The two distinguishing features of FR44 car insurance are its higher liability limits and its exclusivity for DWI / DUI drivers. Currently only Florida and Virginia are utilizing this format in their latest efforts to curb drinking and driving. It is a program that enjoys widespread support there, and will likely be adopted by other states. Other states do not make a distinction between high risk driver groups, when it comes to insurance, and mandate SR22 car insurance for all of them.
Texas has the unpleasant distinction of leading the nation in drunken driving crashes and fatalities, again! Not too surprising is that Texas law enforcement has an equally impressive record of DWI arrests and citations issued. Texas law enforcement is legendary, often propelled by the depiction of Texas Rangers and Sheriffs in movies and television. This year again, thousands of state troopers and local police across Texas are beefing up patrols and seeking out and arresting drunk drivers in increasing numbers. It is disturbing for most folks to be pulled over, and for some it is quite intimidating, especially in Texas. Obviously, this scenario is best avoided by not drinking and driving in the first place!
It is fairly commonplace, and not just in Texas, to be pulled over, as many states and municipalities vigorously seek out those who drink and drive. Issuing citations and prosecuting these drivers has become big business for municipalities, lawyers, insurance companies, and others who are profiting. Nevertheless, enforcement is widely supported as roadways inevitably become safer from the activity. Many states will likely consider and adopt increased liability insurance limits for their DWI / DUI drivers, above their current SR22 insurance requirement for other high risk drivers. Florida and Virginia are successfully doing this now by utilizing FR44 insurance exclusively for these drivers while maintaining the SR22 for other high risk drivers. Texas, having the second largest market for car insurance along with the highest ranking in drunken driving statistics will soon likely consider replacing their SR22 insurance with FR44 insurance for their convicted drivers.
The next best step in the ongoing effort to make roadways safer from drunk drivers everywhere may very well be with state legislatures and not law enforcement. Replacing the SR22 Texas insurance policy with FR44 insurance for DWI drivers as Florida and Virginia have will benefit all Texas drivers, and definitely makes more sense here than any other place, due to their elevated DWI statistics. A DWI driver, or DUI driver as it is referred to in Florida, must obtain a car insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/50 and submit proof via the FR44 certificate filing. Formerly the DUI driver in Florida only had to carry limits of 10/20/10 as evidenced by their SR22 insurance filing. In Virginia the FR44 liability limits for their DUI drivers are double required by the SR22 policy at 50/100/40. The current required limits of an SR22 Texas insurance policy are 30/60/25. These Texas limits, required of all their drivers, were updated beginning January, 2011 from 25/50/25. Here we see Texas recently displaying a trend toward higher liability limits for all drivers.
For several key reasons the FR44 car insurance policy has been an excellent development in Florida and Virginia. First of all, the increased liability limits is an excellent community wide benefit. More insurance coverage obviously means more protection for an injured party. Many drivers do not have an accident or health insurance policy available, to provide them benefits in the event of an injury, and tax payers end up with the burden of paying for emergency care at county hospitals for these individuals. The initial higher insurance premiums experienced by convicted drivers for the mandated increased coverage becomes a significant deterrent for repeating the offense. The increased car insurance premiums along with the other consequences endured by drunk drivers have an overall modifying effect on their driving habits, and not just as it relates to drinking and driving. These drivers tend to be more careful overall and they have fewer accidents and claims as evidenced by their low loss ratios.
When our family owned insurance agency first began to write an increased number of these types of policies we were quite concerned that our insurance carriers would find this objectionable. And then we were very pleased to find out that several of the companies were having good performance numbers with this risk class and were encouraging more polices of this type. As time goes on these companies are competing more and more for DWI / DUI polices with lower rates. There are still plenty of companies that penalize these drivers with very high rates and cancellations, so, shopping around after a citation is important and may be absolutely necessary. Car insurance is generally the last step before these drivers can reinstate their license and it is often the most dreaded. Thankfully for them, car insurance usually does not turn out to be the worst of their consequences.
These policyholders, upon subsequent renewals, begin to enjoy increasing discounts associated with having prior high liability limits. And, Overtime, safer driving habits translate to improved insurance rates which ends up benefiting the DWI / DUI driver as well. In the long run these drivers actually are able to reduce their premiums while enjoying higher limits of coverage. And, this is especially so as the conviction begins to age and its associated surcharge diminishes and is eventually eliminated altogether. Many of these drivers would not have had the foresight, or discipline, to maintain higher liability limits without a DUI conviction to secure discounts leading to lower premiums for the higher limits.
It is easy to see that the FR44 insurance policy ends up being a winning scenario for all involved. The community at large enjoys a higher level of insurance protection for their citizens, the DWI or DUI policyholders eventually pay less for more coverage, and the insurance companies, lawyers, ticket clinics, etc... are making a profit. And, Overtime, the safer driving habits of the DWI / DUI driver also translate to improved insurance rates for them. It seems to me that, Texas having the most DWI drivers stands to benefit the most from the sensible FR44 insurance programs that I have experienced as an independent agent here in Florida and Virginia.
Texas SR22 insurance is fast and easy with Texas Auto Plus Insurance. Texas DWI insurance, made easy, is welcomed relief for anyone going through this experience. For additional helpful car insurance facts, quotes and information please visit our Website or call 1-877-WIZ-AUTO (949-2886).
No comments:
Post a Comment