Insurance with a criminal record

CRIMINAL RECORD AND INSURANCE

Home and Auto Insurance with a Criminal Record in Quebec

Obtaining insurance despite a criminal record is possible in Quebec. Our specialist brokers work with non-standard insurers to find you the right coverage, in complete confidentiality.

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At a glance

Can you get insurance with a criminal record in Quebec?

Yes, it is possible to get car and home insurance even with a criminal record in Quebec. Contrary to popular belief, having a criminal record does not automatically mean being refused by all insurers. There are specialized insurance companies in the non-standard market that accept clients with criminal histories.

Standard insurers (Intact, Aviva, L’Unique) generally refuse files with a criminal history. That’s why it’s essential to go through a specialized insurance broker like Assur360, who knows the insurers willing to accept these profiles and can negotiate the best terms for you.

⚠️ Impaired driving (alcohol or drugs)

Impaired driving offences are the most penalizing in car insurance. They lead to a significant additional premium (sometimes 200 to 400% more) and a limitation to non-standard insurers for 3 to 6 years. If you are in this situation, contact us immediately: our brokers work with insurers such as Pafco and Echelon who accept these files.

Scroll vs criminal record: what is the difference?

Many people confuse the scroll with the criminal record. Understanding the difference is essential to your insurance journey.

The Scroll

The docket is a public registry of courts that contains the history of all court proceedings (civil and criminal). Anyone can consult the docket online via the website of the Ministry of Justice. Insurers systematically consult him.

Criminal record

The criminal record is a federal registry maintained by the RCMP that contains only criminal convictions. It can be erased after a certain period of time via a record suspension (formerly sorry). The scroll, on the other hand, remains accessible even after a pardon.

Types of Violations and Impact on Your Insurance

Not all violations have the same impact on your ability to obtain insurance. Here is an overview of the main categories and their consequences.

insurance insurance driving impact driving restrictions impact Significant impact market refusal impact refusal impact additional premium impact impact impact
Type of OffenceImpact on carImpact on homeDifficulty
Impaired200-400% surcharge, non-standard insurers onlyModerate🔴 High
DangerousLarge additional premium, possibleLow🟠 Medium
Hit and runadditional premium, frequent refusalsLow🟠 Medium
Fraud/misrepresentationAlmost systematic refusal, residualAlmost systematic🔴 High
Arson / vandalismModerateVery frequent🔴 High
Theft / Receiving Stolen Property / Breaking and EnteringModerateSignificant🟠 Medium
Assault/Uttering ThreatsLow to moderateLow to moderate🟡 Low
Other offences (drugs, mischief)Impact varies according to natureVariable🟡 Low to medium

Insurers specializing in criminal cases

Many insurers in Quebec accept customers with a criminal record. These companies specialize in the non-standard market and evaluate each case individually.

Pafco

Number one non-standard auto specialist in Quebec. Accepts records involving impairment, excessive demerit points, hit-and-run, and criminal record. Learn more about Pafco.

Echelon

Non-standard insurer with a good risk appetite for drivers with a criminal history. Competitive pricing for less severe cases. Auto and home options.

Lloyd’s (via MGA)

Tailor-made solutions for the most complex cases via underwriting agents (MGA). Accepts profiles that others decline. Customized policies based on the level of risk.

How much does insurance with a criminal record cost?

The cost of insurance with a criminal record depends on several factors: the type of offence, the number of offences, the length of time since the last offence and your overall profile. Here are some indicative price ranges for car insurance.

car premium driving record
LocationEstimatedPremium vs. Standard
Criminal record (minor offences, 5+ years)$1,200 — $2,000 / year+25 to 50%
Impaired Driving (Recent)$2,500 — $5,000 / year+200 to 400%
Hit-and-run / dangerous$2,000 — $3,500 / year+100 to 250%
Multiple offences / heavy$3,500 — $7,000 / year+300 to 500%

💡 Advice from our expert brokers

The good news: premiums go down over time. Each year without violations or claims improves your record. After 3 years without incident, some standard insurers start to accept your file. After 6 years, your premiums are closer to the regular market. Don’t lose hope — patience is your best ally.

Situations our brokers can address

Our Assur360 specialized brokers have the experience to find insurance solutions in the most complex situations. Here are the most common cases we deal with.

Criminal record or scroll

Impaired driving

Criminal hit-and-run

Dangerous driving

False declaration of insurance

Licence suspension for alcohol in the blood

Too many demerit points

Non-renewal by an insurer

High frequency of complaints

Foreign Driver’s License

Home insurance with a criminal record

Home insurance with a criminal record presents similar challenges to car insurance, but with important nuances. Insurers mainly assess whether the offence is related to property (arson, theft, break and enter, vandalism).

If your offence is not related to property (e.g., impaired driving, assault), the impact on your home insurance will generally be less severe than on your car insurance. Some standard insurers may even accept your file.

On the other hand, if your record includes offences related to arson or insurance fraud, getting home insurance will be much more difficult. In these cases, only specialist insurers via Lloyd’s or the residual market will be able to help you.

