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Small Homes, Lots of Possibilities—Provided They’re Properly Insured!

Optimized storage, cool design, different lifestyle—small homes are increasingly becoming all the rage in Quebec! They can be a great option, whether for your main residence, your cottage or even your motorhome! However, you need to be sure that it has the right insurance coverage.

This article discusses the different insurance coverage options available depending on the use you make of your small house.

The small home craze!

Many Quebecers have set their sights on this solution, which makes home ownership more accessible. Small homes are a good way of reducing the expenses that come with owning a home. They cost less to build and their municipal property taxes are lower.

Moreover, they allow you to reduce your environmental footprint because they use less material to build and consume less energy.

Many of these small homes are designed to recover their own energy. They can also run on solar power and some even offer new ways of harvesting rainwater or treating wastewater.

For many Quebecers, small homes offer an opportunity to experience something close to self-sufficiency. A life of independence and freedom!

Small homes provide ingenious ways of streamlining living spaces without having to make too many compromises. Storage space under the staircase, a compact but functional bathroom, a kitchen sink hidden under a removable counter: designers of small homes use all their creativity to make the most of small spaces.

There is a growing trend in municipalities to either reserve entire neighbourhoods for small homes or allow the construction of such homes within their territory, in accordance with their municipal regulations.

Micro, small, tiny: what’s the difference?

These low square-footage dwellings come in different categories. Micro homes have 300 square feet of area or less. Small homes range from 300 to 600 square feet in area and tiny houses can have from 600 to 1,000 square feet of living space.

The surface area of your small home will have an impact on the price you pay for your home insurance policy. If your house should burn down in a fire, for example, the replacement cost would vary depending on its size.

What insurance coverage should you choose for your small home?

This is a good question, but the answer depends on what use you make of it. If it’s your main residence, regular home insurance is what you’ll need.

If it’s a secondary residence, a cottage or a seasonal home, our brokers will offer you the right insurance policy.

Not the type to put down roots? If you have a small home on wheels and go here and there in search of new adventures, you’ll need to purchase recreational vehicle or motorhome insurance. This type of insurance applies to anyone considering moving their home at least once a year.

If this is your case, make sure you register your small home with the SAAQ. You would do the same for a recreational vehicle or trailer.

If you live in your house on wheels year-round, you may not have a fixed residence (no permanent address). Nomad insurance will surely be the best option for you. It provides civil liability insurance coverage, just as a home insurance policy would.

Our brokers will be able to help you sort through all the details! They’ll find the insurance policy that will allow you to enjoy your life of freedom!

How to reduce your car insurance premium

We all need to stick to our budget! Here are a few tips on how to reduce your car insurance premium.

  • Start by contacting an insurance broker who will shop around for you in order to obtain the best quality-price ratio for you.
  • Update your information with your insurance agent or broker. Here are things that can impact your  car insurance premium:
    • Yearly kilometers travelled;
    • Kilometers to and from work;
    • Vehicle use. For example, if you have used your car for business purposes in the past, but no longer do so, it’s important to let your insurer know about this;
    • Change of work;
    • Change of address;
    • Change of drivers. For example, if you had a young driver on your insurance record who has since gotten his own car insurance, we suggest that you remove him from your contract.

 

  • Increase your deductibles. This will likely reduce your premium.
  • Install an alarm system, a locating system or have your vehicle anti-theft marked if your comprehensive coverage is too pricy.
  • Reduce your coverage if you consider that your premium is too high for the value of your vehicle.
  • If your spouse is insured by a company other than yours, regroup all your vehicles with the same insurer in order to benefit from a multi-vehicle a rebate.
  • Insure both your home and your vehicle with the same insurer. This might offer you a rebate on your car insurance premium.
  • Avoid making small claims.
  • If you are 50 and over and are a member of the Fédération de l’âge d’or du Québec (FADOQ), you can obtain rebates and certain types of coverage on car insurance with Intact Assurance.
  • Did you know that some insurers offer rebates if your credit rating is good? This could allow you to further reduce your car insurance premium.
  • Use telematics to decrease your car insurance premium. This, however, is a relatively new tool that not all insurers offer.
  • Drive carefully – this, of course, will always be the best way to reduce your car insurance premium.

