Can You Get Car Insurance After a DUI in Alberta?
Yes, you can still get car insurance after a DUI in Alberta.
A DUI conviction, IRS Fail, or other serious impaired-driving incident can make finding insurance more difficult and usually means paying a higher premium, but it does not automatically make you uninsurable.
The key is finding an insurer and insurance program that will accept your driving history.
If you’re trying to get back on the road after an impaired-driving incident, here’s what you need to know.
Why Is Car Insurance Harder to Get After a DUI?
Insurance companies use your driving history as one factor when determining your level of risk.
After a DUI conviction or IRS Fail, some insurers may no longer be willing to offer coverage. Others may offer insurance at a substantially higher premium.
Your options can also depend on:
- Your overall driving record
- Previous claims or convictions
- Your insurance history
- The type and date of the impaired-driving incident
- The vehicle you drive
- Where you live
- Other drivers in your household
- The coverage you need
That’s why there isn’t one standard price for “DUI insurance” in Alberta. Every driver’s situation is different.
Do I Need Special DUI Insurance?
Technically, “DUI insurance” isn’t a separate type of auto insurance policy.
It’s a term commonly used to describe insurance for someone whose impaired-driving history means they may no longer qualify for standard auto insurance.
In Alberta today, that can include drivers dealing with a DUI conviction, IRS Fail, ignition interlock requirements, or other impaired-driving circumstances.
For that reason, we prefer the broader term Impaired Driving Insurance.
The coverage itself is still auto insurance. What’s different is the driver’s history and the insurance market or program used to provide coverage.
Can You Get Insurance After an IRS Fail?
Yes.
An IRS Fail does not automatically prevent you from getting car insurance.
However, it can significantly affect which insurers are willing to cover you and what you’ll pay.
This is important because Alberta’s Immediate Roadside Sanctions are administrative sanctions and are not necessarily the same thing as a criminal impaired-driving conviction. Even so, an IRS Fail can still affect your insurance options.
If you need ignition interlock as part of getting back on the road, arranging insurance will also become one of the steps in that process.
Can I Get Insurance While My Licence Is Suspended?
Depending on the circumstances, yes.
There are situations where you may still need to insure a vehicle even though you cannot currently drive it.
For example, you may need insurance because:
- Your vehicle is parked and you want to protect it
- Another properly licensed person will drive the vehicle
- You are preparing to enter the Ignition Interlock Program
- You are working toward restricted driving privileges
You cannot legally drive while fully suspended, but the suspension itself does not necessarily prevent a vehicle from being insured.
When Do I Need Insurance for Ignition Interlock?
If you’re entering Alberta’s Ignition Interlock Program, the timing matters.
For DND Insurance clients entering the program, insurance is generally put in place before the ignition interlock device is installed and before the registry issues the restricted licence.
One important caution: don’t cancel an existing policy until your replacement coverage is confirmed.
A gap in your insurance history can create another issue at a time when you’re already dealing with an impaired-driving incident.
How Much Does Insurance Cost After a DUI?
There is no single price.
Insurance premiums following a DUI or IRS Fail depend on your individual circumstances. Your impaired-driving incident is an important factor, but it’s not the only one.
An advisor will also consider your vehicle, location, driving record, claims history, insurance history, coverage requirements, and other household drivers.
The best way to determine what you’ll actually pay is to request a personalized quote based on your record.
What Do I Need to Get a Quote?
If you’re looking for insurance after a DUI or IRS Fail, start with two things:
- Your 5-year driver’s abstract
- Your driver’s licence number
Your driver’s licence number is different from your MVID number.
Depending on your situation, you may also need vehicle information, previous insurance details, information about other household drivers, and any relevant DUI, IRS, or ignition interlock paperwork.
Don’t have everything yet? You can still call. An advisor can tell you exactly what you’ll need.
Will I Always Need Impaired Driving Insurance?
No.
A DUI conviction or IRS Fail can affect your insurance for several years, but needing specialized insurance does not necessarily mean you’ll remain in the high-risk insurance market permanently.
As time passes and you maintain a clean driving and insurance record, your options may improve. Eventually, you may qualify for standard auto insurance again.
The timeline depends on your individual record and the insurance program you’re in.
Where Can I Get Car Insurance After a DUI in Alberta?
This is where working with a broker who regularly handles impaired-driving situations can make the process easier.
DUI Insurance is a division of DND Insurance, specializing in Impaired Driving Insurance for Alberta drivers.
For qualifying drivers, DND Insurance has access to an exclusive Impaired Driving Insurance program through Peace Hills General Insurance Company.
Our advisors work with drivers dealing with DUI convictions, IRS Fails, ignition interlock, licence reinstatement, and other impaired-driving insurance situations.
We’ll review your record, explain your options, and help you find the coverage you need to move forward.
A DUI or IRS Fail can change your insurance options. It doesn’t mean you don’t have any.