Steps to get your insurance

1

Fill out the online form

Complete our 3-minute submission form. All information is treated 100% confidentially.

2

A specialized broker contacts you

An experienced broker in non-standard records calls you to understand your situation and gather the necessary details.

3

We compare insurers for you

Your broker submits your file to several specialized insurers (Pafco, Echelon, Lloyd’s) to obtain the best conditions.

4

You choose and are covered

We present the available options with prices. You choose the one that’s right for you, and your coverage starts immediately.

Rehabilitation times and impact on premiums

The good news is that the impact of a criminal record on your premiums decreases over time. Insurers mainly evaluate the last 3 to 6 years. Here are the typical insurance rehabilitation times.

period
Incident-freeEffect on your record
0 — 3 yearsNon-standard insurers only. Highest additional premiums. Patience required.
3 — 5 yearsBeginning of improvement. Some standard insurers are starting to consider your file. Premiums falling.
5 — 6 yearsSignificant improvement. More standard insurers accept your file. Premiums are getting closer to the regular market.
6+ yearsAlmost normalized profile. Access to standard insurers with competitive premiums. Record suspensions possible.

The importance of being honest with your insurer

It is absolutely essential to report your criminal record to your insurer. Leaving out this information is a misrepresentation that can result in the cancellation of your policy and the denial of any claims.

If you are involved in an accident and your insurer discovers an undeclared criminal record, they can legally refuse to pay your claim and retroactively cancel your policy. You would then be personally liable for all damages, which could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

An Assur360 broker will help you present your file in the best possible way while respecting your reporting obligation. This is the safest and most advantageous strategy in the long term.

Insurance with criminal record by region in Quebec

Our specialized brokers serve clients with a criminal record throughout Quebec. Whether you are in Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières or Saguenay, we can help you find insurance that is right for you.

Premiums vary slightly depending on your region. Drivers in Montreal usually pay the highest premiums due to the density of traffic. In the regions, rates can be 10 to 20% lower. No matter where you live in Quebec, our brokers have access to the same specialized insurers and can get you the best possible conditions.

Useful links

Frequently asked questions — Criminal record and insurance

Can you get car insurance with a criminal record in Quebec?
Yes, it is possible to get car insurance even with a criminal record. Non-standard specialty insurers such as Pafco, Echelon and Lloyd’s accept these cases. Premiums will be higher, but an Assur360 broker can compare options to find you the best price.
What is the difference between a scroll and a criminal record?
The scroll is a public registry of the courts of Quebec that contains the history of all legal proceedings. The criminal record is a federal RCMP registry containing only criminal convictions. The scroll remains accessible even after a record suspension (pardon). Insurers consult both.
How much does car insurance with a criminal record cost?
The cost depends on the type of offence and the length of service. For a record with minor violations that are more than 5 years old, expect a premium of $1,200 to $2,000/year. For recent impaired driving, premiums can reach $2,500 to $5,000/year. The premiums decrease every year without incident.
Do I have to declare my criminal record to my insurer?
Yes, absolutely. Failure to declare your criminal record is a false statement that can result in the cancellation of your policy and the denial of any claims. If your insurer discovers an undeclared record after a claim, they may refuse to pay and you will remain personally liable for the damages.
Can you insure your house with a criminal record?
Yes, it is possible in most cases. The impact depends on the type of offence. Non-property offences (driving, assault) have a moderate impact. Property-related offences (arson, theft) make it much more difficult to obtain. A specialized broker can guide you.
How long will it take for my premium to drop?
Premiums start to go down after 3 years without incident. After 5-6 years, some standard insurers accept your file and your premiums are closer to the regular market. The key is to maintain a clean record and compare your options with a broker each year.
How to insure yourself after impaired driving?
Offences for impairment are the most penalizing. Only non-standard insurers (Pafco, Echelon) accept these applications, with additional premiums of 200 to 400%. An Assur360 broker will submit your file to several specialized insurers to get the best price. Premiums decrease significantly after 3 years.
Can the Insurance Bureau of Canada help me?
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) offers a last-resort insurance program for drivers who cannot find private insurance. However, the premiums are usually high. Before using this program, consult an Assur360 broker who can often find better options with specialized insurers.
Does a record suspension (pardon) help with insurance?
A record suspension erases your record from the RCMP’s federal registry, which can help with some insurers. However, the scroll (provincial register) remains publicly accessible. Even with a pardon, some insurers will continue to consider your background. Let your broker know.
What happens if I drive without insurance in Quebec?
Driving without insurance in Quebec is a serious offence punishable by a fine of $325 to $2,325, seizure of the vehicle and suspension of the licence. In the event of an accident, you would be personally liable for all damage caused. Even with a criminal record, there are insurance solutions — never take the risk of driving without coverage.

Why trust Assur360?

AMF certified — All our brokers are licensed by the Autorité des marchés financiers du Québec
ChAD members — Chambre de l’assurance de dommages (P Insurance Chamber), a guarantee of professionalism and ethics
100,000+ quotes — More than 30 years of experience in insurance brokerage in Quebec

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