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.

What is SR22 insurance for?

Bill

Corpus Christi, TX.

Bill,

What the SR22 form does is provides a guarantee to the Texas DPS

(Department of Public Safety) that the driver has the state required amount of coverage. If the policy is ended, gaps, lapse of coverage, etc… the Texas SR22 filing requires the insurance company to immediately notify TX DPS. Upon notification of such an occurrence the Texas DPS will promptly suspend the drivers driving privileges and TX drivers license.

Try to obtain a policy with a deductible of one thousand dollars. However, if you are worried that you cannot afford a higher deductible, then you may want to set aside any money you are saving from using a lower premium deductible.

Excellent Question.

 What is Liability insurance for and do I need it?

 Greg

Rockport,TX.

Greg,

 Liability coverage limits (that’s for the damage you do to others) are written as three numbers, such as 20/40/10. That translates to $20,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $10,000 in property-damage coverage per accident.

Liability coverage is essential. States require certain levels of minimum liability insurance because that’s the coverage that pays for damage you do to others, including bodily injury and property damage. It also pays for your legal bills if you cause an accident.

Excellent 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.