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.