There are many penalties that people face when accused of driving under the influence (DUI) violations. The courts have the authority to impose certain penalties if drivers plead guilty or get convicted at trial. The standard criminal consequences include driver’s license suspensions, fines, probation and even jail time.
Some drivers, especially those without any prior criminal record, may assume that pleading guilty to a first DUI charge is easier than fighting the accusations they face. They may hope to resolve the matter quickly and to limit the long-term consequences by cooperating with the state instead of disputing their charges.
However, when people evaluate the consequences of a DUI, they may underestimate the negative impact of a conviction. It is common for people to misunderstand the financial risks. Not only do people need to consider court costs and fines, but they also typically need to think about the long-term financial impact of a DUI conviction. A guilty plea can have a major impact on how much people pay for insurance.
Insurance costs depend on risk levels
Insurance pricing is highly individualized. What people pay for coverage depends in no small part on their driving record and even their personal characteristics. Age, sex and crime rates where a person lives can all influence what they pay for coverage.
Those with multiple traffic infractions on their records usually pay more because their conduct makes them higher risk for the insurance company. A DUI conviction can have a significant impact on insurance costs. According to an analysis of insurance premiums, drivers in Georgia with a DUI conviction can expect to pay an average of 84% more for their coverage.
If a driver has multiple DUI convictions, their cost could go up even more than that. In some cases, insurance providers may even decline to cover drivers after DUI convictions because they represent too much risk based on the company’s underwriting standards. The challenges associated with a DUI conviction can affect car insurance options for years.
When factoring in a massive increase in insurance prices, pleading guilty to a DUI offense could prove much more expensive than fighting DUI charges. Looking at the big picture can help drivers choose the best response to pending DUI charges.
