DUI Insurance

Facing a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is an expensive endeavor on two levels: even after you pay court costs, fines and legal fees, a DUI can also affect your insurance premium. You shouldn't be surprised that a DUI and car insurance are linked.

Insurance after a DUI

Insurance companies consider several factors in determining what you pay for coverage, including your driving history. A DUI or other serious infraction can drive up your premium and some insurance companies wont cover drivers with a DUI.

Do you need an SR-22?

Drivers with a DUI may be considered a high risk. They also may be required by their state department of motor vehicles to carry an SR-22 document proving financial responsibility in the event of an accident. Learn more about what an SR-22 is and whether you may need one.

What are some of the state impaired driving laws?

Maryland Impared Driving Laws and Consequences
Virginia Impaired Driving Laws and Consequences
District of Columbia Impaired Driving Laws and Consequences 

Since a DUI or DWI is serious who should I call for insurance advice?

Senate Select Insurance Agents are experts in advising drivers about their options after a DWI or DUI since this is our specialty. Senate Select Insurance deals with this type of problem everyday. Most insurance agency only deal with a DWI or DUI case once in a while and have very few options.

Give Senate Select a call or stop by any one of our local office shown below:

• Laurel, Maryland
• Greenbelt, Maryland
• Oxon Hill, Maryland
• Capitol Heights, Maryland
• Alexandria, Virginia
• Essex, Maryland
• Woodlawn, Maryland
• Glen Burine, Maryland
• Pimlico, Maryland
• Baltimore City, Maryland,
• Washington, DC
• White Marsh, Maryland

The provided information and safety suggestions were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is intended for informational purposes only. Senate Select Insurance and its affiliates assume no liability in connection with providing it or your use of it. Your circumstances may not warrant or require some or all of the safety suggestions, and there may be additional available safety procedures that are not referenced on this webpage.

Car Insurance and Your Driving Record

What you drive, how you drive and where you live can affect what you pay for auto insurance. Learn how your driving record and insurance are connected -- and what to do if an imperfect driving record impacts your insurance rate.

How your driving record and insurance are connected

• The point system: Many states have a system that assigns points for frequent or serious traffic violations. If you're cited for a traffic violation, points may be added to your driving record based on the severity of the offense. For example, driving 30 mph over the speed limit will probably result in more points than changing lanes without signaling. If the points on your license exceed a certain level, you could temporarily lose your license. Because insurance companies can use this information to develop your rates, it’s important to keep your record clean.
• How to avoid higher costs: The best way to avoid getting points is to drive safely and obey all traffic laws. Not only will you save money that might have been spent on traffic citations and increased insurance premiums, you are more likely to avoid an accident.

What to do if a bad driving record impacts your auto insurance

• Request a copy of your driving record: You can get a drivers license check by getting a copy of your driving record from your state Bureau of Motor Vehicles. It should show any points you’ve acquired, as well as when they expire. Points for traffic violations are not permanent; they may be removed after a certain amount of time, as determined by your state law.
• Take a driver safety class: If your bad driving record has caused your auto insurance costs to increase, consider taking a driver safety class. Be sure to let your insurance company know you've completed the safe-driving program; the point reduction and the class itself may make you eligible for a car insurance discount.

The provided information and safety suggestions were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is intended for informational purposes only. Senate Select Insurance and its affiliates assume no liability in connection with providing it or your use of it. Your circumstances may not warrant or require some or all of the safety suggestions, and there may be additional available safety procedures that are not referenced on this webpage.

SR-22 Certified Insurance - Costs

The first question drivers have when they are told they need to obtain an SR-22 is "How much does an SR-22 cost?" 

SR-22 filing costs

An SR-22 is a state-filed certification that proves you have in force the required insurance coverage, and it is not the actual underlying insurance policy or coverage. As such, your cost for the filing itself is limited to any filing fees charged in your state by your insurance company. These fees may vary by state and are usually $25 or less per filing.

You'll still have to pay for your underlying auto liability insurance coverage, though, and you may face additional costs due to your traffic violation. Sometimes states charge a license reinstatement fee if your license has been suspended, and fines and penalties for driving without insurance in the first place. But these costs are not directly related to the SR-22. They are the result of the traffic violation that led to you needing an SR-22 in the first place.

Determining SR-22 insurance rates

Although having an SR-22 certificate filed may not affect your insurance premium rate, the related traffic violation that led to an SR-22 may increase the cost of your insurance. 

Car insurance rates are based on many factors including your driving record, which is why violations can lead to higher insurance premiums. To decrease your insurance premiums, one option is to look for discounts from your insurer and to drive safely. Just as it's possible for your rates to increase because of poor driving habits, they can decrease due to good driving habits.

Though it varies by state, other factors that auto insurance companies may take into account when determining car insurance premiums include the make, model, and year of your vehicle, where you garage and drive, and how much you drive in a year. 

Of course, your coverage options can impact your premiums too. Most states have certain minimum auto liability coverage amounts that must be met to comply with the law, but this coverage alone may not be enough to protect you in a car accident. You'll likely want to consider adding additional coverage options to your policy, which can affect your premiums. 
How much coverage you choose and your deductible amounts will also impact your rates. Higher deductibles, for example, can lead to lower premiums. But keep in mind that if you are involved in an accident you may have to pay that deductible amount yourself before your insurance begins to cover any damages. Therefore it’s always wise to balance premium costs with how much you can afford to pay out of pocket.

Obtaining an SR-22 insurance quote

Not all insurers issue SR-22s. Senate Select Insurance has the ability to file the SR-22 for you. You don't have to obtain the SR-22 from your current insurance provider so feel free to call 1-800-622-9333 to get cheap SR-22 insurance from a Senate Select Insurance carrier.

The provided information and safety suggestions were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is intended for informational purposes only. Senate Select Insurance and its affiliates assume no liability in connection with providing it or your use of it. Your circumstances may not warrant or require some or all of the safety suggestions, and there may be additional available safety procedures that are not referenced on this webpage.