Getting arrested and charged with a DUI is a devastating experience. Unfortunately, a DUI can have a wide range of long-term consequences apart from the jail time, high fines, and license suspensions they so often entail. One of those long-term consequences involves impacts on car insurance. Please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Allegheny County DUI lawyer to learn more about how a DUI can affect your car insurance and how our firm can help if you’re facing DUI charges.
How can a DUI affect car insurance in Pennsylvania?
When someone is found guilty of driving while intoxicated, they can expect to face a range of impacts on their car insurance. Most often, a DUI will result in spiked insurance rates. This is because once insurance companies learn of DUI convictions, they will consider those guilty to fall into the high-risk” category. In many cases, these spiked insurance rates will last for several years, meaning you’ll essentially be paying for a DUI conviction for years down the road.
In some cases, insurance companies will even drop individuals found guilty of driving while intoxicated entirely. Once you’re dropped from your insurance, you may find it very difficult to get coverage again, as many insurance companies will actually refuse to insure any driver who has a DUI on their record.
Is there anything I can do to lower my insurance after a DUI?
There are certain steps you can take to (eventually) lower your insurance rate after a DUI. To start, you should consider taking a defensive driving course. Many of these courses you can take online, and though they do cost time and money, they can lower your insurance rate in the long run. Also, once you get your driver’s license back, you should do what you can to improve your driving habits. If you obey the law and don’t cause any accidents, your insurance will, eventually, go down.
The bottom line is that a DUI conviction can be costly in several ways, including how it can impact a person’s insurance coverage. This is just one more reason why if you are currently facing DUI charges, the most important thing you can do is retain the services of a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who can help protect your future at every turn.
Please note that if you are accepted into a pre-trial diversionary program (ARD) which does not result in a conviction – you may avoid higher rates depending on the circumstances.
The Law Offices of Natalie Snyder has extensive experience representing those facing DUI charges in the state of Pennsylvania, and the firm is prepared to put that experience to work for you as well. Give us a call or contact us today so we can get working on your case.
