Many people think that the worst part of a DUI conviction (also known as a drinking and driving offence) will be possibly obtaining a criminal record, or fines and suspensions given by the Court and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
And while these factors will affect a persons life in the immediate future, many people fail to think about the long-term consequences that follow along with a DUI charge, specifically how it will affect their ability to obtain and maintain their driving insurance.
Will my insurance go up?
When a person is convicted of a DUI charge, they will be classified as a ‘high risk’ driver. This means that yes, almost inevitably insurance costs will be higher, but how much? It will depend on the insurance provider and the coverage itself, but it could cost 2-5 times the amount compared with a driver with a clean record. Further, insurance companies may choose to terminate your policy or refuse to renew a policy.
Legally, insurance providers are allowed to make such determinations because being convicted of a drinking and driving offence represents a material change of your risk profile.
Do I need to tell my insurance provider that I have a DUI?
Many people might say that because reporting a DUI to my insurance provider is not part of the contract, that they do not have to, but this is not an advisable approach to dealing with your company.
The reason being is insurance providers may be entitled to refuse to pay out on claims if this information comes to the attention of the company.
What if my policy is cancelled because of the DUI?
Many companies will not insure a person who has been convicted of DUI, however, in order to drive in Canada, the law states that a person must have insurance and so it is critical to find a provider.
There are companies that advertise giving insurance to high-risk drivers and those who have a DUI, however, it is always advisable compare rates and policies before committing to any one option.
How long will I suffer with expensive insurance because of my DUI?
Being convicted of a DUI will usually result in having years of expensive insurance. This question is dependent on the particular provider, some providers will consider lowering rates after 3 years.
Other providers however can take up to 6 years before rates are lowered. In order to qualify for lower insurance rates, a person must have a good (arguably perfect) driving record for the 3-to-6-year period. It is important to note that a DUI will be removed from a person’s drivers abstract after 3 years.
Conclusion
Insurance will be one of the most challenging things for a person to deal with after they get a DUI. If you are pleading guilty to a DUI charge and you have retained a lawyer, it is always advisable to ask basic questions in order to fully understand how difficult insurance can be for the foreseeable future. Contact us if you have any questions!