 

As you now know, there are several ways to reduce your car insurance premium. Since insurers offer so many different types of incentives, it can be tricky to make sure that you are getting all the rebates you are entitled to when shopping around for car insurance. In order to ensure that you are getting the best available car insurance package for your needs, we suggest that you contact an insurance broker.

How to reduce your home insurance premium

Each year brings a new surprise… Your insurance premium increases every year? Is that a normal occurrence? Assurances Multi-Risques understands your needs and the fact that you, like everyone else, have a budget to respect.

A yearly rise in your home insurance premium is a normal thing. Indeed, your home’s reconstruction costs increase with every passing year, and your premium must therefore be adjusted accordingly. It is possible, however, that what you are being charged does not adequately reflect this yearly cost increase.

Here are a few tips to help minimize your home insurance premium:

  1. Contact an insurance broker who will shop around with several insurers in order to find you the best home insurance deal possible.
  2. Maintain a good insurance record. Indeed, the best way to avoid a premium increase is to avoid filing a damage claim. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
  3. Make sure your insurance coverage is adequate for your needs.
    Call your insurance agent or broker on a regular basis to update your insurance record.

 

Advice that can have a positive impact on your home insurance premium:

  • A change of job or profession can sometimes earn you a professional discount.
  • Some insurers offer rebates to non-smokers.
  • Install an alarm system connected to a central to warn against fire, theft or even water damages.
  • Hefty insurance rebates are offered to those who no longer have a mortgage.
  • Increase your deductibles.
  • Pool your home and car insurances with the same insurer.
  • If you are 50 and over, Intact Insurance offers a set of specific rebates and coverages to members of the FADOQ network.
  • Maintain your financial stability and a good credit rating.
  • Update your home insurance record and obtain rebates for the following items:
    • Recent renovations (roof, electricity, heating system, plumbing, etc.);
    • New water heater that reduces the risk of water damage;
    • Newly installed check valve;
    • Percentage of finished basement surface.

It might be tempting to reduce your amount of insurance coverage or to cancel certain types of coverage in order to diminish your premium. However, Assurances Multi-Risques strongly advises against doing so because this might cause your problems in the future. Instead, contact an insurance broker who will bring you up to date on what you need to know about home insurance and who will make sure that you benefit from all the rebates you are entitled to.

Home insurance for clients with a criminal record

Did you know that 15% of the population has a criminal record?

We are all equal before the law, but insurance companies are free to discriminate against people who have a criminal record. What can happen if you fail to declare that you or a person you are living with has a criminal record? Assurances Multi-Risques wants to build awareness on the importance of divulging all personal information to your insurance broker or company. We want to help you to obtain adequate insurance coverage for your home, whatever your judicial background.

Why declare everything?

We often get calls from people who are experiencing insurance problems after getting a criminal record. Here is an example of a frequently asked question: “Will our insurance company cover us after a fire if they learn that someone in our household has a criminal record?”

 

According to sections 2466 and 2467 of Quebec’s Civil Code: “The insured is bound to promptly notify the insurer of any circumstances that increases the risks stipulated in the policy and that result from events within his control if they are such as to materially influence an insurer in setting the rate of the premium, appraising the risk or deciding to continue to insure it. On being notified of the new circumstances, the insurer may cancel the contract or propose, in writing, a new rate of premium, in which case the insured is bound to accept and to pay the premium at the new rate within 30 days of the proposal, otherwise the policy ceases to be in force.”

