How a Florida DUI Affects Your Insurance Rates

If you have been charged with a DUI in Florida, the first step you need to take is to consult with the best DWI lawyers in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan.

How Much Can Insurance Rates Increase After a DUI?

The exact increase depends on your insurer, but Florida drivers can generally expect their rates to skyrocket after a DUI conviction. For instance, if your car insurance previously cost $1,500 per year, your new rate could be around $3,000 or higher. Some drivers may even find themselves paying rates close to triple the amount of their original premium.

A DUI conviction in Florida triggers an obligation to obtain FR-44 coverage, which is a form that requires significantly higher liability coverage than a standard insurance policy would. This requirement typically lasts for at least three years and can make your already expensive insurance even more costly.

Other Insurance Policies May Be Affected

After a DUI conviction, some insurers also increase rates on health, life, medical, and disability insurance. And in more severe cases, your provider may cancel your policy or refuse to renew it, leaving you scrambling to find coverage.

Factors That Influence Insurance Rate Increases

Several factors can determine just how much your insurance rates will rise after a DUI conviction:

• Younger drivers already face higher insurance premiums, and a DUI conviction will only make matters worse and drastically increase your rate
• A clean record before a DUI might soften the extent of your overall penalties and insurance rate increase, but if you have prior criminal convictions, you can most assuredly expect a much steeper increase
• Repeat offenders will see significantly higher insurance costs in comparison to first-time DUI offenders
• Some insurers will provide harsher penalties for DUIs than others, so where you’re insured plays a big role in how drastically your rate will increase

Because of how many variables there are associated with the penalties after a DUI conviction, your best bet is to immediately consult with the top DWI lawyers in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan. In some cases, our top-rated Pinellas County DUI attorney can seek a dismissal or reduction to reckless driving in order to sidestep the hefty insurance ramifications of a DUI conviction.

How Long Does a DUI Affect Insurance Premiums?

In Florida, a DUI can impact your insurance rates for a long time. Most insurers consider a DUI conviction when calculating premiums for three to five years, but in some cases, it may be even longer.

The exact length of time depends on both Florida state laws and your insurance provider’s policies. Some companies may gradually reduce the surcharge over time, so long as you maintain a clean driving record, but others choose to keep your rates elevated for the full penalty period.

Seeking Legal Guidance with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan

Insurance rate hikes are just one of the many financial consequences of a DUI. A conviction can also impact your employment opportunities, ability to rent a car, and overall reputation. However, you don’t have to face it all by yourself. With the right legal strategy from the best Clearwater DWI lawyers with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, you may be able to reduce the overall charges against you or avoid a conviction entirely.

The best way to protect yourself from the terrible consequences associated with a DUI charge is to be represented by the top DWI lawyers in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan. For a complimentary DUI case consultation, call our office at (727) 291-9717.