The time your DUI will affect your insurance in California depends on your sentence and the insurance company’s policies. The minimum period is around three years, though this can easily be extended if you have multiple DUI convictions.
Your rates will stay higher longer if you need to file an SR-22 form. However, once your need for an SR-22 form has passed, an insurer may still decide to keep your rates higher than before your crash or altogether drop you as a customer.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help you learn more about the impact of a conviction on your insurance premiums. Call or fill out our online contact form to get additional information.
How Long Will Your DUI Impact Your Insurance Premiums?
A DUI conviction in California can influence your insurance rates as long as it stays on your driving record. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can keep this information for a decade.
Therefore, drunk driving charges could impact rates for up to a decade.
Once removed from your driving record, the insurer cannot use them to change your premium. Furthermore, insurance companies typically only look three to five years back when calculating auto insurance rates, but this depends on your auto insurance company’s policies.
Will a DUI Affect My Auto Insurance in California Immediately?
It’s illegal for insurance companies to adjust your policy “mid-term” or before it comes up for renewal. So, if you get a DUI and still have 11 months left on your policy, your rate is fixed for those 11 months.
The only exception is if you apply for new coverage. Insurance companies are free to quote a new price at a higher rate. Once the policy is up for renewal, they may raise your rates.
The national average shows drivers can face a rate increase of 70% after a DUI.
Can an Insurance Company Cancel Your Insurance After a DUI?
Instead of raising your rates, the insurance company may decide not to renew your auto insurance policy after learning about a DUI conviction. The provider must wait until the end of your current policy term before making this decision.
It’s against the law to drive without insurance in California, so if you lose your current auto insurance plan, make sure you get a policy through a different company before getting behind the wheel.
Do You Have to Tell Your Insurance Company about Your DUI?
Depending on the circumstances, you may or may not have to tell your insurance company about your DUI. You must tell them if the court requires an SR-22 form (covered below). Otherwise, you don’t. Don’t divulge your DUI to your insurer unless you are required to do so.
If you don’t tell your insurance company, they can only find out by checking your DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) record. They have a right to do this and will usually do it each time your policy is renewed. It’s also part of the process for applying for new insurance.
When Do You Need an SR-22 Form?
The SR-22 is a special proof of insurance form. You may be required to get an SR-22 to reinstate your driver’s license after a suspension. However, this requirement depends on the facts surrounding your suspension.
The DMV typically suspends any driver’s license 30 days after an arrest for a DUI. This administrative or “per se” suspension happens before your court trial. If this hearing leads to a license suspension, you need a form SR-22 to get your license back.
However, you can fight the per se suspension if you act fast. You must request a hearing with the DMV within 10 days of your arrest. If you do this, you may avoid administrative suspension and never need an SR-22. We strongly recommend having a lawyer represent you at your hearing to maximize your chances of avoiding the SR-22 punishment.
Does the Insurance Company Need to Know About SR-22 Requirements?
If you do need an SR-22, you must tell your insurance company about your DUI. SR-22 insurance proves that you meet the minimum insurance requirements for high-risk drivers. This may mean your insurance policy must change, even mid-term, because this is a court-ordered requirement for different insurance.
You can simply call your insurance company and request it, but they will ask for details as part of the application process, and you’ll need to reveal why you need the insurance. Note that not all insurers offer SR-22 forms or high-risk coverage.
Can Other Driving Charges Affect Your Insurance Rates?
Your insurance company may increase your premiums if they find other charges on your record. For example, an insurance provider may look for:
- Wet reckless charges
- Dry reckless charges
- Exhibition of speed or speeding charges
- Reckless driving charges
Even though these offenses are not DUIs, they show that you are a riskier driver. Drivers who appear to be at risk for causing claims will pay higher premiums.
Can You Prevent an Increase in Insurance Costs from DUI Charges?
There are several ways to prevent or minimize insurance increases due to DUIs. These include:
- Fight the administrative suspension. Get a lawyer and request a DMV hearing ASAP—within the first 10 days of an arrest. This step could help you avoid an SR-22 and keep your rates from changing.
- Do not tell your insurance company about your DUI unless you have to.
- Only apply for new coverage with your insurance company once your plan is up for renewal to decrease the chance they’ll run a background check.
- If your insurer does raise your rates, or you need an SR-22, shop around for the best rates. Some insurers may still offer you a better deal.
Of course, the best way to avoid the insurance increase is not to be convicted of DUI. The best way to do that is to get a good DUI lawyer, so contact a law firm for help after an arrest.
Review the Time a DUI Affects Insurance in California
How long does a DUI affect insurance in California? Typically, a conviction will influence insurance costs for around three years, though it can last longer in some situations. You can learn more when you contact us to discuss how a DUI affects insurance.
