A moment of impatience and we slam on the gas pedal. A moment of inattention and we run a stop sign. An important call and we answer it while driving.

Even the smallest traffic violation can be enough to make you the proud owner of a ticket.

Will getting a ticket necessarily increase your car insurance?

There are many misconceptions about this topic. Assurances Multi-Risques would therefore like to demystify the impact of traffic violations on your auto insurance.

The impact of a poor driving record on your auto insurance

First, all auto insurers offer a discount if you have a clean driving record. Therefore, collecting violations causes you to lose substantial discounts.

So far, it’s not too complicated! However, as soon as you have three traffic violations on your driving record, your auto insurer will increase your insurance premium with a surcharge.

According to their probability calculations, you become more likely to file an auto insurance claim.

Traffic violations and auto insurance: demonstrating transparency

The impact of a traffic ticket is not limited to the unpleasant cost associated with it. In fact, it also affects the cost of your driver’s license and even your car insurance premium.

Some insurers may forgive multiple fines, but a single violation will prevent you from obtaining a discount for a clean record.

It is important to be honest with your insurer. Report all traffic violations you have received, even if you are tempted to hide them to save money. It is important to report any violations for which you have been penalized to your insurer.

Hiding information from the insurer: the consequences

If you hide one or more traffic violations from your insurer, this could have consequences in the future.

The insurer must check certain information in order to offer you the product and premium that best suits your needs. However, if they check false information, you may find yourself in a situation where you never receive any money in the event of a claim.

This is particularly true for two specific types of questions:

If you, or an occasional driver, have been guilty of more than X traffic violations in the last three years.
If you, or an occasional driver, have had your driver’s license suspended in the last three years.

Traffic violations that must be reported to your insurer are not limited to speeding. They also include using a cell phone while driving, running red lights and stop signs, and more.

We invite you to consult a non-exhaustive list of types of traffic violations that must be reported.

Points for driving offenses and auto insurance

Insurers set the premium amount based on past and future risks and past claims experience. Logically, an insured who has already received several traffic tickets will be more likely to violate the Highway Code again in the future.

and therefore cause an accident for which he will have to file a claim with his insurer, who will then have to pay out. Because of this positive correlation, his premium will be higher.

Increase in the cost of a driver’s license

The SAAQ adjusts the price of driver’s license renewals based on the number of points lost in the previous year. They even have a slogan that sums it up nicely: “A driver’s license comes with responsibilities!”

We invite you to consult the SAAQ table that summarizes the cost of your driver’s license based on the number of demerit points.

If you accumulate too many demerit points, your driver’s license may be suspended. A license suspension can make it difficult to obtain auto insurance.

Car insurance and loss of driver’s license

If you have too many traffic tickets or if your license is revoked by the SAAQ, your insurer may cancel your auto insurance policy. And there is a good chance that they will do so.

À la suite d’une annulation de votre contrat, il vous faudra trouver un assureur spécialisé dans les dossiers à risques. Votre nouvelle prime d’assurance automobile sera à l’évidence considérablement plus dispendieuse.

Maintaining affordable auto insurance premiums:

Now that you have a better understanding of how a poor driving record can affect your auto insurance premiums, we would like to offer some tips and advice on how to get affordable auto insurance.

The first three major paths to take are fairly straightforward:

Follow the rules of the road;
Collaborer avec un assureur spécialisé en assurance sous-standard;
Obtain and provide your up-to-date SAAQ file.

A few tips to reduce your premium

If your situation is complicated and you are looking to improve it, we have some advice for you. This could reduce the cost of your next auto insurance premium.

Check the premium for your new vehicle with your broker;
Opt for a low-value vehicle with fewer protections;
Increase your deductibles;
Avoid minor claims to maintain a good record.
Utilisez la télématique si possible;
Contact an independent broker.

Assurances Multi-Risques strongly recommends contacting a specialized broker to guide you and save you time and money.

Caution, confidence, and insurance (auto)!

Traffic laws may seem strict. It may seem that police officers issue tickets too easily. It is important to remember that traffic laws are in place to ensure everyone’s safety.

All these factors remind us that a moment of inattention can cause an accident.

It is tempting to drive too fast or check our emails while driving. However, it is better to arrive late than not arrive at all because of an accident.