Yeah, defensive driving courses can help a bit, but honestly, don't expect miracles. Had a client a couple years back who got hit with a DUI in Idaho—his rates nearly doubled overnight. He did the course, and it shaved off maybe 10-15%, but still...ouch. Specialty insurers aren't always the worst option either; sometimes they surprise you with decent coverage. Worth shopping around, even if you're skeptical.
I've heard similar stories about specialty insurers being surprisingly decent, but I'm still skeptical they'd be affordable enough after something as serious as a DUI. I mean, wouldn't they see you as a huge risk and price accordingly? Also makes me wonder—does the spike depend on your previous driving record or is it pretty much guaranteed to double no matter what? Seems like there should be more nuance there...
- From what I've heard, insurers definitely factor in your previous record—so someone with a clean history might get off a bit lighter.
- But honestly, specialty insurers being affordable after a DUI sounds kinda optimistic...especially if you're driving something high-end. I mean, they know repairs won't be cheap.
- Makes me curious though—anyone know if the spike varies significantly based on the type or value of your vehicle? Seems logical it would...
Yeah, vehicle type definitely plays into it, but maybe not as drastically as you'd think. Insurers mostly worry about liability—like how much damage you could cause to others. So, a pricier car might bump your rates a bit more, but honestly, the DUI itself is gonna be the main pain point. I've seen folks driving older Hondas get hit almost as hard as someone in a BMW...the real trick is shopping around and comparing quotes.
Yeah, that's pretty spot-on. But I'd add that your driving history before the DUI also matters quite a bit. If you've got a clean record beforehand, the spike might be slightly less brutal. A buddy of mine in Boise had a DUI a couple years back, and he said the key was taking a defensive driving course afterward—it helped soften the blow a little. Still painful though...definitely shop around and don't just stick with your current provider out of habit.
