Do demerit points affect your car insurance?
Yes, but there are ways around this.
Key takeaways
- Demerit points often increase car insurance costs but some providers may not consider them.
- Having demerit points could add hundreds of dollars to your premium with some insurers.
- Demerit points typically affect your driving record for three years so check your history.
Why do demerit points affect your insurance?
Demerit points affect the cost of your car insurance premium because the more you incur, the more risky the insurer believes you are. This is based on the fact that demerit points are incurred for dangerous driving activities like texting while driving, speeding, aggressive driving and more. Therefore, in the eyes of the insurer, the more demerit points you have, the more likely you are to get into a car accident and make a claim, the more of a risk you are to insure.
How can I find a cheaper quote if I have incurred demerit points?
Our car insurance experts did some research to understand how demerit points affect the cost of your premium. We looked at 5 providers and found that; if the provider does ask about demerit points then it could cost you hundreds of dollars more. On the other hand, some providers don't ask about demerit points at all - so there's no additional cost. See the breakdown below.
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How we picked theseHow long do demerit points affect your insurance?
Generally, demerit points last for three years from the date of the offence. In some cases, offences from more than three years ago may still apply because it can take time for the relevant state government to be informed of the offence (for example, if a court case is involved). Once expired, offences should be dropped from your driving record and therefore no longer affect any premiums. It's important to always make sure your driving record is up-to-date and correct before applying for auto insurance to avoid incorrect charges.
Finder survey: How many Australians have accrued demerit points for a driving offence?
| Response | |
|---|---|
| Yes | 50.89% |
| No | 47.51% |
| I have never driven before | 1.59% |
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1006 Australians, December 2023
How to check demerit points
If you're worried about your own driving record and how many demerit points you may already have, you should be able to find out online.
- NSW: Check online via ServiceNSW
- WA: Check online via Transport WA
- QLD: Check online via Transport and Main Roads
- SA: Check online via mySAGOV
- NT: online via the NT GOV website
- TAS: only available via phone call; 1300 13 55 13.
- ACT: call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or visit an Access Canberra Service Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
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