 

For example, if you had not informed your insurance company that your new partner has been to prison for some crime or other, he could refuse to compensate you and declare that your insurance contract was null ab initio, and then proceed to reimburse you all of the insurance premiums he has received to date. This clearly illustrates why it is important to declare the fact that someone in your household has a criminal record. By doing this, you could well reduce the risk of losing your home.

Be proactive

Bottom line? Don’t wait until your insurance agent or broker brooches this thorny issue. Be proactive. Contact a broker specialized in substandard insurance and the management of clients who have a criminal record. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! You may have to change insurance companies and you may see your premiums go up, but your honesty will allow you to obtain insurance coverage that corresponds to your needs and your reality.

Car insurance for your child

Your child has just obtained his or her probationary driver’s license and would like to borrow your car? Before allowing him or her to take the wheel, however, make sure that you are avoiding unnecessary risks. Indeed, your first reflex might be to omit telling your insurer about the addition of a new driver to avoid seeing your premiums go up. Assurances Multi-Risques advises you to immediately inform your insurance broker or company of this fact in order to avoid problems in case you have to make a claim.

What are the possible consequences of omitting to declare your child as a driver on your car insurance contract?

If your insurer is able to prove that you have made a false declaration, he may deny you coverage if you make a claim. In most cases, however, the insurer will likely follow section 2411 of the Quebec Civil Code which states that the insurer has the obligation of offering you the coverage you have paid for versus the one should have had if you had informed him that your child was the occasional or main driver of the car. This article, by the way, applies to all types of insurance contracts.

Let us therefore suppose that your current car insurance premium was $500. If you had added your child as an occasional driver, your premium would have been set a $1,000. In the following pretend case, the insurer will offer you coverage according to the premium you have paid versus the one you should have paid, taking into the account the damages claimed.

Here is a simple calculation illustrating this case:

Premium paid: $500

Premium you should have paid the insurer: $1,000

Loss/Damages: $20,000

$500 / $1,000 X Loss ($20,000) = $10,000 – deductibles

As an insurance broker firm, Assurances Multi-Risques wants you to understand the possible consequences of omitting to declare a new driver to your car insurer. By forgetting or voluntarily avoiding to declare your child as an occasional or main driver of your car, you would have to shoulder a $10,000 loss according to the example given above. We are quite certain that you would not want to take such a financial risk.

Here are a few tips on how to avoid a substantial premium increase when you add your child to your car insurance policy:

  • Contact an insurance broker to help you find an insurer who offers adequate coverage for young drivers;
  • Increase your deductibles;
  • Find an insurer who relies on telematics to evaluate the driver’s behaviour
  • Lend your oldest vehicle to your child and have the insurance bar your child from using your newest vehicle.

In conclusion, contact your insurer as soon as your child gets his or her driver’s license. By doing so, you will gain peace of mind for both you and your child.

Choosing the right insurance policy for your new self-build

Are you are planning to build a new house for your family? If so, be warned that this type of insurance coverage is not offered by all insurance companies, especially if you are thinking of building this home by yourself! Assurances Multi-Risques brokers would like to offer a few tips to help you to make your dream come true, and to help you to avoid problems that can occur if you are not adequately insured.

 

Tip no. 1: Contact your home insurer before launching your project

In fact, we recommend that you contact an independent insurance broker specializing in new self-builds before you even break ground or pick up your hammer. By doing so, you will be saving yourself a lot a time as the broker will take on the task of finding a specialized insurer for you.

Be warned that most insurers will refuse to cover you if you have already started your project. If this has happened to you, a conversation with a specialized broker can help you to find an appropriate solution to your current predicament. You may also ask for more information on substandard insurance policies.

For more information on substandard insurance, visit the following page: https://multi-risques.com/particuliers/probleme-assurance-assurance-sous-standard/

 

Tip no. 2: Your project deserves to be well insured

Insuring a new self-build may seem complex, but it is in fact a simple task for Assurances Multi-Risques brokers. The first thing the broker will do is to insure the property as if it were owner occupied. Subscribing to an all-risk or an extended form insurance policy could also well be the right thing to do in your situation.

