Posts tagged DUI insurance
Lower Car Insurance Rates After DUI
Aug 1st
Reader’s Question:
My DUI conviction here in Houston two years ago had a negative effect on my car insurance. How long will it stay high and what can I do to have lower car insurance?
Gary
Houston, TX
The amount of time that your DUI can affect your car insurance rates in Houston depends on the guiding principles of your car insurance provider and the regulations of the state you live in. Different states have different laws regarding how long a DUI or DWI stays on your driving record. It could stay on your motor vehicle record (MVR) for as short as a few years to as long as 10 years depending on the state and the conditions concerning your DUI conviction. As long as your alcohol-related offense stays on your MVR, it is most probably to have an effect on your car insurance premiums.
Every car insurance carrier has their own means of assessing and rating drivers. To determine the amount of time your DUI will remain on your MVR, you can get in touch with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and to determine how long your present car insurance carrier would continue to give higher premium, get in touch with your car insurance agent.
To lower the payment for your car insurance, you have to shop around the car insurance market. You will discover that even if you have a serious DUI offense two years ago, there are other car insurance companies that can offer you reasonable fees for your coverage. You can do this by simply going online and visiting car insurance comparison quotes Websites. You can collect different car insurance quotes from them and choose the best one that has lower rates than what you pay right now.
What Are The Penalties For DUI in Houston?
Apr 15th
Reader’s Question:
What kind of punishments does the state of Texas impose on someone who got arrested for drunk driving? I want to help my brother out because he got charged a DUI and it’s his first time! Thanks!
Lenard
Houston, TX
Drivers in Houston would be well advised to be knowledgeable about the laws and punishments for a DUI or Driving Under the Influence offense in Texas. Anyone convicted of such an offense can expect heavy penalties including costly fines, license suspension, and can even be sentenced to prison. If you have been convicted of a DUI, a DUI auto insurance policy is quite necessary before you are allowed to drive again.
Here are some important details about DUI penalties in Texas: First offense gets $2,000 in fines, 72 hours to 180 days in prison, 90 days to one year license revocation and the need to install Interlock Ignition Devices on all vehicles owned at the offender’s expense. Second offense: $4,000 fine, 6 months to 1 year license revocation, and 30 days up to 1 year in prison. Third offense: $10,000 fine, 2 – 10 years imprisonment and 2 years license revocation.
Your auto insurance coverage can become very expensive after a DUI conviction. This is due to the high-risk associated with DUI offenders. But that doesn’t mean that affordable DUI auto insurance cannot be found, one would just have to know how and where to look for one.
Save yourself the time and trouble, and shop for the best-priced DUI auto insurance coverage available through the Internet. There are many dedicated online DUI and auto insurance specialists catering to the Houston market these days. Run free auto insurance quote checks and compare offers to quickly find the auto insurance policy that best fits your needs.
Getting the right kind of DUI auto insurance policy can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year. It only takes a few minutes of your time, and just a bit of effort, to accomplish this but the pay-off is definitely worth it.
Convicted of DUI in Houston – How Much Will Auto Insurance Increase?
Apr 5th
Reader’s Question:
I live in Houston TX and recently I was convicted of DUI. Now Im a bit worried with my auto insurance if they will increase my insurance rate. How much will it be?
Ricky
Houston TX
Houston drivers would be well advised to know how strict Texas laws are when it comes to DUI or Driving Under the Influence. Even stricter are the punishments faced by anyone proven to be driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. Fines can be very costly, license suspended, and the possibility of going to jail is very real, just for of a few bottles of suds. A DUI auto insurance policy is also essential once you are allowed to drive again after a DUI.
Let’s take a closer look at the penalties Texas has for DUI offenders: First-time offenders gets fined $2,000, jail time from 72 hours up to 180 days, 90 day – one year license suspension and you would need to install an Interlock Ignition Device on all of your vehicles at your own expense. 2nd offense: $4,000 fine, 30 days – 1 year in jail, license suspension for 6 months to a year. 3rd offense: $10,000 fine, 2 – 10 years in jail, and two years license revocation.
