How Much Will Insurance Go Up After a Speeding Ticket in Ontario?


The question every Ontario driver asks after receiving a speeding ticket is: how much will my insurance go up? According to NextLaw's analysis of insurance impacts across thousands of cases, the answer depends on several factors—but the numbers are often much higher than drivers expect, and the impact lasts much longer than the fine itself.


Insurance Increases by Speed Range


Jon Cohen, who has analyzed insurance outcomes for thousands of speeding cases, provides these general ranges based on NextLaw's experience:

- For convictions at 1-15 km/h over the limit, expect increases of 10-15%. These are the lowest-impact convictions, but they still affect your rates.


- For convictions at 16-29 km/h over, expect increases of 20-30%. This is the most common range for tickets, and the insurance impact is substantial.


- For convictions at 30-49 km/h over, expect increases of 50-75% or more. These convictions signal higher risk to insurers and result in significant premium jumps.


- For convictions at 50+ km/h over (often charged as stunt driving), expect increases of 100% or more, or outright policy cancellation. These are the most serious speeding convictions and insurers treat them accordingly.

The Real Dollar Impact


Dan Joffe, traffic lawyer at NextLaw, illustrates what these percentages mean in real terms:


If you're paying $2,400 per year for insurance and receive a conviction that increases your rate by 25%, that's an additional $600 per year. Over three years (the minimum impact period), that's $1,800 extra. Over six years (common for more serious convictions), that's $3,600.


Your $150 speeding fine just became a $3,750+ total cost when you add the insurance impact.


Factors That Affect Your Specific Increase


Insurance companies use multiple factors to calculate your post-conviction rate. Jon Cohen notes that the final number varies based on:

- Your age and driving experience. Younger drivers and those with less experience typically see higher percentage increases because they're already in higher-risk categories.


- Your prior record. A first conviction on an otherwise clean record may have a smaller impact than a second or third conviction. Drivers with existing convictions may see larger increases—or face non-renewal.


- The specific speed of conviction. Insurers distinguish between speeds. Being convicted at 17 over is viewed differently than 28 over, even though both carry 3 demerit points.


- Your insurer's specific policies. Different companies weight convictions differently. Some may be more forgiving of first offenses; others may not.

How Long Does the Increase Last?


Most minor speeding convictions affect your insurance for three years. However, Dan Joffe cautions that this can extend to six years or longer for more serious convictions, and some insurers look back even further when assessing new applications.


This extended impact period is why the true cost of a speeding ticket is so much higher than the fine. That three-to-six-year premium increase adds up to thousands of dollars.


The Clean Record Discount Factor


Many drivers don't realize they're currently receiving a "clean record" or "good driver" discount. A speeding conviction doesn't just add to your rate—it can also eliminate this discount, creating a double impact.


Jon Cohen notes that protecting a clean record discount is often worth more than the cost of fighting a ticket. Losing a 10-15% good driver discount on top of a 20-25% conviction increase can nearly double your premium.


Can You Avoid the Insurance Increase?


The only way to completely avoid an insurance increase is to avoid the conviction. This typically means fighting your ticket at trial and achieving dismissal or withdrawal.


Negotiating a reduced speed through early resolution may reduce the increase somewhat, but it doesn't eliminate it. As long as there's a conviction on your record, insurers will see it and rate accordingly.


NextLaw Client Success


"I was at the speed of 136 in the zone of 80. Dan Joffe and Jon Cohen, Next law did an awesome job. They reduced the fine to only 423 from 10,000." - L.K.


Making the Math Work for Your Decision


When deciding whether to fight your ticket, compare the cost of fighting against the insurance impact of conviction. For most drivers, the math strongly favors fighting—the insurance savings from avoiding conviction typically far exceed the cost of professional representation.


This article is based on NextLaw's professional analysis of Ontario speeding legal procedures and is provided for informational purposes only. Every case presents unique circumstances, and outcomes depend on specific case facts and proper legal representation. https://www.nextlaw.ca/?p=33161