How Much Will a DUI Cost?

It is never safe nor a good idea to drink and drive. On top of endangering yourself and others on the road with you, drinking increases your risk of being involved in an accident that may cause severe damages. Your car insurance bill will definitely go up if you are charged with a DUI conviction, even if it is your first DUI ever. The reason for this is because if you are ever charged with a DUI, insurers will assume that this is not your first time intoxicated behind the wheel. It is only the first time you were caught.

Car insurance rates can jump from $800 to $2700 a year after you’ve been charged with a DUI. It is not just a traffic violation, but a crime that puts everyone on the road in danger. You may actually lose your chance of being insured at all, and may risk losing your driving privileges.

In addition to an increase in car insurance rates, you may be charged with other fees. You may have to pay a citation that may cause you several thousand dollars, depending on what state you were in and other conditions of the incident.

You may also have to pay for a lawyer to contest your rights if the incident calls for it. Legal fees can also climb to several thousand dollars if your case goes to trial.

After being charged with a DUI, you may be able to drive again under certain conditions. Your car may need to have an ignition interlock installed, which will prevent you from driving drunk in the future. You are responsible for this device, which may cost up to $500 a year.

In some cases, you may be ordered by the court to seek treatment for any addictions you may have. You are also responsible for any treatment programs that the court orders you to partake in.

A DUI is definitely not worth the risk, whether that’s putting someone else in danger or financial burdens that you could have avoided. A single DUI can cause you more than $10,000. You may even be sent to jail. A repeated DUI will only result in an increased rate and harsher sentencing.

If you have already been charged with a DUI and need to discuss your insurance policy options with an agent, contact one at Rapid Insurance to find out what the best policy is for you.