Finding Insurance In Florida After A DUI Conviction?

Answer 1

Florida state law requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection and property damage insurance in order to legally operate a motor vehicle. If an individual is convicted of driving under the influence the cost of this insurance will likely increase. In some cases the driver will have to find new insurance because his or her old policy was canceled. Collision and comprehensive insurance will also be more expensive because the driver with a DUI record is considered high-risk by most providers.

Statistics On Drinking And Driving

The reason drivers who have a DUI on their record pay more for insurance is because Florida highway statistics show that these individuals are more likely to be involved in a traffic violation regardless of whether they are under the influence. This does not mean that all those who have been cited for DUI are necessarily going to become repeat offenders, but insurance companies have little choice but to raise insurance premiums for the entire category.

Often a person who is convicted of driving under the influence in Florida will have to complete a defensive driving course in order to keep his or her license from being suspended. When shopping for insurance these individuals will have to show proof of certification to any provider. Insurance companies will be aware of any DUI convictions because they have access to a national database that keeps track of these facts.

Obtaining Full Coverage May Save The Car Loan

Some drivers who have lost their insurance coverage due to a DUI conviction may be able to obtain a policy from another provider so long as they purchase a full protection package. This can be extremely expensive but may be necessary if a vehicle is being financed. Lenders will require collision and comprehensive insurance as part of a vehicle loan agreement. If the driver had previous collision insurance which was canceled due to the DUI conviction the lender will probably be aware of it. Unless the individual can obtain a full coverage package the vehicle may be repossessed because the driver is in fact defaulting on the loan agreement.

Assistance In Obtaining Required Insurance

Each state has laws regarding what insurance is required. If a driver in Florida is denied personal injury protection or property damage protection insurance from several different providers, he or she can obtain insurance with the assistance of the state government. Insurance companies that offer required insurance to those with a DUI conviction are contacted and a suitable policy is offered. These policies may be very expensive for the first year they are in force.