A DUI conviction can affect a person in many different ways. One example is a significant increase in a person’s car insurance rates. IF you are curious about how long this situation will continue, or you have other questions about how DUI convictions affect car insurance rates, keep reading for the details. If you are facing this charge and require an experienced DUI defense attorney, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 right away.

How Long Does a DUI Affect Car Insurance Rates?

Generally speaking, it takes ten years for a person’s insurance premiums to go down after they have been arrested for a DUI. Note that the date does start on the date of the arrest – not on the date of conviction. As a result, if it took six months for you to get through the court system, your date would not start on the date of that conviction but rather on the original arrest rate.

Are the Laws Different for an Underage DUI?

No. The ten-year period is in accordance with California Insurance Code 1861.025, which went into effect on the first day of 2007. It holds that the ten-year period affects but adult and underage DUI arrests and convictions.

Do All DUI Related Charges Affect Insurance Rates for Ten Years?

No. There are certain violations, known as “wet” violations, that will stay on a person’s record – and therefore affect their insurance rates – for just seven years. An example is wet reckless driving, which is a common plea bargain option.

How Do Insurers Know About My DUI Conviction?

When an auto insurance company is deciding whether to sell or renew the insurance policy of someone, they generally pull that person’s DMV driving record along with their criminal record. The insurer will then use that information to determine if they should offer coverage and if they do offer coverage, how much that coverage should cost.

Is Expungement a Solution to My DUI Conviction?

It might help in other areas, but an expungement will not reduce your insurance rates. Why? Because it only clears your criminal record. The DUI will still be on your DMV record, which means that insurance will still know about it and take it into consideration when determining your rates.

Is There a Difference for a Commercial Driver?

Yes. The ten-year lookback policy for non-commercial drivers only applies to those with the standard Class C license. Almost all commercial drivers are subject to the MCSIA, which requires that DUI convictions stay on a commercial driving record for much longer than ten years.

The best way to avoid paying these higher insurance rates is to avoid a conviction in the first place. We might be able to help you. If you are facing a DUI charge, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.