Progressive Insurance and Drunk Driving Accidents
Car Accident Lawyer
Being in a car accident can be a hard blow, but when you have insurance coverage, it doesn’t need to have quite as hard an impact on your life. Does the same hold true if you were driving drunk and caused an accident? How do insurance companies like Progressive handle situations involving drunk driving accidents?
Getting Insurance Coverage to Begin With
If you already have a DUI on your record, it is still possible to get insurance coverage. Progressive asks that you contact them for a quote, at which time you can discuss obtaining an SR-22. If you’re wondering how long your infraction will be on your driving record, it’s best to contact Progressive directly, but in many states it’s anywhere from three to five years. Your rates may be higher if your ticket is still on your record, but if it has been removed, your rates won’t be affected by it.
Receiving Compensation After Driving Drunk
You may wonder if you are allowed any compensation from Progressive if you were the one driving drunk and causing an accident. Fortunately, you will receive compensation up to the policy limits. If you damaged your car, someone else’s car or caused someone personal injuries, your policy should cover it.
Insurance Rates After DUI
Insurance companies look at all the risks involved with a particular driver when determining his or her insurance rate. If you receive a DUI, you’ll be considered a higher-risk driver. This means your rates will go up. Countrywide, Progressive raises rates after just one DUI by around 6%. If you don’t have many, or any, other infractions on your driving record, your rate may not go up quite as high as it would if you had many accidents already on your record.
After the time limit for your DUI expires and it is no longer on your driving record, does your rate change again? Absolutely. Most insurance rates drop as soon as an infraction is dropped from the record.
What You Can Do Today
If you were involved in a car accident while driving drunk, you may be in over your head, but there’s no need to worry. Working with a car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT, can help you avoid more serious consequences. Your lawyer can also help you obtain the compensation you deserve from your insurance company. Whether you’re not sure what to do next or are working with Progressive on a claim, contact a car accident attorney to learn how to handle it today.
Thanks to Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into how insurance rates are affected by a drunk driving accident.