How Long Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance in Ontario?
If you are a driver in Ontario and have ever received a speeding ticket, you may be wondering how long the ticket will affect your insurance rates. In this blog post, we will discuss the impact of speeding tickets on insurance in Ontario and how long you can expect to see an increase in your premiums.
How Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance in Ontario
When you are issued a speeding ticket in Ontario, it is recorded by the Ministry of Transportation as a conviction. This conviction will stay on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. Your insurance company will also be notified of this conviction and will likely increase your premiums as a result.
How Much Will My Insurance Rates Increase?
The amount that your insurance rates will increase will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the offense, the number of demerit points assigned to the offense, and your previous driving record. In general, minor offenses such as speeding 1 to 15 km/h over the limit will result in a minor increase in your premiums, while more severe offenses such as street racing or reckless driving will result in a much more significant increase.
How Long Will My Insurance Rates Be Affected?
As mentioned, a speeding ticket conviction will remain on your driving record for three years. However, this does not necessarily mean that your insurance rates will increase for the entire three-year period. Most insurance companies will only consider convictions that have occurred within the past three years when setting rates. After three years have passed, the conviction will no longer be visible to insurance companies and should no longer affect your premiums.
Can I Avoid an Insurance Rate Increase After Receiving a Speeding Ticket?
There are a few ways that you may be able to avoid an insurance rate increase after receiving a speeding ticket. The first is to fight the ticket in court. If you are successful in having the ticket thrown out, the conviction will not appear on your driving record and will not be visible to insurance companies. However, this can be difficult and is not always an option.Another option is to take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount to drivers who have completed an accredited defensive driving course. Taking a course may help offset the increase in your premiums resulting from a speeding ticket.
In Conclusion
In Ontario, speeding ticket convictions will remain on your driving record for three years and will likely result in an increase in your insurance rates. The severity of the offense and your driving record will determine the extent of the rate increase. However, there are ways to mitigate the increase, such as fighting the ticket or completing a defensive driving course. Remember to always obey posted speed limits and drive safely to avoid receiving a ticket and an increase in your insurance rates.