Can you get affordable car insurance after a DUI in Canada?

With files from Will Koblensky

This article was originally published on November 23, 2018 and was updated on August 28, 2025. 

Being convicted of impaired driving in Canada, also known as driving under the influence (DUI), is a criminal driving offence prosecuted under the Criminal Code. 

Impaired driving is a general term that includes driving a vehicle under the influence of any amount of drugs or alcohol. The consequences can include hefty fines, possible jail time, license suspension, and a significant increase in your auto insurance premiums. 

While the driving offence falls under federal jurisdiction, the impact of an impaired driving conviction on your insurance varies across provinces. This is largely because some provinces operate under a private system and others under a public insurance system. 

Let’s break down whether you can find affordable car insurance after being convicted of a DUI in Canada.

How will a DUI conviction affect my insurance across provinces?

Drivers with a DUI will face different rules depending on where they live. Provinces such as Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia have public insurance models (Quebec uses a unique dual-system model). 

As a result, these provinces have their own set of requirements. For example, if you’re caught driving impaired in B.C. under the influence of alcohol, you’ll be required to participate in an Ignition Interlock Program and have an interlock device installed on your vehicle. 

You may also have to pay a driver risk premium, which is invoiced per year and separate from regular insurance premiums. The amount you’ll pay depends on the type of offence and the number of convictions on your record. For example, if you have just one Criminal Code of Canada conviction, you will be required to pay $1,108 per year, for up to three years (the period your driving record is assessed). 

In private insurance provinces, like Ontario, drivers convicted of impaired driving are also required to join an Ignition Interlock Program. However, instead of a government-set driver risk premium, it’s up to private insurance companies to set the rates. According to Ratehub data, Ontario drivers can see their auto insurance premiums rise by more than 150% annually when convicted of a criminal driving offence such as impaired driving. 

Also read: What is the total cost of getting a traffic ticket in Ontario?

Sample scenarios

The tables below show how an impaired driving conviction could impact auto insurance premiums for drivers in provinces with private insurance. We compared the quotes of two driver profiles, each with a clean driving record, against the same drivers convicted of impaired driving. We calculated the total costs and percentage increases they’ll pay over three years (the period insurers use to assess driving records). 

The data shows that a single impaired driving conviction pushes drivers into the non-standard market and drastically hikes up their premiums, over 150%. 

In the example below, Driver A experienced a steep 348% increase in their rates, leading to them paying $13,770 more in insurance over three years. In contrast, Driver B also experienced a hefty insurance increase of 227% and will pay over $18,000 more in insurance over three years. 

While both drivers will be penalized for their impaired driving convictions, the size of their insurance increase differs by over 100%. This comes down to rating factors that influence insurance quotes, including age, location, driving history, and vehicle model, highlighting how much insurance can vary from person to person. 

Regardless, an impaired driving conviction clearly causes insurance premiums to jump up, especially when a driver is quoted with high-risk insurance carriers. 

Additionally, receiving multiple impaired driving convictions will force drivers into the facility market, where they will need to work with a specialized broker to find coverage. 

^{Note: The data is based on a G-licensed driver over the age of 25. They do not account for inflation increases or rate changes due to license suspension. Actual costs will depend on your age, driving history, insurer and vehicle.}

Driver A

Driver B

Why does a DUI affect my car insurance?

Insurance companies assess driving records to determine a driver’s risk profile when calculating their rates. The type of traffic ticket a driver receives and the nature of the offence determine the severity of the impact on their insurance. 

Serious convictions, such as impaired driving, mean the driver will be classified as high-risk and may not qualify for coverage under certain insurance providers. Instead, they will enter the non-standard or facility insurance markets where getting coverage becomes challenging and expensive. 

Every private insurer is required to have a membership at the Facility Association, which guarantees auto insurance coverage for all drivers, regardless of their risk profile. But it comes at a cost. 

While there are specific insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers, those insurers aren’t required to supply a policy and may place tougher restrictions on the driver. If a driver is deemed too high-risk, they will be required to enter the facility market in order to secure coverage. 

How long does a DUI charge affect your insurance?

An impaired driving conviction on your driving record can impact your insurance premiums for a minimum of three years. Insurance companies assess the last three years of a driving record to calculate rates. So, any convictions on your record will cause your premiums to increase during this time period. 

There are cases when your rates may be affected for longer. For example, if you get your license suspended. Suspensions remain on a driving record for around six years, so if your conviction results in a license suspension (which it usually does), expect your premiums to be affected for up to six years. 

Receiving multiple convictions on your record may also impact the period your insurance is affected, depending on the number and severity of the offences. 

How do insurers find out about impaired driving convictions?

Insurance companies aren’t automatically notified when a driver is convicted of a DUI in Canada. It’s up to the convicted driver to inform their insurance company. However, the insurer will discover the driver’s conviction at the time of policy renewal, when the provider does its periodical background check.

If a driver doesn’t disclose their conviction and gets into an accident, the insurance company may cancel the policy and deny the claim. If the driver informs their insurer of the conviction, there’s a chance the driver can stay with the same company and only see their premiums rise, though many companies will void the policy.

Are there remedial programs after getting a DUI in Canada?

Yes, most provinces mandate remedial programs for drivers convicted of impaired driving. For example, in B.C., it’s called the Responsible Driving Program, which drivers must participate in to regain or keep their license after a DUI. The program takes about 11 months to complete, and any driver who chooses not to participate will not be eligible for a driver’s license. In Ontario, it is called the Back on Track program for drivers who have received convictions for offences such as impaired driving, driving over 80 and careless driving, among others. 

How can you find cheap car insurance if you have a DUI in Canada?

Finding cheap car insurance can be challenging after being convicted of driving under the influence. However, there are steps you can take to reduce costs, such as: 

• Compare auto insurance quotes to shop the market for your lowest rate. 
• Work with a broker who specializes in high-risk insurance to help you find an affordable premium. A broker can save you a significant amount of money, even if your lowest rate isn’t particularly cheap. 

• Drive a safe and reliable car.

• Remove other drivers from your car insurance policy. 
• Minimize the amount you drive while maintaining coverage to reduce your premium. 

These strategies will help you lower your insurance premiums over time, while you wait for the conviction to be removed from your driving record. After the 3-6 year period, you should see a decrease in premiums.

What are the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers?

Not all companies offer high-risk auto insurance, meaning you may need to find a specialized insurer if you've been convicted of a DUI. In Canada, high-risk auto insurance companies include Pafco Car Insurance, Jevco Car Insurance, and Coachman Car Insurance. These are all considered non-standard market carriers. 

The bottom line

Driving while impaired is a serious offence in Canada that comes with severe consequences. Aside from fines, penalties and potential jail time, you may have your licence suspended and will face higher-than-normal auto insurance premiums. After getting a DUI in Canada, finding cheap insurance may be challenging. However, you may be able to get affordable auto coverage by shopping the market for car insurance quotes and maintaining a clean driving record. 

Also read: 

• How do speeding tickets impact auto insurance in Ontario?
• Carelessly driving your way into higher insurance.
• Why is car insurance in Toronto so expensive? 
• Do you have enough car insurance?