How to See a Copy of Your Driving Record and Insurance History

When was the last time you reviewed a copy of your driving record? What about your AutoPlus report that details your insurance history?

Knowing your driving record and insurance history is no different than keeping on top of your credit score. Yet, for Ontario’s more than 10 million drivers, gaining access to this information isn’t as easy as it could be. The information contained in these two reports has a direct impact on a driver’s auto insurance premium.

Auto insurance companies and brokers rely on these records to ensure a policyholder’s coverage is accurately priced.

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Drivers want free online access to their driver record and insurance history

Even if you haven’t looked at your reports lately, you can be sure that your insurance company or broker did the last time you purchased Ontario auto insurance. It’s a necessary step on the insurance provider’s side. For individuals, however, it can be time-consuming and costly to obtain.

According to an InsuranceHotline.com survey, Canadian drivers overwhelmingly feel this isn’t the way it should be.

The survey revealed that:

  • More than 90% of drivers would like barrier-free access to their driving record and insurance history.
  • 94% of drivers and 95% of current auto insurance policyholders believe access to their driving record and insurance history should be free.
  • 92% of drivers and 93% of current auto insurance policyholders believe they should have immediate access (i.e. online) to their driving record and insurance history.

The InsuranceHotline.com survey, conducted by Leger using its online panel between February 1 and February 4, 2019, polled 1,565 Canadians. The margin of error for this study was +/-2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

Knowledge is power

Knowing your driving record and insurance history is comparable to knowing your credit score. It allows you to see, in part, why your premium is what it is and how tickets and collisions affect insurance rates. Knowledge is power, and with this information in hand, it can encourage better decisions when driving that can translate into a lower premium.

Drivers are on board with this idea as well: 87% of Canadian drivers and car insurance policyholders surveyed agree that with easy access to their driving record and insurance history, they would have a better understanding of how their insurance rates are priced.

How to get your Ontario driver record and insurance history

Currently, it costs $12 to order an online copy of an uncertified three-year driver record, the most frequently requested driving record in Ontario. This report shows the number of demerit points you may have on your licence, as well as any suspensions and Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code of Canada convictions.

On the other hand, your insurance history report is free to obtain, but it’s mailed to you within 10 business days of Conseillers en Gestion et Informatique (CGI) receiving your request. CGI is the company that maintains the information about auto insurance policy and claims data in Canada on behalf of the industry.

Also called an AutoPlus report, your insurance history includes information about your most current policy, as well as insurance claims, if any, for the past 20+ years. It details the type of claim (e.g., collision, theft, bodily injury), how much was paid out and, in the event of a collision, the percentage of fault that was assigned to you. It also includes third-party claims and, if there’s been a policy cancellation, the reason for it.

Together, these reports contain a considerable amount of information that can give drivers some insight into their insurance pricing. In today’s digital world, it may be just a matter of time until Ontario drivers have barrier-free, online access to their driving record and insurance history.

Steer clear of high car insurance rates

Your driving record and insurance history matter; both are influential factors in determining what you’ll pay for car insurance. While other factors matter, like where you live and the type of car you drive, your driving record is the most impactful factor, along with your insurance history, as this information indicates past behaviour behind the wheel.

Keep your car insurance premium low by driving carefully and minding the rules of the road. Lower your rate even further by shopping around for the coverage you need at InsuranceHotline.com.