If you have a DWI or a DUI conviction, it is going to be a little more difficult to get car insurance. Yes, DWI insurance is available, but at a much higher rate and it is also very closely supervised by the insurance company and the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Monitored through an SR-22 form, high risk car insurance is not only available for drivers with DWI convictions, but it is mandatory prior to getting your driver’s license reinstated.

There are many car insurance companies offering DWI insurance quotes so be sure to enter your zip code into the free tool above to compare rates!

The Difference Between a DWI and a DUI

There really is no difference between a DWI or a DUI. The acronym for Driving While Influenced is DWI and the acronym for Driving Under the Influence is DUI. Both refer to driving a motor vehicle with Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) that exceeds the state law limit. Most state laws have a .08 BAC threshold limit, so if you are driving with blood alcohol content that is .08 or higher, you seriously risk getting convicted of a DWI or a DUI.

Each state handles DWI a little differently and your BAC will be a big determining factor regarding if your license gets suspended or immediately revoked. If you are pulled over while driving under the influence of alcohol, you will get arrested and a judge will then determine your fine and or sentence. Most states will not sentence you to jail time for your first offense, but if you have repeat DWI or DUI offenses you can expect to serve extended time in jail. It is highly probable that you will need DWI insurance even with only a single offense.

DWI Insurance and High Risk Driver Insurance

DWI insurance provides liability insurance for drivers who have been fined or convicted of driving while influenced with a blood alcohol content that is higher than is allowed by the state’s limit. Once you are fined for a DWI, your will find it difficult to get standard auto insurance because you are now considered a high risk driver.

As a high risk driver, your auto insurance premiums are going to be much higher than you would pay when you are considered to be a low risk or average risk driver. In order to get car insurance with a DWI on your record, you will have little choice but to obtain high risk driver insurance at a high rate. The liability insurance that you get will have to at least meet the state’s minimum requirements. Some high risk insurance companies will allow you to purchase higher coverage amounts and possibly even buy collision or comprehensive insurance as well.

DWI Insurance and the SR-22 Form

If your license is suspended or revoked because of a DWI, then you will need to obtain DWI insurance before your license can be reinstated. You will need to apply for high risk insurance and the once you are approved for it, the insurance provider will send a complete SR-22 to the DMV as proof that you have purchased the necessary auto insurance for your state’s requirements. The DMV will then be able to process the reinstatement of your driving privileges provided all other legal requirements (such as alcohol counseling) have been satisfied.

The insurance company is required by law to notify the DMV of any changes you make to your insurance policy. If you drop coverage below the legal requirements, if you cancel your policy, or if your policy is terminated by the insurance company, the insurance company will immediately notify the DMV and your license will then be suspended or revoked pending further review. It will not be reinstated until another SR-22 is once again filed on your behalf, either by the same insurance company or a different one.

Once you have high risk insurance you need to keep it. If you find a better rate somewhere else, be sure to buy that policy before canceling the other one so that there is no lapse in coverage. Make sure your premiums are always paid on time so that the insurance company does not terminate your policy and notify the DMV that you no longer have proper auto insurance.

DWI Insurance Rates

It is not easy to find low DWI auto insurance rates for high risk drivers. The least amount of coverage you need must be enough to satisfy the state’s liability requirements, and that is usually not sufficient coverage if you are ever in an accident. The best thing to do is to shop around for high risk insurance to find out where you can the most coverage for the least amount of cost.

As a high risk driver you will not be able to get discounts that are normally offered to low risk drivers, such as a good driver discount. However, if you keep your record clean for approximately three years, you can usually apply for standard auto insurance again and drop the high risk insurance coverage.

To shop for low cost online DWI auto insurance rates now, just enter your zip code to get started!