Does insurance cover DUI accidents?

Drinking and driving comes with many risks and is extremely dangerous. If a person is caught driving under the influence, they can face many fines, fees, and penalties. In addition, there are many questions about whether or not insurance companies will pay for accidents caused by ranking on driving. That said, there are many other elements of automobile insurance that need to be considered. A person who is caught drinking and driving can see their insurance premiums go up, as an example. Fines, fees, and other penalties brought by the state can also have a major impact on a person’s life. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. That said, your car insurance policy does provide some financial protection. This article will explore the different levels of protection you have, as well as the consequences that an insurance policy will not help you with.

Your Car Insurance Will Typically Pay For Accidents Caused By Drinking And Driving

If you drive drunk and cause an accident, your car insurance policy will pay for the damages you cause, up to the liability limits of your policy. If you crash into an electric pole or a barrier on the side of the road, your policy can cover the cost. In addition, it will cover the medical bills of the person that you injure. The general thought processes that if you get a DUI, you understand that it is against the law to drive that way, but you are not expecting to get into an accident. This means it is an unintentional accident in most cases. Even though your auto insurance provider will pay for the liability damages for your DUI, up to the limits of your policy, your actions will bring other penalties into the fold.

There Are Still Plenty Of Consequences

One of the additional penalties you can run into is the fines and fees from your state. Your reckless driving, if you are driving under the influence, is more dangerous, and has higher penalties than an average speeding ticket. You will receive large fines, and it is likely that your driver’s license will be suspended or revoked. As a driver, you could also find yourself imprisoned for a period of time. 

Also, people can see their car insurance premiums go up by as much as 70% or more. People who have gotten a DUI are considered high-risk drivers, and statistically speaking, the likelihood that other issues will occur is higher than the average driver. Other auto insurance penalties people can run into include companies choosing not to renew your policy or they can cancel your policy altogether. If a car insurance company does not renew your policy or cancels it, you will be responsible for getting another insurance plan if you are driving a vehicle still or need one for other reasons. Drivers may need to seek out companies that specifically cater to high-risk drivers and will end up paying a lot more overall for their policy.

Other consequences of driving under the influence can have an include higher rates on life insurance policies and other types of policies. If you get medical care after an accident, insurance companies will likely become aware of the reasons why. 

Some Car Insurance Companies Could Claim Your DUI Was Intentional

Also, you can run into a situation where a car insurance company will try to claim that your DUI was intentional. If your DUI is determined to be intentional, your auto insurance provider may deny your auto insurance claim. This is one of many reasons going with a company that is highly rated for customer service and takes on a higher percentage of claims for payment than others can be beneficial. Price is not the only determining factor when selecting a car insurance company. Using the free quote tools on this website, you can find the best rates for car insurance policies to suit your needs. Take into consideration the customer service, the offerings of the company, and get a company that will take care of you well.

Final Notes

A DUI is a very serious thing; in addition to your insurance premiums going up, the DUI will stay on your record for a longer number of years than the average ticket. While different states have different laws, many of them will keep a DUI on a persons record for at least seven years. So long as the DUI is on your record, you can expect to pay a higher premium overall for your auto insurance policy. Also, keep in mind that some personal injury claims are based on the concept of fault. Most people do not act intentionally to injure another person, but sometimes an intentional act will cause harm. If your insurance company has determined that your accident was caused by an intentional act, they may not cover your liability costs. In this case, you should contact a lawyer to explore your options. In some situations, the case will go to court. Discussing your legal options with a lawyer if you have received a DUI is a smart plan, regardless of whether your insurance company is claiming it to be intentional or not.