How Does a DUI Affect My Insurance Rate?

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If you have ever found yourself in a situation where you have received a DUI, or driving under the influence, charge you know some of the damage this can do to your life. But even years after the fines have been paid off, you may find yourself still haunted by the mistake in regards to your insurance premium.

Proven again and again over time, people who have received one DUI charge are likely to receive another in their lifetime. Hopefully the one charge was enough to make you set your life straight and you will not be getting behind the wheel intoxicated again. But life has no guarantees, and while insurance companies are in the business of taking risks they do like to minimize their chances of loss.

One of the worst situations to find yourself in when just after a recent DUI you find a letter in your mailbox announcing that your insurance company is no longer willing to provide your insurance. Generally you have a very short period of time to secure new insurance, and you will be less than happy with the surprise of your new insurance rate quotes when you call around.

When you receive a conviction of driving under the influence it is reported on your driving record. Sometimes it can take an insurance provider several months to notice this change, and often it is found when you go to renew your policy. The result is often that they are unwilling to cover you again, especially if you failed to notify them of the conviction in the first place. Insurance companies do not like these types of surprises.

Your new "high-risk driver" status is going to cause complications for up to 10 years. Depending on the state in which you reside, your state will keep your DUI on your driving record for a set period of time. As long as it shows you will have to face the consequences of your actions translated into dollars and cents coming out of your pocket in the form of a skyrocketed insurance premium.

There honestly is not much that you can do about this, so once you have alerted your insurance provider as to your conviction it is best that you review your policy in detail and if you need to save money on your insurance bill to offset your inflated premium see what can be trimmed back.

Raising your deductible is often a quick way to see a change in your price. If your deductible is set below $1,000 absolutely raise it to at least that amount. Set aside money for the event of an accident to cover your deductable so you do not find yourself stuck without transportation if an accident does happen. Also, if you have medical insurance from your place of employment you can likely lower, if not drop, your medical coverage from your policy. Check with your health care plan first to be certain injuries resulting from a car accident are covered, but in most cases they are.

While there are no simple answers or quick fixes, the best way to avoid having to deal with the problems a DUI causes with your insurance is to be certain it never happens again.

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DUI Insurance Rates - The Cost is More Then Money

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Did you know, DUI insurance rates are just one part of the cost of a DUI moving violation? The three major areas of cost with a DUI moving violation are time, insurance rates and actual money. In this article we'll look at all three to see what the true cost to you really is.

What part does time play in the cost of a DUI?
No matter where you were going when you were arrested, now you're going to be processed at the police station. That will take some time. At some point, you will need to meet with your lawyer and spend some time at court. You may even have to take the time for a driving or alcohol class. The time you need to do these things is time that is taken from your family, friends and even job. In the end, you may even lose your job, if it depends on your ability to use an automobile.

How much could my insurance rates go up?
If you get a DUI while insured with a national standard provider, they will either drop you, and you'll need a new carrier, or transfer you to their high risk division, if they have one. If you get transferred to their high risk division your coverage could rise up to 400%, or to where it became unaffordable for you to continue your coverage. There are estimates from the state of Illinois that say, the average high risk insurance could cost $1500 a year more, for at least three years.

Don't forget, you could be paying higher rates for up to eight years before qualifying for standard rates again, and that's only if you can keep your record clean.

How much money will I spend on a DUI?
In 2004 the Southern California Automobile Club did research on the cost for a first-time DUI in that state, the total was $12,116. Included in this total cost were fines, penalties, towing and impound, alcohol education, an increase in auto insurance, victim fund, license reissue fee, booking, attorney and legal fees. In terms of actual cash outlay for a first-time DUI, that's a lot of money. Prices, no doubt, have gone up since then.

As you can easily see, there's a lot more that happens when you get a DUI then just your insurance rates going up. It will take personal time for you to straighten up the situation you found yourself in. Your rates will go up. You'll spend a lot of money in cash to set things right.

Maybe if you'll think of this, not just the DUI insurance rates, then you won't have that second drink and drive home, you could be pulled over for speeding five over or a tail light out, you never know. Don't drink and drive!

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An Effective Way to Shop For Car Insurance

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Car insurance is one of "those things" in life that you just can not avoid, unless you really like public transportation and are willing to give up your car. But lets face it, few of us wants to wait for a bus in the freezing cold rain or spend our days memorizing bus schedules. In all states, law requires insurance if you plan to take your car out of your driveway, and in some states even if your car will not make it out of the drive way you still have to have insurance to own it.

