dui | Amigo Insurance

One particularly devastating form of driving violation is a DUI. DUI charges stem from drivers who operate a vehicle while drunk or otherwise intoxicated. This is a serious driving mistake because intoxicated drivers are not in full control of their faculties. This impairment therefore makes vehicle operations unsafe. It is dangerous not only to the affected driver but others on the road.

Should you receive a DUI, you will likely face various extremely serious penalties. These might include things like license suspensions, jail time and increased insurance prices. Not least, it may lead to the requirement to get an SR-22. You don’t want to get these penalties, particularly the SR-22. They could each lead to severe financial punishment.

Why is Intoxicated Driving Unsafe?

One way to think of intoxication is as using an overwhelming substance. It muddles a driver’s faculties and often reduces their ability to process information. Some of the effects of intoxication might include:

Dizziness, blurred vision and problems hearing
Reduced attention span and memory retention
Amnesia and blackouts
Reckless or impulsive reactions
Decreased hand-eye coordination
Headaches
Breathing difficulties

And more.

It’s easy to see why getting behind the wheel while intoxicated might lead to problems. If you do not have alert, coordinated control of your vehicle and actions you could make mistakes. This could lead to accidents, injuries or even death, not just for yourself but for others. In 2016, nearly one-third of all traffic deaths in the U.S. involved an intoxicated driver. This is a signal for concern for all drivers.

The Penalties of Drunk Driving

Given the risks associated with drunk driving, it’s easy to see why it carries such stiff penalties. Every state institutes different penalties for DUI charges. Some might include:

License suspensions or points on the license
Revocation of vehicle registration
Arrest, jail time, house arrest or probation
Vehicle monitoring. This might include instances where you must blow into a breathalyzer device to start your vehicle.
Financial penalties

And more.

DUI arrests might also impact your ability to get affordable car insurance. Many drivers don’t think about how an insurance policy

After a DUI, you might face an increased policy premium, or even a denial of your coverage. Many drivers don’t think about what a DUI might mean to their car insurance providers. Car insurers determine premiums based on the risks that drivers present to them. It’s easy to understand how DUIs can easily demonstrate to your insurer that you are a high-risk operator.

Avoid SR-22 Penalties

After a DUI, the authorities might require you to get an SR-22 form. If you’ve never heard of an SR-22, now is a good time to familiarize yourself. You don’t want it to happen to you.

An SR-22 is a form that attaches to your existing car insurance. The form serves as a verification for the state that you have car insurance. Your insurance agent will send the DMV the SR-22, and you will have to keep the form active for a period of years.

States that use the SR-22 penalty can, in effect, force drivers to carry auto insurance. Like your insurer, your state will view a DUI charge as a signal that you present high operating risks. Therefore, they’re likely going to want you to carry car insurance. Your coverage will help guarantee to the state that you don’t pose as high a risk to other drivers.

Keeping your SR-22 will need attention. First, you make have to make adjustments to your existing insurance to qualify for the form. Afterwards, you must not let the policy lapse. If you do, the SR-22 period will likely start over. Other penalties might also arise.

Avoid Drunk Driving and Become a Safer Driver

You can avoid an SR-22 by being a safe driver. In the case of intoxicated driving, you can solve the problem through only one action—not driving drunk. To avoid this, take common-sense actions:

When drinking socially, take public transportation, a car service or a taxi.
Ask a member of your party to serve as a designated driver. That person will not consume alcohol. They’ll be your chauffer to make sure everyone gets around safely.
If you drive your car to an event, but become intoxicated, don’t drive home. Give your keys to a trusted, sober friend and ask them to drive you home. Or, leave your car at the establishment overnight and claim it later.
Even if you have one drink, realize that it might impact your faculties. Never drink without eating food and drinking water to help absorb the alcohol. Even if you feel fine, you might still become intoxicated. Should you make the choice to drive, only do so at your own risk.

Avoiding drunk driving will not only keep you safe, it will also protect others on the road. Driving while intoxicated is one of the most dangerous scenarios on the road. However, if you don’t do so, you’ll do your part to create safer roads for us all. Call us for a Chicago auto insurance quote at 877-999-2644.

When looking for auto insurance, your insurer may classify you as a non-standard policyholder. What is this term? What makes you a non-standard driver?

