If you received a DWI or other ticket, insurance companies are generally not automatically notified of the offense. An insurance company is only notified if your license is revoked for an alcohol related violation and you do not successfully challenge the revocation. They must run a driving record check to become aware of the ticket. Insurance companies generally do not check driving records on a regular basis. Instead, random driving record checks are performed. Moreover, when a new client is seeking insurance or when an old client requests a change in their policy, a driving record review may be performed.

If the insurance company discovers a DWI conviction, insurance rates skyrocket. Often drivers with DWI convictions will be placed on “risk” insurance where the rates may be as steep as $600 per month. In some cases, the insurance company will drop the driver as an insured on the first renewal date.

In order to keep your insurance rates down, it is important to keep your driving record as clean as possible. Different insurance companies offer different rates. In fact, there are some insurance companies that specialize in “risk” insurance. As a result, it is important to shop around to determine the best rates and coverage possible. Driving without proper insurance is an offense in itself and may result in the suspension of your driver’s license.

If you recently received a DWI or other traffic ticket, you may decrease the likelihood of increased insurance rates by keeping a low profile with the insurance company:

• DO NOT buy a new car;
• DO NOT change insurance coverage;
• DO NOT change insurance companies.