You carry car insurance, which is the law, and you’ve always been cautious not to drink and drive. Still, you found yourself accused of driving under the influence, because you were nodding off behind the wheel. The officer believed that you’d been using drugs, though you knew you hadn’t been. Since you couldn’t pass your field sobriety test, they took you in and persisted in the claim that you were intoxicated.
Now, you’re dealing with a DUI charge and are worried about what will happen if you end up being convicted. You know you’ll keep your job, because you had a discussion with your employer, but what about other fees and fines?
One of the things to watch out for is an increase in your car insurance. If you are convicted, then your insurance may increase significantly. In some cases, you could even lose your insurance if you’ve been convicted of a DUI in the past.
Why does insurance go up with a DUI conviction?
Even though you may not have hit anyone or caused any damage, your insurance could increase from a DUI conviction. This is because your insurance agency will now consider you a greater risk. If you did get into a crash or cause damage, you could see your insurance company cancel or refuse to renew your policy in the future.
At a minimum, you can expect to see an increase of your insurance rates. Even if you get a charge reduced to reckless driving, you could see the rates increase by around 73%, according to an analysis by Insure.
What can you do to prevent your insurance rates from skyrocketing?
It’s a smart choice to talk to your attorney the moment you know that you’re being accused of a DUI. A DUI charge, as well as reckless driving charges and others, can have a lasting impact on your insurance rates and may make it difficult to afford the insurance you need. Your attorney will work with you to find solutions to this and other issues you’re dealing with by working to reduce the likelihood of a conviction.
