When a Pennsylvania law enforcement official pulls you over and suspects that you have been drinking, he or she will likely ask that you submit to a breath test and, depending on its results, potentially charge you with driving under the influence. If a judge or jury later convicts you of the offense, you can expect to face hefty penalties, only some of which come straight from the criminal justice system.
While you may end up paying substantial fines after a DUI conviction, you may, too, have to finance substance abuse treatment or the placement of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, among related expenditures. While such expenses can add up fast, Insure.com reports that you should also anticipate a spike in your car insurance rates after a DUI conviction.
While exactly how much of an impact your DUI will have on your insurance rates will vary based on factors such as where you live and who your insurer is, Pennsylvania residents, on average, see a 52-percent increase in auto insurance rates following a DUI. Just what might that look like? Without DUIs on their driving records, typical Pennsylvania residents pay about $1,438 a year in car insurance.
After a DUI conviction, though, this number rises to an average of $2,192 annually, which is a difference of $754 per year. Ultimately, it may benefit you to shop around for insurance after a DUI conviction to make sure you are getting the best deal available to you.
This information about insurance rate hikes after a DUI is meant for educational purposes and is not a substitute for legal advice.