Insurance

Hey guys, if you plead guilty to charges such as not being able to provide insurance or proof of ownership when requested, but you do have it legitimately, does your insurance increase?

does your insurance increase when you plead guilty to anything that not a driving charge?

Not providing proof is not "Driving Without Insurance". I don't see it effecting your rates. I had an out of date card once and the officer still ran the policy number and it came back ok. I was told to find the right card and off I went.

Different Insurance companies have different policies. In my case, I had one speeding ticket on my record which was allowed without a rate increase. A couple years later, I got stopped and ticketed because I couldn't find my insurance slip (non-moving violation). My insurance DOUBLED!!!! This from the same company I had been with for 20 years, never making a claim except for two windshields back in the 80's. I switched to another company and they forgave my "minor" tickets" and my rates were right back to $650/yr.

I have read that most insurance companies reason that if you are irresponsible enough to misplace your proof of insurance, you are a higher risk for OTHER irresponsible behaviour and thus should pay a higher rate. It's because of this unfair reasoning that I recommend fighting every ticket.

While waiting for the JP to return from a short break, I had the chance to have a candid conversation with the court staff (prosecutor included) about why so many people fight their tickets these days. EVERYONE was in agreement that avoiding the insurance man is the main reason. I told them I would not be there today if it weren't for my previous experience with rate increases. This is why many prosecutors will now drop multiple charges down to ONE charge (with an increased fine) in a plea agreement. The court is happy to get some money, and the offender gets a chance to avoid an insurance increase (most insurance companies forgive ONE violation every three years).

So you get a weak ticket, say... Dirty Lisence Plate. Even if it's your only offence in 3 years, you HAVE to fight it. You don't know what's going to happen 2 years down the road. The second you get that cheezy speeding ticket, BOOOM!... there go your rates!

Sounds like they went in dry!

I spoke to an agent with Whitley Insurance in Belleville, Ontario and the agent I spoke to stated that with some insurance companies, it could be seen as a minor violation and rates could increase. I have one client who stated that when he worked as an insurance agent, he saw rates increase quite frequently due to minor violation. I negotiate for this offence (No Proof..." often times the driver has insurance coverage, does not produce the card, and the officer lays the CAIA charge. But do understand that proof of insurance must be presented upon the demand being made by the officer and failure to do so, is enough for a conviction.

Does anyone have any experience with Allstate? since some insurance companies would increase due to minor convictions, i don't know if allstate would do the same thing.. their site doesnt say anything.

Ask the broker, they should know. I'm with state farm and they allow one ticket before rates are effected.

Bookm wrote:

Probably about as good a deal as anyone could expect. Now keep your fingers crossed that your insurance company is OK with the single conviction, or that they don't check your record for the next three years.

Due to hail storm had to go to insurance. One of the adjusters/agents for my insurance was around. So I asked about the number of ticket thing. It was interesting..all over a 2yr period

- did not care about equipment violations or non-moving offences

- allowed 3 moving offence

- 4th moving offence and insurance would go up

- 1 Careless Driving or 8 moving infractions and insurance was cancelled as high risk driver

Seemed pretty reasonable.

VERY interesting. I'm definitely running this list by MY agent (for my kids sake... I'M cured!)