When talking with your broker, don’t hesitate to thoroughly discuss your insurance coverage needs and exclusions. For example, know that standard insurance contracts do not cover the theft of building materials and tools. The same goes for damages linked to water exposure or vandalism. Adding such coverage would be wise… Theft insurance is available, but water damage and vandalism coverage, unfortunately, is not offered by insurers.

Our brokers will also suggest that you add an employer civil liability and voluntary indemnification clause or a construction civil liability clause to your contract in order to adequately protect your assets.

 

Tip no. 3: Your project’s success depends on a trusting relationship between you and your subcontractors

Most insurance companies will require that you complete your building project within a six-month period.

In order to respect this deadline, we suggest that you plan your project thoroughly, stay within the prescribed task timelines, and hire subcontractors licensed through the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). Also, don’t hesitate to ask your subcontractors for adequate proof of insurance coverage.

In order to find out if your subcontractor is licensed through the RBQ, click here : http://www.rpe.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/GIC_Public_NET/RPE/GIC111/GIC111PR01RechercheEntrepreneur.aspx

Building your new house will require a lot of time and energy. In order to ensure that all goes well, keep a tight timeline with all of your subcontractors and contact Assurances Multi-Risques.

Buying a rebuilt salvaged vehicle: Is it a good idea?

Spring madness has prompted you to change cars. After a few clicks on the Internet, you have found the car of your dreams at a ridiculously low price. You learn, however, that this is a salvaged vehicle that has been rebuilt. Is this a bargain? Assurances Multi-Risques would like to give you a few pointers in order to spare you insurance and financial woes.

First, you must know that few insurance companies will cover cars that have been seriously damaged. Before acquiring the vehicle, make sure to check with your insurer or insurance broker that it will be possible to insure this car. If you have already purchased the car, don’t forget to mention that this is a salvaged vehicle in order to avoid problems if you make a claim. Having omitted this information could very well result in your insurer’s refusal to cover your claim.

The good news is that some insurers will accept to cover your vehicle providing it has passed inspection with the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

 

Why do insurers refuse to insure rebuilt salvaged vehicles?

Did you know that in Quebec a car is stolen every 30 minutes and that more than 17,000 vehicles were stolen in 2013? Year after year, insurance companies dish out incredible amounts of money to have their clients’ stolen vehicles replaced. Know that this criminal activity impacts your insurance premiums, even if you have never made a claim for a stolen vehicle.

One of the risks associated with buying a salvaged vehicle is that it has been rebuilt using parts taken from stolen vehicles. When insuring a salvaged vehicle, this a risk your insurer has to take into account. Indeed, imagine your insurer has settled a claim for a stolen vehicle and that a few months later parts from that vehicle show up on a rebuilt vehicle. Do you think most insurers would willingly insure a vehicle made out of parts stolen from another car for which a claim has been made? Some insurers also believe that refusing to insure such vehicles will lessen the value of stolen car parts on the black market, and could therefore possibly reduce the number of vehicle thefts on the short, medium and long run.

 

Are you making a good deal when buying a rebuilt salvaged vehicle?

Buying a rebuilt salvaged vehicle will be cheaper than buying the average used vehicle. It is therefore normal to think that, in case of a claim, your amount of compensation will be inferior to that of a standard vehicle. You must also know that these vehicles carry a steeper depreciation rate than standard ones.

Moreover, the insurance premium for this type of vehicle might well be more expensive given the risk taken by the insurer. Enquire about the price of insuring such a vehicle with your agent or broker in order to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way.

 

Helpful tips:

  • Entrusting the mission of finding insurance for a rebuilt salvaged vehicle to an Assurances Multi-Risques broker will free up your time and reduce your stress level since he or she will have no trouble finding insurers who are willing to deal with such vehicles.
  • Have the vehicle inspected by a trustworthy mechanic.
  • Ensure your driving pleasure by making sure that your car is safe and that it complies with regional regulations.

