Do You Lose Insurance If You Are Convicted of DUI in Maryland?

Being convicted of a DUI can have far-reaching consequences, impacting different areas of your life, including your insurance. After a DUI arrest, you will likely face higher insurance premiums, and your insurance company could potentially terminate your policy.

If you are convicted of a DUI in Maryland, your car insurance provider will almost always increase your insurance cost. In many cases, insurance companies will consider you a “dangerous driver,” especially if your DUI led to an accident or you had passengers in your car. Once your provider considers that you might be a risk for future DUIs, they will typically increase your insurance premiums or even terminate your coverage. However, if your previous insurance has been terminated, you can still search for an insurance provider that offers affordable coverage.

For a free case review with our Maryland criminal defense attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Will I Lose My Insurance Coverage if I Am Convicted of DUI in Maryland?

Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol can have long-lasting consequences on your insurance coverage. Insurance companies are quick to assume that if you have done it once, you are likely to do it again, even if this is not the case. Our Maryland DUI defense attorneys can help you understand the impact of a DUI and how best to defend your case. Unfortunately, a DUI arrest puts you in a high-risk category, which can lead to a significant increase in insurance premiums or even denial of coverage.

Driving under the influence, even in small amounts, can severely impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely. If you are convicted of a DUI, the insurance providers will see it on your driving record and label you as a high-risk driver, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your arrest or conviction.

When calculating insurance premiums, most insurers consider a driver’s previous 3-5 years of driving history. However, if you have a DUI conviction, your insurance rates in Maryland will increase by a staggering 78%. This means that you will have to pay significantly more for insurance coverage, even if you have a clean driving record otherwise. Additionally, some insurance companies might even refuse to provide you with coverage, leaving you with limited options.

If your insurance does drop you after learning about a DUI, it does not mean you will not be able to get insurance at all. Instead, you will usually need to shop around for an insurance company that will cover you and provide rates that you can afford.

What is SR22 Insurance for DUI Convictions in Maryland?

If you have a drunk driving conviction, you will likely be required by the state of Maryland to file an SR22 certificate of insurance. This certificate, also known as High-Risk Insurance, serves as proof of your future financial responsibility to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Typically, you will need to keep this certificate on file for at least three years.

The most common reason for filing an SR22 certificate is a license suspension due to a drunk driving arrest or conviction. Maryland has multiple laws against impaired driving, and if you are caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you can face penalties from both the MVA and criminal justice system.

Maryland’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) requires drivers to wait at least six months before lifting a license revocation after accumulating 12 or more points on their driving record or facing an alcohol-related violation. In some cases, drivers convicted of an alcohol-related offense might be eligible for an ignition interlock device installation on their vehicle, which can restore their driving privileges sooner.

What Are the Other Potential Penalties for DUI in Maryland?

In Maryland, the severity of sentences for DUI offenses varies based on individual cases. The penalties for intoxicated driving can be severe, depending on whether you are charged with DUI or DWI. A DUI conviction can result from operating or attempting to operate a vehicle while significantly impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance or if the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at least .08%. On the other hand, a DWI conviction requires less proof of impairment than a DUI. It only requires evidence that the driver’s normal coordination was somewhat impaired by alcohol or drugs.

First DUI and DWI Penalties

DUI and DWI are two different offenses that carry different penalties. The severity of your sentence will depend on various factors, such as whether it is your first offense and if there were aggravating circumstances.

If it is your first DUI or DWI offense within a five-year period, you can generally expect a less severe sentence. However, if there are aggravating circumstances, such as having a minor as a passenger, you might face the maximum penalties. For a first-time DUI offense, the maximum penalty is usually up to one year of incarceration, along with fines of up to $1,000 and a six-month suspension of your driver’s license.

If you had a minor as a passenger during the offense, the maximum jail time and fines can be doubled. Although drug and alcohol treatment is not mandatory for a first offense, any time you complete treatment can be credited towards reducing your jail sentence.

If you are convicted of a first DWI offense in Maryland, you will typically face up to two months of incarceration, fines of up to $500, and a license suspension of up to six months. However, if there were minors as passengers, the maximum jail time increases to one year, and the maximum fine is raised to $1,000. Similar to a first-offense DUI, any time you complete a drug treatment program can be credited towards reducing your sentence.

Second DUI and DWI Penalties

If you are charged with a second DUI or DWI offense, the penalties you face will be harsher than for a first offense. This is because a pattern of breaking the law has been established. If you are convicted of a second DUI offense within five years of the first, you can expect more severe penalties. This includes jail time, which can range from five days to two years, fines up to $2,000, and a license suspension lasting 12 months. If a minor was present in the car during the second DUI offense, the fines can increase by $1,000, and the jail time can be extended by one year.

If you are a second-time offender, you will be required to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and follow any recommended treatment. Any time spent in treatment can be credited towards fulfilling the mandatory jail time.

In Maryland, a second DWI offense can result in up to one year of incarceration, fines of up to $500, and a license suspension lasting up to nine months. However, if there were minor passengers in the car during the second DWI offense, the maximum jail time can increase to two years, and the maximum fine rises to $2,000. While drug and alcohol treatment is not compulsory for a second DWI offense, any time spent in treatment can be applied towards reducing the imposed jail sentence.

Third DUI and DWI Penalties

Offenders with two prior DUI or DWI convictions can expect a harsh sentence. Third-time offenders with at least one prior offense within the past five years face incarceration for up to five years, fines of up to $5,000, and an 18-month license suspension. If a minor passenger was present during the offense, the fines can increase by $1,000, and the jail time can be extended by one year.

Third-time DUI offenders, like other additional DUI cases, are required to complete an alcohol and drug assessment and comply with any recommended treatment.

For third DWI offenses in Maryland, drivers will generally face up to five years of incarceration, fines of up to $5,000, and a license suspension lasting 12 months.

Our Maryland DUI Defense Lawyers Can Help

Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291 to receive your free case assessment with our Baltimore DUI defense lawyers.