Actually, while nighttime driving can affect your premiums slightly, it's usually not as significant as other factors like mileage, driving record, or vehicle type. A DUI, though...that's a whole different ballgame—expect a serious spike for several years.
"A DUI, though...that's a whole different ballgame—expect a serious spike for several years."
True, DUI's definitely hit hard, but I'm not entirely convinced it's always as drastic as people make it out to be. A buddy of mine here in Idaho had one a few years back, and yeah, his rates jumped noticeably at first—but they weren't completely insane. He shopped around, took one of those driver safety courses, and managed to find coverage that wasn't astronomical.
Insurance companies seem to weigh these things differently depending on your overall record and how long you've been with them. If you've got a clean history otherwise, some companies might cut you a bit of slack after the initial shock wears off. Obviously, mileage and vehicle type matter too, but I've seen people bounce back quicker than you'd expect. Not downplaying the seriousness, just saying it's not necessarily the end of affordable insurance as we know it...
Yeah, DUI definitely isn't fun for your wallet. Had a coworker go through this a while back, and he did the whole defensive driving class thing too—said it helped a bit. But he also mentioned something about installing one of those ignition interlock devices lowering his rates faster. Wonder if that's common or just depends on the insurer...? Seems like a hassle, but might be worth it if it saves some cash.
From what I've seen, ignition interlock discounts really depend on the insurer and your specific situation. Here's how I'd approach it: first, call your insurance company directly and ask if they offer discounts for installing one. If they do, get a clear breakdown of how much you'd save versus the cost and hassle of installation. Then compare that to the savings from a defensive driving course. Might seem like a pain, but if the numbers line up, could be worthwhile...especially if you're looking at a big rate hike otherwise.
"Then compare that to the savings from a defensive driving course."
Good point about the defensive driving course—I've seen clients save quite a bit by going that route. One thing I'd add is to also check how long the interlock discount lasts. Sometimes insurers offer it temporarily, and then you're stuck with the device longer than the savings justify. Has anyone here actually gone through installing one? Curious if it was worth the hassle in your experience...
