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Will a San Diego DUI arrest affect car insurance rates? Defense Attorney Lawyer goes over the issue-Driving Under the Influence

On Behalf of | Nov 1, 2016 | Firm News |

One of the most frequent questions I get from people is if their insurance will go up. If the government or the DMV cannot prove their case than there is a good chance someone will not have their auto insurnace premiums go up.

The reality is most San Diego DUI cases end with some form of plea agreement resolution.  With these resolutions car insurance will likely increase. The key is to be proactive and start working right away on your case for the best resolution at 858-751-4384.

One caveat before I continue is that insurance issues can vary because it is a combination of the driver and their particular insurance.  For example, insurance is likely to rise for a young 22 year old girl with a lot of tickets compared to a 58 year old women who has a spotless record.  Furthermore, if one of them has USAA insurance compared to AAA insurance that could have different outcomes as well.

So the question remains….will a San Diego DUI affect car insurance rates?

The amount you pay for car insurance depends, in part, on what your insurer deems your risk of being in an accident. And drunk driving is incredibly risky and dangerous.

Alcohol (and other intoxicants) affects the central nervous system and impairs driving ability, slowing reaction times and concentration while affecting our ability to monitor speed – a dangerous cocktail, if you ask us. Research shows that, because of these effects, those with .08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or greater are 11 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than completely sober drivers.

Direct impact of a DUI on a car insurance premium

The amount will vary depending on individual circumstances – of course – but for a typical one-car/one-driver policy, the average premium could increase by a few hundred dollars. So much is up to your age, location, and previous driving record.

How Long will a San Diego DUI stay on my record?

 

If you are convicted of a San Diego DUI, you will soon learn that the DUI will have a direct impact on your auto insurance premiums.

 

The question is how long will it stay on my driving record?

 

The reporting period for DUIs in California is 10 years. This means that if an insurance company runs a person’s driving record, they will be able to see the DUI  for 10 years.

Points

Accumulating points will also increase rates and it may even suspend your license more harsh than a San Diego DUI.  A moving violation resolution will likely result in two points.  Accumulating points is a consideration when dealing with a San Diego DUI.   If you are facing a DUI and have tickets within a calendar year it is yet another reason to hire an attorney.  Call our office now for a free case evaluation at 858-751-4384.

Will my insurance company even find out?

You are not legally required to call your auto insurance company and tell them about your San Diego DUI arrest. If there is a vehicle code resolution it is likely the insurance companies will find out.

If you are convicted of DUI, your insurance company will eventually find out about it. Generally, auto insurance companies find out about DUIs when they run people’s driving record when their policy is up for a renewal, or when the policyholder is shopping out better rates and applying for new coverage.

Additionally, insurance companies find out about DUIs because the California Department of Motor Vehicles requires people to obtain an SR 22.  You can click here to find out more about SR-22s.  Since the only way to obtain an SR 22 is through an auto insurance company, this is when insurance companies generally find out about it.  There is third party insurances that are available and in certain circumstances I would most definately look into these insurances.  This is a small part of being proactive in a San Diego DUI case.  Call our office now for a free case evaluation at 858-751-4384.

Hire a Proactive, affordable, and quality defense when you are facing San Diego DUI charges. Whether you have been charged of a San Diego DUI, Poway DUI, La Mesa DUI, Santee DUI, Mission Valley DUI, Clairemont DUI, Point Loma DUI, La Jolla DUI, Carmel Valley DUI, Mira Mesa DUI, Pacific Beach DUI, Del Mar DUI, Carmel Valley DUI, Encinitas DUI, Oceanside DUI, Escondido DUI, Vista DUI, San Marcos DUI, Carlsbad DUI, El Cajon DUI it is vital you need to hire an attorney who knows how to defend your rights and can determine if the government can prove their case. Contact the Law Office of Mark Deniz now for a free case evaluation.

 

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