Drunk Driving and Car Insurance: Convicted of DUI? You'll Need Up to Thirty Five Times the Car Insurance Coverage in Florida.

A study has indicated that millions of Americans admit to driving drunk in 2010.  Stricter legal punishments and higher car insurance rates are being imposed on drunk drivers that are caught in the act. 

An incarceration could mean loss of driving privileges, after serving jail time, and will result in a hike in your car insurance rates when you are able to drive again. This is largely due to the regulations forcing drunk drivers to insure themselves for three to four times more coverage than those not sentenced for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Ignition breathalysers are also becoming mandatory in many states but it’s not guaranteed the cost of car insurance will be lower because this device is installed.  If you get busted with a DUI expect to feel the consequences of your irresponsible behavior for years to come even if you don't harm anyone.

Roughly one third of all vehicle crashes involve an impaired driver.  Thousands of deaths were reported in 2009 in crashes where one or motor vehicle operator was above the legal limit.

In Florida the minimum PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and PDL (Property Damage Liability) is $10,000.  Those convicted of DUI must be covered for at least $350,000 per accident.  Many people convicted in fatal DUI crashes give up driving because the car insurance rates are so high. There is good news for some of those convicted.  A clean driving record for a minimum of three years can decrease your car insurance levels drastically.

A first offence usually has a higher financial impact than an additional offence due to these forced coverage increases. Think twice about getting the minimum car insurance coverage, if you drive drunk it could cost you for the rest of your life if you don't have good coverage.