Large percentage of the people that pay high premiums on their car insurance in Virginia do so because they have been caught driving under the influence. Virginia not only that is known for its high car premiums but at the same time is known for its severe fines and penalties for drinking under the influence. Even if you are caught once driving while intoxicated in the state of Virginia your premiums will suffer the consequences of that for many years. Here follow an overview on the driving while intoxicated law in Virginia and how it can affect your car insurance premiums.
According to the DUI Laws in Virginia, a driver is guilty if his blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher. However, there are two exceptions to that law. First for drivers under 21, the maximum allowed BAC is 0.01%. Second you can still be charged for DUI if you had alcohol your BAC is below the allowed limit, but you driving is negatively impacted. The police officer that will stop you is the one that can make that call. In any case the police officer makes a report that will find its place in your driver’s record.
If you are under 21 caught driving dui, the penalties are Participation in an alcohol and traffic safety education program, Loss or postponement of driving privileges for 30 to 90 days, 15 to 30 days of community service. The biggest penalty is one of the highest car insurance premiums.
If you are over 21 and that is your first offense, you can expect: A fine of $250-$400, 3-month license suspension, a minimum of six hours a day for two consecutive days in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, Possible imprisonment for up to 30 days and an automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years. If it’s your second offense you can expect: a fine of $500-$1,000, possible -year license suspension, 248 consecutive hours detainment in a regional Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, possible imprisonment of at least 48 consecutive hours and up to 90 days, installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 1 year to 3 years after license restoration and the cherry on your cake will be the automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years.
On the other hand, if you can’t get away from alcohol and is it’s your third offense you risk: A fine of $1,000, 10-year license suspension, detainment in an in-patient alcoholism treatment program, a fee to be paid to the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center dependent upon court sentence, installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 1 year to 3 years after license restoration , imprisonment of 180 days and of course and automobile insurance surcharge of $1,500 a year for 3 years.
In case your driver’s license is not suspended or you are not doing time in prison you can still obtain car insurance and drive. However, you will be faced with one of the highest car insurance premiums. Nevertheless, there is a way to find the lowest from the highest car insurance insurance’s. All that you need to do is to enter your zip above on this page and you can compare the lowest Virginia car insurance. Try it now; it’s free and non-obligational.
