Car Insurance Rates in Indianapolis after DUI Convictions

Car insurance can already be expensive without a DUI hanging over your head. DUI, or driving under the influence, is the crime of operating a motor vehicle after consuming more alcohol than is permitted by law. Driving while intoxicated is referred to as DUI. Being physically “in control” of an automobile while intoxicated, even though the person charged is not really driving, may constitute a criminal violation rather than the actual act of operating the vehicle. For instance, because they are in control of the vehicle, someone who is discovered in the driver’s seat of a parked car while intoxicated and in possession of the keys may be charged with DUI.

The term “operating while intoxicated,” or “OWI,” is preferred in Indiana. A driver may be charged with an OWI for driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. You may face charges for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) if you use drugs or alcohol and then drive after becoming impaired. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, it is recommended to contact the best DUI defense lawyer near me.

What are the DUI regulations in Indiana?

According to Indiana’s DUI statutes, it is prohibited for anybody to operate a motor vehicle while having a certain level of alcohol or a controlled substance. The Indiana DUI law, Indiana Code 9-30-5-1, specifically states:

  1. a) A driver who has an alcohol concentration of at least eight-hundredths of a gram (0.08 g) but less than fifteen-hundredths of a gram (0.15 g) of alcohol per:
  2.   One hundred milliliters (100 mL) of the subject’s blood; or
  3.   The offender commits a Class C misdemeanor if their breath contains more than 200

liters.

  1. b) A driver who has a blood alcohol level of at least fifteen hundredths (0.15) grams of alcohol per:
  2.   One hundred (100) milliliters of the subject’s blood; or
  3.   200 liters of the person’s breath; this constitutes a Class A misdemeanor.
  4. c) Driving while in possession of a controlled substance from IC 35-48-2’s schedule I or II,

its metabolite is a Class C misdemeanor.

  1. d) A legitimate prescription or order from a practitioner (as defined in IC 35-48-1) acting in the course of the practitioner’s professional practice is admissible as a defense to subsection (c).

What are the DUI penalties in Indianapolis?

What are the potential consequences if found guilty of a DUI in Indiana is the first question that the majority of people who have been arrested for DUI in Indiana want to know. This often-asked query has two possible answers.

  • How were you charged with DUI?
  • Did you have a previous DUI in Indiana?

According to Indiana’s DUI legislation, depending on the specifics of your case, a DUI may be charged as a felony or as one or more misdemeanors. However, if you’ve had a past DUI in Indiana also affects the punishment. There are specific minimum penalty criteria in this case, as you will see.

Your life could change in a variety of ways if you are convicted of drunk driving in Indiana. You might have to serve time in jail and pay hefty fines. Your car might also need to have an ignition interlock installed. If this is your first offense, expect to lose your licence for 180 days. Additionally, you should anticipate a rise in your auto insurance rates following a DUI conviction.

Indiana’s DUI and the effect on car insurance

Car insurance costs will increase by around 37% for an Indiana driver with a first-time DUI on their record. The typical Indiana motorist spends $1,057 on insurance when they are not charged with a DUI. The cost increases to $1,450 in the event of a DUI, a $393 difference in cost per year.

In Indiana, a DUI conviction increases your annual auto insurance premium by an average of $470. That is 134 percent less than the average premium increase following a DUI in the United States. A DUI conviction will always result in a sharp increase in auto insurance rates and potentially even difficulty obtaining insurance.

In Indiana, a DUI often results in a 65 percent increase in insurance costs. Your insurance provider will determine the precise amount of your rate increase as every insurer utilizes a different formula to determine premiums. After a DUI, you should browse around for new insurance and compare prices if you can’t afford your premium. The cost of car insurance is significantly impacted by drunk driving.

Insurance rates are dramatically raised after a DUI conviction. DUIs put the holder’s ability to keep a valid license in jeopardy. After alcohol-related charges, drivers’ insurance coverage may be canceled. After committing a DUI offense, a driver is labeled as a high-risk driver. Multiple DUI convictions indicate a driver is a repeat offender, and many insurance providers in Indiana won’t even consider such drivers.

At that time, online insurance comparison shopping not only becomes necessary but also a lifeline for the driver who has made a mistake but is willing to make lifestyle changes. Even if you have been charged with a DUI, DWI, or OWI-related infraction, you should continue to shop around for comparison rate quotes to see what is available.

How long does a DUI affect car insurance in Indiana?

Depending on the car insurance company, a DUI in Indiana normally impacts insurance for at least three years. When determining premiums, most insurers consider the most recent three to five years of a driver’s driving history, while others go deeper to account for serious infractions like DUI.

Though Indiana does not define a timeline, keep in mind that a DUI will remain on your driving record for longer than it will impact your insurance. A DUI conviction often increases insurance rates of roughly 80% when it directly influences premiums. However, each insurer and state is different.

However, if you develop solid habits in the years that follow a DUI, you’ll gradually notice a decline in your rates. You’ll need to check with your insurer to find out exactly how long a DUI will affect your premiums because each insurance provider has a different look-back period for driving history. But bear in mind that, depending on your state, even when your fees decrease, a DUI will most likely remain on your driving record for much longer.

Insurance companies see a DUI as a serious offense and may increase your premiums and impose a large surcharge on you. Therefore, to determine the best course of action, seek guidance from a criminal defense lawyer in Indianapolis.