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Thread: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

  1. #1
    Kaiyla
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    Default DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    As a few might remember, I got an OUI/DUI last March when I lived in Massachusetts, and have been struggling with the repercussions since. My liscence was immediately suspended for thirty days and after my final court date in June, I plea bargained and entered into a "24D program" where my liscence has been suspended for another 60 days, I have paid about $2000 in random fees, and I have to take an alcohol safety course. My case was called "CWOF: Continued Without A Finding."
    I have recently moved to Studio City, CA and am now looking for new car insurance. Now here's my question: when I ask different companies for a quote, when they ask me if I have been convicted of driving under the influence, does a "Continued Without A Finding" mean that I say yes? How about when they ask me about moving violations? What do I say? I have no one that knows what I should do/tell them at this point. I don't want to be dishonest, but I don't want to reveal information that would get me the SKY HIGH payments if a continued without a finding does not count as a conviction or moving violation. Could anyone please recommend what I should do/say? Any decent car insurance companies to recommend?
    One last IMPORTANT thing, what do you recommend for "bodily harm?" Minimum? Full coverage? I am not a wreckless driver and this was my first (and last DUI/OUI) but I am unsure on what kind of coverage to get. I am embarassed as this is my first time dealing with car insurance policies by myself and I'm not really sure what to go for.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    I wish I could help but I have no clue.. Sorry

  3. #3
    Sitri
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    It really doesn't matter what you say, because they will run a MVR Motor Vehicle Record and it will show up as suspended. I don't know California Insurance or law, but you will end up in what is known as a "substandard" or "high risk" company. Shop around because the rates will vary.

    The best way to save money is to buy an old car and don't finance it. Or if you do have it be an unsecured loan. This way you won't have to have collision and comprehensive coverage. It will save you $000's in insurance premiums.

    Based on how expensive it is, go with the state minimums on liability.

    The DUI will be on your record for 5 years.

  4. #4
    Kaiyla
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    Thanks for the response, Sitri. I have a 2001 celica that I owe $4,000 on right now and will be done paying for it in April 2007. I don't know if that makes any difference.

  5. #5
    Sitri
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    Pay it off ASAP and or get the finance company to waive the requirement for you to carry insurance on it if you can.

    Drive carefully.

  6. #6
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    As a former California resident with nosebleed car insurance rates (bad driver!) I recommend you calculate the risk/benefit ratio between ommitting insurance beyond basic liability versus driving a beater....Toyotas fall into a "high risk" auto theft category.... (My friend's brother had his Toyota stolen a few days ago in San Francisco...it was new & probably underinsured...Yuck.)
    Hey, but on the bright side, Toyotas are very reliable....Barring interference from others (theft and accidents) you can save a lot on insurance & not even switch to Geico. LOL

  7. #7
    Kaiyla
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    Thanks for the advice sitri and maxine..boring topic but I just wanted to get other people's input on the situation.

  8. #8
    God/dess MojoJojo's Avatar
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    Well, I may be totally off base because I've been lucky enough to not get busted for DUI, not that I shouldn't have been....plus I live in Ohio.

    That aside, if you want to know if you've been "convicted" then just call the court and ask them. I would guess, however, that the point of "continued without a finding" is that it has been continued.....so no, you have NOT been convicted....yet. The point of that sort of program is to give you the opportunity to realize that you shouldn't drink intoxicated. Next time, you will NOT be so lucky.

    As for a "moving violation" - again, ask the court what the official ruling is. The insurance companies will have access to the same information, so it's best if you're up front....then they can tell you what you "have" to have, if need be.

    As for bodily harm....that's up to you (unless your situation requires you to have a certain amount of insurance.) If you don't have any health insurance, then you may want to bump that up. Remember....just getting an aspirin at a hospital can cost you a couple hundred bucks, so if you get hit by a driver who does not have any insurance, then you'll need coverage for yourself.

