Can you get car insurance after a DUI in Ontario?
Yes. You can absolutely get car insurance after a DUI in Ontario — you'll be classed as high-risk and placed with an insurer that specializes in non-standard drivers rather than the standard market. This usually lasts about three to six years depending on the insurer, then eases as the conviction ages. A broker with dedicated high-risk markets can find you a properly-licensed policy, often well below what you'd pay through Facility Association, and re-shop it each year as your record improves.
A DUI feels like it ends your driving life. It doesn't. Here's exactly what to expect and how to pay as little as possible while you rebuild.
How long are you high-risk after a DUI in Ontario?
How long does a DUI affect insurance? Most insurers keep an impaired-driving conviction on your rating for roughly three to six years, and some look back longer for serious convictions. The exact window depends on the insurer. The key point: the impact is temporary and it fades. Each year that passes — and each year you drive clean — moves you closer to standard rates. That's why re-shopping annually matters so much after a DUI.
Why is DUI insurance so expensive — and how do I lower it?
A DUI signals higher risk to insurers, so premiums rise sharply. You lower the cost by:
- Using a broker with real high-risk markets (not just applying to one company that will overcharge or decline you)
- Avoiding Facility Association if you don't need it (more below)
- Keeping continuous coverage — a lapse makes things worse
- Re-quoting every renewal so you capture improvements the moment you qualify
- Driving clean — no new tickets or claims resets the clock in the wrong direction
Do I have to use Facility Association after a DUI?
No — and you usually shouldn't start there. Facility Association is Ontario's market of last resort and is typically the most expensive option available. Many drivers with a DUI can be placed with a specialty high-risk insurer at a lower cost, well before Facility. A broker with high-risk market access checks those specialty insurers first and only uses Facility as a genuine fallback. If a broker's first suggestion is Facility, get a second opinion.
Will my insurance go back to normal after a DUI?
Yes, over time. As the conviction ages out of the insurer's look-back period and you build a clean recent record, you become eligible for standard pricing again. The transition isn't a single date — it's gradual — which is exactly why a broker who re-shops your policy each year gets you back to normal rates faster than staying put with one insurer.
FAQ
Can I get insured immediately after a DUI, or do I have to wait? You can get insured right away — you need valid coverage to drive legally. You'll be placed in a high-risk market now, and moved toward standard rates over the following years as your record improves.
Is a DUI the same as other high-risk factors like tickets? It's more serious. Tickets and at-fault accidents also make you high-risk, but a DUI/impaired conviction carries a bigger and longer rating impact. The good news is the same path applies: specialty markets now, standard rates later.
How can a broker help after a DUI? An independent broker shops multiple high-risk insurers at once, finds the lowest properly-licensed option, keeps you out of Facility Association where possible, and re-quotes every year so you never overpay longer than you have to. Get a confidential high-risk quote — no judgment.