by Guest » Tue Jul 13, 2010 03:22 am
In December 2007, I was arrested for a DUI. I was sentenced the following July, and the careless driving was dropped as part of the plea bargain. I'm in Montana.
Anyways, State Farm has yet not noticed, or has yet to raise my rates (in fact they have gone down slightly). I know the standard wait time for insurance purposes in 3 years; first question, is it 3 years from my arrest or from the court hearing?
Now the sticky situation. My 94 Camaro Z28 recently broke down again, and it is going to cost around $1,000 to fix. It is no longer financially viable to keep fixing her up, as bigger problems loom with the engine that will need to be addressed in the not so distance future as well. So I am stuck between a rock and a hard place; if I get a new car, State Farm is sure to find out about the DUI and will either raise my rates to exhobort levels, or just drop me completely. If I put money back into my Camaro, I'm basically throwing money at a short-term solution, and there is no guarantee it won't break down in a much more expensive fashion before year's end.
How do I go about finding out how much insurance would be for me with my DUI on record without alerting State Farm? I believe I am still under my parents insurance (I'm 27, don't judge me), so that may be part of the reason they haven't noticed?
Would it be possible for my Dad to purchase insurance on a new vehicle for me?
I can easily afford a new car around $10,000 or so, but I certainly couldn't afford to commit to a $180 a month car payment and then have my insurance quadruple.
Any suggestions?
Anyways, State Farm has yet not noticed, or has yet to raise my rates (in fact they have gone down slightly). I know the standard wait time for insurance purposes in 3 years; first question, is it 3 years from my arrest or from the court hearing?
Now the sticky situation. My 94 Camaro Z28 recently broke down again, and it is going to cost around $1,000 to fix. It is no longer financially viable to keep fixing her up, as bigger problems loom with the engine that will need to be addressed in the not so distance future as well. So I am stuck between a rock and a hard place; if I get a new car, State Farm is sure to find out about the DUI and will either raise my rates to exhobort levels, or just drop me completely. If I put money back into my Camaro, I'm basically throwing money at a short-term solution, and there is no guarantee it won't break down in a much more expensive fashion before year's end.
How do I go about finding out how much insurance would be for me with my DUI on record without alerting State Farm? I believe I am still under my parents insurance (I'm 27, don't judge me), so that may be part of the reason they haven't noticed?
Would it be possible for my Dad to purchase insurance on a new vehicle for me?
I can easily afford a new car around $10,000 or so, but I certainly couldn't afford to commit to a $180 a month car payment and then have my insurance quadruple.
Any suggestions?
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 07:21 pm Post Subject:
Trench,
The way I read the initial post (and most likely because I went through the same thing) the OP is not trying to conceal the DUI or lie.... he is just not going to tell them. Which he confirmed with his recent post.
Moose -
$105 for a new car from Progressive doesn't seem bad at all.
Now it comes down to money decision on your part. The cost of the new car with the Progressive quote with the DUI or putting money into a car that may or may not make it till December and the chance that you will have to pay the Progressive quote in a couple months once State Farm finds out.
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 08:19 pm Post Subject:
OP is not trying to conceal the DUI
You may read it that way, but here is what the OP wrote in his first post:
How do I go about finding out how much insurance would be for me with my DUI on record without alerting State Farm?
And in a later post:
I paid my fines, did my community service. I made a mistake, I've moved on, wiser for it.
As if this is reason enough not to disclose what is otherwise public information.
But the "nail in the coffin" so to speak is:
I was only concerned that using Progessive's compare tool would check State Farm and would therefore alert State Farm about my DUI.
What other evidence of CONCEALMENT do you need? Please examine the CA Insurance Code definition of concealment (previously posted): neglect to communicate that which a party knows, and ought to communicate
If a person is that afraid of paying higher insurance premiums, as the result of a DUI or other driving behavior, then it ought to influence their behavior in the opposite direction.
The freeway speed limit is 65 or 70 mph in most parts of California. When possible, I rarely drive as slow as that, typically averaging about 75 mph, with occasional bursts of speed to 80, 85, maybe even 90. Am I breaking the law? Of course. Do I have to call the Highway Patrol and let them know? Of course not. If caught, do I expect to pay for it. Of course. And in more ways than one.
Does my insurance company require that I let them know? No, unless I'm filling out an application for insurance. Would I sneak around trying to keep it a secret? No.
But that's exactly what the OP is asking for advice about:
If anyone has any information actually relevant to the problem I posted, I would appreciate it.
Enough said.
