When determining whether or not it is worth it to hire a lawyer, many people consider the obvious costs associated with their criminal charge. There’s the potential fine amount, additional court fees and some lost wages if they have to miss time from work to attend court, but oftentimes there’s some hidden expenses that can be overlooked. For clients facing a DUI charge, we always explain that they can expect hefty automobile insurance increases if they are convicted.
These aren’t just one-off increases either. Most Minnesota residents will see increased automobile insurance costs after a DUI for at least five years. But just how much can you expect your car insurance rates to increase after a DUI conviction? We take a closer look at average auto insurance rate increases after a DWI in today’s blog.
Worst States For Auto Rate Hikes After A DUI
Before we take a closer look at what you can expect to pay for high risk automobile insurance in Minnesota, let’s look at the states where automobile insurance premiums increase the most after a DUI conviction.
Highest Rate Increases (Average premium increase)
1. California – $3,535
2. North Carolina – $3,432
3. Delaware – $3,152
4. Connecticut – $2,813
5. Georgia – $2,590
Minnesota isn’t much further down the list. In Minnesota, the average increase in annual insurance premiums after a DUI is $2,055. Now, remember that a DUI will stay on your driving record for insurance purposes for at least five years, so you can expect to carry that elevated premium for at least half a decade. That means in insurance increases alone, you can expect to shell out an additional $10,000 as a result of your DUI conviction. This number is a major reason why so many smart individuals reach out to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible once they have been charged with a DUI.
Even if you can’t get the charges dropped, your lawyer may be able to work the charge down to a reckless driving charge, which will not increase your insurance premiums nearly as high as a DUI conviction. This can save you thousands of dollars or more on top of other potential issues that could arise as a result of a DUI conviction. Let the team at Appelman Law Firm go to work for you and ensure you aren’t financially crippled as a result of one poor decision.
There are more costs associated with a DWI conviction than most realize, so make sure you understand the gravity of the situation and you connect with a lawyer to plan your next steps and avoid a worst case scenario. For more information on how we can help you, or for assistance with a different criminal matter, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
