Teen Drunk Driving Insurance Rates in Pennsylvania
Reader’s Question:
I am only eighteen years old and I receive a DUI in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I went through the ARD program and I would like to know if my auto insurance will go up at all?
Charles
Scranton, PA
In Pennsylvania they permit for an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for 1st offense of DUI. When a DUI offender is accepted into an ARD program the state suspends their charges however they are required that certain court ordered conditions are met. These conditions may include community service, drug and alcohol counseling, etc.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department states that if you are convicted of an alcohol related violation such as DUI in Scranton, Pennsylvania, whether or not you complete an ARD program, your license will be suspended. This alone is a valid reason for insurance providers to increase rates, non-renew or cancel your insurance policy.
How Much Does SR22 Or DUI Insurance Cost?
Filed under: SR22 Pennsylvania, SR22 Philadelphia, Teen insurance Pennsylvania
Q: I’m going to have to get an SR22 for DUI conviction…how much can I expect to pay?
A: According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) a whole lot. On average, the least amount you’re looking at paying for SR22 for DUI in one year is $3600, up to around $6000 dollars. Once you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor, there’s more where that came from. Car insurance isn’t the only cost of a DUI. Not only will your license be suspended for six months before you can even try to get it back, but you will have to pay a mountain of fees and fines. The average amount a first time DUI offender pays in all is close to $11,000. And that’s before insurance.
You also risk being unable to get insurance from many places if you have to file an SR22 for DUI conviction. Your current car insurance provider may cancel your policy and every other car insurance provider may say there’s no room at the inn for you. If that happens, you’ll have to get insured through the Pennsylvania assigned-risk pool, which is even more expensive.
Paying for an SR22 for DUI is no walk in the park, but it isn’t impossible either. If you look up car insurance discounts, compare rates, and keep your record clean, then you can save money and possibly look forward to cheaper car insurance rates in the future.
