I got my DUI here in Lafayette, Indiana almost three years ago and my insurance rates are still very high. So my question is, how long will my drunk driving conviction affect my auto insurance rates?

Carissa

Lafayette, IN

The length of time that your drunk driving conviction in Lafayette, Indiana would affect your auto insurance rates depends on both the auto insurance company regulations and the laws of the state. States have different periods of time that a DUI stays on the motorist’s driving record. It could stay on you motor vehicle record for as short as a few years to as long as 10 years depending on the state and the circumstances concerning your DUI. As long as the conviction is on your driving record, it would likely have an effect on your premiums.

Every insurance company has its own means of assessing and grading people. You might want to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to check out how long your DUI is going to remain on your driving record and you can contact your insurance agent to check out how long your auto insurance provider would continue to have a higher rate on your policy.

Could you explain to me what really the risk of drunk driving is and why does someone convicted for DUI would have increased insurance rates? My uncle got a DUI conviction here in Gary, Indiana and I also heard that he needs to get an SR22 auto insurance, what is this?

Jamar

Gary, IN

Well, if there is something that could drive anyone’s car insurance cost sky-high, it would be drunk driving or DUI conviction; that’s because according to the Insurance Information Institute, there’s an alcohol-related traffic fatality in the US every 29 minutes. So, aside from the risk of killing yourself and other people, drunk driving would carry serious penalties from your car insurance company.

The state of Indiana requires DUI offenders to get a form called SR22 from their auto insurance companies, so no one can hide. Your uncle needs to get SR22 auto insurance after his DUI conviction in Gary, Indiana and this form would prove to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that he carries liability insurance and it would remove his driver’s license from suspension. The SR22 auto insurance also requires his insurance company to notify the DMV if it cancels his auto insurance for any reason. He would likely have to file proof of insurance for three years with the DMV. Right now, he might be looking for an insurance company who would give him coverage for his SR22 auto insurance so I suggest for him to get an online rate quote available from this website.