A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction in Nevada carries serious penalties, including fines, driver’s license revocation, community service, and possible jail time. However, a DUI can also significantly impact your auto insurance and ability to afford the coverage you need.
Our Las Vegas DUI lawyers share how driving while intoxicated might affect your car insurance premiums and what you can do to protect your rights.
Does a DUI Increase Car Insurance Premiums?
Yes, a DUI conviction will substantially increase auto insurance rates because you are considered a high-risk driver. In other words, the insurance company sees you as someone who is more likely to:
- Make unsafe driving decisions
- Be involved in an accident
- File insurance claims more often
- Cost the company more than you are paying
Because you are a greater liability to the insurance company, they want to mitigate potential losses by increasing car insurance premiums. Even if it is your first traffic violation, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was just above the limit, or there were no injuries or property damage, a DUI conviction causes insurance premiums to go up.
The national average insurance rate increase is about 72% after a DUI. In many cases, a DUI can more than double your pre-DUI insurance premium, depending on the specific circumstances of your conviction.
RELATED: First-Time DUI Offenders: Alternative Sentencing Options
How Long Do Insurance Rate Increases Last?
While every auto insurer is different, you can expect a DUI to cause higher insurance premiums for about three to 10 years. Insurance companies will check your driving record for any violations and other issues that could categorize you as a high-risk driver. Some will even go a decade into your driving history to determine your eligibility.
Additionally, many auto insurance carriers also investigate criminal records before insuring a driver. If you have a misdemeanor DUI conviction, it stays on your record for seven years before you can bring a petition to seal it. However, you cannot seal felony DUIs, which remain visible on your criminal record indefinitely.
A skilled DUI attorney can build a strong defense and negotiate a plea bargain to potentially reduce a felony DUI to a misdemeanor in Nevada. With the right evidence, it may even be possible to dismiss the charges outright.
Can Your Insurance Company Cancel Your Policy After a DUI?
Under Nevada DUI law, an insurance company can only cancel a policy for specific reasons, including the “conviction of the insured of a crime arising out of acts increasing the hazard insured against.” Because a DUI conviction is seen as an increased risk of loss that is different from when the policy was first issued, there may be grounds to cancel your coverage.
Depending on your situation, your auto insurance company may not be able to drop you or increase their rates during your existing policy period. Even in these instances, the insurer can choose not to renew your coverage after the policy expires. It is challenging to find affordable coverage from another carrier with a DUI on your record.
If your insurer does not cancel auto coverage after a DUI, you can expect your premium to go up significantly during the next policy period. The insurance company will review the details of your DUI and weigh different factors to determine rates.
What Is SR-22 Insurance, and Does Nevada Require It?
SR insurance is not actual insurance coverage. Rather, it is an official statement issued by an auto insurance company confirming “proof of financial responsibility.” This shows that you carry the minimum coverage amount in Nevada of:
- Bodily injury or death of one person in any one crash – $25,000
- Bodily injury or death of more than one person in any one crash – $50,000
- Injury or damage to the property of others in any one crash – $20,000
Following a DUI conviction in Nevada, you must purchase an SR-22 form from your insurance company in order to reinstate your driver’s license. Without an SR-22, your driver’s license will remain suspended, even after your suspension period ends. You need to file your SR-22 with the DMV to start the reinstatement process and continue to do so for three years.
What Other Financial Losses Come with a DUI Conviction?
Along with increased insurance premiums, a DUI conviction comes with other costs that can affect your life. Additional expenses may include:
- Impound or towing fees for your car
- Fees to reinstate your driver’s license
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Cost of court-ordered DUI school
- Civil penalty and misdemeanor or felony DUI fines
DUI fines can range from $400 to $1,000 for first-time DUIs, $750 to $1,000 for a second DUI within seven years, and $2,000 to $5,000 for a third DUI in seven years, DUI causing injury or death, or a felony DUI.
Tips to Find Affordable Car Insurance After a Nevada DUI
If you need car insurance after a DUI conviction in Nevada, spend some time shopping around and comparing quotes from different insurance companies to find the best rates. Nevada’s high-risk insurance pool helps people with a DUI on their record find the coverage they need to drive legally.
It is crucial to obtain the right auto insurance coverage before getting behind the wheel of your car. Driving without insurance in Nevada is a criminal misdemeanor that will further complicate the situation and make it more difficult to get your life back on track.
Speak With a Skilled Las Vegas DUI Attorney Today
If you or a loved one was pulled over for DUI in Las Vegas, our trusted Las Vegas DUI attorneys are ready to help. We have the experience and knowledge you need to fight unfair charges by gathering evidence to build your case and standing up for your rights. Our goal is to uncover the truth of what happened to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
Call (702) 656-0808 or contact our DUI lawyers to speak with a DUI defense lawyer today. We offer free and confidential consultations.
