Prince George’s County DUI Convictions and Auto Insurance
Following a DUI charge, you may have many questions. One of those questions may be, “what happens to my auto insurance if I am charged with a DUI offense?”The answer really depends on a variety of factors. Furthermore, your insurance company might not even be aware of the charge. A driver’s insurance company becomes aware of their DUI charges in one of two ways: there is an accident, or, when someone renews their insurance and the company does a search of the person’s driving record to see if there is anything on there. If you have been charged with a DUI and want to know more about Prince George’s County DUI convictions and auto insurance, speak with a capable DUI attorney that could help.
Can a DUI Charge Affect Auto Insurance Coverage?
If a person is charged with a DUI but not convicted, their insurance would not be affected because being charged is just an allegation. If someone is acquitted or the case is dismissed, they should not be held accountable because they were deemed not guilty or not worthy of prosecution. Being charged does not change much, although insurance companies could change the rates for anything they want. They could change the rates because they think any male between the age of 27 and 37 is a high risk and increase rates. It makes no difference, but generally, if the case is tossed out for one reason or another, the insurance should not change.
Ways a DUI Conviction Can Impact Auto Insurance
If a person is convicted for committing a DUI, their insurance would be affected in a number of ways. If somebody is convicted, they get points. If they get points, it shows up on their driving record both as a conviction and as points. Even a lower-level DUI carries eight points, which automatically triggers a suspension unless someone wants to get an interlock device.
If the insurance carrier of the policy looks up someone’s driving record, whether they do or do not, is not their choice and consideration. They have no control over that. If they find it, see the points, see the suspension, and see a conviction, they could raise rates or they could boot somebody off the policy as high risk. They could do whatever they want.
Losing Auto Insurance Coverage
A person’s auto insurance could drop someone from their coverage for any reason they want. A person’s auto insurance company could decide to drop because of a DUI conviction. They could also stop covering an individual because of a suspension. Auto insurance companies are not required to give someone insurance unless they are under MAIF.
How a Prince George’s County DUI Attorney Could Help
A DUI defense attorney could help protect someone’s insurance status and current insurance rate by seeing if there is a way to challenge the case. Unless there has been an accident, a person does not need to bring any insurance information with them to their initial consultation with a DUI lawyer. If there is a trial ahead, a capable attorney could help an individual combat a DUI charge. In order to learn more about Prince George’s County DUI convictions and auto insurance, call today and know that you are in capable hands.