Getting a DUI conviction in Nevada can have serious consequences on your car insurance. Firstly, your insurance provider may label you a high-risk driver, which means you may face higher premiums or even get denied coverage. Secondly, you will have to obtain an SR22 before you can get your license back. Additionally, you will need to maintain SR22 for three years.
1. How Much Will Your Insurance Be After a DUI?
Insurance companies in Nevada may raise auto insurance rates by 50% or more after an individual receives a DUI charge. This is due to the fact that DUI offenders are considered high-risk clients for insurance providers. Even if it was the first DUI incident, with a relatively lower blood alcohol content, and no damage to property, the insurance rates might still increase.
It is recommended that drivers seek advice from an insurance agent at the Nevada Insurance Department to obtain fair rates for “high-risk” motor insurance. As per several websites comparing car insurance rates, State Farm currently offers the best liability insurance rates for post-DUIs.
2. Do You Need an SR22?
Nevada’s legal system requires individuals to purchase SR22 insurance documents from an auto insurance company to regain their driver’s license after a DUI conviction. This common penalty results in a temporary revocation or suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.
An SR 22 is a document that serves as evidence of your financial responsibility. It is presented to the DMV as proof that you have the minimum coverage required, which includes the following:
- $20,000 for injury or damage to the property of others
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of more than one person
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
Please be aware that individuals who hold driver’s licenses from states other than Nevada may require SR22 insurance documents to reactivate their license unless they reside in one of the following states:
- Pennsylvania
- Oklahoma
- North Carolina
- New York
- New Mexico
- Minnesota
- Kentucky
- Delaware
3. How Long Must an Individual Carry a SR22 in Nevada?
In order to reinstate their license after a DUI, drivers in Nevada are obligated by law to submit SR22 documents to the DMV for a period of three years.
4. What Will Happen to Your SR22 if Your Insurance Lapses?
If drivers in Nevada allow their auto insurance policies to lapse before the completion of the three-year SR22 period, they will lose all credit for the time they held SR22 insurance. As a result, the SR22 period will reset to zero. Therefore, if they obtain liability coverage once again, they will have to continue to carry SR22 for another three years.
5. How Long Will a DUI Impact Your Insurance in Nevada?
When it comes to determining the impact of a DUI on your insurance policy in Nevada, the length of time that this offense will remain on your record is a key factor. Insurance companies consider various factors when calculating premiums, and a DUI conviction is certainly one of them.
The duration of time that a DUI will impact your insurance rates, however, is not always straightforward. It ultimately depends on the auto insurer’s policies and the state laws in which you reside. Some insurers may only consider a person’s driving history from the previous three years, while others may go back as far as ten years.
6. Will Your Insurance Drop You After a DUI Charge?
Nevada law prevents insurance carriers from abruptly raising premiums or terminating insurance coverage during the current policy period after a drunk driving incident. However, once the policy period ends, the insurer can choose to stop coverage, even if the DUI charge is still pending. Nevertheless, many insurers prefer to raise auto insurance rates rather than cancel coverage altogether.
7. Will You Need an SR22 if You Don’t Own a Car?
Yes, if you’ve been convicted of DUI in Nevada and don’t own a car, you’ll still be required to obtain non-owner SR22 documentation to regain your driving rights. This type of coverage provides liability protection while driving a vehicle you don’t own, such as a rental car or a friend’s car.
It’s important to note that if you do eventually purchase a car, you’ll need to switch to an owner SR22 policy to comply with state regulations. So, if you’re a Nevada DUI offender without an automobile, you’ll still need to obtain non-owner SR22 documentation to drive again legally.