If its a conviction, there's an insurance implication
If you've found yourself with a traffic ticket, you're probably wondering what the implications are to your car insurance. Let's take a look through some of the most common tickets, and their implications to your insurance rates.
It is important to note that insurance companies all have their own policies for how they charge for a driving conviction. In general, insurance companies are not concerned about the demerit points associated with your conviction, just the conviction its self.
Traffic tickets are divided into three main categories – Minor, Major, and Serious convictions. Each of these types can affect your car insurance rates, though the more severe will usually correlate with greater impacts. You can read all about this here. From an insurance standpoint, the number of years that the ticket is affecting your insurance starts once the ticket has been paid. So the sooner you pay the ticket, the sooner you start (and stop) the clock!
Parking Ticket
No Affect
Parking tickets are not a traffic violation, and are often given by private companies. They do not affect your insurance rates, but you are responsible for paying your tickets/fines.
Distracted Driving
Serious Conviction
A Distracted Driving ticket applies to the use of hand-held and certain display screens, while you are driving, including when stopped in traffic or red light. We can't say this enough ... a distracted driving ticket has serious implications on your insurance. There is the chance that your rates will increase, and/or your insurance company will elect to non-renew your auto insurance. You can read more about the increased implications as of January 1 2019 here.
Carless Driving
Serious Conviction
A Carless Driving ticket is issued if you endanger other people because of any kind of distraction including hand-held or hands-free devices. As the driver, you are responsible for being aware and alert of your surroundings. (Again) We can't say this enough ... a careless driving ticket has serious implications on your insurance. There is the chance that your rates will increase, and/or your insurance company will elect to non-renew your auto insurance.
Failure To Surrender Insurance Card
Minor Conviction
A police officer can give you 48 hours to produce your card, so people tend to think that once they produce it .. that is it. However the ticket still counts against you even if you produce it later. This can affect your insurance for up to three years after the ticket date, including but not limited to rate increases and changes is classes. Avoid this by downloading your McConville Omni Client Portal app so that you always have your pink slip!
Crowded Driver's Seat
Minor Conviction
This ticket doesn't happen as often, but it applies for a situation we see often - an animal on the lap of the driver. "No person shall drive a motor vehicle with persons or property in front of the drivers’ seat, so placed as interference with proper management or control of motor vehicle." Fido is welcome to be your co-pilot, but he needs his own seat. This can affect your insurance for up to three years after the ticket date, including but not limited to rate increases and changes is classes.
Stunt Driving
Major Conviction
We've all experienced the drivers who are trying to take advantage of less drivers being on the road. A Stunt Driving ticket is issued when the driver is exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h or at a rate that exceeds reasonable motor travel. Aside from the serious, immediate repercussions such as a license suspension and/or impoundment, there are serious insurance implications. This ticket can result in rate increases and the possibility of being non-renewed by your insurance company.
Failing to Signal
Minor Conviction
This is a very common occurrence. A driver will receive this ticket when they forget or fails to use signal to advise other drivers of an intent to change lanes or make turn. This can impact your auto insurance rates, for a period of up to three years.
Failure to Yield to Pedestrians
Minor Conviction
A driver may be guilty of failure to yield to a pedestrian when they do not stop and yield the roadway to a pedestrian, where a pedestrian may legally use the road. To receive this ticket, an interaction with the pedestrian does not have to occur, so be sure to pay attention to crosswalks and sidewalks while driving. This can impact your auto insurance rates, for a period of up to three years.
*please note that each insurance company is different, each clients scenario is different and the affects to your insurance are outlined in detail in your insurance policy, which is subject to change each year.