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How a DUI/OWI Conviction Affects Your Insurance

In Des Moines and throughout Iowa, drunk driving can have serious consequences, regardless of whether or not you are in an accident. Under Iowa law, drunk driving is prosecuted as an operating while intoxicated (OWI) offense and can carry penalties in the form of jail time, significant fines, the revocation of your driver’s license, and greatly increased auto insurance rates.

These consequences can severely impact your life. The loss of your driver’s license and increased insurance premiums can make it nigh impossible for you to drive, making it much harder to support your family if you typically drive to work or if your job involves driving. If you have been accused of drunk driving in the Des Moines area, consult an experienced Des Moines DUI attorney today to explore the legal options available to you. Local attorneys will have worked with area insurance companies in similar cases and can advise on what to expect in your specific case. The insurance companies will have lawyers from knowledgeable law firms looking out for their interests, you owe to yourself to get the best defense possible. Consult with an experienced lawyer today to discuss your case.

Iowa motor vehicle financial responsibility law

While Iowa law does not mandate that all vehicle owners maintain automobile insurance, it does demand that if you had your license revoked, you must show financial responsibility before you can be granted a temporary restricted license or your license can be reinstated.

Financial responsibility can be shown in a variety of ways, including:

• Filing cash, surety bond, or securities equal to $55,000 with the Iowa Office of Driver Services
• Directing your car insurance company to file Form SR-22, a Certificate of Automobile Liability Insurance, with the Office of Driver Services
• Directing your employer’s insurance company, if you drive a car for work, to file Form SR-22 with the Office of Driver Services

If you have further questions in regards to Iowa’s financial responsibility law contact an attorney at McCarthy and Hamrock, P.C. to discuss your case.

Form SR-22 and car insurance rates

Most Iowans, unable to post a financial asset worth of $55,000, must instead request their insurance company submit Form SR-22 to the Office of Driver Services. Your insurance company, once they are aware that you require Form SR-22 to maintain your driving privileges, will likely reclassify you as a high risk driver.

With an OWI conviction in Iowa, you also run the risk of being dropped by your insurer, as not all insurance companies insure drivers who have been convicted of drunk driving. Whether you are able to keep your car insurer or are forced to find another, one thing is certain: your car insurance premiums will undoubtedly rise.

Contact a DUI/OWI defense attorney

If you have been accused of an OWI offense, a conviction can put you in jail, paying thousands of dollars in fines, and thousands more in higher auto insurance rates. A skilled lawyer can provide you with the local knowledge you need to deal with the insurance companies.

This information provided by the Des Moines DUI lawyers at:

McCarthy & Hamrock PC
1200 Valley West Drive #400
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 279-9700