 

Contact your car insurer or insurance broker and let them know your situation!

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Does your Credit Score Affect your Insurance Premiums?

If you’re in the process of renewing your auto and home insurance, you should be aware that most insurers and brokers that you contact will request your consent to perform a credit score check. Assurances Multi-Risques would like to explain why insurers are interested in checking your credit report. We will also explain what impact it can have on your auto and home insurance premiums.

To better analyze your credit report, most insurers want to review your credit. By doing so, they may be able to offer you reductions based on risk.

Did you know that the lower your credit score is, the more likely it is that your insurer will open a claim for you? Experts have shown that households with high levels of debt tend to care less about the upkeep of their home or automobile for lack of financial resources. For example, if your debt level has reached its maximum, it is very likely that you will be unable to afford to have your roof or water heater replaced.

This can have a major impact, because, in the event of damage, you will file a claim with your insurer, and they will then incur costs. Based on this principle, insurers prefer to give discounts to individuals with a good credit score. This is because they know that the possibility of a future claim is lower. As a result, people with good credit scores have reduced auto and home insurance premiums.

Assurances Multi-Risques also wants you to know that your credit score is not related to your annual income. The assessment of your credit score is based only on your financial habits and your level of debt.

Could it affect my credit report?

Insurers review a customer’s credit report; they do not make a credit application. Rest assured that your credit report will not be affected if you request quotes for automobile and home insurance. However, to save time, we recommend that you work with an insurance broker.

Are insurers and insurance brokers required to obtain a customer’s consent to view their credit score?

It is not mandatory to allow insurers to conduct a credit check. Furthermore, no insurer will object to insuring you if you refuse to give your consent. However, by refusing, you may lose the opportunity to get additional discounts on your car and home insurance. Most insurers will refuse to offer you direct debit payment. As a result, you will have to pay your insurance premium in a single payment. In addition, your insurance agent or broker does not have access to your credit report. It’s the insurer’s pricing system that takes care of getting your credit report from a credit bureau.

Certain criteria are out of your control when it comes to your auto and home insurance premiums. However, by adopting good daily habits, you can control this aspect and reduce your insurance premiums for the years to come!

Contact us today!

If you would like to learn more about this topic or how our agents can help you with your insurance needs, contact us today!

The consequences of a DRUNKEN evening on your car insurance

It’s summer and time to party! Summer is conducive to parties and drinking. Some mornings after, however, can be more difficult than others! Assurances Multi-Risques would like to inform you of the possible consequences of drinking and driving on your car insurance record.

First, you must know that impaired driving is illegal in Quebec. The legal alcohol limit is set at 80 mg of alcohol per l00 ml of blood (0.08) for most drivers. However, it’s a zero tolerance policy for drivers under 22 years of age, training drivers and drivers with a probationary driver’s license.

Drinking and driving can have serious consequences: suspended driver’s license, criminal record, legal fees as well as towing and even breathalyser fees. You could also see your car insurance go up, and your insurer could even decide to cancel your current insurance policy if your driver’s license is suspended.

All of these problems, however, are nothing compared to the risk you pose to yourself and to other drivers when you drive under the influence. Each year, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) publicises the risks of drunk driving in an effort to ensure the public’s safety. According to the SAAQ, drinking and driving is one of the major causes of death on Quebec’s roads. Each year in Quebec, 160 people die, 370 suffer serious injuries, and 1,900 suffer minor injuries in alcohol-related car accidents.

Here are a few possible consequences on your car insurance if you ever drink and drive

    • Your insurer could cancel your current insurance contract since you pose an increased risk.
    • The insurance premium of a substandard insurer is higher than that of a regular insurer
    • Your level of coverage could decrease compared to your current insurance policy.

