Drunk Driving and Auto Insurance Cancellation

Reader’s Question:

My 18-year-old sister and I share my car, and she is listed in my auto insurance policy. If she was arrested for drunk driving in Texas, will my policy be canceled?

Cynthia

Fort Worth, TX

The State of Texas has been reported to have the highest number of alcohol-related road accidents. Based on the Texas National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey, 70 Texans sustain injuries or are killed in accidents every day. A shocking 11% of drunk drivers arrested were minors under the age of 21, the state’s legal age for alcohol. It is for this reason that tough laws have been put in place to apprehend drivers who have been driving while drunk or intoxicated.

First-time offenders are obligated to pay a minimum fine of $1,000 but not more than $2,000. On top of that, administrative fees will be assessed. Texas has also imposed a surcharge fee to first-time DUI offenders of $1,000 annually for three years. Moreover, $2,000 surcharge will be paid yearly for three years if the blood alcohol level (BAC) is 0.16% or double the state’s statutory limits. If convicted, minimum jail time of 6 days will be imposed. Driving privileges will be revoked for a year although the car will be spared from the state’s impound.

Your sister, who you obviously feel may be involved in an alcohol-related arrest, should be restricted to use your car. This will save you and your family from possible financial difficulty. Even if your auto insurance will cover the liability, the statutory fines will be shouldered by the offender. And although your driving record will not include any of her potential demerit points, your auto insurer will still review her record since she is listed in your policy. If she indeed gets into any alcohol-related accident which she caused, then your auto insurer will find her an unfavorable risk. This may cause possible refusal of your auto insurance policy renewal if not complete cancellation.