Do not drink and drive; if you must take alcohol, ensure you have a designated driver!
This piece of advice has been repeated so many times that it has somewhat become a worthless cliché to many motorists. No wonder there has been a consistent surge in the number of DUI accidents in the past couple of years.
According to recent statistics, some 32 people in the United States die every day in DUI accidents. To crunch the figures further, that’s an accident every 45 minutes.
It’s in light of these worrying statistics that many auto insurance companies have since introduced DUI coverage. But what is DUI insurance, and how does it work?
That question shall be the focus of this post.
What Is DUI?
DUI is an abbreviation for driving under the influence. It’s a legal term for the offense of driving or operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other drugs to an extent that you’re incapable of operating the vehicle safely. The drugs could be both recreational and prescription meds.
DUI go by many names depending on the jurisdiction. The following are alternative terms;
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Operating while intoxicated (OWI)
- Operating a vehicle while under the influence (OVI)
- Operating under the influence (OUI)
- Driving while impaired
- Impaired driving
- Drunk driving
- Drink-driving
What Are The Dangers Of DUI?
Fatal traffic collisions are the biggest risk of driving under the influence. These accidents usually result from judgment impairment caused by excess consumption of alcohol and certain drugs. According to research, driving while impaired is one of the leading causes of mortality for people in Europe in the 15 – 29 age bracket.
Besides needless loss of lives, impaired driving also translates to billions in annual damages. The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the country loses some $37 billion in damages annually. Motor vehicle repair and replacement costs account for the bulk of these damages, with towing/storage fees and lawsuits taking up the remainder.
Like most car crashes, DUI accidents can also result in physical disability as well as prolonged mental and emotional trauma. A good number of those living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were once victims of drink-driving.
What Is DUI Car Insurance?
Because drink-driving has become the bane of our roads, many auto insurance companies are now offering insurance for DUI drivers.
Right off the bat, it’s worth mentioning that there’s no official type of insurance policy known as DUI insurance. Instead, the term refers to auto insurance after a DUI conviction.
Many motor vehicle insurance companies are apprehensive about insuring drunk-driving convicts. Therefore, they normally use the phrase ‘DUI insurance’ to draw attention to the incident when shopping for an auto insurance policy.
How Much Does DUI Insurance Cost?
Numerous factors determine the cost of regular insurance packages. Common ones include your age, gender, location, and credit history, as well as the value of your car and the number of policies you wish to buy.
All these aspects will come into play when shopping for DUI insurance. There may also be additional considerations, such as your general driving record and the specific number of times you’ve been convicted of impaired driving.
However, the key takeaway here is that DUI auto insurance typically costs more than regular motor vehicle insurance policies. The average cost of a full coverage auto insurance with a single DUI conviction is $4,291.
Most auto insurers also require people with DUI records to file an SR-22.
An SR-22 is a vehicle liability insurance form that you file with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for high-risk insurance policies like DUI. It proves that you have car insurance that meets the legally required minimum coverage.
How Can A DUI Conviction Affect My Insurance Policy?
According to a study of 2022 auto insurance rates, a regular full-coverage policy costs an average of $2.076 annually. As already indicated, the same type of coverage costs $4,291 for drivers with a single DUI record. That represents more than a double increment. The more DUI convictions you add to your record, the higher you’ll need to pay for your insurance.
But an increment in your insurance costs isn’t the only drawback to having a drink-driving record. In some cases, your auto insurer may no longer be willing to offer any services to you. Insurance companies would do anything to preserve their reputation while also safeguarding the bottom line. And seeing as how high-risk you’ve become, it may be in your insurer’s best interests to sever ties with you.
What Companies Offer Cheap DUI Insurance?
USAA is a national leader as far as cheap DUI insurance goes. The company charges an annual average of $1,272 for regular coverage and $2,508 for those with DUI records. Geico follows closely with $1,352 for normal coverage and $3,573 for DUI coverage.
Farmers and Allstate are some of the most expensive insurance companies for DUI drivers. You’ll pay an average of $2,740 for a normal full coverage annually and $6,019 for a DUI policy at Farmers. Allstate charges an average of $2,513 and $5,044 for regular coverage and DUI coverage, respectively.
Wrap Up
No one wants to be caught drink-driving. Not only due to the associated legal implications but also because of the amount of blemish a DUI can have on your insurance record.
However, it’s reassuring to know that there are many insurance companies that cater to drink-driving convicts. Better yet, you can find DUI insurers with incredibly affordable rates.
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