DWI convictions can affect your life in every aspect. While jail and legal fines are usually top of mind for offenders, the impact a conviction can have on insurance premiums is often overlooked. It is crucial that you fully understand how a DWI will affect you including in terms of insurance rates and surcharges. Reach out to a New City DWI defense attorney to discuss your case and obtain skilled legal representation today.
After being convicted of a DWI in New York, your insurance rates will likely see a significant increase. The amount that your premium will go up depends on a variety of factors but on average, yearly car insurance rates for New Yorkers who are convicted of driving under the influence increase by about $966, studies say. While premiums may increase anywhere from 30 to over 100%, the average in New York is 57%.
When determining premiums and what rate to give each individual, insurance companies assess the risk of insuring the driver. If you are caught driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, you will be considered a high-risk driver. Statistics show that drivers with a DWI are more likely to be involved in accidents in the future than those who have never been convicted of driving under the influence. Insurance is a numbers game so when a provider expects you to be involved in accidents or file claims in the future, they will raise rates to make insuring you “worth their while.”
In New York, a DWI conviction will remain on your record for 15 years, unless the circumstances are serious enough that a court determines it should stay on your record permanently. This generally only happens when another crime is committed in tandem with the DWI, like vehicular homicide.
Because your DWI will be notable for 15 years, insurance companies can take your conviction into account for the entire period. While your rates could stay high during this time, insurance companies generally begin to lower premiums within 3 to 5 years, given that you maintain a clean driving record. It may take several years for your rates to return to what they were pre-conviction.
Your rates and the amount of time they are impacted will be based on your driving record before and after the DWI, the severity of the offense, your gender and age, and the company you are insured with. The insurance-related effects of a DWI can be debilitating and that is not to mention the additional penalties and legal repercussions. Work with a skilled lawyer at the Law Office of Kevin T. Conway to protect your rights and future during your DWI case.
© 2025 The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway. All rights reserved.
