For those who always ask..will a speeding ticket effect my insurance?

[Narci]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=969048871196

Q I got a speeding conviction under the provincial Highway Traffic Act last year for going 15 km/h over the speed limit. I paid a fine, but there were no demerit points.

But my auto insurance renewal included a "surcharge" based on a conviction for travelling 0-to-44 km/h over the speed limit.

I understand the HTA contains three categories of speeding offences, with increasingly severe penalties for each:

0-to-15 km/h above the posted limit;

16-to-29 km/h above;

30 km/h or more above.

Why do insurers penalize a driver as severely for going 15 km/h over the limit as one who is going 44 km/h over, which is behaviour of greater risk?

I have made two attempts to have this question answered by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

In both cases, they said they would get back to me but so far have not.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark DeWitt, Erin


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A The Highway Traffic Act and the insurance industry don't follow the same guidelines.

Insurers divide tickets into minor, major and criminal categories, regardless of demerit points.

Your ticket fell into the minor category and can affect your insurance premium for three years.

Some insurance companies don't increase their rate for just one ticket.

[sandy99]

You got points for 15km/h and above in onatrio 5 years ago. Unless its changed you did indeed get some points. 0-14km/h is just a $fine but that 15 or more is the killer. Always see the pointts guys before you pay up.

[Narci]

You got points for 15km/h and above in onatrio 5 years ago. Unless its changed you did indeed get some points. 0-14km/h is just a $fine but that 15 or more is the killer. Always see the pointts guys before you pay up.

The point of the article was that points do not effect insurance rates.


BTW: It's 16kmh + before you get any points.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...er/demerit.htm