High Risk Car Insurance

Car insurance for high-risk drivers

Most property and casualty insurance companies will underwrite a standard car insurance policy if you have only had a few minor traffic incidents, although these incidents will still be reflected in the policy cost. However, if you have been in several accidents or have multiple traffic violations (tickets), a non-standard auto insurance policy might be your only option.

The following is an overview of insurance for high-risk drivers in Ontario, which includes why you might need it and what to expect if you must get it.

What is non-standard auto insurance for high-risk drivers?

Non-standard auto insurance is an insurance of the last resort, reserved for drivers of personal vehicles who are considered to be at a higher risk of filing a claim than the average driver.

This high-risk auto insurance is what you need if no insurance company will underwrite a traditional car insurance policy for you.

Each insurance company has its own specific underwriting criteria but they all use similar information and may deny you a standard auto insurance policy if you have any of the following:

• a poor driving record due to multiple traffic violations, speeding tickets.
• accidents resulting in insurance claims.
• a history of being canceled or non-renewed, due to missed payments.
• convictions arising from insurance fraud or misrepresentation.
• a lapse in insurance coverage.
• poor credit rating.

But, even if you are uninsurable through a regular auto insurance policy because of one or more of the factors listed, non-standard auto insurance guarantees that you may still obtain coverage. This is because every legally licensed Ontario driver is able to purchase car insurance if needed.

In summary, non-standard car insurance is:

• available to all drivers in Ontario, including those considered high-risk, due to histories of accidents, tickets, coverage cancellations or insurance fraud.
• an option of last resort, which you should get only if no other policy is available to you.