3. Learn what can happen to your insurance

A speeding ticket can affect your car insurance rates and type of coverage.

Insurance companies only learn about your speeding ticket after there has been a conviction. A conviction happens if you:

• decide not to fight a ticket and pay it
• negotiate a plea deal
• are found guilty in court

The only way you don’t get a conviction is if you’re found not guilty at trial.

The insurance company will do a search on your driver’s record through the Ministry of Transportation.

Insurance companies will often review your driving record when you renew your policy. However, there is no rule that says your insurance company can’t or won’t check your driving record any other time.

Rates

When insurance companies set your rates, they usually look at the number of traffic convictions you’ve had in the past 3 years, but sometimes longer.

For a minor speeding ticket, you may only see a small increase in your insurance rates or no increase at all. The more serious the ticket, the more your insurance will cost. If you’re a novice driver, you will have to pay even more because of speeding tickets.

Insurance coverage

Speeding tickets can also impact the type of insurance coverage you need. For example, many insurance providers will label you a “high-risk driver” if you have more than a few speeding tickets. If this happens, you will have to buy more expensive insurance. In some cases, your insurance may be cancelled.

Because each company is different, you should contact your insurance agent for information on how a ticket will affect your insurance.