Does a Speeding Ticket in Ontario Affect My Car Insurance?
Many Ontario drivers mistakenly believe that a ticket without demerit points won’t impact their insurance premiums. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Whether or not points are assigned, any moving violation—such as a speeding ticket—can still affect your car insurance rate. Insurance providers look at driving records to assess risk, and even one ticket can result in increased premiums.
How Does One Speeding Ticket Affect My Ontario Car Insurance?
Receiving a minor speeding ticket, such as going slightly over the speed limit, can cause your insurance premiums to rise. Typically, insurers respond by:
- Losing the conviction-free discount: If you had a discount for a clean driving record, a minor speeding ticket will usually void it.
- Premium increase: Depending on the insurer, your rate could increase by 5-15%
Some insurers offer “minor conviction protection” for good drivers. This means your first minor ticket might not affect your premium. However, this protection varies by provider and is not always available. It’s important to check with your insurer to understand their policies.
How Do Multiple Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance?
The impact of speeding violations worsens with each ticket. Here’s what you need to know:
- Two Tickets: Your rates will almost certainly increase, often by 10-15%, as you’ll be seen as a higher-risk driver.
- Three or More Tickets: If you accumulate three or more speeding tickets—even if they are all minor—some insurers may choose not to renew your policy.
- Finding a New Insurer: If your current insurer cancels or refuses to renew your policy, you may need to seek insurance from a provider specializing in high risk car insurance, which comes with higher premiums.
What Happens if I Get a Speeding Ticket for More than 50 km/h Over the Limit?
A speeding ticket for driving more than 50 km/h over the speed limit is considered a major violation in Ontario. These types of tickets carry severe consequences:
- License suspension: In some cases, your license could be suspended for 30 days or more.
- Insurance policy cancellation: Major speeding tickets often lead to policy cancellations by insurers.
- High-risk insurance providers: If your policy is cancelled due to a major violation, you’ll need to look for coverage from high-risk insurance companies, which can charge premiums up to 3-4 times higher than standard insurance.
Demerit Points vs. Insurance Impact
Demerit points and insurance increases are separate matters. While accumulating points can eventually lead to license suspension, even a ticket with no points can still impact your insurance. Insurers care more about your driving history and the number of violations, not just the points assigned by the Ministry of Transportation.
For example:
- Minor speeding ticket (10-15 km/h over the limit): No points, but your premium may still increase if it is your first ticket.
- Speeding 16-29 km/h over the limit: 3 demerit points and potential premium increase of 10% or more.
- Speeding 30-49 km/h over the limit: 4 demerit points and higher insurance increases.
- Speeding 50+ km/h over the limit: 6 demerit points, license suspension, and high-risk insurance.
How Long Do Speeding Tickets Stay on Your Insurance Record?
In Ontario, speeding tickets usually affect your insurance for three years from the date of the conviction. However, if you accumulate multiple tickets during this period, each violation can further increase your premiums and extend the impact on your record. Some insurers may offer forgiveness after a single ticket, but subsequent violations will eliminate this benefit.
Can You Reduce the Impact of a Speeding Ticket?
There are several strategies you can use to minimize the impact of speeding tickets on your insurance:
- Fight the Ticket: If you believe the ticket was issued unfairly, you can dispute it in court. A dismissed ticket will not affect your record or insurance. But it has to be completed dismissed. Many clients hire paralegals and get a reduced ticket, thinking it may not impact their car insurance when in reality it does.
- Shop Around for New Quotes: Different insurers assess risk differently. If your premium increases, it’s worth shopping for new quotes to find a better rate.
- Ask About Minor Conviction Protection: If you have a clean driving history, ask your insurer if they offer minor conviction protection to avoid premium increases after your first ticket.
Consequences Beyond Insurance Rates
Speeding tickets can have broader implications beyond just higher insurance rates:
- License Suspension: Accumulating too many tickets or demerit points can lead to temporary suspension of your license.
- Driving Record Impact: A poor driving record can limit your ability to qualify for premium coverage or discounts in the future.
- Employment Challenges: For drivers whose jobs require a clean driving record (e.g., delivery drivers or commercial drivers), speeding violations can impact employment opportunities.
Do You Have Speeding Tickets? Get a Car Insurance Quote with Speeding Tickets Today
If you’ve received speeding tickets, it’s essential to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best possible rate. Some providers specialize in working with drivers who have tickets on their record. Don’t let one mistake affect your premiums more than necessary—explore your options today.
Key Takeaways
- Any speeding ticket can impact your insurance, even if it doesn’t carry demerit points.
- Multiple tickets increase your risk of policy cancellation or non-renewal.
- Speeding 50 km/h over the limit is a major violation that can result in license suspension and require high-risk insurance.
- Minor conviction protection may shield you from rate increases after your first ticket, but policies vary by insurer.
- Tickets remain on your insurance record for three years from the conviction date.
Being proactive with your insurance after receiving a ticket can help you manage costs and minimize the impact on your premiums.