The good news is shopping for car insurance is much easier today than it was ten years ago. The internet makes national insurance companies fight for customers, which means great opportunities for you to save. In the past you had to open a phone book, find insurance companies, call each one, repeat the same information over and over until you found a good deal. Now you can simply visit specific companies websites for a quote or use on of the free services that get multiple quotes instantly for you to choose from.

There are a few things you do need to know before you plug in your information and start comparing quotes. First, you should do a quick search to see what the minimum coverage requirements are for your state, as these vary. You will also need to have the dates of any moving traffic violations (parking tickets do not count) or accidents you have been in. You will also need the year, make model and vehicle identification number of your car. Lastly, if you make payments on your car you will need the lien holder's information.

Once you have gathered this information and found the company or broker site you are getting a quote from you will need to decide on the type of coverage you need. If you have car payments you will need full coverage, or comprehensive collision, insurance. If you own your car outright the choice is yours to make, but remember while liability insurance is cheaper it does not cover damages to your own car. So basically, if you total your car in an accident and are found to be to blame, you are out a car. Generally only people with older cars that have a low value will want to go this route.

Be honest about your past tickets and accidents, as the insurance company will eventually run your motor vehicle report and catch you if you try to hide anything. That can result in penalties, higher payments and cancellation of insurance. Once your quotes are in, pick the best one for your needs and budget and you are ready to drive!

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Cheap Car Insurance in Dallas, Texas

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The Dallas Cowboys football club is world-renowned for being skilled and tough. Something just as tough that is found in this city is the traffic. Trying to work your way through the congested streets of Dallas can be a challenge for even the most skilled driver. Once you know that in 2004 alone there were almost 150 accidents resulting in death in this southern city, cheap car insurance in Dallas, Texas obviously becomes a must-have.

Finding cheap car insurance may seem akin to locating a needle in a haystack. It seems that auto insurance prices increase by leaps and bounds each and every year. If you are tired of paying high premiums, there are things you can do to help you realize a better rate on your car insurance.

Cars are stolen each and every day in Dallas. If you leave your car unlocked you are practically inviting a thief to jump in and drive away. Instead of just ensuring everything is locked each time you leave the vehicle, invest in a good car alarm. This is not only a great deterrent for would be car thieves, but it also can mean cheaper car insurance. Many companies offer a percentage discount to their clients who take this safety step.

If you only drive your car a short distance each day or week, mention this to the insurance company. Many insurance companies offer a discount for low mileage. Obviously if you aren't out and about on the road as often as other drivers, you aren't going to risk the same chance of getting in an accident. Every insurance company has different provisions when it comes to this particular discount, but if it applies to you mention it to your agent to see if you can enjoy cheaper car insurance in Dallas, Texas.

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Travel North, South, East Or West and You Must Have Auto Insurance

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If you live in California, you must have California auto insurance. This coverage will offer protection for your vehicle and financial assets as you visit and live in a state that has many regions to offer persons on vacation.

Southern California is the place that has been romanticized in both movie and song. The year round warm weather makes southern California beaches a place to relax year round. In addition to the sand and sun you can also find some of the best waves for surfing to be found. Also take time to visit the many visitors attractions of Orange County with its resort destinations that include the original Disney park. LA offers entertainment that may not be found in any other area of the world.

Move North through the San Jose Valley and you will see where much of the food that ends up on your table is grown. Citrus crops as well as row crops grow here when it is too cold in the rest of the nation to produce fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Silicon Valley, is home to the technology that has made our nation great. Many businesses and executives call this area their home.

The San Francisco Bay area has much to offer. This renowned community for the arts has much in the way of theater. The city also shows us much in history with its cable cars. Take time for the Warf and to visit the Golden Gate Bridge.

If you prefer a place where you can find some real winter weather Northern California has areas that receive several feet of snow every winter. Mount Shasta Ski area is a favorite winter destination for many Californians. There are many beautiful snow covered mountains in Northern California.

If you want some hot weather, California can also offer that. Death Valley, California is the lowest point in the United States. It often reports the highest temperature in the nation, with temperatures often being well over 100 degrees. Other areas in the great California deserts offer warm to hot day time temperatures with cool dry nights.

While there are many places to see in the great state of California, traveling to each of them by car requires that you have California auto insurance. The law requires that you carry a minimum amount of coverage for damage you may do to other vehicles. In addition you may choose to have coverage that will pay to repair your vehicle if you cause the accident.

