Alcohol-impaired driving immediately accounts for nearly a third of all driving fatalities in almost every state, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2023, about 30 percent of US highway deaths took place and involved drivers that had a BAC above 0.08.

Normally, a DUI accident suggests that the at-fault driver would be the one to pay for the needs of the injured victim. Unfortunately, there are some cases where the liable drunk driver has little or no insurance.

When you find yourself in this kind of situation, you can rely on uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. How does UM/UIM coverage work? UM/UIM is automobile insurance that assists in paying losses when the person who was at fault is underinsured or uninsured for auto insurance. The coverage will take care of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, up to your limits.

Let’s examine how UM/UIM coverage affects insurance proceedings for a DUI crash.

How Does a DUI Impact Your Auto Insurance?

The impact of getting a DUI is that it can influence the rates and coverage available from your car driving insurance company.
Insurance companies view DUI offenses as grave violations that can mark you as a high-risk individual. High-risk individuals can experience having their insurance premiums increase by 20 percent or more. Your classification as a risk will limit the available coverage options that you can choose from.
The process of obtaining mandatory insurance creates financial difficulties. The required policy includes strict conditions and high deductible amounts, which must be paid before coverage starts. An SR-22 insurance proof document serves as evidence that you have obtained the mandatory insurance.

The financial consequences of a DUI offense become more severe since different legal outcomes can lead to unexpected expense increases for the person who committed the offense.

What You Should Know About UM/UIM Coverage

Discussing with your insurers regarding UM/UIM coverage is important when taking a DUI charge into account.

The uninsured motorist coverage is called into play in case you are involved in a crash where the driver at fault doesn’t have any insurance. Meanwhile, the UIM coverage activates when an accident occurs and the responsible driver lacks sufficient insurance protection to pay for your damages.

According to New Haven DUI accident attorney R.J. Weber III, some injury victims can recover damages by taking legal action against the uninsured or underinsured driver. Keep in mind that this option is only viable if the perpetrator has significant assets.

UM and UIM insurance serve to provide financial protection. This insurance coverage helps people handle their expenses instead of requiring them to pay their costs in full. When dealing with UM/UIM coverage, you must examine your policy limits and learn how they affect your complete insurance coverage.

These coverages are typically needed for individuals within an older age bracket.

Does UM/UIM Coverage Apply in a DUI Accident?

The terms of your insurance policy and the laws in the state of your residence will determine whether UM/UIM coverage can apply in a DUI accident.

Your insurance benefits will be denied to you if you were drinking alcohol at the time of the accident since your policy contains an exclusion clause.

Specific statutes in certain states control UM and UIM benefits for these particular situations. Your policy requires examination and discussion with your insurance agent for its correct understanding. Your coverage knowledge will establish the steps you need to take following the DUI incident.

What’s the Financial Impact of a DUI Crash on Your Insurance?

With your DUI accident, your insurance premiums are going to increase and cause severe financial strain.

Insurers view DUI offenses as high-risk driving behavior, which demands further scrutiny and the setting of higher premiums. Some insurance companies might expect to deny you coverage completely.

Should a DUI accident happen, the organization might see you as a high-risk individual, possibly impacting your ability to access affordable, competitive insurance rates in the near term.

As a result of a car wreck, the policyholder could experience an increase in the deductibles of their insurance, together with raises in the premium rate. In the worst cases, one’s policy could even be terminated. A person can be faced with consequences even a long time after the incident.

What Steps Should You Take After a DUI Accident?

If you were injured in a car accident resulting from drunk driving, numerous legal actions can be taken. Look for possible body injuries you have sustained. Next, keep an eye out for those injuries that could be potentially fatal for the other person involved in the accident. Should you or the other party undergo serious injuries, get hold of 911 immediately.

Haul away the vehicle from danger. This move prevents another accident from happening. You need to share personal information and your insurance policy to cover damages with the other driver. To avoid spoiling future investigations, keep your discussions simple.

The total documentation of the accident requires that certain photographic evidence and eyewitness statements be collected from the scene. These have to match the incident report accurately when it is forwarded to the insurance company.

To combat the problem of legal issues and protect your rights, you must necessarily have a competent lawyer guide you through DUI litigation.

It becomes extremely difficult to understand UM/UIM coverage after a DUI accident. Be fully aware of what your insurance policy says and get to know the rulings and regulations of the state where you stay. The moment you are involved in a car crash, you should call your insurer immediately for support and guidance on what to do and how it can positively impact your financial health.