What does DUI, DWI, or OWI mean?

Trey

Victoria, TX.

Trey, 

Depending on the jurisdiction, this criminal offense may also be referred to

as driving while intoxicated ( DWI ), driving while impaired (also DWI ),

operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated ( OWI ) or operating a motor vehicle

while intoxicated ( OMVI ).

DUI charges are usually based on a person’s BAC or blood alcohol

concentration and may be determined by the administering of a breath, blood or

urine test (which is usually conducted if drugs are suspected).

Great Question.

Will my car insurance go up if my insurance company never finds out that I have a DUI?

Linda

Rockport, TX.

Linda,

According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is an alcohol-related traffic fatality in the United States every 29 minutes. Aside from the risk of killing yourself and others, drunk driving carries with it serious penalties from your car insurance company.

Car insurance companies may check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or when you’re applying for a new policy. It’s possible that accidents, tickets and DUIs may never make their way to your official motor vehicle record. However, if your insurer does discover your DUI and classifies you as a “high-risk driver,” shopping around at renewal time is the best strategy, as car insurance rates will vary greatly among insurers. On the other hand, a rate hike may be the least of your problems; your policy could be cancelled or nonrenewed, especially if you are currently in a preferred car insurance rate class. Then you’ll be forced to look for new car insurance with the double-whammy of a DUI and a cancellation on your record.

Great Question.

How long will my auto insurance be affected after a DUI/DWI conviction? 

Harry

Port Aransas, TX.

Harry,

 Your auto insurance after a DUI will be affected for several years due to the fact that you’ll now be classified as high risk. The first major impact you’ll see in regards to your auto insurance will be the

mandatory requirement that you carry what’s referred to as an SR22 insurance policy for 3 years.

So when shopping for SR22 auto insurance the way to get the cheapest policy is to get rate quotes from as many different sources as possible. The SR22 quotes are free and there is no obligation to use any insurance company by getting a quote from them. So the way to get the best SR22 auto insurance deal is to seek out quotes from as many providers and/or brokers as possible and then you can simply select the best deal.

Great Question.

Jesus

Corpus Christi, Tx.

Jesus,

 If there is anything that could drive your car insurance cost sky-high it’s a drunk-driving (DUI) conviction.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is an alcohol-related traffic fatality in the United States every 29 minutes. Aside from the risk of killing yourself and others, drunk driving carries with it serious penalties from your car insurance company.

Car insurance companies may check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or when you’re applying for a new policy. It’s possible that accidents, tickets and DUIs may never make their way to your official motor vehicle record. However, if your insurer does discover your DUI and classifies you as a “high-risk driver,” shopping around at renewal time is the best strategy, as car insurance rates will vary greatly among insurers. On the other hand, a rate hike may be the least of your problems; your policy could be cancelled or nonrenewed, especially if you are currently in a preferred car insurance rate class. Then you’ll be forced to look for new car insurance with the double-whammy of a DUI and a cancellation on your record.

Jose

Corpus Christi, TX.

Jose, 

Yes you can refuse to blow in to the machine. Most machine are calibrated on a regular basis. But most officer have not been trained properly on how to administer the test.  There are a lot of variables to be consider when taking this test.  Example did you know that if you ate garlic, had a peppermint, or a peptic ulcer it could alter your test. Even if you breath to hard it will alter the reading of the test.

The best thing is to refuse the test and have them take blood from you. But they have to have a warrant from a judge to do this procedure. Also it is usually done at a hospital. So by the time all that paperwork gets figured out you may have sobered up enough. But the best thing really to do is plan ahead and have a designated drive or don’t drink and drive.

Thank you for the Question.