A Canadian conviction for impaired driving can have severe consequences. It’s embarrassing to let everyone know that you were impaired and that it is considered a crime. Because of an impaired driving conviction, even people who have never been in trouble can suddenly become convicted criminals. Another consequence is an increase in car insurance costs, which can be very expensive and hard on the wallet.
An individual who has a blood alcohol content above 80 mgs and is driving a motor car has committed a grave criminal offence. The offence could get worse if the impaired refuses to submit to roadside tests for intoxication. Either way, the damage has already been done. The offender should comply to avoid further embarrassment. However, it will not affect their car insurance rates.
The driver who has been convicted of an offence is now considered “high risk”, which leads to an increase in the cost of car insurance, known as the “Facility Rating”. Insurance companies are likely to cancel the policy of a convicted driver. However, if the driver is assigned to the facility rating, they will be looking at premiums of at least $10,000 per year for the next five years. Insurance companies will refuse to cover any damage to the vehicle of the offending driver.
If the accused’s vehicle is involved in impaired driving, or other illegal acts, then all accident claims and insurance policies will be null. In this instance, the insurance company could sue the accused to recover damages for vehicles damaged.
Teens convicted for impaired driving are subject to different laws. Their car insurance rates will return to their normal rates at age twenty-one. MADD and other organizations are in fury over this because it does not set a good example for young drivers. They do not face the same 5 year penalty that drivers older than 18 face.
A conviction for impaired driving can result in the suspension of the offender’s license, which could lead to an insurance surcharge. If the accused is able to defend the charge leading to suspension of their license, and can give a certified copy of that information to the insurer, the surcharge should be removed at renewal.
Although the penalties can be harsh, they are most definitely deserved by anyone who chooses to drive a motor vehicle while impaired. A $10,000 per year insurance bill should deter anyone from driving while impaired. However, there are still people who don’t believe they will be caught. They don’t feel as impaired as they really are. They are then unable to drive a vehicle while impaired and they end up with a suspended license and a criminal record. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen that way so they have to pay the consequences.
