Although the police, the courts, and your friends will tell you it’s the end of the world after getting a DUI, it really isn’t. Yes, there is a certain stigma attached to it, but unless you’re a repeat offender, it’s a mistake that many people make and get over. A DUI charge is one of those occasions where you are considered guilty until proven innocent, not the other way around.
Charged or Convicted
How your insurance rates are affected is determined by whether you are convicted after the charge. In most cases where the driver is fighting the ticket, it can take several months until the case is decided and for the conviction to appear on your driving record. The driver may also have a delay from the inevitable cancellation or rate increase since this usually takes effect at renewal.
Buying Insurance after a DUI
There is not a significant difference in shopping for insurance after a DUI than shopping for insurance without one. Your mindset will need to change because of the expected difference in premium. Many of the name-brand insurers will decline to offer a quote, but there are many others who will. After the DUI conviction appears on your record, you should expect a rate increase of up to 75% from every insurer willing to offer coverage. Unfortunately, the high rates are going to follow you for three to five years, depending on the company. Some states may also require your insurance carrier to file a form called an SR-22, and not every company will do this.
Shop an Independent Broker
Unfortunately, even though many drivers have been charged with a DUI, it remains to be an embarrassing and expensive event. Shopping with an independent broker in Fort Worth who can access multiple insurance companies will be your path of least resistance. Most Fort Worth brokers will always have multiple carriers willing to offer insurance for drivers with major convictions and will be happy to service your business. The broker’s intentions will always be to meet your needs in an affordable manner and, more importantly, will not treat you any differently than any other client.
Cut back on the Bells & Whistles
Since your insurance rates will be significantly higher after you are convicted of a DUI, it makes sense to cut back on optional coverage in order to reduce your monthly premium. Items like towing reimbursement, rental reimbursement and medical payments can be rejected to save some money. Since Uninsured Motorist coverage is not mandatory in Texas, you may want to forgo purchasing this coverage as well, but remember, on average one in seven drivers do not carry any coverage and uninsured motorist is the coverage that pays if you are hit by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver.
The bottom line here is if you take some time by shopping with experienced independent brokers in Fort Worth, you will find that you can get insurance after a DUI conviction and by cutting back on some optional coverages, you will be able to afford it.
Have questions? Need coverage? Call 800-401-6870 and one of our Baja Auto Insurance agents will be happy to help you.
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