Life after a DUI can be very expensive, especially when it comes to auto insurance coverage. One can expect much higher rates and premiums if you have a DUI on your record, however, affordable DUI auto insurance coverage is still available, you just have to know how and where to look for them.
The Internet is one of the best, if not THE best, ways to maximize your chances of getting an affordable DUI auto insurance. Houston is a big market and there are many dedicated DUI and auto insurance providers and online insurance portals that caters to it. By running free auto insurance quote checks and comparing many different companies, you are sure to find an auto insurance policy that best suits your needs.
Remember, the right kind of DUI auto insurance can save you hundreds of dollars a year, if not more. It doesn’t take days or hours to find them, only minutes of your time and a small bit of effort. Done correctly, you are sure to find a quality auto insurance provider that doesn’t break your bank.
DUI SR22 Insurance In Houston
Feb 11th
Reader’s Question:
What is the main idea behind having SR22 if a driver here in Houston has DUI?
Val
Houston, TX
SR22 insurance, commonly referred to as high risk insurance, is an assurance that a driver has the minimum required insurance coverage. In Houston, a driver will be asked for SR22 insurance if he is considered as high risk driver, particularly if he/she has a conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). It is illegal for someone to drive without the required minimum auto liability insurance. If a motorist was asked to stop by an officer because of a traffic violation and the driver has been convicted for DUI, additional penalties will be applied if it is determined that the driver has no insurance.
DUI SR22 insurance has two types of policies; first is the owner type of policy and the other one is for the non-owner which is simply the operator of the automobile and not essentially the owner. To file for DUI SR22 insurance, the car insurance company will send the form to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is crucial for the DUI SR22 insurance policyholder to make sure that the coverage does not lapse for any reason. If this happens, the car insurance company will let the DMV know about this and it will prompt them to re-suspend the driver’s license of the person required to carry DUI SR22 insurance.
Houston Texas DUI SR22 Car Insurance
Jul 23rd
Reader’s Question:
My cousin told me that he needs to file SR22 car insurance because of his recent DUI conviction in Houston, Texas. He asked me to help him find out how long is it required. What is SR22 car insurance, how can he obtain one and how long does he have to carry it?
Earl
Houston, TX
SR22 car insurance is a certificate of insurance that shows the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) proof of insurance for the future, as required by law. In your cousin’s case, he is required to have it because of his DUI conviction in Houston, Texas. SR22 is a motor vehicle liability insurance which requires the insurance company to certify coverage to DPS, and the insurance company must notify DPS anytime the policy is cancelled, terminated or lapses. He can obtain SR22 by contacting an insurance agent/company who is authorized to write liability insurance for the State of Texas. Or better yet, just simply get an online rate quote for great SR22 car insurance in Houston from this site.
In Texas, SR22 is required for two years from the date of the DUI conviction or the date the judgment was rendered. If the SR22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses, the insurance company will notify the Texas DPS. If it is still required for the driver to carry SR22 and it was not on file, the driving privilege and vehicle registration is suspended.
Cost of Houston DUI Lawyer
Feb 1st
The cost of a Houston DUI lawyer is as expensive as you want it to be, and even so the costs of your total DUI case is going to be pretty high–for some people, it can be as much as $20,000 for just the first offense. You have bail to pay, court operation fees, tickets and fines, license restoration fees, SR22 insurance, lawyers, and so on and so on and so on. A lot of these fees, fines, and other charges are set in the law and can’t be changed, but you can have some influence on the cost of Houston DUI lawyer and SR22 insurance.
If you want to do this, then you need to shop around for both of these. This is why it’s important to go to multiple consultations. You can both speak with a lawyer to see if you’re compatible and if they are competent and experienced, and in addition to that you can find out the price. A cheap lawyer doesn’t mean bad representation.
As for the SR22 insurance, all you have to do is pull up quotes online. Many people pay something like $400 too much for their auto insurance, so break away from the mold and get a deal by shopping around, adding on discounts, raising deductibles, and so on.