Celebrating St. Patrick's Day?

Make your own luck: Get home safe on St. Patrick’s Day

Getting a DUI is not only dangerous - it can be costly and impact your auto insurance rates

St. Patrick’s Day is considered one of the heaviest drinking holidays. While many people celebrate responsibly, the combination of alcohol or drugs and driving can quickly turn a festive night into a tragedy.

The NW Insurance Council urges anyone celebrating the holiday to rely on good judgement, not good luck, to get home safely.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one person was killed every 42 minutes in a drunk driving crash in 2023. In total, 12,429 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired crashes on U.S. roadways that year.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs not only puts lives at risk — it can also carry severe legal and financial consequences.

The True Cost of a DUI

A DUI citation or arrest could cost $10,000 or more when fines, court costs, legal fees and other penalties are added together. But the financial impact doesn't stop there.

A DUI conviction can also have a major impact on your auto insurance.

Depending on the insurance company and your driving history, a DUI can double the cost of your auto insurance, or even result in your insurer choosing not to renew your policy.

From an insurance perspective, a DUI indicates high-risk driving behavior, which means drivers with a DUI on their record often face significantly higher premiums and fewer insurance options.

Insurance companies review driving records when someone applies for a new policy or when an existing policy comes up for renewal. Drivers with DUI violations — whether related to alcohol or drugs — are much more likely to face surcharges or coverage restrictions.

DUI Isn't Just About Alcohol

Impaired driving isn’t limited to alcohol. DUI infractions can also involve:

• Marijuana
• Illegal drugs
• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness

Even common medications such as sleep aids, cold medicines and allergy medications can impair your ability to drive safely.

Insurance Costs Can Rise Dramatically

A DUI can significantly increase the cost of auto insurance. According to the financial website ValuePenguin, drivers may see premiums increase by as much as 88 percent after a DUI.

In the Northwest, the impact can vary by state:

• Washington: average increase of about 50 percent
• Oregon: average increase of about 89 percent
• Idaho: increases can reach as high as 94 percent

Actual increases depend on many factors, including the driver’s prior record, claims history and the insurance company’s underwriting policies.

Plan Ahead for a Safe Ride Home

If you plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, or any occasion involving alcohol, make a plan for a safe ride home before the festivities begin.

Options include:

• Designating a sober driver
• Calling a taxi
• Using a rideshare service
• Taking public transportation
• Staying overnight where you are celebrating

A little planning can prevent a tragic crash — and avoid costly legal and insurance consequences.

Hosting a Party? Know Your Responsibility

If you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day gathering at your home or business, you also have responsibilities as a host.

In some situations, hosts may be held financially liable if a guest who has been overserved leaves the event, drives impaired, and causes a crash.

Liability coverage in your homeowners or renters insurance policy may help cover legal or medical costs related to such incidents. However, those limits may not fully cover damages if serious injuries occur.

If you’re hosting a gathering, it’s wise to:

• Avoid overserving alcohol
• Offer non-alcoholic beverage options
• Encourage guests to arrange safe transportation
• Understand your state’s social host liability laws

You may also want to review your liability limits with your insurance agent or company.

For more information about property & casualty insurance, contact NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942.