The laws for drunk driving are pretty consistent across the United States, but regulations on driving under the influence of marijuana differ widely. Twelve states have zero tolerance policies, which means you can’t have any THC in your blood. Other states have their own standards for what makes you an impaired driver, but there’s one thing you can count on if you get a marijuana DUI: an car insurance rate hike.
Rising Car Insurance Premiums
You’re sure to be unhappy with the magnitude of the rate hike you see come renewal time if you get a driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) charge on your record. For first time offenders, California drivers had it worst with an increase of more than $1,500 per year after one DUID conviction.
Ohio’s increase was the smallest at $336 per year, still significant enough to be a severe penalty for any driver. If you move beyond one conviction and get a second DUID conviction, you’ll almost certainly see another spike of several hundred more dollars, and you up the odds that you’ll be dropped altogether from your car insurance company once you reach renewal time.
What if You’re Convicted?
If you don’t yet have a DUID conviction, be forewarned that there isn’t a lot of leeway for it. However, if you do find yourself with a conviction, it may be worth doing a little comparison shopping to see if there’s a car insurance provider that will offer you a lower rate on your policy than the company you started at.
Every insurance company is different, so there will be some that view accidents and violations differently, in a way that may favor you in your situation. Just remember that, as Benjamin Franklin used to say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and if you can prevent a DUID charge, you’ll find it a lot easier to stay with the car insurance companyyou prefer at a rate you like.
Follow Us!