    Ain't life grand?
    Quote Originally Posted by Kaiyla
    As a few might remember, I got an OUI/DUI last March when I lived in Massachusetts, and have been struggling with the repercussions since. My liscence was immediately suspended for thirty days and after my final court date in June, I plea bargained and entered into a "24D program" where my liscence has been suspended for another 60 days, I have paid about $2000 in random fees, and I have to take an alcohol safety course. My case was called "CWOF: Continued Without A Finding."
    I have recently moved to Studio City, CA and am now looking for new car insurance. Now here's my question: when I ask different companies for a quote, when they ask me if I have been convicted of driving under the influence, does a "Continued Without A Finding" mean that I say yes? How about when they ask me about moving violations? What do I say? I have no one that knows what I should do/tell them at this point. I don't want to be dishonest, but I don't want to reveal information that would get me the SKY HIGH payments if a continued without a finding does not count as a conviction or moving violation. Could anyone please recommend what I should do/say? Any decent car insurance companies to recommend?
    One last IMPORTANT thing, what do you recommend for "bodily harm?" Minimum? Full coverage? I am not a wreckless driver and this was my first (and last DUI/OUI) but I am unsure on what kind of coverage to get. I am embarassed as this is my first time dealing with car insurance policies by myself and I'm not really sure what to go for.
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
    -Humphrey Bogart

    "Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."
    -Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
    -His reply

    "If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
    -David Daye

  9. #9
    Sitri
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    Quote Originally Posted by MojoJojo
    Well, I may be totally off base because I've been lucky enough to not get busted for DUI, not that I shouldn't have been....plus I live in Ohio.

    That aside, if you want to know if you've been "convicted" then just call the court and ask them. I would guess, however, that the point of "continued without a finding" is that it has been continued.....so no, you have NOT been convicted....yet. The point of that sort of program is to give you the opportunity to realize that you shouldn't drink intoxicated. Next time, you will NOT be so lucky.

    As for a "moving violation" - again, ask the court what the official ruling is. The insurance companies will have access to the same information, so it's best if you're up front....then they can tell you what you "have" to have, if need be.

    Yep,

    As for bodily harm....that's up to you (unless your situation requires you to have a certain amount of insurance.) If you don't have any health insurance, then you may want to bump that up. Remember....just getting an aspirin at a hospital can cost you a couple hundred bucks, so if you get hit by a driver who does not have any insurance, then you'll need coverage for yourself.

    Ain't life grand?
    Yep, you are totally off. We are not talking a legal system. We are talking about insurance companies who have the ability to make up their own rules. If a license is suspended ... for whatever reason... it is suspended. You are dealing with clerks and underwriters who don't give a shit about your story or logic.

    You don't contact the court, you just contact your State Department of Motor Vehicles and ask for a copy of your driving record. Minor violations count on insurance for 3 years. Major Violations and At Fault Accidents for 5 years.

    Also check your CLUE report. The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. It's like a credit report but for insurance losses.

    You can order the report for your home and auto for free. Make sure it is accurate. You can and should dispute it if it is not.

    In addition, each state has requirement for you to carry insurance and the minimum amounts you must carry.

  10. #10
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    I don't know much about the DUI situation, but I would get as much as insurance as possible on on personal injuries.

    Think about when you're driving home....it's when the bars close. My state allows two levels of coverage for personal injuries and most people get the cheaper one. Especially concerning what we do, a small injury can likely mean missed work. I have health insurance too, but I'm screwed if I'm sitting at home for 6 weeks with a broken leg. At least my insurance pays for lost wages due to injuries.

  11. #11
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    Default Re: DUI and new insurance policy -desperate for good advice

    Get a copy of your driving record and see whats showing first . Then you can apply for insurance on-line and get some cost comparisons . I have bought the sr-22 ( I think thats what they call it ) years ago from progressive didnt have to deal with any person and it wasnt that bad as far as cost went . Do you still have insurance from the last company before you moved ? If so and they are a major co they should be able to tranfer a policy and update your current policy .I hope you are happy with your new home base good luck .

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