How will a Calgary DUI affect your car insurance?
Calgary enhanced its DUI laws in 2012, with stricter and steeper penalties for impaired drivers. There are three levels of alcohol impairment in Calgary.
- Graduated driver’s license holders with any detectable trace of alcohol in their system is considered a DUI violation.
- All drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) between .05 -.08 will be considered under the influence and face administrative sanctions.
- All drivers with a BAC over .08 will be considered under the influence and face both criminal and administrative sanctions.
Any driver with a BAC between .05 -.08 will face an immediate three-day license suspension and three-day vehicle seizure for a first offense. A second offense will include a 15-day license suspension and seven-day vehicle seizure. Any driver with a BAC over .08 will face criminal charges and immediate license suspension until the matter is resolved.
Penalties will increase with the number of DUI offenses a driver has.
DUI charges and convictions can drastically alter car insurance rates. A surcharge will be added to your insurance plan for at least three years. You will be labeled a high-risk driver and oftentimes your car insurance will double or triple the normal rate.
Car insurance companies can also refuse to cover DUI convicted drivers. Labeled as a high-risk driver, insurance companies may question your driving record in the future as well.
For more high-risk driver information or to obtain auto insurance in Calgary, feel free to call us at 1-888-259-2747 or request a quote today.