A friend of mine had a vehicle accident and thank goodness he didn’t suffer that many injuries. Will his insurer here in Los Angeles increase his vehicle insurance rate because of that single accident? If his vehicle is totaled, how will his insurer pay him?

Lina

Los Angeles, CA

You failed to mention whether or not your friend’s accident was his fault because the basis of the increase of his vehicle insurance rate would depend on that. However, should he file a vehicle insurance claim, there’s no universal law that says the vehicle insurance rate would increase right away. But a number of vehicle insurance carriers would keep a file of a collision claim on the policyholder’s insurance history and increase the vehicle insurance rate.

For insurance claims that are chargeable or regarded as at-fault accident, the increase on the vehicle insurance rate would remain for about three years after the policyholder filed the claim. In the event that the accident was completely the fault of the other driver, there is no reason for a vehicle insurance rate to increase. That would be the same thing that insurance agents will tell you – the vehicle insurance rate won’t go up if you are not the one who caused the accident.

In case that his vehicle is totaled, its value would be based on the Kelley Blue Book that gives depreciated value of used as well as new vehicles. He can get in touch with his vehicle insurance company in Los Angeles to determine the value of his vehicle for insurance purposes.

My husband got a DUI here in Los Angeles, California and I wonder if we could still get auto insurance. Could you help me how to get insured after my husband’s DUI?

Daria

Los Angeles, CA

After your husband’s DUI in Los Angeles, California, your auto insurance policy could be under legal threat. The first thing that you need to do now is to contact your auto insurance agent and tell them about your husband’s DUI. You also need to go over your policy clauses because it would most likely have your husband added to it. You can tell you auto insurance provider that you’d want a review of your current insurance policy.

You may also ask to exclude the name of your husband from the current auto insurance policy. Some US states have mandatory laws regarding the insurance of married couples. Normally, they require adding the spouse so you need to check if you are eligible for exclusions in California. You also need to be sure that your husband doesn’t drive the vehicle under the renewed auto insurance policy with the exclusion because you would not get coverage under any conditions. Be prepared to pay higher insurance rates on your current policy if you are not eligible for exclusions

I have a friend in Los Angeles California who was arrested for drunk driving. Prior to that, we both had signed up for an auto insurance. What would be the possible effect of his arrest to his auto insurance?

Martha

Los Angeles, CA

Most drivers like your friend may wonder what could be the impact of being arrested for drunk driving, especially in Los Angeles, California where DUI and DWI is never tolerated and observe strict policies on driving automotive vehicles. This actually does not only impact your car insurance but as well as your driving privilege. The sad truth is that drunk driving conviction may cause your car insurance company to increase their rates, or worst terminate your policy. Insurance companies formulate their premium rates with risk factors. That means, the higher the risk is, the more they charge you with premium rates. They actually base this on an individual’s driving record. This includes the number of tickets, previous DWI/DUI records and accidents that you had during your driving life.

Your friend is not obligated to report his or her drunk driving arrest to the insurance company, not unless he or she gets convicted or the driver’s license is suspended or revoked in a motor vehicle department administrative action. Your friend will likely be required to file an SR22 or formal certificate of insurance if she/he gets convicted. Because of this, it is critical to consult an insurance professional who is expert about DUI / DWI convictions after drunk driving arrest. Then I also suggest that your friend start looking for an effective and cost efficient car insurance. They offer free insurance auto quotations on this web site by the way.

I have been charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California. I’m so concerned about the financial consequences that I might have. I just want to know, what do DUI lawyers charge and will my insurance rate go up?

Martina

Los Angeles, CA

Most people charged with DUI in Los Angeles, California would be concerned about the possible penalties including fines, lawyer charges and insurance rates. The fees for DUI lawyers actually vary. There are a lot of factors to consider like the seriousness of the charge and the number of DUI offenses the defendant has committed. There are some DUI lawyers who charge as little as $350. Most good Los Angeles DUI lawyers charge a minimum of $1000 because of the amount of time involved in reviewing the case and making sure you get the right result and also because of the risk of having to go back multiple times.

Regarding your insurance rates, it would most likely go up. A DUI conviction is reported on your driving record. Your rates will almost certainly go up if your insurance company finds out. In some cases, your insurance company might drop you as a customer and you may have to enter the assigned risk pool, where rates are dramatically higher. It can also be possible that your insurance company would not find out about your DUI charge, and then your rates should not go up.

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.