Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) is a serious charge and comes with many unforeseen consequences and costs, including increases in car insurance premiums. In fact, if you have been convicted of an OWI (also known as a DUI), then some insurance companies may refuse to insure you because you are too much of a liability.
An OWI can affect insurance rates for up to 10 years. According to Bankrate, “the average insurance cost increase following a single OWI conviction in Wisconsin is 74%”. If you have multiple convictions, you will see an even more drastic increase.
SR-22 Form
The SR-22 Form is a certificate that your insurance provider must submit to the DMV. The SR-22 certifies that you have sufficient insurance when you are considered a high-risk driver, such as after an OWI. You cannot submit the SR-22 Form to the DMV yourself, you must have an insurance provider that has high-risk coverage. SR-22 is usually required for 5 years after an OWI conviction.
The filing process is as follows:
- Contact your insurance provider and request an SR22 be filed.
- Pay the processing fee (if applicable).
- Determine the coverage you need.
- After the provider’s office receives the request from an agent, it will be sent directly to the State.
- If it’s accepted, you’ll receive a letter along with the SR22 form itself.
- In Wisconsin, the SR22 must be maintained for a minimum of 36 months. If you fail to renew it at least 15 days before it expires, you may have your driving record suspended until insurance is reinstated.
Importance of Clean Record after OWI Conviction
After one OWI conviction, it is crucial to have a clean driving record and not receive another OWI in order for your insurance rate to decrease and for you not to be considered a ‘high-risk’ driver. If you have more than 2 OWI convictions, Wisconsin has a lifetime lookback policy and will count previous OWIs as prior offenses no matter how much time has passed between them. With more convictions comes steeper increases and even more serious consequences.
Comparing Quotes
Insurance companies all have their own way to determine drivers’ risk levels. Therefore, rates may vary from company to company. It is important to receive quotes from multiple companies to ensure you are paying the lowest rate. There is not one designated company that has the lowest rates for people that have OWIs on their record, so it is essential to explore different options.
Hiring an Attorney
By hiring an experienced OWI attorney instead of just paying for the ticket, your OWI charge could potentially be reduced or dismissed entirely. You can save yourself a significant amount of money by avoiding an OWI conviction on your record and avoiding insurance premium increases.
