When most people face DUIs in Pennsylvania, they worry about incarceration, fines, and license suspension. However, you could face more subtle consequences for this offense – including increasing auto insurance premiums. This is one of the many reasons to implement an effective defense strategy – even if you are set to avoid jail time.
Expect a Steep Rate Hike if You’re Convicted of DUI in Pennsylvania
Bankrate states that, on average, a convicted DUI offender may pay 80% more on car insurance compared to the rest of the population. To understand why this is the case, you need to understand how insurance companies determine premiums for drivers. This process is known as “risk assessment,” and it is quite complex.
The goal of this process is to determine how “risky” you are to insure. In other words, how likely are you to crash, injure other people, or file a claim in the future? If your driving record is clean and you have never been involved in a crash, the risk level is low – and so too are your premiums. If you have a DUI on your record, you generally rank highly when it comes to risk – and your premiums also increase.
Note that these surcharges may increase even higher if you have multiple DUIs on your record. In this case, you could face approximately double the normal cost of car insurance.
How Long Will I Have to Pay High Premiums After a DUI?
Generally speaking, your “DUI surcharges” will remain tied to your insurance policy until the “lookback period” in Pennsylvania ends. In the Keystone State, this period spans 10 years. After these 10 years, the DUI charge will “fall off” your driving record – and your premiums may return to normal.
Your Rates Will Only Increase if You are Convicted
DUI allegations don’t always lead to convictions. If you successfully fight your DUI charge with help from a defense attorney, the offense may never officially go on your record. If this is the case, your insurance company has no legal justification to increase your premiums – and your rates should stay the same. This is yet another reason to take your DUI defense seriously.
The possibility of increased rates also highlights the danger of accepting plea deals. At first, your plea deal might seem highly attractive – perhaps allowing you to avoid jail time and ensuring minimal fines. However, a plea deal requires you to plead guilty – and this will result in a conviction. As a result, your premiums will increase – and the cost of these higher payments may be much higher than any fine you would have faced.
Can a Pennsylvania DUI Defense Attorney Help Me?
A Pennsylvania DUI defense attorney may be able to help you avoid various consequences, including increasing premiums. While avoiding jail time, fines, and license suspension is important, higher insurance rates could cause serious financial burdens for many years to come. The Law Office of Geoffrey McInroy, LLC is well aware of these potential issues – and we may be able to help you implement an effective defense strategy. Reach out today to learn more.