Got a buddy who just got hit with a DUI here in California, and he's freaking out about his insurance premiums. Anyone been through this or know how much it usually jumps up? He's pretty worried it'll be brutal.
Buddy of mine went through that a while back—said his premiums shot up like crazy. He joked he could've leased a Ferrari for what he was paying. Did your friend already shop around for better rates?
Yeah, your buddy's Ferrari joke isn't far off from what I've heard. A coworker of mine had a DUI a couple years ago, and he said his insurance practically doubled overnight. He shopped around a bit, but even the "cheaper" options were still pretty brutal. From what he explained, California insurers really hammer you for a DUI—it's considered high-risk for at least three to five years. Plus, there's that SR-22 form you have to file, which apparently adds another layer of hassle and cost.
I wonder if your friend's already looked into specialized insurers or brokers who handle high-risk drivers? Sometimes they can find slightly better deals or at least help navigate the mess. Either way, it's definitely a rough situation to be in...makes me extra cautious about having even one drink before driving these days.
Yeah, from what I've seen working in claims, a DUI really is one of the worst hits your insurance can take. Had a client once whose premium nearly tripled after his DUI conviction—he was floored. Even after shopping around, he couldn't find anything reasonable for years. Honestly, specialized insurers might help a bit, but don't expect miracles...the risk factor is just too high for most companies to overlook easily. Definitely makes you think twice about that extra beer at dinner.
That matches what happened to my neighbor. His rates more than doubled after a DUI and stayed high for years. Honestly, Uber or Lyft costs way less than what you'll pay in insurance hikes down the road...just not worth it.