Reader’s Question:

I’m really concerned about my car insurance after being charged with DUI here in LA California. I heard that some of the traffic laws in California have changed. How would my insurance company deal with my DUI case?

Maxine

Los Angeles, CA

Under the California law, any DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date. This may sound unfortunate for you. Several insurance companies check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or when you’re applying for a new policy.
At times, DUI conviction can escape your insurer’s attention or don’t end up on your motor vehicle record. But if your insurer finds out about your DUI in California, you are likely to have higher rates and possibly policy cancellation or non-renewal.

You asked how your insurance company would deal with your DUI case. Well, in general, there are two ways insurance companies deal with customers with DUI conviction. First is that they may raise your car insurance premiums and label you a high-risk driver if it finds out you have been convicted of DUI. Second and worse is that they may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DUI conviction. If this happens, you may shop around to get lower rates for your insurance policy.

Reader’s Question:

My brother was convicted of a DUI in over 7 years ago in LA, California but has completed all of the requirements issued by the court. Is this now off of his record and does he still report it on license applications?

Sam

Los Angeles, CA

No. It will not be off his record yet.

New California legislation extended the reporting period for DUI offenses from seven to ten years for all public requestors.

According to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles, even if a DUI was previously taken off your record, it will now appear back on your driving record and will remain there until 10 years from date of violation. Under the new CA law, you may not qualify for a good driver discount again until 10 years from the date of your DUI violation.

Then, if your DUI was less than 10 years ago in Los Angeles, CA, it will still be on your driving record for public requestors, including insurance companies. If you are asked on a license application if you have DUI on your record, you would have to report this DUI that they will see when requesting your CA MVR.

Reader’s Question:

My husband was recently convicted of a DUI in Los Angeles, California for the first time. He has had a perfect driving record for 53 years. He wants to know if he should write his insurance company in LA with an explanation of the circumstances before they learn of the conviction. Thanks.

May

Los Angeles , CA

It must be a very bad time for you and your husband knowing that he has had a perfect driving record for 53 years. My suggestion is that he may want to explain his California DUI conviction only if his insurance company finds out about it. In general, insurance companies check motor vehicle records on their policyholders about every three years. His DUI conviction might go unnoticed.

On the other hand, if his Los Angeles insurance company notices his DUI, there’s no guarantee that it would raise his insurance rates or cancel his policy. Rules may differ by insurance company. Most insurers say that generally, they look at a policyholder’s total driving record and claims history when considering what penalty, if there would be any, they will assess for a DUI conviction.

Reader’s Question:

I have been living here in Los Angeles for quite some time now around 10 years. A friend asked me if I had any idea how the DUI fine is computed. Of course, I said no. I have no idea about it. But that question still lingers on my mind. Would you happen to know how the fine for DUI is computed?

Kevin, Los Angeles CA

Hi ya Kevin,

A simple question you got there but yet almost everyone here in Los Angeles does not know how the fine for DUI is computed. My mom who happens to be an arresting officer told me before that the common denominator of deciding in how much the fine, the penalty as well as the charge is blood-alcohol concentration level. The concentration level is measured through using the blood sample taken or a Breathalyzer test.

Like in any state, cities or parts of US, most of these places it is unlawful for any person having a blood-alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or more when driving a vehicle.

It is safe to say that when your blood-alcohol level concentration is high chances are your fine will definitely be high also in correspond to the penalty and charges against a person convicted for DUI.

Reader’s Question:

I lived in Los Angeles, California. I just bought a new car and then on some occasions will have some few drinks with my girlfriends. I was never been arrested for DUI, but just out of curiosity, I would like to know what lies ahead for a first time offender of DUI here in Los Angeles.

Debra, Los Angeles CA

Hey Debra,

That’s a good question. You know it is better to know what lies ahead before you decide on doing something like driving yourself home when you got few glasses of martinis when out together with your girlfriends. If my memory serves me right, I was once a first time offender of DUI, way back 5 years ago. I was just given a fine and after which off I went. I had just 2 glasses of martinis that night that I was arrested. So a minimal amount as a fine was given to me as a punishment. But got some friends telling me, I was lucky I did not meet an accident and bumped another person. If I did then, my driver’s license will be suspended and I will be facing a probation that would lasts for three years. Also one more thing, in Los Angeles, all offenders are mandated to attend a DUI education course.

If you are a first time offender, the punishment will depend on how serious the accident is if there are any or if there are no accidents then you will just be facing a fine.