Does a speeding ticket affect your car insurance?

  • Coverage clarity
  • Auto insurance
A young driver sits in a car looking apprehensive while an officer writes a ticket outside the window.
  • Even a single speeding conviction can disqualify you from a conviction-free discount, and being caught going 50 km/h or more over the limit could result in a significantly larger premium increase or a non-renewal.
  • Fighting a ticket down to a lower speed range can make a meaningful difference, especially if your charge is reduced from 50 km/h or more over the limit to under that threshold.
  • Adding a conviction protector while your record is clean, enrolling in a telematics program and bundling your home and auto insurance are practical ways to manage your premium after a ticket.

Getting pulled over for speeding is stressful, but worrying about what a ticket might do to your insurance rate can feel just as unsettling. The short answer is yes, but how much depends on your driving history, your insurance company, the number of offences and how fast you were going.

Will one speeding ticket raise my insurance?

Insurance companies reward drivers without any infractions by providing a conviction-free discount. A single conviction for driving 1 to 49 km/h over the posted limit in the past three years disqualifies you from this discount, resulting in a higher premium. If you are convicted for speeding 50 or more km/h over the posted limit, you may face a larger increase or your insurance company may decline to renew your policy.

If I fight a speeding ticket and win, will this reduce my rate?

With most insurance companies, fighting and reducing a ticket from 30 km/h to 15 km/h over won't change your premium. However, if you're charged with driving 50 or more km/h over the posted limit and the ticket is reduced to 1 to 49 km/h over, you could save a significant amount.

What about multiple tickets?

Multiple violations signal a pattern. Surcharges stack, and after significant infractions, some insurance companies move you into a high-risk category, restrict your policy options or decline to renew.

How to lower your insurance after a ticket

There are several steps you can take to manage your premium after a conviction.

  • Conviction protector – Adding this coverage while you are conviction-free gives you peace of mind that you won't face an increased premium for your first infraction. A VIU by HUB broker can provide a recommendation based on your specific situation.
  • Telematics program – Safer driving habits earn discounts that can offset your surcharge over time.
  • Shop and compare – Insurance companies weigh violations differently, so comparing quotes is an effective way to find savings.
  • Bundle your home and auto insurance – Combining your policies with one insurance company is a simple way to reduce your overall premium. Most carriers offer meaningful multi-policy discounts, which can help cushion the impact of a surcharge on your auto rate.

A VIU by HUB broker can help you explore these options and find savings without sacrificing your coverage.