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 09:19 pm Post Subject:
It would seem that his question/problem was that he was worried that if he went searching for other coverage that it would alert State Farm about his DUI. He wasn't asking how to lie to State Farm, just how to find a quote without State Farm finding out. It was more of the OP not understanding that insurance companies aren't housed in one building sharing all of their information.
Like you said, it is public knowledge. I am surprised that State Farm has not found it. But it would seem that they did not find it. I highly doubt that they would overlook it. But if I were him I would definitely not run and tell them. I agree that if the OP was trying to obtain insurance without supplying the DUI info then yes he would be wrong and would be trying to conceal it. In this case, he is just trying to not offer up information not asked for.
I guess my question is, how do you conceal something that is public record?
it is sort of like a deposition... don't answer questions not asked.
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:00 pm Post Subject:
it is sort of like a deposition... don't answer questions not asked
And...you REALLY think, if the OP goes to another Insurance company, they're not going to find out?! You CAN'T conceal something that is "public record." It doesn't matter if the OP did all of the Community Service, etc...the fact is the OP STILL has this on her record. I know afew Insurance companies (in my area, anyway..) that would deny coverage on the spot!! Driving drunk is a MAJOR 'pet peeve' of mine! A friend of mine was killed, years ago, by a drunk driver. The drunk driver never remembered hitting her!! :( The drunk driver said the same thing, that the OP is saying..."I did my 'time', etc.." However......that STILL doesn't bring my DEAD friend back!! Hope ya'll are getting the moral of the story!!Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 04:50 am Post Subject:
I am in no way saying that I am going to lie to a potential new insurer or even a new policy on a new car with State Farm.
Montana Code Annotated 33-18-9, conviction information older than three years that is derived solely from a driving record may not be used to affect your insurance rates or insurance eligibility.
I am simply wanting to know how much insurance for me is going to be if I buy a new car, having the DUI on my record. My concern was that shopping for new insurance would cause State Farm to do a check and thus find my DUI.
I've been just waiting for months, and now years for State Farm to find out and repercussions to occur. I was/am ready for it, and would have accepted it. But as it happens, they haven't found out yet. But my luck did run out in that my car finally died and now I am decided whether to buy a new car or fix my old car.
It is not required by law to inform State Farm of my DUI, so due to financial constraints I have not done so. I'm not proud of it, but am within my legal rights to do so.
I was really hoping we could discuss this without getting into a drunk driving argument. Trust me, it is the biggest mistake of my life and I am truly thankful no one got hurt because of my stupidity.
I am now likely going to purchase a 2002 Honda Accord EX with a V6. I'm not entirely sure what I'll do about insurance, but most likely I will get a few quotes from Progressive and the like, and then see what State Farm has to say.
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 05:08 am Post Subject:
He wasn't asking how to lie to State Farm, just how to find a quote without State Farm finding out.
No one ever accused or suggested that. The word that was used was CONCEALMENT. Concealment is not a lie, it is simply withholding known information. And the OP admits that he has done exactly that. Is he compelled to notify his insurer of his legal troubles? No.
But to continue to seek ways to try to keep hidden what is otherwise public knowledge is a problem.
I am now likely going to purchase a 2002 Honda Accord EX with a V6. I'm not entirely sure what I'll do about insurance, but most likely I will get a few quotes from Progressive and the like, and then see what State Farm has to say.
Understand that Progressive is not necessarily the least costly insurer available. Why not find a local independent agent, sit down with him/her, explain your circumstances and let them shop your need for you? They will have to input the details of your DUI in the system, but as long as they are not a State Farm agent, your information will remain "concealed" from State Farm.
Good luck. But prepare to pay the price of an almost 3-year-old conviction.
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:57 am Post Subject: insurance
(Just a 'personal' thought)...Usually a local agent would have cheaper rates. However...again, depends on the 'condition' of your driving record, of course.
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:36 am Post Subject:
This is straight from a SF agents mouth. If a policy holder fails to inform SF at the time of renewel or purchase of coverage of a DUI conviction, SF's policy is termination.
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 05:29 pm Post Subject:
Thanks, Trench! The fact that the OP has managed to carry his coverage this far after the arrest and subsequent conviction means the fact was either concealed or it was misrepresented.
Doesn't really matter that State Farm has somehow managed not to uncover it.
That he has not has a claim in the interim is pure luck, because it probably would not have been covered based on one or the other "problem" the OP created for himself -- assuming State Farm would have bothered to run a DMV report.
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 06:40 pm Post Subject:
Trust me, it is the biggest mistake of my life and I am truly thankful no one got hurt because of my stupidity.
I do have to admit, you actually said you "made a mistake." However.....I'm with everyone else, on this thread. How does your Insurance company NOT know by now? OP..do you think YOU should get a 'break' on this, and no one else should?! :roll:
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