Attempting to purchase affordable auto insurance after a DUI conviction can be a little like attempting to scale Mt. Everest barefoot on a tightrope; it can be done, but the amount of time and effort it’s going to take can make it seem as though it’s not worth it. If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, here are some suggestions to help you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
There are two universal truths about being convicted of a DUI. First, a number of online auto insurance companies will reject you out of hand if they know that you’ve been or are soon to be convicted of a DUI. Since getting a DUI requires you to fill out an SR-22 form allowing the government to monitor your insurance coverage, there is no way to cover up this infraction. Because the chances of your insurance company not finding out about the conviction are slim to none, a driver convicted of a DUI could find themselves facing not only hundreds of dollars in fines and court fees (not to mention potential jail time) they may be facing a loss of their auto insurance as well.
Secondly, even if you don’t lose your current coverage you are almost certainly going to find yourself paying more for it-and fighting an uphill battle to get coverage anywhere else. Fortunately, there are some companies out there that are willing to insure drivers after a DUI. These companies carry what are known as SR-22 policies. Under an SR-22 policy you will be able to be insured as a high risk driver, and many of these companies will file your SR-22 for you so that your license can be reinstated as painlessly as possible.
An SR-22 will need to be filed by the auto insurance company verifying that you have insurance for a minimum of three years in most states, although your state’s particular requirements may vary. If you choose to cancel your policy before the end of this period your insurance company will be required to file an SR-26 letting the DMV know that you are no longer insured. Since being found to be uninsured is going to have a negative effect on the reinstatement of your license, this is something you want to avoid at all costs! There are some drivers who will purchase an SR-22 policy in order to get their license back, then cancel the policy to avoid paying the high risk premium. Obviously, this is a bad idea.
Where can you go to get high risk auto insurance under an SR-22? Many of the "big name" auto insurance agencies, such as Geico or AAA, are reluctant to take on high risk drivers. On the other hand, many smaller companies that have fewer options when it comes to their customers will insure a high risk driver for the right price. Be aware that regardless of who you ultimately purchase your high risk SR-22 auto insurance policy from, you’re going to end up paying more than you did before you were convicted of a DUI. This is unavoidable, but you shouldn’t have to go bankrupt trying to pay your premiums.
If you’re looking for reasonable auto insurance following a DUI your best bet is to go through a company that is affiliated with numerous auto insurance companies, such as www.quotescout.com. These companies will be able to compare quotes and coverage from hundreds of insurers, giving you the best chance of finding one that will provide the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
