DWI Insurance Premiums: Do Your Rates Automatically Rise?
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: DWI Insurance.

Drunk driving is an extremely serious violation of the law. Not only is it dangerous, it can be fatal. If a drunk driver is lucky enough to be pulled over by the police without harming anyone, what happens then? Most states have laws that make it a crime to drive above a certain blood alcohol concentration level. Once the driver is convicted, the driver’s license will be either suspended or revoked. Some states have an administrative license suspension where the driver’s license is suspended or revoked when the driver either fails or refuses to take a chemical test and before an actual conviction.

When the conviction is handed down, many states will allow the offender to get back on the road, but only if their car is installed with an ignition interlock. This devices takes a breath analysis before the engine can be started. If alcohol is detected, the ignition is disabled. For multiple offenders, most states will force the forfeiture of their vehicle.
Being convicted of DWI can be catastrophic to many aspects of your life. You can be affected by a conviction professionally, emotionally, physically, and financially. A financial hit will almost certainly follow, especially with your auto insurance company. However, this is not always the case.

In general, there are two factors that will determine if DWI insurance premiums will rise. First, your DWI insurance company has to find out about the actual conviction. An arrest wouldn’t necessarily affect your insurance. Second, the DWI insurance rules of your particular insurer determine what happens after convictions.

DWI insurance does not necessarily translate into higher premiums, depending on your status with the insurance company. If you’ve been with one DWI insurance company for a significant period of time and have a stellar claims record, your premiums might not be affected. Some larger DWI insurance companies have several subsidiaries which separate preferred drivers from standard or riskier drivers. State Farm, for example, might issue you a preferred policy through State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. After a DWI conviction, your policy might be transferred to State Farm Fire & Casualty, which handles standard policies. This transfer will inherently bring higher premiums. However, they will also review your driving records and claims history to see if a further increase in rates is warranted.

If you’ve been recently convicted of a DWI, insurance premium hikes can be delayed or avoided. First, do not change your insurance policy. This includes adding or subtracting drivers, cars, or coverage. Any such change will prompt a review of your driving record. Don’t change insurance companies. Lastly, do not purchase or lease a new vehicle. While these steps don’t necessarily guarantee that your premiums will stay the same, you’ll at least avoid triggering a review of your DMV record.

BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.