Will My Insurance Drop Me After a DUI?

Key Takeaways

• A DUI charge doesn’t mean your insurer can just drop you in the middle of your policy term. If you’re convicted, your insurance situation could change when it’s time to renew your policy.
• A DUI conviction can mean higher insurance premiums because insurers can consider certain traffic violations and accidents from the previous three years when assessing your risk and setting your rates.
• Maryland insurers must provide at least 45 days’ advance notice of cancellation or non-renewal, except for nonpayment.
• A DUI and DWI are separate offenses in Maryland.
• If you’re charged with DUI while your license is suspended, you may face separate charges and penalties.
• A board-certified DUI attorney at Alpert Schreyer, LLC knows how to thoroughly review field sobriety tests, chemical tests, the traffic stop, and other evidence in your case to build a strong defense.

A DUI charge can bring a lot of uncertainty, especially when you’re worried about potential criminal penalties. Common questions you’re likely wondering are, “Will my insurer cancel my policy?” “How much could my rates increase?” “If I lose coverage, will I be able to find another insurer willing to cover me?” Your insurance company usually can’t cancel your Maryland auto insurance policy in the middle of the policy term because you were charged with a DUI. However, a DUI conviction could affect your coverage when your policy is up for renewal.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI or a DWI, hiring a board-certified DUI defense attorney means you have someone on your side with advanced, specialized knowledge of field sobriety and chemical tests and trial strategy. Attorney Andrew Alpert is the first and only Maryland board-certified DUI defense attorney, and knows how to build a strong DUI defense for your case. Contact our Maryland criminal defense firm 24/7 by calling us at (301) 720-1309 or filling out our online form. 

How Does a DUI Conviction Affect Your Car Insurance Rates & Coverage?

A DUI conviction can change how an insurance company views your risk as a driver. Insurers may consider a DUI conviction when setting your rates or deciding whether to renew your policy, however, Maryland state law limits insurers to considering traffic violations and accidents from the past three years when evaluating your risk and premium. 

Can My Insurance Company Refuse to Renew My Policy After a DUI in Maryland?

In Maryland, an insurer can legally choose not to renew an auto policy if, within the previous three years, the policyholder was convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, impaired or intoxicated, or under the influence of drugs or controlled dangerous substances.

Does My Insurance Company Have to Give Me Notice if They Don’t Renew My Policy?

If your auto insurer plans to cancel or not renew your policy for a reason other than nonpayment of your premium, they usually must give you at least 45 days’ advance notice. The notice needs to be sent by certified mail, emailed to an address you have agreed to use for receiving notices, or posted online, and clearly explain the insurer’s actual reason for the cancellation or non-renewal. If the notice is posted online, the insurer must also email you to let you know it’s available.

DUI vs. DWI in Maryland

Maryland treats DUI and DWI as separate offenses. A DUI is usually a more serious charge with harsher penalties than a DWI.

• A DUI applies when you operate or try to operate a vehicle while significantly impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance, or when your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reaches .08% or higher.
• A DWI requires a lower level of impairment and a lower BAC. Prosecutors usually need to show that alcohol impaired the driver’s normal coordination to some extent.

What if You’re Charged With a DUI While Driving on a  Suspended License in Maryland?

Being charged with a DUI is stressful enough, but if your license was already suspended when you were pulled over, you could be facing two separate legal issues. In addition to the DUI charge, you’re also facing a charge for driving on a suspended license. A suspended license conviction can include:

• Fines
• Criminal record
• Up to 12 points added to your driving record
• Increased insurance premiums

Potential consequences of a first-offense DUI can include:

• Fines
• Possible jail time
• License suspension or revocation
• Participation in the Ignition Interlock Program
• Increased auto insurance premiums
• Alcohol education or treatment requirements
• A permanent criminal record, if convicted

Contact the First & Only Board-Certified Maryland DUI Defense Lawyer For a Free Case Consultation

If you’re facing a DUI or DWI charge, contact the experienced DUI attorneys at Alpert Schreyer, LLC, who also bring specialized training as forensic lawyer-scientists. This means we bring a unique combination of legal knowledge and scientific expertise to your Maryland DUI case. During your consultation, we will:

• Go through what happened in detail (e.g., why you were stopped, whether you took a breath, blood, or field sobriety test, your BAC level, what the officer said and if your rights were explained).
• Review any documents or evidence you have such as the arrest report or citation, court notices, or test results.
• Go over challenges or weaknesses in the case.
• Explain the charges and potential penalties (e.g., fines, jail time, probation, license consequences, and impacts to your record).
• Explain the legal process and next steps.

Contact us 24/7 by calling (301) 720-1309 or filling out our online form. Don’t fight this alone. Our DUI attorneys know how to build a strong case and fight to protect your rights.

We have offices in Waldorf, Rockville, Lanham, and Frederick, and proudly serve clients in Prince George’s County, Calvert County, Frederick County, St. Mary’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, all of Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

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