Will I Lose My Car Insurance for a DUI Charge?
Across the country, being charged with driving under the influence has serious criminal and financial repercussions. Tennessee has joined many states in cracking down on DUIs by way of criminal punishment through the courts, and license revocation through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Aside from criminal consequences, convicted DUI offenders may also immediately face obstacles with their auto insurance. If you find yourself facing DUI charges, it is good to be aware of what to expect from your insurance provider going forward.
How getting charged with DUI can affect your car insurance
Understanding the cost and restrictions of a DUI is valuable in terms of navigating your next steps. Higher rates associated with reinstatement of your insurance after a DUI conviction are usually unavoidable, but in most cases, you should be able to regain your license and get insurance. In some cases, that insurance will require an SR-22 statement.
Will a DUI automatically raise my insurance premiums?
It usually does. Remember – a DUI conviction could make you a high-risk policyholder. To ensure that their own coffers stay full, many insurance companies will increase rates for people convicted of drunk driving, just like they would for certain traffic violations (like speeding or reckless driving.)
What is the SR-22, and what does it mean for my insurance?
An SR-22 is a statement proving financial responsibility. Many states, including Tennessee, require this form as a means of protecting other drivers from the danger of uninsured or reckless drivers. After a DUI, this form is required to ensure safe and responsible driving going forward and hopefully deter recurring incidents.
Your insurance company will be the one to file the SR-22 on your behalf. However, not all insurance companies choose to insure high-risk claimants, and getting charged and/or convicted of DUI may make you high-risk in the eyes of your insurance company. If you currently have auto insurance, the first step is to call and ask about continuing coverage with them. They may look at your past driving history and other factors to determine whether to keep your policy after a first DUI offense.
Note that there is a $50 fee for an SR-22. According to their official site, Tennessee may require an SR-22 for a total of 5 years from the date of suspension.
What other penalties do you face for a DUI?
A first DUI offense in Tennessee will include at a very minimum: jail time of 48 hours and/or $350 in fines, additional court fees, a required DUI class, restitution for any person suffering injury or personal loss, and a 1-year license revocation. Fees to reinstate a driver’s license after alcohol related offenses include $100 in reinstatement fees and the regular DMV driver’s license application fee.
Tennessee law also requires you to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). The device acts as a personal breathalyzer test which will require the driver to breathe into the machine prior to starting the vehicle. If the IID registers results of a blood alcohol content over the set limit, the vehicle will not be able to start. This is an essential requirement by Tennessee law, but the cost is at the offender’s expense. According to their official site, first year costs could exceed $1,000 at a minimum.
The state also has a slew of repercussions designed to deter a second DUI offense. Often times, nothing hits closer to home than our wallets. Atop other fines and fees, you could face additional jail time, meaning your home and job could be at risk. You can also lose certain rights, including your right to vote or carry a firearm.
Full driving privileges will be revoked by the DMV. However, you could be eligible for a restricted license. The restricted license allows for operation of a vehicle with the sole purpose of driving to and from your place of employment (or school, for full-time students), your regular place of worship, and other places deemed essential. A preapproved form will stipulate when it is admissible to be operating the vehicle under the new restricted license.
Why was I denied a restricted driver’s license?
Only certain persons with a DUI are eligible for a restricted license. There are several reasons a person may not be allowed to obtain the restricted license after revocation.
- The driver is on record of having a conviction of vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, or aggravated vehicular assault.
- The DUI offense caused the proximate death or serious bodily injury of another person.
- The driver record has another form of revocation or suspension. All others must be reinstated on the driver’s record aside from the violation for which the restricted license is being requested. This includes a revocation in another state.
- The SR-22 is not filed for the State of Tennessee. The insurance provider must also be licensed in the state.
If the above convictions and suspensions do not apply to your case, you will be eligible for a restricted license after filing the SR-22.
Handling a DUI charge means juggling a lot of things at once while facing long term consequences. We know that it can be an overwhelming process to go through on your own. At the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates, our attorneys are experienced in fighting DUI charges in the state of Tennessee. We understand how even a first time offense can change your life. Our Franklin DUI attorneys have the expertise to properly investigate the details of your arrest and argue the law in your favor. To learn more about how to best protect your future by fighting against your DUI arrest, call our office at 615.977.9370 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve clients throughout Franklin, Columbia, and Brentwood.
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