Yes — a distracted driving conviction can raise your car insurance in Ontario, and often by more than drivers expect. On paper it's a minor conviction under section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act, but many insurers treat it more harshly than a minor speeding ticket. A conviction may increase your premium at renewal and cost you your conviction-free discount, and the impact can last around three years — sometimes longer. The only sure way to avoid it is to keep the conviction off your record in the first place.

I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here's what really happens to your rates, how long it lasts, and whether you can avoid it.

Does distracted driving raise your insurance in Ontario?


It can — and often by more than people expect. On paper, distracted driving is a minor conviction. But a lot of insurers treat it more seriously than a minor speeding ticket, because to them it signals real risk behind the wheel.

Once that conviction lands on your record, your premium could go up at renewal, and you could lose the conviction-free discount you've spent years building. Exactly how much depends on your insurer and your history, but a distracted driving conviction is one that carriers tend to weigh heavily.

How long does a distracted driving conviction affect your insurance?


A conviction like this can affect your insurance for around three years — and with some insurers, even longer.

Here's the part people miss: the demerit points come off your driving record after two years, but the conviction itself stays on your record well beyond that. And it's the conviction, not the points, that your insurance company looks at when they set your rate. So the impact can outlast the points by a long way.

Can you avoid the insurance increase?


The only way that insurance increase never happens is if the conviction never lands in the first place.

That's exactly why just paying the ticket is usually the most expensive thing you can do — paying it is legally the same as pleading guilty, and it guarantees the conviction and everything that comes with it. Fighting it the right way is what gives you a real chance to keep it off your record and protect your rate for years to come. Those options only stay open while the ticket is unpaid.

Frequently asked questions


Is distracted driving a minor conviction for insurance?


Technically yes, but many insurers rate it more harshly than a minor speeding ticket because they see it as a serious risk indicator.

How long does distracted driving affect insurance in Ontario?


The impact typically lasts around three years, and with some insurers longer, because the conviction stays on your record even after the demerit points expire at two years.

Do the demerit points or the conviction drive my insurance increase?


The conviction. Points come off after two years, but insurers look at the conviction itself, which remains on your record longer.

Can I keep a distracted driving ticket off my insurance?


The only reliable way is to avoid the conviction. Once you pay the ticket, the conviction is registered and the insurance impact can follow at renewal.

This article is general information about Ontario law and is not legal advice. Services provided by a licensed lawyer and licensed paralegals at NextLaw. Every case is different; past results do not guarantee future outcomes. https://www.nextlaw.ca/?p=35558