Every week we’ll highlight the best question sent to our resident insurance expert, Anne Marie Thomas. This week’s question comes from someone who was fined for driving without auto insurance.
Steve asks:
“A year ago, I was caught with no insurance. I have been paying down my fine monthly. Does this affect my renewal?”
The financial consequences of driving without auto insurance, when caught, are hefty, explains Anne Marie.
“Every province in Canada requires motorists to carry auto insurance and getting caught without it is no small fine. In Ontario, for example, a first offence starts at $5,000 and in Alberta it’s $2,500. The payment plan you’ve worked out with the authorities does not affect your renewal. However, if you don’t keep up with the agreed payments and fail to pay the fine in its entirety you could face a licence suspension from the licensing agency in your province.
“From an insurance standpoint, however, the when and how you pay the fine isn’t necessarily relevant. What’s relevant is the conviction you now have on your driving record. Any ticket conviction means that your premiums will be affected for three years following your conviction date.”
- Related Question: If My Parked Car Is Hit, Do I Have Any Coverage Options If I Don’t Have Insurance?
Whether you have a ticket on your record for something as serious as driving without insurance or for failing to wear your seatbelt, compare auto insurance quotes each year before you renew. At InsuranceHotline.com you can easily compare quotes from more than 30 insurance providers in one go to make sure you’re getting the best price for your coverage.