Here are a few ways to stay safe when you have had one too many

  • Do not drive your vehicle ;
  • Plan to have a designated driver ;
  • Contact someone to come and pick you up ;
  • Ask if you can sleep over ;
  • Call a taxi to go back home ;
  • Take the bus ;
  • Call a drive-home program such as Tolérance Zéro (TZ Estrie), POINT ZÉRO 8 or any other such service.

 

Assurances Multi-Risques strongly advises against drinking and driving in order to avoid both legal and insurance problems. Act responsibly to protect your life and that of others. Remember that moderation is always in good taste!

 

All you need to know about renting your house on Airbnb and home insurance

You’re going on vacation for a few weeks and you would like to cover some of your expenses by renting out your home on the Airbnb platform? Assurances Multi-Risques would like to give you a few pointers on short term property rental and its effects on home insurance.

Renting your home on Airbnb can be risky if you omit to report this to your insurer or insurance broker. Indeed, your insurer could refuse to cover you in case of damages occurring while your house was rented out on a short term lease or through the Airbnb website.

Why is it better to inform your insurer or insurance broker of rental activities?

We strongly recommend that you contact your insurer or insurance broker if you are planning to rent your home on a short term basis, since professional activities such as that are generally automatically excluded from normal home insurance contracts. Therefore, please don’t omit to contact your insurance specialist when you are planning to rent out your home in the hope of saving on your home insurance premium! Your insurer could refuse to cover you in case of a claim, and could even decide to stop insuring you altogether. You will then have to find a new insurer willing to cover you for short term rental activities. Opt for the worry free solution. Accept a small extra premium in order to adequately protect your biggest asset, i.e. your home or your condo.

About the Airbnb insurance plan

Some people think that it’s not necessary to report their rental activities to their insurer since Airbnb has an insurance plan. In fact, Airbnb offers a host guaranty, which is a supplementary insurance plan. Such plans offer a certain degree of coverage, but are not enough to meet the needs of a person renting his/her home on a short term basis. For instance, the host guaranty offered by Airbnb does not carry the property’s replacement cost, but rather its actual value (depreciated). That means that you could be shouldered with a financial loss in the event of a problem if your regular insurer refused your claim stating that he had not been informed of your rental activities. Moreover, Airbnb’s host guarantee states that it will cover damages caused by the person who has rented the property. Therefore, in the event of a fire caused by an electrical problem or of a sewer backup, Airbnb will not cover you, and you will have to submit a claim your regular insurer. This is why, among other things, you must disclose your short term rental activities to your insurer. You should also be warned that Airbnb’s host guarantee does not include any civil liability clause.

 

A few practical tips when renting your home on Airbnb

  • Store your valuables in a safe box or, at least, in a safe place.
  • Be selective when renting your home. Arrange interviews with potential renters to get to know them better and do a security check on them if deemed necessary.
  • Ask a neighbour to unobtrusively check your residence and to pick up your mail. By doing this, you make sure that your home is always looked after.
  • Provide the person who is renting your place with the phone number of someone you trust (your neighbour, for example) in case there is a problem.

In conclusion, we suggest that you contact your home insurer if you are planning to offer your home on a rental platform such as Airbnb. A simple call to your insurance broker could spare you a lot of trouble, and address certain concerns that you may have concerning short term rental activities. Your travels will be so much more enjoyable!

Home insurance and your private day care business: Are you well insured?

You’re very excited to be launching your very own private home day care centre! In order to fully appreciate the joys of this wonderful project, however, Assurances Multi-Risques would like to offer you a few home insurance tips.

 

Rule #1: Inform your insurance agent or broker that there will be a professional activity going on in your home. Standard home insurance contracts do not cover professional activities. Rule #2: Contact your insurer in order to find out if he agrees to offer coverage for a private day care. Unfortunately, many insurers refuse to cover this type of activity. Avoid having a claim turned down because you have forgotten to mention this activity to your insurer since this could cost you your most important asset, i.e. your home.

