Getting a single DUI conviction can negatively affect your life in many ways. Having too many drinks may seem harmless at the time, but the second you get behind the wheel intoxicated, you put yourself and others at risk. If you’re lucky enough to not hurt anyone, you will still face fines, potential jail times, and skyrocketing auto insurance premiums.
DUI vs. DWI
Depending on where you live, you may get convicted of DUI or a DWI; however, there’s little difference between the two. DUI stands for “driving under the influence,” while DWI is “driving while intoxicated.” Both describe someone driving a vehicle while legally impaired (i.e. over the legal limit) from alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or inhalants.
DUI convictions and car insurance
State penalties vary for getting a DUI. Fines range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of your case. It’s also possible that you could be sentenced to jail time, depending on the circumstances. And your driver’s license may get suspended or revoked.
Having a DUI is a major red flag for your auto insurer, and they will view you as a much riskier policyholder. At the very least, your car insurance premiums will increase significantly. In the most extreme DUI cases, your insurance rate could increase by 300%. Traffic violations cause premiums to go up because insurers know you’re more likely to get another violation or get involved in a car crash.
After getting a DUI, you could lose your auto insurance, especially if you have other violations on your driving record. Your provider could drop you immediately or choose not to renew your policy. That would force you to get coverage somewhere else, which could be challenging with a DUI on your record.
Fulfilling SR22 insurance requirements
Following a DUI conviction, some states require you to carry SR22 insurance. SR22 insurance is required when you’re deemed “high-risk” by an auto insurer. That could happen if you get:
- A DUI or DWI conviction.
- Several minor traffic violations in a short period.
- Ticketed for driving without insurance or a valid driver’s license.
- An offense for reckless driving.
Once insured, your insurer will file paperwork with the state serving as notice that you have the minimum amount of mandated liability insurance.
How long you must have SR22 insurance depends on the state where you live and the severity of your violation. On average, you must have it for three years. Failure to maintain coverage can result in severe penalties, including license suspension.
If you live in Virginia or Florida and get convicted of a DUI, you must have an FR-44, which is similar to SR22 but comes with a higher insurance limit. It proves to the state that you carry auto insurance, but with the requirement, you will need to raise your coverage limits.
If you get a DUI and have an SR22 or FR-44 filing requirement, ask your insurer if they offer it. If not, you’ll need to find a company that provides same-day SR-22 certificates.
How long does a DUI affect your car insurance?
Due to the severity of a DUI conviction, your auto insurance premiums typically go up significantly for three to five years. However, it depends on how long your DUI stays on your driving record and the insurance laws in your state.
A DUI can follow you for up to a decade and prevent you from getting specific insurance policies and discounts.
How to save money on car insurance after a DUI
While getting a DUI causes your auto premiums to go up, there are ways to reduce your rate. Use the following tips to find affordable auto insurance:
- Shop around and get quotes from various insurers, so you get familiar with potential offers and choose the best deal.
- Look for discounts such as bundling your auto and home insurance or paying premiums annually. Ask your insurer what discounts they offer that you might be eligible for.
- Practice safe driving habits so you appear less risky to your insurer and avoid another violation.
- Consider usage-based insurance (UBI) that monitors your driving habits and rewards safe drivers with discounts.
- Raise your deductible to reduce your insurance premium. Just be sure you’d have enough in savings to cover it if you need to make an auto claim.
Listen to learn more insider tips on how to cut insurance costs for you and your teen.
This article originally appeared on QuickandDirtyTips.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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This is the #1 car owned by people who drive drunk
Getting behind the wheel while inebriated is never the right call. Unfortunately, drivers of these 10 cars were the biggest culprits for driving under the influence in 2021.
Driving drunk is one of the most dangerous choices a driver can make. Not only does impaired driving endanger the lives of the car’s driver and passengers, but also those of other motorists and nearby pedestrians. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 28 people die in the U.S. every day due to alcohol-impaired car crashes.