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Six Steps of Insurance Rate Calculation

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Every insurance company has some magic formula that calculates a whole lot of information and spits out your insurance premium rate based on the risk factors associated with insuring you. This process is known as underwriting, and thanks to the wonder of modern computers it can often be determined just seconds after your information is plugged in. But also thanks to the wonder of modern computers, a lot more information is taken into account now than in the past when that rate is decided upon. While most of us will never have the brain power or desire to figure out this complex process, there are a few basics you can assume will go into an insurance company determining your premium rates.

1. The make and model of your vehicle- generally the first question you will be asked is what exactly it is you drive. Computers keep track of the number of accidents and citations owners of certain vehicles receive, and take this into account when insuring your car. It's safe to assume that driving a shiny new sports car you will be more likely to get a speeding ticket than if your driving your Grandmother's hand-me-down.

2. Your driving record- your past history behind the wheel of a car is a huge factor in determining your insurance rates. Past accidents, tickets, and DUI charges will greatly impact your ability to get coverage at a decent rate, and may affect your ability to get coverage at all.

3. The area you live in- anyone who lives in a major city knows the perils of rush hour traffic. One small fender bender leaves the whole city stuck on the interstate. You are much more likely to be in one of those fender benders if you live or work in this heavy traffic areas and your rates will be higher than someone that lives in a small town as a result.

4. Your deductible- the amount you set as your deductible affects your premium rate. The higher your deductable the lower your premium as a general rule.

5. Basic coverage amounts- your policy is made up of several basic parts. You have control over how much coverage you purchase above your states minimum required amounts. Liability covers damage to other people's property. Collision covers damage to your own vehicle. In an accident that is your fault. Comprehensive covers damages to your personal property and vehicle in the event of natural disasters, vandalism or theft. Medical covers the medical bills that result from an accident.

6. Extras- there is many extras that can be added onto your policy, and while they do offer protection they also increase your premiums. Uninsured and underinsured motorist covers your expenses in the event you are hit by someone who is not carrying insurance or amounts above what their policy covers. Without it you could be left holding the bill even if the accident is no fault of your own. Add-ons like personal injury protection, towing expense coverage, rental car reimbursements are convenient, but may be worth covering out of pocket to keep your payments low.

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Tips For Saving on Car Insurance in 2010

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It's 2010 and in today's economy one should be financially savvy. Oftentimes, people who are tight on their budgets look to save money on the food, entertainment, and dining categories. The last place that people normally look is saving money with their insurance providers. Here are some tips to save more money on your car insurance in 2010.

Car insurance premiums vary significantly, and many factors to into determining how much your coverage will set you back each month. For many of us, the cost of insuring our vehicles is one of our most expensive bills past housing and the car payment itself. Some of the factors that are used to determine your insurance premium are your driving record, the type of car you drive, the area you reside in, how far you drive to work each day, and even your credit score. Obviously, if you drive a sports care the insurance company assumes you are a higher risk than the mom who drives the minivan full of girl scouts. People that live in the city have much more opportunities for fender benders than those that live in tiny towns with few cars on the road. But aside from trading in your luxury car for a beater, there are some things you can do to save money on your insurance.

First thing first, you need to look at your current policy and see if you have what you really need while looking for opportunities to scale back. Many of us set up our insurance policies when we first purchase our car and never give it a second thought. What you need to pay as you drive your car off the lot and what you need to pay when your car is ten years old are very different amounts.

If your car loan is paid off, do a quick internet search to see what the blue book value is on your car. When you do so, appraise it honestly. Do not claim that your car is in "excellent" condition if it has rust spots or dings. The amount your car is worth at book value, not in what you paid for it, is an important number. In the event that you are in an accident that is your fault, your insurance will only cover up to the dollar value of the car. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense to insure a new car that is worth $20,000, but little sense to cover that same car when its ten or fifteen years old and the book value is only $2,000. Consider the odds of actually having an accident. Say you go five years of paying $600 a year for that collision coverage. Well, your car is only worth $2,000 and you've paid $3,000 for the coverage. If the math does not make sense, you can probably safely drop back to liability only insurance, which will likely cut your bill in half, if not more.

Whenever you make an insurance claim, your record reflects that claim. A claim will cause your insurance premium to rise. So it generally does not make much sense to report any damages under the amount of $1,000. With this in mind, you can often significantly lower your premium by raising your deductible. Make sure that you do not set your deductible higher than you could afford to pay in the event of an accident however, or you could find yourself without transportation if you do get in an accident.

These are basic starting points for saving on your premiums, but are the ones with the biggest impact to your monthly savings.

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