Do I have to tell my insurance company about a DUI in California?

Getting arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is a stressful situation. However, just as stressful as dealing with the criminal aspect is figuring out how it will affect other aspects of your life.

You may wonder—”Do I have to tell my insurance company about a DUI in California?” The answer to this question is, maybe.

First, you need to understand the difference between a DUI arrest and conviction.

Just because you have been cited, does not mean you are guilty—proper police and court procedure must first be followed.

If you have been arrested for a DUI, but not convicted (or haven’t been found guilty yet), you do not need to contact your insurance company—yet.

Talk to your lawyer and decide how you plan to proceed with handling your DUI. If you can fight it and have the case dismissed, you’ll be under no obligation to report.

If on the other hand, you are convicted, you will need to inform your insurance company of the DUI (and if you don’t, the carrier will find out anyway). At that point, the carrier will make decisions regarding your coverage.

A DUI conviction will remain on your record for ten years and may make finding proper coverage harder unless you have the right insurer on your side.

A DUI conviction can be stressful, but it does not necessarily mean that you can’t be insured, even if your current carrier cancels your policy.

If you have received a DUI in California and need assistance in securing insurance coverage, reach out to us at Diverse Insurance. Agent Rebecca Houpt can help you find the coverage you need to keep driving legally.