A DUI can have serious implications, even when there is no property damage or injuries.
People worry: Will I go to jail or pay hefty fines? If I can avoid being locked up, will I lose my driver’s license? If I can keep my license, how much will my car insurance payments increase?
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal charge and it can apply to impaired drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, as well as prescription or recreational drugs. Anyone who has been charged with DUI is smart to consult with a local attorney who specializes in criminal traffic or DUI cases before they appear before a prosecutor and a judge.
Whether your case is pending or you have already been convicted of DUI in Nevada, there is some important and surprising information you should know about how a DUI affects your Nevada car insurance rates.
Rates will go up after a DUI
Insurers are in the business of assessing and managing risk. Anyone convicted of DUI presents a risk to them financially.
Car insurance rates in Nevada are about $150 lower per year than the national average, although rates in Las Vegas are over $500 more annually than the national average of $1,341.
But according to one recent study, a DUI conviction almost anywhere in the Silver State will result in increased insurance costs higher than drivers who file two accident claims. That’s right: two accidents won’t cost you as much in higher insurance premiums as one DUI.
Another study reported that for Las Vegas drivers, average car insurance premiums will increase from $1,869 to $3,476 after a DUI – a jump of 86 percent that translates to almost $134 in higher premiums each and every month.
While state law prevents insurers from canceling an insurance policy before it expires – even a DUI –insurers can legally deny extending coverage once a policy is up for renewal after a DUI conviction, which can also force you to hunt for a new policy.
SR-22 is mandatory for three years
Anyone convicted of DUI in Nevada is also required by law to obtain an SR-22 insurance certificate for three years at an added cost.
An SR-22 is issued by an insurer to serve as proof of financial responsibility for people deemed to be high-risk drivers. The SR-22 verifies that they have paid for the minimum insurance coverage for bodily injury liability and property damage liability required under Nevada state law.
Even people convicted of DUI who do not own a car are required to obtain an SR-22 as a condition of reinstating their Nevada driver’s license. And for those who let their SR-22 lapse before three years, the three-year clock starts over when they eventually get another SR-22.
Shop around to find the best Nevada car insurance rate after a DUI
A mere seven insurance companies command two-thirds of the car insurance market in Nevada, so finding fair high-risk insurance after a DUI requires a comparison of rates. Shop around online to compare rates. Consider the Big Seven, but remember that smaller insurers are out there who could offer the best rates for your situation.