Non-standard auto insurance applies to certain drivers who are riskier to insure. Different companies classify different drivers as non-standard. Some companies may not insure them at all.

If you find out that you’re a non-standard driver, talk to one of our auto insurance agents. They can help you determine why you fall into this category, and determine the best way to insure you. With the right attention, you can hit the road knowing that you have the right coverage.

What is Non-Standard Insurance?

There is no concrete definition for non-standard auto coverage. Most companies classify non-standard policyholders as those who are the riskiest to insure.

Because these drivers come with higher risks, companies account for those risks when insuring them. Companies likely cannot insure non-standard drivers at the standard market rates for insurance. Non-standard drivers may pay more for their coverage because of their unique risks.

Different auto insurers consider drivers non-standard for a variety of reasons. A driver might become non-standard because of their driving record, age, vehicle or other factors.

Choose an insurance company that will insure you for any non-standard risks. There are many fairly common reasons that a driver might qualify as non-standard. Your insurance agent can help you choose the correct policy for your needs.

Coverage for New Drivers

When someone begins to drive for the first time, they don’t have the experience of a seasoned driver. For that reason, new drivers are often considered non-standard policyholders.

New drivers usually pose a relatively high cost risk to their insurers. Insurers may recommend that new drivers buy higher levels of insurance coverage in the beginning. This helps to better cover the insured’s cost risks. These factors might make new drivers have to pay higher costs for coverage.

The good news is that new drivers can often reduce their coverage limits over time. Furthermore, as drivers gain more experience, their risk level usually drops. As risks drop, you might be able to reduce your coverage levels, and therefore pay less for coverage.

High-Risk Drivers

Experience driving makes drivers safer and more attentive to their on-road risks. However, some drivers continue to make mistakes. If you continually commit driving infractions, you may tarnish your driving record. Frequent accidents, tickets or other violations will often stay on your driving record for a few years.

Insurance companies have access to most of their policyholders’ driving records. If insurers see your driving record gain citations, they might classify you as a high-risk driver. High-risk drivers often qualify as non-standard drivers. Therefore, you might pay more for insurance the higher risk you pose to insurers.

SR-22 Insurance

Your state may require you to get an SR-22 certificate for a variety of driving infractions. These include DUI/DWI charges, multiple tickets, or frequent accidents. Therefore, SR-22 insurance usually falls under both non-standard and high-risk insurance coverage.

SR-22s are not insurance policies themselves. They are certificates that classify you as a high-risk driver. They verify for your state’s authorities that you carry adequate auto insurance. You may have to carry the SR-22 for a couple of years. You must carry continuous auto insurance coverage while you have the citation.

SR-22s may cause your auto insurance rates to rise. You may even have to change policies because your existing policy may not cover SR-22 risks. Therefore, you might expect to pay more for coverage with an SR-22 policy.

After an SR-22 comes off your record, you might see a chance to reclassify yourself as a standard driver. This could help lower your insurance rates.

Non-Standard Vehicle Coverage

Sometimes, the car you drive can classify you as a non-standard driver.

An old car that you take to car shows often has a lot of value attached to it. The same goes for an extremely expensive, custom-made vehicle like a Lamborghini. Antique, valuable or specialty cars often need unique coverage levels. This is perhaps because of their age, design or operational risks.

Furthermore, high-risk vehicles don’t have to be the most valuable. For example, salvage-title cars are those that were previously damaged and considered a total loss. Though you might have repaired this vehicle, it still has major damage in its past. This makes its operation quite risky.

Whether new, old or repaired, you vehicle might contain risks that make it riskier to insure. For that reason, your auto insurance provider may need to issue a non-standard policy.

Affording Non-standard Coverage

Even if you have to pay more for a non-standard policy, there are ways you can control your costs.

Drivers might be able to save on coverage if they qualify for discounts from their insurer. Multiple insurers offer a variety of discounts like accident-free or safe-driver discounts.

Safe driving and attention to your car could help you become less risky in the eyes of your insurance. They might reduce your rates the longer you go without an infraction.

We’ve got you covered. Call Amigo Insurance Agency, Inc at 877-999-2644 to get a free quote on Chicago auto insurance.