Apr 15, 2024
Think before you put the pedal to the metal – speeding tickets can impact insurance
Many Canadian drivers underestimate the insurance repercussions of speeding tickets. Reports show that 27% of traffic fatalities on roads are the direct result of speeding, yet many continue to drive well beyond the speed limit.
People speed for a variety of reasons. They may be frustrated with traffic, running late, distracted and not paying attention to their speed, or overconfident in their driving skills. None of these reasons make up for the risks associated with driving fast. Speed limits are in place for a reason.
Getting a speeding ticket will affect the cost of your policy and your ability to be insured. The only question is what type of speeding ticket you will get and how much it will impact your car insurance.
Three main takeaways about community speeding tickets and insurance:
- Speeding tickets can impact your rate and qualify you as a non-standard driver. In some cases, your policy may even be cancelled.
- You can receive demerit points for a speeding ticket in Ontario, leading to financial repercussions and coverage issues.
- Major speeding tickets affect your insurance more than minor tickets. Getting multiple tickets can significantly increase your rates.
What’s on this page
How much does a speeding ticket increase insurance in Ontario?How much does a 15km-over speeding ticket affect insurance?
Does a 10km-over speeding ticket raise your insurance?
Can speeding tickets impact the type of insurance I need?
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
Can you get demerit points for speeding in Ontario?
Do out-of-province speeding tickets affect insurance?
How much does a speeding ticket increase insurance in Ontario?
A speeding ticket can increase your Ontario car insurance. The degree to which it will impact you will depend on the severity, and the effect will not always be immediate.
It’s important to understand which tickets will affect it and which will not – there is a difference between getting a ticket for over 15 km/h and 50 km/h. Two tickets may cause a 25% increase (comparable to three speeding tickets, which will result in a 100% increase!).
Depending on how your insurer assesses speeding tickets, you may only see a slight or no increase for minor tickets. If you receive a major speeding ticket, are charged with stunt driving because of excessive speeding, or have multiple tickets, you can expect your premiums to increase drastically.
Often, insurers become aware of a speeding ticket when it is time for your insurance renewal. They check with the Ministry of Transportation to see if your record has changed. So, don’t think your insurer won’t find out if you don’t tell them about your speeding tickets.
How much does a 15km-over speeding ticket affect insurance?
Although there are no points related to a speeding ticket over 15 km/hr, it will go on your record and likely impact your rates when it is time to renew. You could see an increase between 10% and 25% depending on previous fines or convictions.
Does a 10km-over speeding ticket raise your insurance?
If you have no other traffic convictions, a single minor speeding ticket should not increase your insurance much. However, your rates will likely increase if you have more than one conviction or get a major speeding ticket.
Can speeding tickets impact the type of insurance I need?
Speeding tickets could not only affect your monthly costs, but they can also influence the type of coverage you need.
While a minor speeding ticket won’t have much impact, getting two or three minor speeding tickets in a short time or getting one major speeding ticket for 50 km/h or over could jeopardize your policy. It’s not just the fine and demerit points you have to worry about if you get caught.
Too many speeding tickets or one major conviction could get your insurance cancelled, and you may require specialized insurance for being a higher risk. Whether or not this happens to you will vary based on your provider and their rules about the number of convictions they will accept.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
Any traffic conviction, including speeding, will remain on your MTO driver’s abstract for three years from the conviction date. To see if a ticket is still on your record, you can order a driver’s record from ServiceOntario.
Can you get demerit points for speeding in Ontario?
Depending on how much you are going over, you can receive between three and six demerit points for speeding in Ontario. Even if no points are associated with your speeding ticket, you may still see an increase in your rate.
Do out-of-province speeding tickets affect insurance?
No matter where you receive a speeding ticket in Canada, it will appear on your driving abstract as an out-of-province (OOP) speeding ticket. You are required to pay the fine, or it will go into collections.
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