Your Auto Insurance and a California DUI

By:Andy Taylor

According information given by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as of January 1, 2007, if you request an out-of-house / public driving record printout, any DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date.

Under this new law, DUI’s that had previously been taken off a person's driving record have now been put back on. For example if you had a DUI back in 1998 and had it removed from your record 2005, and had since received a good driver discount, under the new law, the DUI would be back on your driving history and you may not qualify for a good driver discount again until 2008.

Many insurance companies check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or when you're applying for a new policy. Sometimes, accidents, tickets, and drunk-driving convictions can escape your insurer's attention or don't end up on your motor vehicle record. However, if your insurer does find out about a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, you're likely to feel the pinch of higher rates and possibly policy cancellation or non-renewal. Shopping around will definitely yield the lowest rate, as they vary greatly.

There are two ways insurance companies generally deal with customers convicted of DUI. First, your insurer will likely raise your car insurance premiums and label you a high-risk driver if it finds out you've been convicted of DUI.

Second, your auto insurer may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DUI conviction, especially if you are currently in a preferred class. Your company will send you a notice stating why you've been canceled, and then you'll have to find another insurer while having a cancellation on your claims history and a DUI on your driving record.

Most state laws require DUI convicts to get an SR-22 from their insurers, so you can't hide. Your insurance company may have to provide the DMV with an SR-22 form, which removes your license suspension by providing the state with proof of your insurance. An SR-22 also means your insurance company is required to notify the DMV if it cancels your auto insurance for any reason. In this case, you'll likely have to file proof of insurance for three — sometimes five — years with your state's department of motor vehicles. Some insurance companies don't offer SR-22 policies, so you may also be non-renewed or canceled because your company can no longer provide what you need.
Certain states don't allow insurance companies to drop you in the middle of the policy term even for a DUI, so make sure There are two ways insurance companies generally deal with customers convicted of DUI. First, your insurer will likely raise your car insurance premiums and label you a high-risk driver if it finds out you've been convicted of DUI.

Second, your auto insurer may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DUI conviction, especially if you are currently in a preferred class. Your company will send you a notice stating why you've been canceled, and then you'll have to find another insurer while having a cancellation on your claims history and a DUI on your driving record.

Most state laws require DUI convicts to get an SR-22 from their insurers, so you can't hide. Your insurance company may have to provide the DMV with an SR-22 form, which removes your license suspension by providing the state with proof of your insurance. An SR-22 also means your insurance company is required to notify the DMV if it cancels your auto insurance for any reason. In this case, you'll likely have to file proof of insurance for three — sometimes five — years with your state's department of motor vehicles. Some insurance companies don't offer SR-22 policies, so you may also be non-renewed or canceled because your company can no longer provide what you need.

Certain states don't allow insurance companies to drop you in the middle of the policy term even for a DUI, so make you know the laws in your state.

About the Author

Andy Taylor runs websites onDUI Lawyer. DUI Lawyer Guides provides free information on DUI related issues please checkwww.dui-lawyer-guides.com.

Suggested Products