Convicted of DUI? Learn If it Affects Your Motorcycle Insurance Rate

A DUI or DWI conviction carries with it a serious charge as well as increased insurance rates. Even a single conviction may be enough to raise your rates dramatically, and multiple convictions may prevent you from obtaining insurance altogether. However, DUI motorcycle insurance is available for those who qualify for affordable insurance in light of their driving record.

DUI and DWI Penalties:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) are serious charges that put you and others at risk of an accident that may result in injuries or death. Every day in the United States, 29 people die from drunken driving incidents, with many more being injured and having their vehicles damaged.

Because of this increased risk to life and property, insurance companies have strict policies regarding those convicted of driving under the influence. Such determinations are made when your vehicle is pulled over or has been involved in an accident.

A police officer will usually administer what is known as a breathalyzer test that determines alcohol level in your system. If it exceeds a certain amount, you may be charged with a DUI or DWI, depending on the arrest circumstances.

If convicted, you will face the penalties as applied by the court and be labeled as a high-risk driver by your insurance company. This means that even a single conviction of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) may result in your current insurance rates going up and even being denied when trying to purchase insurance from another company.

How does DUI Affect Motorcycle Insurance Premium?

How your rates are affected will be determined by several factors. For example, someone with a perfect driving record which records their first driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction may face an increase in their premiums by 10% or more. This is because a single conviction automatically boosts the driver into a new category with more expensive premiums.

You must note that other factors play into your motorcycle insurance with a DUI conviction which includes the following;

• Age
• Gender
• Number and Frequency of Accidents
• Type of Motorcycle

An older female with no accidents and driving a smaller, standard motorcycle is probably not going to see as dramatic an increase in her rates as a younger male driving a larger, more powerful motorcycle that has been in a few accidents. Insurance companies base their premiums on statistical probabilities that tie into the driver’s current situation.

For those who have suffered their first conviction, the chances of obtaining or retaining motorcycle insurance after a DUI is still quite strong. The more that is added to your driving record regarding DUI or DWI convictions, accidents, and other risk factors, the more expensive your insurance will be.

In fact, you may reach the point where your insurance company will actually drop your coverage.

So, let’s discuss how to get motorcycle insurance with DUI.

Tips to Buy Cheap DUI Motorcycle Insurance

However, while being dropped by your insurance company may seem like the end of the world, the truth is that motorcycle insurance after DUI convictions are available and even affordable.

Insurance companies specialize in providing affordable DUI motorcycle insurance, which means you can get back on the road even after a conviction for driving under the influence.

Comparison Shop: The first step in getting motorcycle insurance with DUI is to shop around with the different insurance companies that offer this type of policy. In fact, you will find that many standard insurance companies will have a specific insurance plan for those with this conviction. However, you may find that some companies will turn you down based on your risk factors, but that does not mean all of them will do the same.

SR22 Form: For all of those who have been convicted of driving under the influence, DWI, or similar charge, you will require to fill out this form as issued by your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This will allow the state to keep track of your insurance coverage; if it ever lapses, your driver’s license will usually be revoked.

Learn here more about how SR22 insurance works for motorcycles.

Assigned-Risk Plan: If you cannot find an insurance company to cover you, then you may apply at the DMV for this type of plan. This means that you will be allowed to get liability coverage with the risk being assessed by the DMV so that you can legally drive while having affordable insurance.

However, note that not every state has this type of policy.

While obtaining DUI motorcycle insurance may seem rather painful, the truth is that the government and insurance companies recognize that people still need to drive to maintain their livelihood. So, don’t be discouraged after making a mistake, such as driving under the influence. In fact, you can receive instant DUI insurance quotes from us that will provide you with a path toward getting your life back together.

Remember that:

One DUI is not the end of the world, but you will need to correct that behavior in the future; otherwise, your driving ability will be out of your hands. Driving is a necessity and a privilege that needs to be protected. So here are a few tips to help keep you safe.

• Always take a taxi or have a designated driver when drinking.
• Never get behind the wheel of your vehicle if you have been drinking.
• Remember that just one or two drinks can affect your driving ability.

By staying alert, you can make sure that your DUI conviction is a once-in-a-lifetime mistake that will never be repeated and, over time, will be cleared from your record so that you can enjoy lower insurance premiums again.