Will I Lose My Car Insurance for a DUI?
You could lose your car insurance coverage if you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). Auto insurance companies consider DUI convictions carefully. If you are convicted of a DUI, your insurer could decide not to renew your policy at the end of your coverage term. This means you could be forced to find new insurance coverage. At this point, you may discover what you have to pay for auto insurance with a DUI is significantly more than what you were charged previously.
Rather than having to worry about car insurance for DUI offenders, take action to contest your driving under the influence charge before it leads to a conviction. Tell a DUI attorney in Franklin, TN, about the DUI so that they can build a legal strategy to reduce or dismiss the charges.
How does a DUI affect my car insurance?
Your auto insurer can charge higher rates based on your DUI conviction. In some cases, the DMV will require an SR-22 certificate. With this, your insurer confirms that you have sufficient coverage to meet Tennessee’s auto insurance requirements.
There is a fee of $15 to $35 to file an SR-22 in Tennessee. You may be required to maintain this certificate for up to five years.
How much is car insurance with a DUI?
According to research, the average annual cost of car insurance in Tennessee is $1,570 for drivers who have no driving under the influence convictions. This figure jumps to $2,293 — an increase of 46 percentage points — for drivers who have been convicted of a DUI.
If you have a DUI conviction on your driving record, you still have the option to shop around for auto insurance. Ultimately, even the best car insurance for DUI offenders is likely to be more expensive than what you would have to pay if you had never been convicted of driving under the influence.
Your lawyer can answer your questions about Tennessee’s DUI laws and look for ways to contest your DUI charges before they lead to a conviction.
Will insurance cover my car if I got a DUI and was involved in an accident?
Auto insurance is meant to cover certain costs to repair or replace your car and other crash-related losses. However, if you were driving while drunk, your insurance carrier could dispute your claim. If your insurer succeeds, they will likely cover losses that others experienced because of the accident, but you could have to cover some accident-related losses by yourself or reimburse the insurer.
If you are involved in an auto accident, notify your insurer immediately. This initiates the claims process. Your insurer can work with the insurance companies of any other drivers involved in the incident to determine who is at fault. If you get a DUI, your insurer and the other insurance companies may consider this as they attempt to figure out who is liable.
Also, it is beneficial to have a Franklin DUI lawyer help you deal with the aftermath of a car crash and driving under the influence charge. They can help fight against a DUI conviction that causes your auto insurance premiums to go up and results in criminal penalties.
What are the consequences of a DUI charge?
Following a driving under the influence charge, expect the prosecutor in your case to try to punish you to the fullest extent of the law. Thankfully, Franklin DUI attorneys understand the immediate and long-term consequences of a DUI conviction. They can teach you about DUI offenses and the penalties associated with them.
The first time you are convicted of a DUI, you could receive:
- Minimum jail sentence of 48 hours
- Suspension of your driver’s license for one year
- A fine of at least $350
The penalties can be greater for aggravating factors – such as if a child was in the car. In addition, you will likely have to install an interlock ignition device (IID) in your car. This breathalyzer device prevents you from starting your car if it detects alcohol on your breath. You will have to keep this device in your car for one year.
DUI penalties escalate each time you are convicted. If you have been convicted of driving under the influence multiple times, your criminal record could impact your housing and job options, along with other areas of your life.
What should I do if I’ve been charged with a DUI in Tennessee?
Connect with a Franklin driving under the influence attorney right away. It is absolutely worth it to get a lawyer for a DUI. Your attorney advocates for you and protects your legal rights. They can represent you throughout your litigation and offer legal guidance and support every step of the way.
Your lawyer may consider many legal strategies in your DUI case, including:
Challenging the traffic stop
Police officers must have probable cause to pull your car over and arrest you for driving under the influence. Your lawyer can raise doubts about why the police chose to stop your vehicle. These doubts can make it difficult for the prosecution to argue that your traffic stop was warranted.
Questioning the accuracy of breathalyzer test results
Medications, breath fresheners, and certain foods can lead to inaccurate breathalyzer test results. Your attorney can gather evidence that helps you show that your preliminary alcohol screening results are invalid.
Arguing that your Miranda rights were violated
The police must read your Miranda rights after they arrest you for driving under the influence and before they question you about it. In your case, police officers may have questioned you without telling you that you have the right to remain silent. If this occurred, then the officers violated your Miranda rights. Therefore, any evidence that they gathered during your questioning to use against you may be dismissed. This can damage the prosecution’s case.
If the prosecution has concerns about their case, they could offer a plea bargain. If you accept a plea deal, you accept a lesser charge than the one that was initially levied against you.
A plea deal lets you resolve your DUI case in less time than what would be required if you go to trial. On top of that, it may allow you to avoid a lengthy jail sentence and other DUI consequences that could impact you long into the future.
Your lawyer will let you know if the prosecution presents a plea bargain. You have the final say on what to do with a plea deal. Meanwhile, your lawyer can negotiate a plea agreement on your behalf. If you decide to accept this agreement, you can close your case and move forward from your DUI charge.
Partner with a DUI lawyer committed to helping you achieve a successful case outcome
A DUI charge can be overwhelming. You may be worried about whether you will lose your car insurance based on the charges. There is a chance you will face jail time and other penalties if you are convicted of driving under the influence.
The Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates has more than 25 years of experience helping clients in DUI cases and many others. Trust our team to assist you with your driving under the influence case. To get started, contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.