Auto Insurance & DUIs: Why Did My Rates Go Up?

There are several widely-known impacts that come along with being convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). For example, most adults understand that a DUI conviction can lead to probation or jail time, come with large fees, and may lead the courts to take away that individual’s driver’s license for a period of time. The effects don’t stop there, either. One of the consequences of a DUI is something most people don’t think about until after they are found guilty. Even if a driver doesn’t lose their license, a DUI conviction is almost definitely going to cause their insurance rates to jump up. 

It’s not just Oregon auto insurance providers that hike up the rates for anyone convicted with a DUI; it’s a nation-wide trend. There is no set rate increase, so the price hike can be set by each insurance company separately. The rates vary from one auto insurance company to the next, and drivers convicted of a DUI can expect their insurance rates to increase. It may only be by a couple hundred dollars over the policy term, or their rates may double, triple, or even quadruple. 

All of those factors tell an insurance provider how likely a person is to have an accident or otherwise have something happen for which the insurance company would need to pay out. Basically, the less risky that actuarial formula says someone is, the lower their insurance premiums. This is also why anyone with a DUI conviction is likely to see their insurance rates jump up. Being convicted of a DUI tells insurance providers that someone is more risky to insure. Since everyone who drives is required by law to have auto insurance, insurance providers raise their rates for those individuals to compensate for taking on that additional risk.

In most cases, that rate hike will stay in effect for five years following the DUI conviction, since that is the general rule of thumb for how long an insurance company will include that factor as part of their risk assessment. However, if that is the only major risk factor, rates will start dropping over time as a policy holder demonstrates that they learned from their mistakes and is otherwise a safe driver.

If you have been charged with a DUII or related concern, it’s important to seek help quickly. Connect with the experienced DUI attorney team at The Donahue Law Firm in Bend for Oregon DUI help. We keep your best interests in mind and work towards a favorable outcome. Connect with our Bend DUI attorney team to learn more and schedule your consultation today.