How do the tickets affect my car insurance?

If you've been driving for a while, you probably know what it's like to open your mailbox and find a letter from your city's police department. Getting a ticket—no matter what kind—is never a good thing. Besides having to pay your fine, which can add up to hundreds of dollars (depending on the severity of the offense), you'll also potentially see an impact on your car insurance. Yes, getting tickets can affect your car insurance.

Why? Well, your driving record is a huge factor in how much you'll pay for your insurance coverage. Having traffic tickets can affect your driving record, depending on the type of ticket you received. In this article, we'll explore how various types of convictions can impact your car insurance, along with some tips for keeping your rates manageable!

Here's how different types of "convictions" can affect your car insurance

Not all tickets will have the same impact on your insurance, and in fact, some types of tickets (like parking tickets) may not affect your insurance at all. There are three categories of convictions: minor convictions, major convictions, and felony convictions. Let's break them down.

The convictions minors These are for infractions like not wearing a seatbelt or slightly exceeding the speed limit. Speeding is a tricky conviction because it can range from minor to felony—depending on how far over the speed limit you were. Generally, minor convictions will result in fewer demerit points and reduced fine fees. Even so, they can still affect your insurance. If you currently have a no-conviction discount, you'll see that discount reduced when you get a ticket, and you won't get that discount at your next renewal. You might be eligible to purchase minor conviction protection, which will give you a "gift" where a single conviction won't increase your rates.

The convictions majors They can reward you by increasing your premiums for up to three years, and the fines for these convictions can be very expensive. These include things like speeding in a school zone, stunt driving, falsifying insurance documents, and so on. If you have a major conviction, you may not qualify for insurance with all companies—you'll have to go through a high-risk market. For young drivers with major convictions, insurance can be very expensive.

The convictions criminal These are the most serious offenses. They include driving under the influence, hit-and-run, reckless driving causing injury or damage, and more. If you are convicted of a crime, your license will likely be suspended for a period of time, meaning you won't be able to drive until the suspension is lifted. A suspended license can significantly impact your insurance rating. You'll have to go through high-risk insurance companies, and if you have another offense at the same time as the criminal conviction, you'll be required to purchase "installation insurance."

Do parking tickets affect my insurance?

No. Parking tickets do not affect your insurance, but there will be complications with your coverage if you don't pay them on time (because you won't be able to renew your permit and license plate). Only mobility violations can affect your insurance. You can receive parking tickets for various reasons in Canada, including:

• Parking in an accessible parking space without an accessible parking permit
• Parking too close to a fire hydrant
• Exceeding the time limit on a parking meter
• Parking in an area marked as no parking

Parking tickets can cost between $40 and $500, depending on the severity of the violation. The province you live in will also affect the total cost. You must pay the parking ticket in full within 15 days of the incident.

How long does a traffic ticket or infraction remain on my record?

A traffic violation will remain on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. The date of conviction is not the date the ticket was issued, but rather the date you plead guilty and pay the fine. This is the date insurance companies will use. Of course, if you try to defend yourself against a ticket but are convicted anyway, this will extend the conviction date.

Here's how to get reasonable insurance rates even with convictions

If you have a few minor or even major convictions, all is not lost. Car insurance is mandatory, and it's required by Quebec law. Unfortunately, the number of convictions and tickets you've received can seriously impact your rates and even make it harder to get insured. How can you offset this? There are several ways to lower your rates, such as bundling policies, increasing your deductible, or finding lower rates through a broker. However, if you've been labeled a high-risk driver, you'll need an expert car insurance broker to help you. Contact Panda7 if you have any further questions about how your tickets affect your insurance, how to offset these costs, and whether high-risk car insurance might be the right solution for you.