How Much Can An Arizona DUI Raise Your Insurance Rates?

Being convicted of a DUI is a serious matter. You will do jail time and lose your driving privileges. And there is a substantial risk your insurance premiums will go up.

DUI Arizona Laws

Under Arizona law, you can be found guilty of driving under the influence if your blood alcohol concentration is over the 0.08% limit. This is a standard DUI. You can be convicted of an extreme DUI if your BAC is above or at 0.15%. If you are a commercial driver, however, you can be convicted of a DUI with a BAC of just 0.04%. And, if you are an underage driver, even the slightest trace of alcohol can result in a “Baby” DUI. Also, you can be charged with an aggravated DUI under the following circumstances:

Driving while your license is revoked, canceled, or suspended
If you are transporting a passenger below 15 years old
Convicted of a DUI for the third time within a seven-year (84-month) period

Arizona DUI Penalties

Since the state has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence, the penalties for DUI charges are severe. These harsh penalties are intended to act as a deterrent to discourage drivers from drunk driving. For a first time offender with a standard DUI, the penalties include jail time from 24 hours to ten days, minimum fines of approximately $1,600 (plus a monitoring fee and jail costs), and suspension of license for 90-days or one-year revocation. In addition, the offender must have an IID installed in every vehicle they use for 12 months, along with an alcohol or drug screening and education treatment program. They may also be required to perform community service. Repeat offenders who have had second standard DUI face 90 days jail time, approximately $3500 in fines, and a 12-month license revocation. An IID will be installed in all vehicles they use for 12 months, and they must perform 30 hours of community service. They are also required to undergo an alcohol or drug screening and education treatment program. Penalties for aggravated and extreme DUIs are much more severe, with longer jail sentences and higher fines, as well as longer suspension of driving privileges. Underage DUIs come with the most severe penalties, with a maximum 180 days of jail time, and fines and fees of as much as $4,575 as well as suspension of driving privileges for as long as two years. In Arizona, a DUI conviction will stay on your record, even if you have only been convicted of a misdemeanor. However, you can petition the court to have your conviction “set aside,” meaning it will be removed from your record.

Insurance Premium Increases

Should your insurance company learn of the DUI conviction, you should expect your car insurance to cost you much more. In fact, you should not be surprised if your average car insurance rates more than double. The insurance provider now classifies you as a “high risk” driver and thus, will charge you higher rates to be insured. You should also expect that these rate increases will last for a minimum of three years and a maximum of seven years or more, depending on the severity of the DUI and if you are a repeat offender. You may have to required by the Motor Vehicle Department to obtain a SR-22 insurance policy from your insurance company. This is also known as a financial responsibility or certificate of insurance form. This vehicle liability insurance form certifies that you have met state requirements for liability insurance. The insurance company is also required to inform the DMV if your policy has been cancelled or you have allowed it to lapse. If you have been with a DUI, get in touch with a lawyer immediately to handle your case. Hire an experienced DUI Attorney; Robert Dodell has over 30 years as a practicing criminal lawyer who has also worked as a prosecutor in the past. He is there to get you the best outcome for your case.