Will my car insurance company be notified about my DUI?

Well first and foremost it is important to recognize that there are two aspects to any DUI Case: the criminal and the DMV. The problem for most people who are charged with DUI is that their license can be suspended based on just their arrest for DUI. In California you have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing from the DMV to challenge your automatic license suspension. If you do request a hearing one will usually be set out about 30 days. They will have a limited hearing and make a determination based on what evidence they have from the arresting agency. If you win the hearing your license will not be suspended if you lose then shortly after you recieve notice of their decision your license will be suspended. However during the time between your arrest and hearing results (normally a few days or weeks after the hearing) your license is not suspended. So if your license is suspended you will be required by the DMV to get what is know as an SR-22. This is a special type of insurance which if your terminate the insurance company is required to tell the DMV at which point they may suspend or revoke your license again. So to answer your question, more than likely no your insurance company will not be notified of your DUI however if you ever want to drive again you will likely need your SR22. The standard of proof at the DMV hearing is very low and therefore the success rate is low as well, so even if you win your criminal case and the charges are dismissed you may still end up paying a higher insurance rate because of the DMVs requirements. That being said there are several companies which offer competitive rates for SR22 which are very comparable to normal rates simply because they want the additional business, my clients have always told me that it was less than they expected.

In general, insurance companies are not notified about a DUI conviction or an administrative suspension by DMV. If someone who has been convicted or had their license suspended for a DUI, then the insurance company will know. Consult an experienced DUI attorney where the arrest occurred to mitigate increases in insurance costs. There are independent brokers that specializes in SR22 insurance to try and avoid increased depending on the circumstances of DUI arrest. If the attorney is an experienced DUI lawyer, he or she will help guide you through the process.

If you are convicted, but retain a local DUI lawyer to fight it.

Your car insurance company won't be notified by the DMV, unless you're convicted and the suspension goes on your record. I would advise you to get an SR22 from another party, that way your insurance company doesn't bump up the rates until after you've already renewed your insurance for the year.