Drinking and driving: Consequences for your auto insurance

Does a driver’s licence suspension or revocation have to be reported to your auto insurer?

Yes, without exception. You must inform your auto insurer immediately when:

• your driver’s licence is suspended after a drinking and driving arrest (usually for 90 days);
• your licence is revoked after a conviction for impaired driving; or
• you are shopping for new insurance and have previously been convicted as an impaired driver and have a criminal record.

Licence loss: What is the impact on your auto insurance premium?

An arrest followed by a conviction for impaired driving raises your risk profile in the eyes of insurance companies. The result? Your premium goes up.

• No conviction after the arrest: No lasting impact on your premium beyond the temporary effects of the licence loss or vehicle impoundment.
• Confirmed conviction: Your insurance costs can go as high as triple.

Which factors increase your premium after impaired driving?

Each auto insurer applies its own rate schedules, but several factors influence the premium increase:

• Driver’s age
• Driving record
• Severity of the offence (blood alcohol concentration)

For example, being arrested at a roadside checkpoint can already push up your premium. But if you caused a car accident while intoxicated, or if you are a repeat offender, the increase will be far more severe.

There is also a risk that your insurer will refuse to renew your policy or even cancel it mid-term. In that case, you will often have no choice but to turn to a broker to look for new insurance on the specialty market.

How long does the offence stay on your insurance record?

A criminal record for drinking and driving appears for 10 years in the records of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).

However, the impact on your insurance premium and how long it lasts vary by insurer. An increase can easily stretch to 4 to 6 years after the offence.

Can you get insured with a criminal record for drinking and driving?

Yes, it’s possible. But finding an insurer can become much harder. A drunk driving conviction places you in a high-risk category for insurers.

• A first conviction without an accident generally results in a very high premium, but insurance remains accessible.
• In the case of a repeat offence or an accident, some insurers may refuse to cover you. You will then have to turn to a specialized insurer.

In other words, the heavier the record, the fewer the options, and the more expensive and restrictive the insurance becomes.

Can an insurance policy be cancelled after a drinking and driving arrest?

It depends on the insurer. A temporary licence loss, an ignition interlock device or a vehicle seizure can affect your insurance record. The insurer can review the policy on the spot and reassess your file: premium increase and a decision on whether or not to cancel the policy.

Is an accident while intoxicated covered by auto insurance?

Yes. In Quebec, the “no-fault” system means that auto insurance coverage (public and private) applies even if you are the at-fault driver for the accident, including while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. A paradox, given that the law strictly prohibits impaired driving.

Does liability insurance coverage include bodily injury in a drinking and driving accident?

No. All bodily injury related to an accident involving motor vehicles is covered by the SAAQ’s public plan. Your auto insurance otherwise applies in the same way as for other accidents, covering property damage.

Alcohol and auto insurance: A real and major financial risk

The consequences of impaired driving for your auto insurance are severe: a major premium increase, legal costs, difficulty getting insured, risk of non-renewal, and a long-term impact on your insurability.

Prevention remains your only real protection. When you drink, always find a safe way to get home. You are protecting your life, the lives of others … and your financial future.