Will Insurance Coverage Apply in a DUI Collision?

Policyholders usually have some idea of what will happen to their car insurance coverage after they are caught driving under the influence. Your premiums will either skyrocket or your policy will be canceled when it comes up for renewal. However, drivers tend to be less clear on how their coverage applies if they have an accident while under the influence. Will your auto insurer cover the collision if you were driving under the influence? Read on to learn the answer to this question.

Does Coverage Apply?

Very few auto insurance policies contain an exclusion for driving under the influence. In other words, most car insurers will cover a collision even if the policyholder was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. The full benefits of your policy should apply. Your liability coverage will be especially important, as other drivers will likely sue you if you cause any injuries or property damage. Once you are convicted of a DUI, however, your coverage may eventually be canceled. At the very least, your car insurance premiums will rise substantially.

Consequences of a DUI Conviction

After you are convicted of a DUI, most states will require you to file an SR-22 with the department of motor vehicles. An SR-22 is a certificate provided by your auto insurance company proving that you are insured. Not all car insurance companies provide SR-22 policies, so this is one of the reasons an insurer may cancel your coverage following a DUI conviction. In certain states, auto insurers cannot cancel your coverage before the term of your policy expires as long as you are current on your premiums. Check with your state’s department of insurance for information on the laws pertaining to car insurance.

Finding Coverage after a DUI-Related Collision

If you have an accident while driving under the influence, you have two factors working against you in finding car insurance coverage in the future. For one, you will have an accident on your record, which will keep your auto insurance premiums high for three years in most cases. Additionally, you will have a DUI conviction on your record, which can drive your premiums up for as long as five years. If you need coverage after you receive a DUI, compare rates on SR-22 policies with different carriers. These policies will be expensive, but it is your only option once you have a DUI on your driving record.

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