Getting your first "Driving Under the Influence" (DUI) or "Driving While Intoxicated" (DWI) conviction can prove costly in more ways than one. In addition to onerous court fees, a temporary loss of driving privileges and other penalties, you'll also discover that your auto insurance now comes with an even steeper price tag.
Just because you have a DUI or DWI on record doesn't mean you'll have to resign yourself to crippling insurance costs. There are still plenty of ways you can find relatively affordable coverage despite your present situation.
Go Outside the Mainstream
Most mainstream auto insurance providers will drastically increase their rates or even outright deny coverage to those with a DUI or DWI on record. This can make finding relatively affordable auto insurance coverage in the aftermath of a DUI or DWI conviction a challenging and time-consuming task.
Instead of looking solely at the big players, you should check out some of the smaller insurance firms in your area. Some of these specialty carriers even cater to customers with DUIs on their driving record, offering rates that may be slightly lower than what you would find with the bigger players.
Always Shop Around
Even with a DUI or DWI on your driving record, auto insurance rates can still vary by a wide margin depending on where you look. Each provider has its own method of assessing high-risk drivers, resulting in different rates among competitors. Rates can also vary depending on where you happen to live - a change in ZIP code could mean drastically higher or lower insurance rates.
Use these differences to your advantage by shopping around the major and minor insurance providers. If you happen to qualify for any discounts, don't hesitate to use them when it's time to sign on the dotted line.
Keep Your Driving Record Clean from Now On
You won't have much luck, if any, getting that DUI/DWI conviction off your driving record. However, most auto insurance providers are willing to look at the big picture. Keeping your driving record completely free from any tickets, accidents or other incidents shows that you've learned from your mistakes and you're willing to take accountability for your actions behind the wheel.
The longer you go without a major incident on your driving record, the lower your auto insurance premiums will drop over time. You won't see a reduction in your rates overnight, so consider this a long-term step towards getting better deals on your auto insurance.
