How Does A DUI Affect My Car Insurance Policy?

A DUI (Driving Under The Influence) is a very serious offense no matter what state you live in, and can cause serious repercussions to your auto insurance for several years. The state of Maryland has two different charges that are related to driving while impaired. A DWI (Driving While Impaired) means that the driver’s BAC (Blood Alcohol Lever) is measured at .07 percent while a DUI will be issued if the driver has BAC of .08 or above. Of course, if you are under the age of 21, there is almost a zero tolerance for driving while impaired as you can be arrested if your BAC is of .02 or higher.

A DUI can be very hazardous to your life, passengers in your vehicle, and other drivers on the road. It is not worth it to drink and drive. If you are debating having some drinks, please make sure to give your keys to someone who is not drinking, and have a designated driver, taxi, Uber, or Lyft on standby when you are ready to go home for the evening.

Points

Every time you have issued a citation or ticket while driving, Maryland has a point system where these points are added to your license. The more points that you have, the more your insurance premium will be. So, not only will your license be suspended for up to 120 days from the date of your arrest, but you will also have substantial points added to your license.  If you have any other infractions on your driving record, your insurance premium may skyrocket to the point that you are no longer able to afford it. Not only that, but lawyer fee’s and court costs can also add up.

• 12 Points
  • A single DUI will give you 12 points all by itself if found guilty. Twelve points will have you considered as a much higher liability in the state of Maryland for insurance companies.
• 8 Points
  • A single DWI conviction will add 8 points to your driving record. So, either way, an infraction of this type is devastating to your insurance rates as you will more than likely be quoted as a high-risk driver.  Insurance rates for a high-risk driver are often 75% higher than a driver considered low-risk.

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If you are going to have a drink or two, it is not worth it to drive, as it can cost you your life or someone else’s. If you are charged with a DUI or DWI, it can affect your job, and can also increase your car insurance rates. If you are seeking new car insurance, contact our team at Maryland Auto Insurance Provider Online.