Getting a DUI, or also known as DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) is one of the worst things that can happen to you. Not only is it a criminal offense, but it will also cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket. I’m sure, you must be thinking of the question “How long will my insurance be affected with a DUI?”
The answer is, unfortunately, for a very long time. In most cases, a DUI will stay on your record for normally 3 or up to 5 years. Some states have “look-back” periods of 10 years or more when considering a driver’s history when setting rates. This means that if you get a DUI, your rates will not only be high for the 3-5 years that it’s on your record, but they could be high for up to 10 years after that.
In fact, getting a DUI will likely result in your car insurance rates doubling or even tripling. And, if you’re unlucky enough to get caught driving under the influence more than once, you could see your rates increase by as much as 10 times. So, if you’re currently paying $100 per month for your car insurance, a DUI could cause that to jump to $1,000 per month or more. Ouch!
Now that we’ve answered the question of “How long does a DUI affect car insurance?”, let’s take a deeper dive into the subject and discuss some ways to help you get your rates back down after a DUI.
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Ways to get your Insurance Rate Down
The first thing you need to do is comparison shop for car insurance. This is important because different insurers will have different rules when it comes to how they treat drivers with a DUI on their record. Some insurers might not even insure you if you have a DUI, while others might only charge slightly higher rates. So, it’s important that you shop around and compare rates from several different insurers before making a decision.
Next, you should try to take some steps to improve your driving record. This can be difficult to do if you’ve just gotten a DUI, but it’s still worth trying. If you can avoid getting any more traffic tickets or accidents, it will help show insurers that you’re a safe driver and they may be more likely to give you lower rates.
Finally, you should consider taking a defensive driving course. This won’t erase the DUI from your record, but it can help show insurers that you’re trying to become a safer driver. And, in some cases, it could even help you get a discount on your car insurance.
Potential Defense and Options against a DWI Conviction
A DUI conviction will remain on your criminal record forever, but there may be ways to get it removed from your driving record. This can vary from state to state, so you’ll need to check with your local DMV to see what options are available to you. In some cases, you may be able to get the DUI removed from your driving record after a certain number of years, or if you complete a drinking driver program.
If you’re facing a DUI charge, it’s important that you talk to a qualified DUI attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and help you determine what defenses may be available to you. In some cases, it may even be possible to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed entirely.
The following are the grounds and factors to be considered in order to have a DUI charge dismissed:
The officer did not have proper justification for stopping your car.
The arresting officer did not have probable cause to believe that you were driving under the influence. This can be challenging to prove, but if the officer did not have a valid reason for pulling you over, it may be possible to get the charges against you dropped.
The officer needs to prove that your driving was impaired in order to convict you of DUI. If the officer cannot prove that your ability to drive was impaired when the arresting officer made contact with you, then the charges against you may be dropped.
The Breathalyzer test was not administered correctly.
There was an issue with the way the breathalyzer test was administered. If the machine was not calibrated properly or if the officer did not follow proper procedure, it may be possible to get the results of the test thrown out.
The test has strict requirements that must be met in order for the results to be considered valid. If the officer did not follow proper procedure, then the outcome of the test may not be accurate.
Constitutional rights were violated.
You were not read your Miranda rights. If you were not read your Miranda rights, anything you said to the police after being arrested cannot be used as evidence against you.
This is a major factor in many DUI cases, and if your constitutional rights were violated, it may be possible to get the charges against you dropped.
There was no evidence of impairment during the traffic stop.
The blood or urine sample that was taken was not handled properly. If the sample was not stored correctly or if it was not taken within a certain time frame, it may be possible to get the results of the test thrown out.
It is vital that the sample is handled correctly in order for the results to be accurate. If there was an error in the way the sample was taken or stored, contamination or other factors could have resulted in an inaccurate test.
The field sobriety tests were conducted improperly.
You have an underlying medical condition that caused you to fail the breathalyzer test. If you have diabetes or sleep apnea, for example, you may be able to use this as a defense against a DUI charge.
If you have a medical condition that could have caused you to fail the breathalyzer test, it is important to get this evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
Conclusion
A DUI can have a major impact on your life, both in the short and long term. If you’re facing a DUI charge, it’s important to talk to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to review your case and advise you on the best course of action. In some cases, it may even be possible to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed entirely.
No two cases are alike, so it’s important that you discuss your case with an attorney to see what defenses may be available to you. With the help of a qualified DUI attorney, you may be able to avoid a conviction and move on with your life.
