Starting in 2007, California law allows car insurance companies access to your driving record to determine whether or not you are eligible for a “good driver” discount. After a DUI, you will not be eligible to receive good driver discounts. Additionally, your insurance payment could increase – if your car insurance carrier decides to keep your policy. Your insurance provider may decide to remove the discount, offer you a new policy without the discount, or discontinue your insurance policy altogether.
If your insurance company decides to cancel your policy, it will notify the DMV that you no longer have car insurance. In California, every driver is required to have car insurance. Once the DMV finds out that you no longer have a car insurance policy, it will issue a warning, stating that you only have 45 days to obtain a new car insurance policy or your vehicle registration will be suspended. A new insurance policy can increase by 300%, depending on your prior driving record and other factors.
Your insurance premium could increase an additional 20% to 30% if you used to receive a good driver discount, simply because you will not have the discount any more. A DUI conviction will stay on your driving record for ten years. This means that you will not be eligible for a good driver discount or decreased insurance premiums for an entire decade. Other offenses, such as “wet” reckless driving may appear on your driving record for seven years and result in similar consequences.
Ventura DUI Lawyers
If you were arrested for driving under the influence in Ventura, your freedom is at stake – not to mention your insurance premiums, ability to obtain employment, and reputation. Contact the Ventura DUI lawyers from Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP to retain the legal assistance that you need to avoid a DUI conviction.