How can I get car insurance if my spouse has a DUI/DWI?

If a court has convicted your spouse of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, you may be wondering how this will affect your car insurance. What will insurance companies expect if your spouse is now ready to resume driving? 

We know this can be a complex subject to deal with and could have significant financial repercussions, so we’ve researched for you to provide answers.

What happens to your insurance if your wife or husband gets a DUI?

If your husband or wife received a DUI conviction, insurance companies would assume that they now represent an increased risk. You will need to see if the company will extend coverage at all and may need to get various quotes to determine the best price on new rates. 

If you are living together, you may want to see if you can exclude your partner from your car insurance, presuming this will make your premium more manageable. Otherwise, the insurance company will automatically assume that you will both have the opportunity to drive the vehicle, or vehicles, and quote accordingly.

Does a named driver exclusion help with DWIs and auto insurance costs?

Can you take advantage of what is known as a named driver exclusion? 

In this case, you would notify your insurance company that your spouse will not drive the vehicle noted on your policy at any time. The company will then write this clause into the paperwork, and you may see this reflected in lower rates. 

However, some states do not allow you to do this. For example, Vermont does not permit any named driver exclusions, and you will need to contact your DMV or insurance provider to determine the rules in your jurisdiction. You should also talk with each insurance company to see if the practice is allowed, should it be okay with the state.

What if my company will not provide any coverage?

On the flip side, an insurance company may not be happy to cover a certain individual if they have a terrible driving history. In this case, the company may insist on excluding the spouse who got a DUI. 

You would then need to shop around to see if any other company would give you the coverage or make alternative arrangements.

Will we need insurance coverage before driving privileges are restored?

Don’t forget that your spouse may need to get a specific form from your insurance company before the DMV restores their driving privileges. This is known as an SR 22. It is a document that shows that the driver now carries at least the minimum auto insurance coverage specified by the state. 

Get in touch with your insurance company, and a representative will provide a form that you will need to fill in and return.

What if the company excludes my spouse, but they drive the car anyway?

Most insurance companies insist on including both husband and wife on a policy should they live under the same roof. If the company agrees to exclude the spouse who got a DUI, you must be very careful to make sure they comply. 

After all, the company is unlikely to honor any claim related to an incident if your spouse does get behind the wheel, and your insurer might cancel the policy altogether if they’re caught doing so.

What if we have two cars?

If you have two cars in the household, you may want to see if you can get insurance from two different companies. In this case, buying a less valuable vehicle for the spouse with a DUI conviction may be a good idea. Ask if you can have a named driver exclusion on the other vehicle and compare prices to see where you end up.

Final Thoughts on Understanding DUIs and Car Insurance

Getting a named driver exclusion clause written into your policy may be possible should your spouse have a DUI conviction. Some states and insurance companies do not allow this, so you must shop around. If successful, your spouse will not be able to drive, but you will probably have lower insurance rates.