Drunk Driving DUI Insurance in Washington
Reader’s Question:
What are the implications of DUI to my car insurance here in , Washington? I suppose it can’t be a good thing.
Bill
Spokane, WA
Since when has drunk driving been a good thing? I suppose you already know about the license suspension, lawyer fees and fines. I’m assuming here that you did get convicted of drunk driving. Well, in case you haven’t spent enough yet, on top of everything, you have to worry about higher premium prices for your vehicle insurance–that is if you are lucky. Some insurance companies will actually cancel your policy. And bet the top of your legs that you’re going to have a hard time looking for new automotive insurance. So, let’s say that your company decides to keep you, you lucky son of whatever, as one of their policy holders. You then will be branded as high risk. Your car insurance company is required to submit an SR-22 to your DMV there. It is a document that gives proof that you have the minimum required coverage, and more importantly, it reestablishes your driving privileges.
If you’re thinking that this is easy enough to handle, that it was all worth it since you had so much fun drinking, let me tell you now that not all insurance companies offer SR-22s. Check out your insurance laws there in Spokane, WA to find out. And one last thing, stop being an idiot. Don’t drink and drive.
SR22 Auto Insurance Quotes in Washington
Reader question:
I have a policy with SR22 in Washington, and I want to know, is the post-accident procedure any different for SR22 holders? Is there some kind of extra information we need to give?
Marcus
Thanks for asking, Marcus.
No other driver (civilian driver, anyhow) has a right to know about your possession of an SR22 in Washington, and your owning of such should not in any way be involved when you get into a car accident. You just exchange the usual information, such as names, policy numbers, phone numbers, car insurance company names, and so on, so that whoever needs to file a claim with the other’s company can do so, and so that whoever is at fault can get prepared.
In addition to that, whether you have an SR22 in Washington or not, you should also take a couple of other steps after an accident to make sure of the best (or least negative) experience with your claims process. Keep a disposable camera stored in your glove compartment, and when you get in an accident make sure to take pictures of the damage on both cars. This is so that the other driver can’t claim more damage than was actually caused, thus getting you in trouble and in fraud.
You should also look at the witnesses who were around the accident and try to gather their names and phone numbers. In case the fault of the accident is contested, you will be able to refer to them for proof.
Cheers,
fashun Guadarrama.
How Long Do I Have To Carry SR22 Auto Insurance in Washington
Reader’s Question:
I was convicted of moving violation and was required to carry an sr-22. Its been more than three years already? Do I still need to carry it? How do I cancel it?
Tim
Thank you for asking Tim.
It looks like you were required to carry an sr22 or proof of Financial Responsibility in Washington. The sr22 is an Insurance Certificate that you need to carry to reinstate your drivers license after a suspension because of many reasons of moving violations. From the information that you provided, it is true that in this kind of situation, one must carry an insurance for three years.
To get more information if your period for carrying the SR-22 for your driving offense is over already, you may contact the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) that required you to get the SR-22. They will be able to tell you all the information you need in case your required time period to carry the sr22 is up already.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