 

A few key factors to take into account

 

When planning to open a private day care, it’s important to take into account a certain number of things that could impact your home insurance contract.

 

– Check with your insurer the number of infants (babies under 18 months of age) that you are allowed to take on since numbers are usually limited.

 

– Ask your insurer if you are allowed to care for mentally or physically handicapped children.

 

– Be careful about animals on your premises. Your insurer might refuse to insure you if you keep animals and reptiles in your home. If you have dogs, make sure they are kid friendly. If you have cats, your insurer could well ask you to have them declawed.

 

– Make sure that your day care premises are fenced in and safe.

 

 

 A few insurance options for your home day care business

 

Your home insurer has just agreed to cover your home day care center? Congratulations! Here are a few insurance possibilities available to you.

 

– Add a civil liability extension clause for your day care.

This will ensure that you are covered if a child hurts himself on the day care premises.

 

– Add a professional liability or other form of guaranty extension clause (error and omission).

Did you know that administering medication to children is not included in the basic civil liability extension clause? That’s why you must subscribe to a professional liability or other form of guaranty extension clause.

 

– Add a homeworker clause to your contract.

Your professional assets are usually limited to what is stated in your home insurance contract. Therefore, all the material used for your day care, including toys, is considered as a professional asset. A homeworker clause will allow you to increase your amount of professional assets coverage. Moreover, this additional coverage may also protect you in case of loss of revenue due to the day care’s closure following a claim.

 

We know it’s not always easy to choose among the many possibilities offered for day care insurance coverage. That’s why we strongly encourage you to contact an insurance broker who will be able to adequately inform you and to guide you in your choices. By doing this, you will be free to fully enjoy the presence of your little ones!

Driver’s license suspension and car insurance

You have just gotten your driver’s license back after it had been suspended for a while and you are having trouble finding an insurer willing to offer automobile coverage? Assurances Multi-Risques would like to give you a few tips in order to help you avoid further insurance problems.

 

We all make mistakes! We are sure that you have learned a great deal following your recent driver’s license suspension. Now, let’s concentrate on the future. For the coming years, the best way to maintain a reasonably-priced car insurance premium is to rigorously comply with the highway safety code and speed limits. Don’t be surprised if many insurers refuse to insure you following the suspension of your driver’s license. Unfortunately, you will have to live with the consequences of your actions for the next few years and work with an insurer who specializes in cases such as yours. Assurances Multi-Risques strongly advises that you contact a broker in order to facilitate the insurance shopping process and to make sure that you deal with an expert in substandard insurance. Please be honest when you talk to your insurer! Don’t make false declarations or omit to say that your driver’s license has been suspended. If you do, you may be denied payment of future claims.

 

If you maintain a good insurance record over the next few years, your broker will eventually be able to obtain coverage from a regular insurer, which will automatically decrease your car insurance premium. Before contacting our brokers, ask the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) to provide you with an up‑to‑date driver’s record as substandard insurers usually ask for such a document before processing a request.

 

Here are a few tips to reduce your car insurance premium:

– Check with your broker to know how much it will cost you to insure your new vehicle. Your premium is, of course, likely to have gone up following the suspension of your driver’s license;

– Buy a vehicle that is not worth much and lower your coverage in order to reduce your insurance premium;

– Increase your deductibles;

– Ask your broker if you can benefit from telematics (if you wish to use such a tool, of course);

– Drive safely;

– Avoid making small claims in order to better your insurance record. This will help you to go back to a regular insurer in a few years;

– Contact an independent broker who does business with specialized insurers.

 

Assurances Multi-Risques believes in offering people a second chance! That’s why we urge you to contact a broker who specializes in insurance for drivers who have had their driver’s license suspended. He/she will know how to best help you and will allow you to save both time and money.

Ready, set, go!