In addition to seriously jeopardizing people’s lives, driving drunk also comes with major consequences for a driver’s insurance rates. Drivers with just one DUI on their record can pay up to $1433 more in premium costs per year compared to drivers with a clean record, according to Insurify’s most recent industry report.
While, unfortunately, anyone can make the choice to drive drunk, drivers of certain vehicles tend to rack up DUI citations at elevated rates. To see which vehicles drunk drivers most often find themselves behind the wheel of, the research team at Insurify crunched the numbers to identify the car models with the most DUIs in 2021.
DepositPhotos.com
- National average. Across the 415 car models surveyed, the average rate of drivers reporting at least one DUI on record within the past seven years is 19.0 per 1,000. Among the top 10 models, the average DUI rate increases by over 2x to 42.4 per 1,000 drivers. The average MSRP for a new car is $41,044 as of July 2021, according to recent data from JD Power’s Automotive Forecast.
- Various vehicle types make up the top 10. The 10 car models with the most DUIs consist of a variety of vehicle types. From luxury sedans and sports cars to midsize cars and minivans, there is a diversity of size, cost and performance across these 10 cars. Notably, three of the 10 are from luxury brands BMW, Audi and Jaguar, while others come from more wallet-friendly automakers like Mazda and Chevrolet.
- Older models are more DUI-prone. Among the 10 models with the highest DUI rates, six are models that have been discontinued as of 2008 at the latest (one of the six, the Acura Integra, is due to relaunch in 2023). According to the NHTSA, the age groups with the highest DUI rates are 21-24-year-olds, followed by 25-34-year-olds. Younger drivers may gravitate towards used, less expensive cars, perhaps explaining why drivers of these discontinued models have such high DUI rates.
DepositPhotos.com
The data scientists at Insurify, an online auto insurance comparison platform, referred to their database of over four million car insurance applications to identify the car models whose drivers have the highest DUI rates in 2021. When applying for car insurance, drivers submit information including the make and model of their primary vehicle in addition to any moving violations within the past seven years.
Insurify’s data scientists compared the number of drivers reporting at least one DUI citation on their record in the past seven years to the total number of drivers across 415 different vehicle types. The 10 vehicles with the highest share of drivers cited for a DUI were identified as the car models with the most DUIs in 2021. Data on MSRP and MPG were compiled from manufacturer websites and reflect the most recent vehicle model year available.
The findings in this article represent statistical trends found in Insurify’s database of over four million car insurance applications. The findings of this study are not meant to imply the direction nor necessarily the existence of a causal relationship. Rather, this is a presentation of statistical correlations of public interest.
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- Drivers reporting a DUI: 38.5 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $86,800
- MPG: 22 city / 29 highway
The BMW 7-Series, touted as BMW’s flagship sedan, is fit for drivers with a flair for the luxurious. With high-performance quality and a comfy interior, drivers of the BMW 7-Series are evidently more prone than average to getting behind the wheel when under the influence. With 38.5 out of 1,000 drivers reporting at least one DUI on record, BMW 7-Series drivers are 2x as likely to drive drunk than the average driver.
DarthArt / istockphoto
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 39.0 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $45,500
- MPG: 24 city / 30 highway
The Audi A4 allroad may be the epitome of “luxury meets adventure,” but it appears that A4 allroad drivers’ penchant for the bold also applies to their higher likelihood to get behind the wheel inebriated. Audi A4 allroad drivers are cited for DUIs 105% more often than the average driver, placing this luxury wagon ninth in the rankings.
Tadeas / DepositPhotos
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 41.9 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $49,000
- MPG: 17 city / 26 highway
Jaguar vehicles are highly celebrated for their classic luxury feel and commanding presence on the roads. Although discontinued as of 2008, the S-Type model is no exception: The luxury sedan is well-loved for its excellent handling and power. The third luxury vehicle in the rankings, drivers of the Jaguar S-Type have the eighth highest DUI rate in the nation that exceeds the national average by 120%.
