Car Insurance After Major Convictions in Ontario

Classifications vary slightly by insurer, but these are commonly treated as major convictions in Ontario:

• Careless driving (Highway Traffic Act)
• Stunt driving and racing, including extreme speeding. Under Ontario's current rules, this includes driving 40 km/h or more over the limit where the limit is under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h or more over where the limit is 80 km/h or higher
• Driving without insurance under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
• Driving while suspended
• Failing to remain at the scene of a collision (Highway Traffic Act)
• Failing to stop for a school bus
• Failing to report a collision, and some other serious offences, depending on the insurer

Minor convictions are things like most speeding tickets under the major thresholds, rolling a stop sign or an illegal turn. Criminal Code offences (impaired, dangerous driving) sit above major convictions. See our criminal conviction page for those.

Expect a noticeable premium increase at your next renewal or when you apply for new coverage. Some standard insurers limit the number of major convictions they'll accept, or won't accept any for a period, which pushes you toward insurers that write higher-risk drivers. A single major conviction combined with an at-fault claim, a few minor tickets or a gap in coverage has a bigger effect than any one of those on its own.

Stunt driving brings an immediate roadside licence suspension and vehicle impoundment, and a conviction adds fines, demerit points and possible further suspension. For insurance, a stunt driving conviction is one of the most heavily weighted major convictions. If the vehicle was impounded, tell your broker about any suspension period so coverage is handled correctly. If you're still fighting the charge, you generally disclose convictions, not pending charges, but be honest if an insurer asks about outstanding charges.

Driving without valid insurance carries large fines in Ontario, starting at $5,000 for a first offence, and possible licence suspension. For your next policy, it counts both as a major conviction and usually as a gap in your insurance history. Getting continuous coverage back in place as soon as possible, and keeping it, is the most important step toward recovery.

Insurers review a set number of years of convictions from the conviction date. Once a conviction ages past an insurer's lookback period, it stops counting against you with that insurer, and more insurers become willing to quote. That's why reviewing your policy each renewal matters: the cheapest option this year may not be the cheapest next year.

• Pay any fines promptly and keep your licence valid
• Keep continuous insurance, with no gaps
• Avoid new tickets and at-fault claims; stacking events hurts the most
• Choose a modest, lower-theft vehicle
• Consider deductibles and optional coverages carefully with your broker
• Ask about telematics programs where available
• Let a broker compare multiple high-risk and standard markets for you