenever anyone applies for a policy. Even if they do not check it before they give you a car insurance quote, chances are high that the car insurance company will discover the DUI charge and will either cancel your policy or raise your rate significantly upon discovery.

It is especially important to disclose your DUI charge to potential insurance companies since many states have a requirement that people with a DUI offense get a SR-22 form from their car insurance company. Essentially, the SR-22 form exists to demonstrate to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that the DUI offender is holding insurance. The insurance company would be legally required to inform the DMV if your insurance policy is canceled, regardless of the reason for cancellation. Because there are certain car insurance companies that do not provide SR-22 forms, it is imperative that you discuss this with them during the insurance quote stage so that you can be certain they will be able to give you what you need to stay on the road legally.

Sometimes a DUI charge will end up being dismissed or reduced. In these situations, it is possible that the charge will not end up affecting your car insurance quotes at all. However, honesty is the best policy with DUI charges and your car insurance. By giving the insurance companies you are considering a realistic picture of your situation, you will enable them to give you a realistic quote that won’t have to be dramatically changed later.