How DUI Can Affect Your Auto Insurance In Florida
Reader’s Question:
There is a possibility that my sister would be convicted of DUI here in Palm Beach, Florida. She is already very much aware of the penalties that could be put on her. What she isn’t fully aware of is the impact of her DUI on her auto insurance. If she will be convicted, what are the effects of DUI on her auto insurance?
Taylor
Palm Beach, Florida
Driving under the influence is a serious, yet quite a common offense. As we know, a DUI conviction can be humiliating and expensive for the individual involved. Some of the short-term consequences include attorney fees, fines and license suspension. The long-term consequences are often the most expensive due to the effects on car insurance rates and coverage.
If your sister would be convicted of a DUI charge in Palm Beach, Florida, her insurance company may not likely find out. But they might uncover it through their annual driving record investigations. Another way of finding out about a DUI is that the she may have to file form SR22 (Proof of Insurance Certificate) when she re-instates her license. She might have to consider other options such as changing companies because not all insurance companies will file an SR22 form.
There can be two basic outcomes if the insurance company finds out about a DUI conviction. More often, the insurance company that accepts SR22 forms would specialize in “high-risk” driving auto insurance. Even if the insurance rates may increase, filing with a smaller company usually makes the switch less expensive than attempting to file an SR22 with a major firm. The other outcome is that they may drop your coverage completely and you would have to find a new company to insure you.
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