Insurance.com RateWatch: Drivers with Drinking Violations Pay Up to $2,356 for Auto Insurance

Drivers should use caution this Labor Day weekend to avoid accidents and higher auto insurance rates

CLEVELAND, Sept. 1 -- As Labor Day approaches, Insurance.com, the largest online auto insurance agency in the United States, urges drivers to use caution when on the road this weekend - especially if attending events where alcohol is served. If you intend to have a drink or two, remember that driving under the influence is not only dangerous, but also if you are stopped or get into an accident, your car insurance rates could increase by as much as 38 percent.

According to Insurance.com's 2009 RateWatch data, the average lowest rate quoted to drivers with a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) violation was $2,148 per year, $435 more than a driver with no violations. Drivers charged with a DWI who also are responsible for an accident received an average car insurance rate of $2,356, paying $643 more than those without violations.

"Insurance companies consider drivers with drinking violations to be extremely risky," said Sam Belden, vice president at Insurance.com. "Drivers with drinking violations tend to be involved in more accidents, and the accidents are more severe. Some insurance companies refuse to insure drivers with these types of violations."

  2009 Average Rate Quotes Based on Driving Record

  Driving Record       Quoted Premium*
  DWI                      $2,148
  DWI + Accident           $2,356
  No Violations            $1,713
  All Drivers              $1,863

* Auto insurance quotes are based on the average of the lowest rate quotes by Insurance.com in 2009. Insurance.com completes quotes for more than one million drivers each year.

In addition to paying higher insurance costs, most drivers convicted of a DWI face a driver's license suspension, reinstatement fees and must file an SR-22 for three years. These additional costs can reach thousands of dollars until the DWI drops from your motor vehicle report.

  View the complete RateWatch Report for more auto insurance rate trends.

  About Insurance.com

Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Insurance.com is the top online auto insurance agency in the U.S., and offers comparison auto insurance quotes consumers can buy online or by phone. By linking directly to the rating systems of fifteen top insurance companies, Insurance.com provides instant, accurate comparison rates that help consumers make smarter decisions about auto insurance. For more information, visit http://www.insurance.com/.