If you have been involved in a DWI or a DUI, car insurance may be a major concern. While you obviously cannot buy DWI insurance, or insurance just to cover a DWI, your regular car insurance can pay damage arising form a DWI accident. It is because of the very nature of this risk to the insurance company that it becomes difficult to find car insurance after being arrested for driving under the influence.
Car Insurance and a DWI
Car insurance rates and premiums are based on how risky of a driver you are and what the likelihood is that you will get into an accident. If you have a DWI on your record, you suddenly become a very risky prospect to the insurance company- even if you didn't actually cause an accident while driving drunk.
As such, as soon as you are convicted of a DWI or a DUI, your insurance carrier may send you a letter in the mail informing you that they are dropping your coverage. It is perfectly legal for them to do this, and you will find yourself scrambling to find another insurance carrier, which may be a losing battle. Even if you can find an insurer to insure you, your premiums and rates may be prohibitively high.
Your Options
Once you have been convicted of a DUI or DWI, your options are limited. You cannot drive without insurance as this is illegal and can result in further fines, penalties or loss of your license. Instead, you have to find an insurance carrier of some type of who will insure you, no matter what the cost is. If you are unable to find an insurance carrier on the open market who is willing to provide you with coverage, then you have one option left:
- Each state has a high risk insurance pool.
- Individuals who obtain coverage as part of this high risk pool generally pay very high premiums and are restricted to buying the minimum liability coverage allowed under the law- still, the high risk pool is available to every driver, even those who have had a DWI or DUI
Getting Help
If you have been accused of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, you need to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you to interface with the prosecutor and to get through court, potentially minimizing your damages or lessening the charges, fines and penalties. He can also give you advice on things such as DWI insurance and on how to get your life back after a DWI conviction.
