Most major car insurances will not cover those that have been charged with a DUI in Arizona (Driving Under the Influence). Even if you are currently covered by insurance at the time of your conviction, your insurance company may very well cancel or raise your rates considerably.

If you’re like most people you simply can’t afford not to be driving, even after driving under the influence. A majority of people need to maintain their transportation options in order to make a living. We all make mistakes, but the law makes certain that you will definitely pay (monetarily) for the privilege to get back out on the road. Although there are many companies that will offer coverage for DUI/DWI offenders, it is important to do your research.

A good place to start with suggestions for reputable insurance carriers who cover DUI/DWI offenders is your attorney or legal counsel. Chances are this is not the first time they have been down this road and they may have some resources to start you in your search to find the best post-DUI conviction insurance for you. Another option is to search out a DUI specialist who can help you track down the best insurance rates/company for your particular driving record and circumstances.

When any insurance company offer rates on their premiums it is based on several factors, such as your past driving record, claim history, your age and sex to name a few. You can be almost certain that they will also be checking your credit report and confirming employment.

When there is a conviction of a DUI you will be required to carry a SR-22 Proof of Insurance in order to reinstate your license/driving privileges. The insurance company you select will file a SR-22 form on your behalf to release the suspension order placed by the DMV on your driver’s license.

Your insurance company can advise you as to what steps will need to be taken to ensure prompt issue of an SR-22, but here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Find out what is on your driving record Your insurance company will be checking your driving record to confirm the information you will be supplying them with; make sure it is accurate.

2. Contact the DMV find out what other fees might be assessed in order to reinstate your drivers license, or if you have any outstanding fines. You will not be able to move forward unless accumulated fees for parking/moving violations (past or present) have been paid in full.
With these steps in place you can then move on to researching your options for obtaining auto insurance. Speak with several insurance companies; make sure you shop around for the best rate.

Clearly the best way to keep your auto insurance, in any situation, is to keep your driving record clean and pay your premiums in a timely manner. Your insurance company will provide your local DMV with proof of coverage in order to keep your driving privileges active.
Remember to always go out with a designated driver and don’t drink at all if you are without one. If in doubt, call a taxi it is much less expensive to hire a cab to take you home than risk another DUI conviction that will come with harsher penalties and fines.

A DUI conviction does not end with the end of your probation and drunk driving classes, it will affect many areas of your life or for at least the next 7 years or so. In this article, we will examine each area far beyond your driving privileges that will be affected by one night of drinking.

Driving Privileges
The most obvious is your driving privileges, in most cases you will lose your license for a set amount of time, this time frame will very from state to state. If you continue to get DUI convictions it will eventually lead to a permanent loss of your driving privileges.

Financial Burden
The cost of a DUI can be phenomenal, the fines, the court costs, the price of a good attorney if you chose to hire one can be devastating to the most financially stable person. Average cost for the attorney alone will run you about $1000, this is for a simple case. Add in court costs and fines, you have a healthy sum to pay out. This may lead into you putting off other household bills and expenses, putting you in financial turmoil at home.

Car Insurance
A DUI will add points to your driver’s license, as points are added your insurance rates will automatically go up.

Employment
In many cases, a DUI conviction will affect your employment opportunities, employers will be faced with a decision that they often times don’t like to make, many employers don’t want their employees names in the paper associated with this kind of behavior, they may suspend or give you warning that you may lose your employment if this behavior continues. Some will offer rehabilitation to the employee, where others will not tolerate the public embarrassment and will terminate employment immediately.

If you are seeking employment and have DUI conviction on your record, it will limit your opportunity. You will now be considered an insurance risk and if the job involves any type of driving activity you probably will not be considered.
If you have a commercial driver’s license, these license are immediately revoked, no matter how long you have had them, see your state law on the effects that you will be facing.

Family
Many marriages have been dissolved because of one’s drinking problems. A DUI is often the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak. A spouse will often feel that the problem is too much to deal with and you will be on the losing end of the divorce. After all, all they need to do is pull you record and see what you are all about.

Public Labeling
Your criminal record is now public record in many states these days it is a simple matter of pulling up a website and there it is, usually about 7 pages from beginning to end, the whole ordeal for the world to see. Your friends, neighbors, co workers, bosses or anyone else who cares to poke their nose in your business can check you out. It is simply a click away.

Bottom Line
You work hard everyday, you have worked very hard to establish a reputation as a person with a good work ethic, you show up and get the job done, you excel in your field, you are a good family person, wonderful provider, overall good person, but a DUI can cast a dark shadow over all of this. Take a peak at public records, look at your local paper and see the convictions out there for all to see. Then go online and check out the public records. See how detailed a criminal record can get.
A DUI affects your entire life, think before you drink!