Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) can have serious consequences, including higher liability limits on auto policies, additional fees and surcharges, and the requirement to file an SR-22 form with the state. In some cases, insurance companies may choose not to renew or cancel coverage altogether. A DUI/DWI conviction can have long-term financial implications, including increased car insurance rates for at least three years. Most states now require insurance companies to provide the Division of Motor Vehicles with proof that the person has secured vehicle insurance after conviction.
In addition to rising insurance premiums, if you are found guilty of drunk driving (DWI) in Texas, the state will require you to obtain a special form of financial responsibility called an SR-22 insurance certificate. In many states, a DUI stays on your driving record for seven years, and another conviction in that period is considered a repeat offense. If the insurance policy expires or is canceled, the state will be notified and the driver will be legally prohibited from driving until the insurance is insured again. Some state regulations prevent insurance companies from going back more than five years (or as few as three in some states), so a conviction for drunk driving can stop affecting your insurance rates even before your driving record is overturned.
Homeowners living in areas at risk of natural disasters are paying higher home insurance premiums; for some, coverage has been completely eliminated. Insurers are dedicated to “risk” management and a person found guilty of drunk driving is now described as “high-risk”. When you take out or renew an insurance policy, your insurance company will check your driving record to determine the risk of insuring yourself. Auto insurance companies also differ in how long they investigate offenses and convictions when setting their insurance rates.
If you have one or more drunk driving convictions on your record, the insurance company will consider you a high-risk driver, so you're likely to be charged a high premium for insuring you. Once the drunk driving violation stops showing up on your motor vehicle report, you should see a reduction in your car insurance rate. In addition to paying for higher car insurance for years to come, a DUI/DWI conviction can also have personal, professional, and social implications that negatively affect your daily life. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provision, limitation or exclusion that is expressly stated in any insurance policy.
