The number and type of tickets you have received while driving your vehicle, whether in Ontario or outside of the Province, can have a major impact on your insurance rate and limits the options available to you. All tickets that you receive under the Highway Traffic Act, Insurance Act or Criminal Code appear on your driver abstract and will ultimately affect your insurance rate. It doesn’t matter if demerit points were assigned.

All insurance have access to ordering a driver abstract, also known as a motor vehicle record (MVR) through the Ministry of Transportation, and can review your record when you’re purchasing a new policy or upon your current policy renewal.

If you accumulate enough tickets, you may find it difficult to obtain a quote for auto insurance through most (if not all) of the major insurance companies. You may also receive a letter from your current insurance company advising they will not be offering you a policy renewal.

At this point, you will be quoted a MUCH higher premium(as much as four times or even more) through the Facility Association, an association funded by all automobile insurance companies, to ensure that drivers who are unable to obtain insurance are able to obtain the coverage they need to legally drive their vehicles. If you also have accidents, watch out, the premium may even be higher.

There is an alternative however that may save you money, known as a "mid-market company". Mid-market companies specialize in drivers who have too many tickets and cannot qualify for regular insurance, and their rate in most cases, is less expensive than the Facility Association.

We understands the need to save our clients money on their automobile insurance while providing exceptional service. If you have tickets and you are finding it difficult to obtain insurance, we have options for you.

Simply click here to obtain a free no-obligation on-line quote in just a few minutes. If you prefer, you can call us at 1-800-419-3723 or send us an email.

Ticket Classifications

Tickets are divided into 3 classifications: minor, major and serious convictions, which include criminal acts. All ticket classifications, regardless of demerit points, affect your insurance rate.

Parking tickets do not affect your driver’s license as they don’t appear on your driver’s abstract. However, if you do not pay your parking tickets, your license plate (renewal sticker) will not be renewed by the MTO.

Minor, Major and Serious Convictions

The following is a list of the ticket classifications and the various types of minor, major, serious, and criminal code convictions that will affect your insurance rate:

Minor Tickets
· Crowding Driver’s Seat 
· Defective Brakes
· Drivers License Violations
· Failing To Share The Road
· Failing To Signal
· Failure To Use Seatbelts
· Failing To Yield
· Failing To Yield To A Pedestrian
· Failure To Surrender Your License
· Failure To Produce Evidence Of Insurance
· Failure To Produce Or Carry Insurance Card
· Following Too Closely
· Headlight Offenses
· Improper Driving In A Bus Lane
· Improper Lane Change
· Improper Opening Of Door
· Improper Passing
· Improper Towing
· Improper Turn
· Improper Use Of Divided Highway
· Insecure Load
· Obstructing Traffic
· Overloading
· Use Of Radar Warning Device
· Improper Railway Crossing
· Speeding
· Stop Sign Infraction
· Traffic Light Infraction
· Trailer Passenger
· Unnecessary Noise
· Unnecessary Slow Driving
· Unsafe Move
· Unsafe Or Prohibited Turn
· Unsafe Vehicle
· View Obstructed
· Wrong Way On One Way
· Obstruction Of View
· Obstruction Of License Plate
· Driving without an up to date Inspection Sticker

Major Tickets
· Speeding 60 mph over posted speed limit (or set limit in your province or state)
· Failing To Report An Accident
· Failure To Report Damage To Highway Property
· All Insurance Offenses
· False Statement Of Insurance 
· Operating Motor Vehicle With No Insurance 
· Driving With No Insurance 
· Produce False Evidence 
· Driving In Contravention Of Restrictions 
· School Zone, Improper Passing Zone
· School Bus, Improper Passing, Fail To Stop
· Speeding in a construction zone is double the fines and points

Serious & Criminal Code Tickets
· Driving Impaired, Blood Alcohol Over .08 (or set limit in your province or state)
· Careless Driving; Undue Care Or Attention
· Criminal Negligence
· Dangerous Driving
· Driving While Under Suspension
· Failing To Obey Police
· Failing To Remain At An Accident Scene
· Motor Manslaughter
· Racing
· Refuse Breathalyzer
· Stunting / Drag Racing
· All Serious Convictions; Can Be Unspecified 

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Demerit Points

The majority of driving-related offences have demerit points assigned. It’s a misconception that drivers lose points due to convictions – in fact you gain demerit points. For example, if you have no driving offences, you have 0 demerit points.

Once you receive a demerit point, it will stay on your record for two years. However the infraction itself will remain on your driver abstract for three years and will impact your insurance rate during this time.

New Drivers

If you hold a Class G1 or G2 licence, you will be sent a warning letter if you obtain two demerit points. If you collect enough demerit points, your licence can be suspended by the MTO. At six points, you may have to attend an interview to discuss your record and provide reasons why your licence should not be suspended.

At nine points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days from the date you surrender it to the MTO. If you fail to surrender your licence, you could lose your licence for up to two years.

Once the suspension is over, the number of demerit points will be reduced to four and you will go through the same process again if you accumulate additional demerit points.

Fully Licensed Drivers

If you are fully licensed, you will be sent a warning letter if you obtain six demerit points. If you collect enough demerit points, your licence can be suspended by the MTO. At nine points, you may have to attend an interview to discuss your record and provide reasons why your licence should not be suspended.

At 15 points, your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you surrender it to the MTO. If you fail to surrender your licence, you could lose your licence for up to two years.

Once the suspension is over, the number of demerit points will be reduced to seven and you will go through the same process again if you accumulate additional demerit points. You may also be required to complete a driver re-examination (vision, written, road test).

Impact of Licence Suspensions

Insurance companies may also take into consideration any licence suspensions you have received and they will therefore contribute to an even higher insurance rate.

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