This is embarrassing, but the truth is I wasn’t able to pay my auto insurance premiums for a several months. It was canceled. My problem now is I have to drive uninsured for a little while here in Texas until I sort this out. If I’m careful enough not to hit someone else’s car, I’ll be fine, right? It would only be temporary. Pretty soon, I’ll be shopping for a free auto insurance quote on the Internet.

James

Dallas TX

I’ve got bad news for you, man. Before, the city would only tow your car if you got into an accident and you were found to be uninsured. But starting this year, the rules have changed. James, if you were found to have no auto insurance coverage, your car would be towed right away. I heard on the news that in Dallas, the authorities have discovered more than 70,000 people driving without auto insurance coverage. Sure, auto insurance is a financial burden, but at the end of the day, it’s your responsibility. So, if you were caught parking where you’re not supposed to, and if traffic authorities discover that you didn’t have proper auto insurance, your car would be towed just like that.

So basically man, you’ve got two problems: first, you must get your vehicle insured if you intend to drive. In Texas, you must have at least 75,000 dollars worth of auto insurance coverage (25/50/25). You will then be required to fill out an SR 22. Don’t do this and your driver’s license will be suspended. Second, you can expect your free auto insurance quote to skyrocket the next time that you check because you allowed your auto insurance to be canceled.

My auto insurance rates have fairly increased because of a DUI in Dallas Texas, so I am looking for other companies that give free auto insurance quotes on SR22 coverage. Can you advise me on what to look for when researching on DUI auto insurance coverage?

Zach

Dallas, TX

The State of Texas has the highest number of traffic accidents due to drunk driving. In the year 2006 alone, 39% of all traffic mishaps are attributed to driving under the influence and almost four thousand people have fallen victim to this violent and irresponsible act. It is for this alarming increase in DUI statistics that the State of Texas has mandated to punish offenders dearly. With a first time DUI citation comes two cases filed against you:

One is taken action by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to pursue suspension of your driver’s license. In here, you will get to pay enormous administrative fines and other surcharges and could amount up to $2,000. The DMV court may also rule to jail you for at least three days but not more than three months. And a 90-day suspension of driver’s license will also be ordered.

The second case triggered by the DUI offense is a criminal one especially if there were considerable damages to people and property. In here, your other assets and properties are at risk of government sequestration especially if your auto insurance was not able to pay for all of the damages you caused. Bear in mind that penalties increase with subsequent DUI citations. Your auto insurance will also be greatly affected since you will be deemed as not a favorable risk by your insurer. So you can expect a steady increase in you premiums every year.

However, companies use different rating systems when assessing a client’s premium. So you may want to research on insurance carriers and their prevailing prices. When you do this, get the comparison rates of the same coverage you want. You may obtain free auto insurance quotes from websites of insurance carriers licensed to do business in Dallas.
One of the best ways to lower your annual premiums is to have a higher deductible amount.. Like a $1,000, is what I carry personally.

Now, if you are a claim free and safe driver like I am, you could be saving a ton of money each year on your premiums.  People fail to realize that the deductible amount is only paid when they file a claim and their insurance company pays that claim.