What is classified as a high risk driver?

[fivesolas]

I was just thinking of something... If insurance companies don't care if you are 5 over the limit or 25 over the limit when it comes to convictions, how do they classify high risk drivers?

Would someone who has 3 minor speeding tickets be classified the same as someone who had 3 major speeding tickets? Or 4 tickets for that matter?

[m4dcap]

they are all still classified as "high risk" but your premiums will still be dependent on the number and severity of the tickets.

Basically a major price jump between common and high risk driver and then a relative premium increase depending on the number and severity. More tickets also means it will take you longer to get out of the high risk category.

[booblehead]

High Risk Drivers

Although an individual insurance company may refuse to sell you auto insurance if its approved underwriting rules determine you to be a "high risk," the insurance industry as a whole cannot refuse to sell you basic insurance.

High-risk drivers are those drivers who have had a number of convictions or at-fault accidents, had policies cancelled because they haven't paid their premiums, or have other risk-related characteristics.

The Facility Association, an insurance pool that all auto insurance companies belong to, is an insurer of last resort, which makes auto insurance available to high-risk drivers who are unable to find automobile insurance in the regular market. As well, there are a number of "non-standard" insurers who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers.


Info from http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/brochures/Pages/brochure_autoins.aspx#fifteen


To comment on the OP's concern, it looks like it's up to each of the insurance companies of how they view convictions, minor/major. Some will based their decisions on simply "convictions" on record as they may not see any differneces between minor & major. Rather, they see # of convictions as their decision making process.

[Canuck2fan]

By cost everyone in Ontario pays as though they are high risk. LOL