How a DUI Conviction Will Affect Your Car Insurance

If you are convicted of a Virginia DUI, then most likelywon't be notified of your conviction.
your car insurance costs are going to rise significantly.Furthermore, some states don't require the SR-22
This is because with a DUI charge on your drivingform. These are Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New
record, most insurers will classify you as a "high-riskMexico, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. But if you have
driver." Not only that, but your insurer may choose topreviously filed an SR-22 before moving to one of
cancel your car insurance policy altogether, and thenthese states, then you will still need to meet the
you'll have to find new insurance with yourrequirements of the state in which the DUI was
permanently scarred record. If your record nowcommitted. New York and North Carolina do not
shows a DUI conviction and a policy cancellation, yourequire any SR-22 filings whatsoever.
can bet on paying sky-high prices for your newIf your auto insurer does not become aware of your
insurance policy.DUI conviction immediately, they may still raise your car
It is possible that your insurer will never know of yourinsurance rates if they discover the conviction, even if
DUI conviction, but not likely. There is a form called theit's several years later.
SR-22, which most states require DUI offenders to getIt is possible that a Virginia DUI might affect your life
from their auto insurers. The SR-22 proves to theinsurance payments as well. If you file for life insurance
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you carrywith a DUI conviction on your record, the insurer may
liability insurance, which allows the DMV to removechoose to raise the price of your policy's premium
your license suspension after a DUI.payments.
Your Auto Insurer May Never KnowIf you've been charged with a Virginia DUI, you should
There are several scenarios in which your auto insurerseek the expertise of a Virginia DUI attorney. An
may never know of your Virginia DUI. If your DUI isattorney can advise you on the procedures regarding
reduced in a plea bargain, or you receive a limitedyour SR-22 form, and in some cases, may even help
license suspension, then it is possible that your insureryou beat your Virginia DUI charge.