Of all the possible penalties for a DWI conviction in Virginia, perhaps the least considered is how it affects your insurance rates. This is understandable, because between the fines, the possible jail time, and the loss of driving privileges from anywhere from 30 days to a year, it’s usually a substantial amount of time before a person considers their car insurance needs.
What You Need To Know
After a drunk driving conviction (or any offense that includes the loss of license to operate motor vehicles), an individual has to submit a form called SR22 to the DMV in order to reapply for their license (in addition to any other state-required treatment or education.)
The SR22 is a form that you get from your insurance company to prove that you have reinsured after your conviction. Specifically, it proves that you have motor vehicle liability insurance, and additionally that your insurer will notify the DMV if at any point your insurance lapses. Such a lapse will result in the immediate revocation of your license.
How Much Will My Insurance Increase?
In most cases, you can expect your insurance to roughly double, as you will be placed in the highest risk category. If you previously had preferred rates due to safe driving, your rates may even triple.
Additionally, not all insurers will insure SR22 applicants, in which case you will need to seek insurance elsewhere. Shop around, as some companies specialize in SR22.
Even if you do not own a car, if you want your driver’s license back, you will still need to seek insurance in order to get a non-owner’s SR22. This permits you to operate motor vehicles belonging to other people.
How Can I Avoid an Insurance Increase?
An SR22 is only required for a given amount of time after a conviction — usually about 3 years. If during this time you do not seek to reinstate your driver’s license, you will not have to get insurance or an SR22. Your rates will most likely still be high at the end of three years, but an SR22 is no longer required.
The penalties for operating a motor vehicle without a license are quite steep, but if you can get by on public transportation, ride-sharing, walking, bicycling, or even a moped, you can avoid especially steep insurance rates for a period of time after your conviction.
For more information about SR22 and other legal requirements after a DWI conviction in Virginia, feel free to contact our offices at (703) 934-0101.
