Driving without insurance in Ontario may not come under a criminal offence. However, drivers should refrain from indulging in such acts since they need to shell out a series of fines and penalties.
In Canada, every province has its own set of laws when it comes to traffic violations. While some provinces have public insurance (run by the government), others have private insurance (government regulated).
Regardless of the type of car insurance policy you own, the penalty law remains constant. So, the law enforcement department requires all cars plying the streets to be insured. Remember, besides paying a fine for driving without insurance Ontario drivers may have to face increased premiums.
After learning about the fines for operating a vehicle without insurance, you can click the following link to compare insurance quotes in Toronto with your Surex insurance broker.
What are the insurance mandate norms in Ontario?
Section 2(1) of Ontario’s Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act clearly outlines that no motor vehicle can operate without having adequate liability insurance coverage. Therefore, as a vehicle owner, you must purchase an insurance mandatorily. According to the law, your policy must be inclusive of the following privileges:
- Minimum $200,000 of liability coverage for third parties
- Statutory coverage for accident benefits
- Coverage for an uninsured automobile
- Direct compensation for damaging properties
Besides these mandatory provisions, there is a scope for optional coverages as well.
What is the fine for driving without insurance Ontario?
While you won’t be credited with any demerit points for driving without insurance in Ontario, the fine depends on the severity of the offence.
- For first-time offenders, the fine would range between $5,000 and $25,000. In this case, the authorities might suspend your license for a period ranging between 30 days and one year.
- The driving without insurance fine for second-time offenders varies between $25,000 and $50,000. You may also get your driving license suspended for up to one year. Besides, your car may be impounded for 90 days. The owner needs to shell out the associated expenses for the storage and impoundment of the car. Besides, the authorities might charge a 25% victim fine from you in these cases.
- In case of further traffic convictions due to driving without a license, the fine can range up to $50,000.
What impact does driving without insurance have on your premiums?
Now that you are aware of the Ontario fine for driving without insurance, let’s find out how this conviction can affect your future premiums.
In case you face a penalty or fine for this offence, you need to consult a reputed insurance brokerage. The professionals will help you find an affordable insurance policy. You can purchase an insurance policy regardless of your previous driving record or conviction.
However, your automobile insurance would no longer be affordable. Driving without insurance is a serious offence. This explains why automobile insurance companies would consider you to be a ‘high-risk’ customer.
Being a high-risk driver, be prepared to fork out at least 25% higher premiums. Given that you have already paid a fine that can range up to $50,000, purchasing an expensive policy would financially drain you.
Although you can qualify for automobile insurance even after committing the offence, you would regret paying the high premiums.
Is driving without car insurance a criminal offence?
The law enforcement department hasn’t categorized driving without insurance as a criminal offence in Canada. So, the offence wouldn’t land up in your criminal record, although you need to pay the penalties and fines.
Additionally, driving without insurance in Ontario wouldn’t lead to an arrest. However, if you are involved in an accident or any criminal activity while driving without insurance, the consequences might amount to arrest.
Can you drive a vehicle owned by someone else without insurance?
Even if you don’t have your own insurance, you can drive a car owned by someone else as long as the owner has got it insured. So, if you borrow your parent’s car, and it has adequate coverage, you won’t face any negative consequences.
On the other hand, if the vehicle you drive (regardless of who owns it) is not insured, the police might pull you up. Therefore, you need to ensure that the vehicle is insured, not the driver. In these cases, the car owner may also face the consequences for failing to insure the vehicle.
If you borrow someone’s car, ensure the insurance policy is active and valid. Otherwise, you would have to pay the fine for driving without insurance Ontario.
What happens when you have an accident without insurance?
Landing up in an accident without having active car insurance can be disastrous. In the first place, you need to deal with the fines, penalties, and suspended licenses. Next, you must bear the financial impact of repairing your vehicle, hospitalization costs, compensating the damaged property, and legal expenses. Here are some of the consequences you would be facing.
1. Repairing car damages
Repairing your car after an accident can cost you a fortune. This explains why insurance experts advise drivers to purchase physical damage coverage along with their policy. Unless you have adequate coverage, you must pay for the damage yourself, even if you are not at fault.
2. Third-party damages
If you are at fault during an accident, you must bear the cost of third-party repairs. Whether you collide with another vehicle or an object, you would be draining your resources while compensating for the loss.
3. Hospitalization and lawsuit expenses
In case you are involved in an accident without insurance coverage, high hospitalization and treatment costs might haunt you for a long time. This involves the treatment costs of the driver, passengers, as well as the occupants and driver of the other car. Some injuries can even be life-threatening and can even lead to lawsuits.
Endnote
Now that you know the fine for driving without insurance in Ontario, it’s obvious that the risk isn’t worth taking. Consult an established insurance brokerage to explore the best policies that suit your car.
Even if you come under the high-risk category, the experts can help you find an affordable policy. This way, you can financially secure yourself against fines, penalties, and associated costs following an accident.
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