What Happens to My Auto Insurance Following a Florida DUI Conviction?
Under Florida’s drunk driving laws, any DUI conviction will lead to the suspension of a defendant’s driver’s license. Indeed, even if a person is charged but never criminally convicted of DUI, they can still face an administrative license suspension of 6 months. This also applies to “implied consent” cases where a driver is lawfully arrested for DUI but refuses to take a chemical test to determine their blood-alcohol content. In those cases, the administrative suspension of a driver’s license lasts for 1 year.
How Your Coverage Minimums May Increase Following a Drunk Driving Charge
A common question we get is, “Will my insurance rates go up after a DUI conviction?” In most cases, the answer is yes. Insurance companies are in the business of assessing and pricing risk. And they generally consider a driver with a criminal conviction for DUI to be a greater risk. According to Progressive, one of the country’s leading auto insurers, their rates for a driver with a single DWI conviction are about 13 percent higher.
Another key consideration in DUI cases is Florida’s requirements for reinstating a suspended driver’s license. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) usually requires a driver to file either an SR-22 or FR-44 form as a condition to getting their license back. These are actually certificates prepared by the driver’s auto insurance company, which declare the driver meets certain insurance requirements.
The SR-22 actually covers a wide range of driving offenses, not just DUI, and certifies that the driver meets Florida’s minimum liability coverage requirements. This includes $10,000 in coverage for bodily injury or death to one person, $20,000 for death or injury to multiple persons in the same accident, and $10,000 in property damage.
The FR-44 certificate, in contrast, is more commonly used when the driver has a DUI conviction. Like the SR-22, the FR-44 certifies the driver has sufficient insurance. But in this case, the FR-44 imposes much higher minimum requirements: $100,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $300,000 for death or injury to multiple persons in the same accident, and $50,000 in property damage. Consequently, a driver with a DUI conviction is likely to face a much higher auto insurance premium if they need to file an FR-44. And it is critical to note that a driver subject to a FR-44 usually must maintain continuous coverage at the higher liability limits for at least 3 years.
Contact the Joshi Law Firm Today
A drunk driving arrest often carries a number of collateral consequences beyond the prospect of jail time or having a criminal record. That is why it is essential to work with a qualified Orlando DUI defense lawyer if you have been arrested or charged with any drunk driving offense. Contact the Joshi Law Firm, P.A., today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
Source:
progressive.com/answers/dui-and-insurance/
