Car Insurance after a DUI in Oklahoma

Potential Consequences of a DUI

A DUI conviction can result in many serious consequences and changes in your life. Not only could you face jail time or probation, the potential loss of your license, and have a misdemeanor or felony on your record, but the financial burdens can follow you for years to come. A DUI offense can cost you thousands of dollars in fines and cause your automobile insurance premiums to greatly increase. 

Automobile Insurance After a DUI

Insurance premiums may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are faced with a DUI charge, but if you are convicted or lose your driving privileges through an administrative suspension, your insurance will be affected.

Once your license is reinstated, you will need liability insurance within Oklahoma. Some states require SR-22 insurance after a DUI. Oklahoma does not, but if you move to Oklahoma from a state that does require SR-22, you will likely need to maintain that insurance until you’ve met the term, which is usually three years.

How to Avoid Higher Insurance Premiums

It is important to keep in mind that a DUI charge is not a conviction. It must be proven that you were driving under the influence of alcohol above the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08% and/or under the influence of drugs in order to be convicted. This means that the officer must have followed all protocols and the breath and/or blood alcohol test must have been reliable and administered properly. If charges are dropped or reduced to a non-DUI disposition, your insurance rates will not increase as the result of a DUI conviction.

Just avoiding a DUI conviction doesn’t protect you from higher insurance rates, as Oklahoma will also attempt to suspend your driving privileges through the Department of Public Safety administrative procedures.  To fight this, it in imperative that an administrative hearing be requested within 30 days of your arrest or of receiving notice that your blood test came back with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more.

The Hunsucker Legal Group is available 24 hours a day to ensure that you have the best possible outcome in your case. You are not alone during this stressful time. Contact us today for a free consultation.