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If you are convicted of a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) you will incur a variety of consequences both legal and otherwise. A conviction of this nature can impact every aspect of your life from spending time in jail to paying significant fines, having trouble finding work, and seeing an increase in auto insurance premiums. If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI it is imperative that you fully understand how a conviction can affect your insurance rates. Work with an experienced Mercer County DUI lawyer to obtain skilled legal representation during your case and learn more about your legal rights and options.
How Does a DUI Affect My Insurance Rates in NJ?
When you are convicted of a DUI, you will be seen as a high-risk driver. Drivers who have been arrested for drunk or high driving are more likely to be involved in accidents in the future, which means that the insurance provider will likely have to pay more in claims by providing you coverage. As a result, insurance companies will raise your premiums to offset the risk they take by insuring you.
How Are Insurance Rates Calculated?
Insurance companies calculate rates based on a wide variety of factors including your driving history, age, gender, the type of car you drive, and more. After getting a DUI, your insurance provider will factor your conviction into their assessment.
According to studies, the average annual auto insurance cost in New Jersey is $1,592 for drivers with no history of driving under the influence. With a DUI, though, the average rises to $2,773. That is a 74% increase in insurance premiums just based on one DUI conviction. As a high-risk driver, your rates could increase by 30 to 100% depending on the details of your offense.
How Long Will My Rates Be Affected For?
Under New Jersey law, driving under the influence is a traffic offense, not a criminal offense. This means that you will not have a criminal record from a DUI conviction. This is good news, however, it also means that the offense can never be expunged. Your DUI will remain on your record forever in New Jersey and there is no opportunity to have evidence of your conviction erased.
With that being said, your conviction will not impact your auto insurance rates forever. In New Jersey, after 10 years without a second DUI, the original conviction is considered nonexistent under step-down regulations. This means that if you are convicted of another DUI 15 years after the first, it will not be considered a second offense as 10 years have passed between offenses. In general, insurance providers will consider your DUI for 10 years when calculating insurance premiums.
Most providers, however, will begin lowering your rates back to normal within a few years of your conviction. The details depend on the company you are insured with. For more information, reach out to an experienced defense attorney today.
