Car Insurance for Convicted Drivers
Can drivers convicted of speeding, DUI and other traffic offenses still get car insurance?
Yes, it is almost always possible for convicted drivers to obtain car insurance but how much car insurance companies charge and choices of coverage will largely depend on exactly why a driver was convicted.
Convicted of a Minor Speeding Ticket
” Drivers convicted of a speeding violation will almost always experience a change in car insurance rates”
However there are many factors car insurance companies look at for convicted drivers, especially how fast they were going. In some states driving over 30 MPH beyond posted speed limits will land drivers in jail while others can charge you with reckless driving while others simply charge you a higher fine. Traffic laws vary from state to state for what is defined as excessive speeding and the penalties associated with such a violation.
For the most part if you are ticketed for traveling less than 15mph over the speed limit this will be considered a minor violation by many car insurance companies and should not affect your car insurance rates a whole lot (for a single violation – get two tickets and it’s a whole other story).
What can happen however is drivers may see a removal of certain car insurance discounts such as a good driver discount which ultimately end up costing you more than the policy increase simply due to a minor speeding infraction.
Should you be ticketed and convicted of reckless driving this poses a very huge problem and will automatically throw you in one of the highest risk categories where its almost guaranteed to see double digit increases in car insurance rates and denial of coverage from some members of the voluntary market.
How about a DUI or DWI conviction?
Anyone charged with driving under the influence and convicted of a DWI or DUI offence will start to have headaches with most car insurance companies.
” DUI or DWI convictions are a serious offense and car insurance companies have no obligation to insure you “
Not only are you are an irresponsible member of society but you pose probably the greatest risk in the car insurance premium formula. Many large car insurance companies will deny you coverage outright regardless if you have an 800 credit score and a 10 year old car. There are special high risk car insurance companies around but expect them to charge you double your current premiums or more.
What if I am denied coverage from multiple car insurance companies?
This is very common. Think of anyone you know with a pre-existing medical condition who has been trying to obtain private medical insurance and they will almost all share the same story abut getting denied coverage.
” Traffic violations and DUI convictions are basically your pre-existing conditions when applying for car insurance”
Expect to get some denials of coverage or quotes so high with such limited coverage its an insurance company’s way of saying we really don’t want to insure you.
Thankfully almost all States understand the need for drivers to carry liability car insurance and have created State Agencies or Plans to mandate some car insurance companies to (a) participate in the high risk driver program (b) offer coverage and (c) maintain premiums below a certain level. People should have access to coverage regardless of past mistakes if they hold a valid drivers license. As long as the State has granted you a drivers license then they are also providing you with a privilege to drive and until the court takes this privilege away from you its better for everyone if you have car insurance coverage thus the need for State created systems to insure all high risk drivers have access to auto insurance.
Learn more about High Risk Car Insurance Programs
Have a speeding ticket or DUI conviction and need car insurance?
The first step should be to contact your current car insurance company and see what potential problems will occur come renewal time. Convicted drivers will also always want to compare car insurance quotes as the rate increases and policy changes vary greatly from one car insurance company to the next. Some even provide a waiver for a single speeding ticket within a certain period of time while others do not. If you are convicted of any moving violation its important to understand how your car insurance will be affected right away.
Click here to Compare Car Insurance Quotes for convicted drivers
