Once you have been through a drunk driving conviction, your life has changed… probably more than you ever thought it could. From the time of your arrest until you are first able to legally drive your vehicle again, you have seen the long road to rehabilitation after a DUI. Now that the dust is settling and you are required to have an ignition interlock device, you know you can’t just head out on the road after a few drinks (not that you would even consider it). Your auto insurance company knows that, too… so, why isn’t your auto insurance bill any lower?
Unfortunately, because you still made a choice to drink and drive.
Even with an ignition interlock device, an auto insurance company will probably still see you as a risk on the road. Insurance companies base premiums on the statistics they receive, and while it is a fact that a DUI offender with an ignition interlock is much less likely to make the same mistake again (the devices reduce subsequent DUI offenses by 67%), not everyone takes their commitment to sober driving as seriously as you do. Your insurance rates will rise, and even an ignition interlock on your vehicle may not be enough to qualify for any discounts.
In the future, we can all hope that the installation of an ignition interlock device will be enough to help lower the high costs of insurance after a drunk driving conviction. The success of the devices in reducing the number of drunk drivers on the roads is astounding. But, for now, when you drink and drive, you are committing to everything that comes along with it, for the long haul. That means that even if you’re a part of the majority of DUI offenders who never drink and drive again, you are still considered a dangerous driver, and you will have to pay the price until you can prove otherwise.
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