According to reports and statistics, some 10,000 to 12,000 individuals die in alcohol-related vehicular accidents annually in the US. Because of this large figure, the consequences of getting charged with a DUI are severe. Aside from the suspension of your license, payment of fines or serving jail time, our automobile insurance policy may also increase significantly.  

In most states, if you get convicted of a DUI, you would need to file an SR-22 form. You can get this from your insurance provider and is required so that you can prove that you are insured and so that your license suspension could be lifted. This would, in turn, notify your insurance company that you have a DUI.  

There are times, however, when you might not be required to fill out an SR-22. During such instances, your insurance provider might not be able to find out right away that you have had a DUI. You should know, however, that your insurance company is allowed by law to check for DUIs on your record periodically or when you are going to renew your automobile insurance policy.  

Once your insurance company finds out about your DUI, you can pretty much expect your automobile insurance policy premium to increase considerably. However, it would still be best to stick with your current insurance provider, as switching to another insurance company might give you a rate that is even higher than your increased rate with your current company.  

You would also be considered as a high-risk driver because of your DUI. This means that this would affect your chances of getting approved for an insurance policy elsewhere as well as the rates that you would be offered.

You should also be prepared in the event that your car insurance company chooses to cancel your automobile insurance policy. In some states, however, cancellation by the insurance company is not allowed but they may refuse to renew once the policy expires.  

These are the reasons why you need to make sure that you are always driving safely and responsibly. By knowing how a DUI can affect your auto insurance policy rate, you would understand how you can make sure that you always can get a low online automobile insurance quote if you need one. If you are looking to get a new policy, you can get an automobile insurance quote in Louisiana or in the state you are in by visiting the websites of insurance companies and insurance providers.