I had recently been convicted of DUI and my insurer here in Washington canceled my current policy and they said I should get a DUI SR22 Insurance. I felt very bad about this for I have been insured with them for several years already and now that I had a problem they suddenly canceled my policy. Are they right in doing this to me and what is DUI SR22 Insurance and how does this work?

Bryan

Tacoma, WA

Once a driver is convicted of DUI in Washington, most car insurers will either cancel your current policy or they will never renew it even if you have been having business with them for many years. A DUI SR22 Insurance is a policy that is designed for those who have been convicted of driving under influences’ offense. There are car insurance companies that can give you DUI SR22 Insurance but since you are labelled as a high risk driver it could create more problems in time that’s why you should get a DUI SR22 Insurance.

When a driver is convicted of DUI, they usually want you to present a proof that you have car insurance with DUI for around three to five years with Washington’s Department of Motor Vehicle. Your insurers will file an SR22 form to DMV in order for your driver’s license suspension to be lifted. The car insurance company will charge you the rate depends on your policy and state rules. Every states has a different length of time on how long your DUI conviction remain on the record and as long as the record remains then that is also how long your premium is affected. If you have a DUI SR22 Insurance and had another conviction, the process would be easier and faster and this is something you should get as a responsible driver for we don’t know when accident strikes.

I am about to renew my Car Insurance Policy here in Washington and I just had a little accident a couple of months ago. Will my car insurers check my record or since it is renewal they wouldn’t check? And what could be the possible thing that can happen to my policy?

Jim

Tacoma, WA

There are many things that one can be classified as a high-risk driver here in Washington just like when you own a speedy car then you are also considered as a high-risk driver for one can actually have the biggest possibility that you might have an accident. Car Insurance Companies are not complacent in checking your driving record.

If you are for the renewal of your car insurance policy, your insurers will check every detail of your driving history before they allow you to renew your policy or reviewing your policy. If for example you insurers are a too strict regarding with traffic tickets, car crashes or poor credit then you might want to shop for another Car Insurance. Not all Car Insurance Companies are tough with these problems though you might know by now that it isn’t cheap to avail as a high-risk driver. Car Insurance Company might give you a policy but then it is more expensive than the usual for you have the biggest possibility that you might take risk on the road again. Car Insurance Companies is just trying to protect you as well as their interest that’s why they are offering you a bigger coverage.

I may have to dispute the figure that my auto insurance company here in Washington gave me regarding the value of my car which has been totaled. How can I argue against their offer and tell them that my car’s worth is more than what they are saying?

Garth

Tacoma, WA

If you do not agree with the figure that your car insurance provider in Washington gave you as the replacement value of your totalled vehicle, there several points that you need to remember. Car insurance companies have exclusive software to find out how much is the amount to replace your vehicle, with its present mileage and its form before the accident, at a dealership in your neighborhood. This may mean that your insurer acquires a bid for the lowest amount the dealer agrees to for your vehicle and not the amount the dealer may charge you. A lot of insurers would search as well within 100-mile range to compare prices.

To argue against the offer of your car insurance provider, you have to obtain price quotes from dealers within an acceptable distance in your area. You may ask Washington’s insurance department to figure out that ‘acceptable’ distance. The figures that you have to come up with should be higher than the offer of your car insurance provider. You should have a proof in writing that the replacement value of your car is more than the amount that the car insurance provider agrees to pay.

Will my current auto insurance company find out I have had a DUI conviction here in Tacoma, Washington?

Margarita

Tacoma, WA

Auto insurance companies can sometimes miss DUI convictions so it’s possible that your current insurance company will not find out you have had a DUI conviction in Tacoma, Washington if they don’t check your motor vehicle report and if you are not required to file an SR22 insurance with them. Computer error and human error, as you know, happen all the time. If your current auto insurance company doesn’t find out about your DUI conviction, one way to keep your current policy is to buy minimum liability with another provider with an SR22 insurance.

That way, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be satisfied because you have made your filing and since you current auto insurance company has not found out about your DUI offense, you’re able to keep your current policy. This would be especially helpful when you have full coverage, higher liability limits, other family members/vehicles or coverage on a valuable vehicle, where the rates on a standard policy could be very high. This website can gladly provide a free online rate quote for you.

I would not know what to do if I will be arrested for DUI in Washington because I haven’t experienced it and I don’t know anyone who already has. Can I contact a lawyer before deciding to take the blood or breath test or will they take it as a refusal?

Dan

Tacoma, WA

If you will be arrested for DUI in Tacoma, Washington, you should tell the officer that you are not refusing to take the blood or breath test, only that you want to talk to a lawyer before making the decision. This answer would demonstrate that you have the normal use of your mental faculties and most of the jurors will think that is what they would want to do if they were under arrest for DUI.

But Washington State DUI laws state that the person making the arrest shall take the arrested person or have him taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate. The magistrate should then inform the person arrested what he/she is being charged with and his/her rights to hire a lawyer, remain silent, have a lawyer present during any interview with peace officer or attorneys representing the state, terminate the interview at anytime, request appointment of a lawyer if they cannot afford one and an examining trial. Therefore, an officer is being unfair if he/she tells you that you don’t have a right to a lawyer if you have already been arrested for DUI.

My brother has a possible DUI conviction here in Washington. I just want to make it clear to him and make him understand better the possible consequences of his action. How does a DUI conviction really affect a person?

Lynn

Tacoma, WA

Driving under the influence is not worth it because not only you are incapable of driving safely, but you are also very likely to receive a ticket. You might think that receiving a DUI simply requires you to pay a fee and try to get out of the ticket, but a DUI is really more expensive than you might have ever imagined.

A DUI conviction might cost your brother thousands of dollars, but it may also cost him emotionally, physically, and others would pay as well.

First of all, a DUI costs a lot of money. The car may be impounded, and then the driver would be taken to jail, and would receive a ticket, as well as other fees and fines that might apply to the specific situation. This would, of course, cost a pretty penny.

Then, there are the emotional costs of a DUI conviction. You would likely feel ashamed and embarrassed, and that is if you just got a ticket. In addition, you might wreck your vehicle or the vehicle of another individual, causing more emotional suffering and pain. Then, if you or others were injured you can count on significant emotional suffering.

Physical costs are likely with driving under the influence because accidents could happen. You may injure or even kill yourself, not to mention others. Imagine how you would feel if you cause yourself to be paralyzed or kill another individual. These are some huge costs of drinking and driving.

Then, there are the costs to other people as well. Your family would feel embarrassed and ashamed if you receive a DUI citation, not to mention if you are killed or kill someone else because you chose to drink and drive. Then there is the family and friends of other individuals that you might have injured while drinking and driving. They would feel angry and hurt as well.

Obviously, there are a lot of costs associated with DUI; most of them would change your life and the lives of others forever. So, if you want to drink, you have to make sure you call a cab or at least have a designated driver to ensure you get home safe and sound. We can all avoid all of the costs of a DUI and don’t drink and drive.