Alcohol Exclusion Laws and DUI
While trying to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents in the United States, lawmakers across the country began to use outlines provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to draft prohibitive laws that would protect insurance providers from drunk driving claims. As a result, alcohol exclusion laws are present in most states in the nation, and courts have reinforced this position through judicial precedence. Although a movement has taken hold to repeal these laws, which is currently even backed by the same NAIC that helped form the original law, they are still widely in use.
If you have been charged with DUI, contact the Seattle DUI defense lawyers of the Cowan Kirk Gaston Law Firm at 1-866-822-1230 to discuss your case with an experienced attorney today.
How Exclusion Works
When it comes to insurance, exclusion laws have far-reaching consequences on those who depend on coverage to afford repairs or treatment. In reality, the law has been found to suffer from loopholes, which makes the original intent of the legislation largely useless. Alcohol exclusion laws work in the following ways:
- Insurance companies are allowed to deny any alcohol-related claim
- Medical care providers use insurance coverage to afford treatments
- As a result, doctors and nurses may not check for alcohol in an injured driver
- Drunk drivers are not caught or punished and continue to be insured
In the case of DUI, this loophole system is less probable. However, as effective drunk driving measures attempt to stop drinking and driving, alcohol exclusion laws have illustrated their own flaws.
Contact Us
Alcohol exclusion for insurance is not allowed in the state of Washington. If you have been charged with DUI, contact the Seattle DUI defense attorneys of the Cowan Kirk Gaston Law Firm at 1-866-822-1230 to learn how we can help you.
