Yeah, smaller insurers can sometimes soften the blow a bit, but honestly, DUI hits are just brutal across the board. Had a client a couple years back—good guy, clean record otherwise—got nailed with a DUI after a friend's wedding. His premium practically doubled overnight. We shopped around everywhere, and while some local outfits were slightly better, it wasn't exactly night-and-day. The real kicker was how long it stuck around; took him about three years before rates started to noticeably drop again.
One thing that did help him was taking a defensive driving course afterward. Didn't magically erase the spike, but it showed insurers he was serious about improving his record. Might be worth looking into if your coworker hasn't already...
- Definitely agree on the defensive driving course—my cousin did something similar after his DUI, and while it didn't slash his rates dramatically, every bit helps when you're dealing with a premium spike.
- Curious though, anyone know if installing one of those insurance tracking devices (the ones that monitor driving habits) can help offset costs post-DUI? Or do insurers typically not offer that option afterward?
I've heard mixed things about those tracking devices post-DUI. Some insurers might not even offer them after a DUI conviction, and even if they do, the savings aren't always significant enough to justify the privacy trade-off. Might wanna double-check directly with your provider before committing...
Honestly, those tracking devices aren't always worth the hassle after a DUI—been there myself. Here's what I'd do: First, call your insurer directly and ask straight-up if they even offer it post-DUI. If they do, ask exactly how much you'd save monthly. Then compare that to the privacy headache of being monitored 24/7. For me, the savings were minimal, so I passed. But everyone's different, so crunch your own numbers first...
Yeah, I totally get your point about the tracking devices. When my brother got his DUI, he looked into it too, and honestly, the savings weren't impressive enough to justify the hassle. He ended up just shopping around for a cheaper insurer instead—took some effort, but he found a decent rate eventually. You're right though, everyone's situation is different, so definitely worth doing the math yourself before committing to anything. Hang in there, it'll get easier with time...
