DUI In California

Reader’s Question:

My daughter is already away at college and I don’t know if I should keep her on my car insurance policy. What should I do about it and what would I do in case I get into an accident here in Lompoc Valley, California?

Cherrie

Lompoc Valley, CA

If your daughter is away for college or if any other member of the household will no longer drive your vehicle for any reason, you don’t have to keep them in your car insurance policy in Lompoc Valley, California. Insurance coverage for young motorists could be too high so do not put them anymore on the policy unless you really have to do so. In any case, you have to inquire about the claim process before you sign the agreement, not if you already got into an accident.

If you are involved in an accident, you have to call the insurance agent as soon you can. Do not leave for later because you could only have as little as 48 hours to file your claim. Maintain a good record of your claim and take note of every detail, especially at the site of the accident. Note names, automobile number, everything anyone says and anything that could help you later on. Do not waste time and go after the insurance provider because they tend to move real slowly so you have to harass them.

Reader’s Question:

I plan to use my RV as our primary residence here in San Diego, California but I haven’t gotten it insured. Do you think we need a special type of insurance for our RV?

Haven

Cupertino, CA

Recreational Vehicles are actually special vehicles that would require having a special type of insurance. Neither car insurance nor a home insurance could be able to properly or fully give coverage for the RV and the owners of the RV. You would have to do some thorough research to be able to find the necessary insurance for your needs on your RV. If you are lucky, you do not need to have insurance for your RV. But if you need insurance, you would be lucky to have it.

Since you plan to use the RV as your primary residence in Cupertino, California, you may want to get insurance coverage that will allow full replacement if an accident happens. You could never foresee an event where such insurance coverage is needed but when you need it, you’d be very much grateful to have it. Cardboard boxes do not make much of a home these days. Consider having an insurance coverage when your RV is parked at a campsite so that you could have protection against theft or injuries.

Reader’s Question:

I was required to get an SR22 insurance because of my DUI conviction here in California. Do I need to get it from another company or will my current auto insurance provider have that for me?

Kaleena

Elsinore Valley, CA

You would have to get an SR22 insurance because of your DUI conviction in  California. This is a form that would be a proof of your financial responsibility and this says that you have the right amount of insurance that the state of California orders you to have. Your auto insurance provider could file the SR22 insurance for you but make sure that you check with them for their standard procedure. In case they don’t offer SR22, you can always get it from someone who offers it and you can find it from this website so get a free quote now.

You may have to maintain the SR22 for a number of years, depending on your specific case. The length of time an SR22 stays active would depend on your state and the details of your DUI. Getting an SR22 would often make you in the higher risk category for auto insurance providers and that means that your premiums could increase and stay higher for a number of years after you got your DUI. It is not the end of the world after your DUI but you have to pay for it for at least a few years- especially if it is with regard to your auto insurance.

Reader’s Question:

I need to get an SR22 auto insurance because of my DUI charge here in California but my current auto insurance company is not offering that, what do I have to do now?

Jamal

Apple Valley, CA

Some auto insurance companies really do not offer SR22 insurance and since you have a DUI charge in California, your auto insurance company will cancel or not renew your current policy. Because of that, you would have to find another insurance company that offers SR22 auto insurance. Let me tell you now that you can count on your rates being higher not only because of your DUI charge but also because you will now have a cancellation on your claims history.

Once you switch auto insurance companies to get a new policy with SR22 insurance coverage, you will then be considered as a “high-risk” driver because of your DUI charge. This would be especially true if you received safe-driver discounts or you were in a “preferred class.” Your premium rates would rise massively once you get a conviction for DUI. Because of that, you can start shopping around for auto insurance providers that specialize in high risk policies. You may want to try to get an online rate quote from this website for your SR22 auto insurance and you’ll find out that you could still get a great auto insurance for a lesser price.

Reader’s Question:

I am on probation for a DUI conviction here in California. My driver’s license is suspended. I am getting ready to get my license back. What are the things that I need to do to get my license back?

Jacob

Bakersfield, CA

In the state of California, if you need to get your driver’s license back, you need to file SR22 insurance. This is not auto insurance in itself but rather a proof of financial responsibility. This is a form which notifies the state that you have the required insurance coverage. Many insurance companies would still cover a driver after a DUI conviction although it may not be from your original insurance company. Your license can be suspended again if the SR22 file lapses.

Another possibility of getting your license back after a DUI is an expungement. Having a DUI expungement also means not having to report a DUI on certain applications pertaining to employment or other personal matters. Moreover, a properly expunged DUI record is generally prohibited from appearing on pre-employment background checks or other sensitive inquiries. Not all criminal records are eligible for expungement because several conditions may apply such as past criminal history, the purpose of the expungement and the severity of the offense for which expungement is being considered. This expungement is usually blotted out from a person’s legal records but not totally obliterated. Nevertheless, the effects of a DUI expungement are amazingly positive.