In Ontario, having your license suspended can have a significant impact on your car insurance. Here are a few ways that a license suspension can affect your car insurance in Ontario:
- Your insurance rates may increase: If your license is suspended, your insurance company may consider you to be a high-risk driver, which could cause your insurance rates to increase.
- You may need to obtain an SR-22: Depending on the reason for your license suspension, you may be required to obtain an SR-22 form from your insurance provider. An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that shows that you have the minimum required insurance coverage in your province. Having an SR-22 can lead to higher insurance rates.
- You may lose discounts: If you had any discounts on your car insurance, such as a safe driving discount, they may be revoked if your license is suspended.
- You may not be able to drive at all: Depending on the reason for your license suspension, you may not be able to drive at all. If you’re not driving, you may be able to suspend your car insurance policy or reduce your coverage.
- You may need to pay reinstatement fees: When your license is suspended in Ontario, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back. This fee can be as much as $275 and may need to be paid before you can get car insurance again.
- Your insurance provider may cancel your policy: Depending on the reason for your license suspension, your insurance provider may choose to cancel your policy altogether. This can make it difficult to get car insurance in the future.
- You may need to get high-risk car insurance: If your license is suspended, you may need to get high-risk car insurance in order to get back on the road. High-risk car insurance is typically more expensive than standard car insurance, and may come with additional restrictions and limitations.
- You may need to take additional driver training: Depending on the reason for your license suspension, you may be required to take additional driver training in order to get your license back. Some insurance providers may offer discounts to drivers who have completed additional driver training.
- Your insurance provider may require proof of reinstatement: If your license has been suspended and then reinstated, your insurance provider may require proof of reinstatement before they will provide you with coverage. This can include things like a letter from the Ministry of Transportation, or a copy of your reinstatement notice.
- Your driving record may be affected: When your license is suspended, the suspension will be added to your driving record. This can make it more difficult to get car insurance in the future, and may lead to higher insurance rates.
- Your insurance provider may require additional coverage: If your license has been suspended due to certain driving offenses, your insurance provider may require you to carry additional coverage, such as liability insurance or collision insurance.
- You may need to file an SR-22: Depending on the reason for your license suspension, you may be required to file an SR-22 form with the Ministry of Transportation in order to get your license reinstated. This can also affect your car insurance rates.
- Your insurance provider may not cover certain damages: If your license is suspended, your insurance provider may not cover certain types of damages, such as those caused by an accident that occurred while your license was suspended.
- Your insurance rates may stay high for a while: Even after your license is reinstated, you may still be considered a high-risk driver by your insurance provider. This can cause your insurance rates to remain high for a period of time, until your driving record improves.
Remember, the impact of a license suspension on your car insurance can vary depending on the specific circumstances. If you have questions or concerns about how a license suspension may affect your car insurance in Ontario, be sure to talk to your insurance provider.