DarthArt / iStock
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 42.0 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $23,480
- MPG: 21 city / 29 highway
Known for its reliability, comfort and sleek styling at an affordable price, the Chrysler Concorde is a practical choice for drivers on a budget. Despite being discontinued in 2004, Concordes are still making themselves known on the roads today. Chrysler Concorde drivers rack up DUIs at a rate that eclipses the national average by 121%, landing them seventh in the nation for their DUI rate.
DarthArt / iStock
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 42.6 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $35,700
- MPG: 26 city / 35 highway
With powerhouse engines and dynamic handling, the BMW 2-Series is an apt choice for drivers looking for a compact performance vehicle that packs a punch. It’s also evidently a popular choice among drivers who drive drunk at elevated rates. Drivers of the BMW 2-Series have a DUI citation rate that’s 125% greater than the national average and the sixth-highest nationwide.
BMW
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 43.0 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $30,000
- MPG: 25 city / 31 highway
The Acura Integra is hitting the roads once again with a much-anticipated relaunch in 2023. While the last new Integra came out over two decades ago, Acura is reviving the iconic sports car, much to the delight of nostalgic motor vehicle enthusiasts. Despite being off the market for the past 20 years, Integra drivers managed to find themselves in booze-induced traffic incidents significantly more often than the typical driver: 126% more Acura Integra drivers have at least one DUI citation on record compared to the national average, making this vehicle the fifth most DUI-prone in the nation.
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- Drivers reporting a DUI: 43.1 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $20,650
- MPG: 28 city / 36 highway
Mazda3 owners are rightfully proud to drive a sedan that’s sleek, powerful and budget-friendly. Unfortunately, these drivers also maintain the fourth-highest DUI rate in the nation. Despite earning the title of 2021 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the behavior of Mazda3 drivers leans more reckless than their vehicle may suggest, especially when it comes to getting behind the wheel while inebriated: Mazda3 drivers are cited for driving under the influence 2.3x more than the average driver.
nuttapong / iStock
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 43.3 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $19,110
- MPG: 18 city / 26 highway
An oldie but a goodie, the Chevy Caprice was once the most popular car in America from the 1960s through the early 1970s. This classic full-sized automobile is a mainstay on U.S. roads even now, despite the fact that its last year of production was over a quarter of a century ago. Not only have Caprice drivers maintained their presence on the roads, but they have also racked up a pretty high DUI rate while at it: 43.3 out of 1,000 Caprice drivers have at least one DUI citation on record, a share that’s 128% greater than the national average.
DarthArt / iStock
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 44.5 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $24,430
- MPG: 16 city / 22 highway
The Chevrolet Astro is somewhat of an outlier in the rankings: it’s not a sleek sports car or luxury sedan, but a durable van with high towing capacity, used in many cases for commercial purposes. Although perhaps less fast and dynamic than the other cars in the rankings, Astro drivers still rack up DUIs at elevated rates, comparable to and even more than the drivers of the flashiest cars. 44.5 out of 1,000 Astro drivers report at least one DUI on record, a rate that exceeds the national average by 134% and lands them at second in the rankings.
Qwerty242 / Wiki Commons
- Drivers reporting a DUI: 46.2 per 1,000
- MSRP (base model): $30,000
- MPG: 20 city / 30 highway
The vehicle topping the rankings is a repeat offender: not only did the GMC C1500 make the top 10 for its drivers’ speeding violation rate, but it’s number one in the nation for its rate of DUIs. With a whopping 46.2 out of 1,000 drivers reporting at least one DUI on record, GMC C1500 drivers are pulled over for driving drunk 144% more frequently than the average motorist. This practical pickup may be sturdier and less flashy than the luxury sports cars that make up a good portion of the rankings, but GMC C1500 drivers make the impractical choice to drive while under the influence more often than drivers of any other vehicle in the country.
This article originally appeared on Insurify and was syndicated by MediaFeed.
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