Do demerit points affect your Car Insurance?

We (hopefully!) all know that accumulating demerit points is bad – it can incur fines and eventually lead to a suspended licence or disqualification, alongside any other state-specific penalties and requirements.

Each state approaches demerit points in a slightly different way, as do insurers. So it pays to know whether your insurer takes them into account for car insurance.

How do demerit points affect your Car Insurance?

The way premiums are determined can change based on the insurer. Even for those that do consider demerit points when calculating premiums, it doesn’t necessarily translate to a dollar amount per demerit point.

Suncorp Insurance doesn’t count your demerit points. But if your licence has been suspended, disqualified or cancelled due to accruing too many, your driver history may be affected. This means you may become classified as a high-risk driver and have an additional excess applied to your policy.

If you’re after some extra rewards for continuous safe driving, Suncorp Insurance offers Claims Free Driver Rewards. Each year you comprehensively insure your car with us without making an excess payable claim, we will reward you with a percentage of the premium you paid as a credit on the next renewal of your policy for that car*. Read the Additional Information Guide for more details.

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Check your demerit points

Need to check your demerit point count? Each state and territory has their own process for you to find out.

• QLD – Check your demerit point balance online.
• NSW – Check your demerit point balance online using your MyServiceNSW Account.
• VIC – Call 1300 728 977 or visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
• ACT – You’ll need to apply to obtain your Licence History to check how many demerit points you’ve accumulated.
• TAS – Contact Service Tasmania on 1300 13 55 13.
• NT – Check your demerit point balance online or by phoning 1300 654 628.
• WA – Use the online demerit point enquiry tool to check details of demerit point penalties.
• SA – Check your demerit point balance online using your mySA GOV account.

Do I have to tell my insurer how many demerit points I have?

Your insurer may ask for your demerit point count when setting up a policy. This will usually be alongside other questions about things like existing damage to your vehicle and driver history. If they do, you’ll need to ensure you answer truthfully and accurately. If you don’t, the insurer may reduce or refuse to pay any future claim you may make.

Suncorp Insurance benefits

If you have a Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance policy, you’ll receive a few benefits with your policy. These include, but are not limited to:

• A clear and transparent online claims process if you ever need to make a claim.
• A lifetime repair guarantee on repairs authorised and arranged by us to your car.
• 2 year new for old car replacement following a total loss¹.

Explore Suncorp Car Insurance

Read more:

• What is new for old car replacement?
• What voids car insurance?
• 4 safe driving tips even seasoned drivers forget

¹ Your car becomes a total loss if it is uneconomical or unsafe to repair, including where the combined repair costs and salvage value are likely to be more than the amount covered by your policy. If your car is a total loss (which includes where your car is stolen and unrecovered after 14 days and we accept your claim for theft) and the damage has occurred less than 2 years from the date of the original registration, you bought it as a new or an ex-demo model from a licensed motor dealer, and anyone who financed your car provides written consent for us to replace your car, we'll replace it with a new one of the same or similar make and model. Eligible customers only.

*With Claims Free Driver Rewards we will take into account your claims history when we calculate your premium. You cannot have Rating 1 for Life and Claims Free Driver Rewards on the same car. Claims Free Driver Rewards is not redeemable or payable as cash.

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available.

This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.