How Having A Clean Driving Record Can Positively Affect Your Car Insurance

Car Insurance For Clean Driving Record

Are you a good driver? Do you also feel like you're paying high insurance rates because of other people's bad driving habits? Do you want to know how you could lower your car insurance and have more control over your premium? Or maybe you're a driver with a less-than-perfect driving record, but you want to learn how you can improve your record to help lower your auto insurance rates.

If either of these scenarios describes your situation, this article is for you. We will focus on two things: How having a clean driving record can reduce your auto insurance costs, and tips for driving more safely.

Here is the bottom line: Good Drivers Save on Car Insurance

A recent survey found 95% of Canadians consider themselves good drivers. But can that really be true? Let's say it's questionable. The same study found 93% of Canadians admitted to at least one bad driving behaviour. Among the riskiest behaviours mentioned by survey respondents were driving under the influence, distracted driving and fatigue.

We all know poor driving behaviours make driving riskier. And we all want to be as safe as possible. We want safety for ourselves, our families, our friends, and everyone. Reducing bad driving habits is an excellent goal for all drivers. If we all drive more safely, we can all benefit.

Do you know there are additional benefits to being a safe driver? They have to do with saving money. If you are a good driver with a clean driving record, you can save on your auto insurance. You can save hundreds of dollars (yes, that is hundreds, with an 's'!) each year.

Car Insurance For Clean Driving

Good and experienced drivers with clean driving records have lower car insurance premiums and better insurance coverage options. That is the nitty-gritty, the essence of it. Good, clean, safe driving pays off!

A clean driving record = lower insurance prices with more insurance coverage options.

Convictions for driving offences lead to you being charged a higher auto insurance price.

Here is the thing to remember: If you have a clean record, you have more choices for competitive insurance prices and coverages from insurance companies across Ontario. Why? When an auto insurance company is determining how much it will charge for auto insurance, numerous factors are considered.

Some Factors In Calculating Your Auto Insurance:

• What kind of vehicle you drive
• Your age
• How far you drive
• Where you live
• How many years you have been licensed
• Your driving record or driving history

Insurance companies offer lower premiums to clean drivers who are less likely to have claims. And insurance companies know that drivers with more driving experience and clean driving records are less likely to have claims. A clean driver with good driving records and experience behind the wheel is also likely to qualify for substantial money-saving discounts offered by insurance companies.

What Is Considered A Clean Driving Record?

A clean driving record in Ontario is when you are an experienced driver, where you have not had minor or major convictions in the past three years, and you have not had any at-fault accidents in the past six years or longer. At-fault accidents mean a collision accident you caused.

How Do I Know If My Driving Record Is Clean?

You can find out if your driving record is clean by obtaining a copy of your driving record at Service Ontario. If you are free of accidents, speeding tickets, or major violations, you likely have a clean driving record.

What Is An Experienced Driver?

An experienced driver is a person who has been licensed for longer than six years. Generally, this type of driver is considered to have good driving skills and they know the rules of the road, have experience with all sorts of driving and weather conditions, dangerous driving situations, sudden maneuvers by other drivers, and are comfortable behind the wheel.

How Does My Clean Driving Record Affect My Car Insurance?

Insurance companies assess drivers based on a star system. When determining your star rating, insurance companies consider factors such as the number of years driving, your driving record, and the kind of car you drive. Drivers with clean driving records receive higher star ratings. The higher the star rating you receive, the lower the cost. If you are deemed to be a good driver and have a high star rating, insurance companies consider you to be less likely to have claims.

The simplest and most efficient way to get details on car insurance for good drivers is to speak to an insurance agent. The agent will contact several of Ontario's auto insurance companies and tell them about your clean driving record. The broker will work to get you the most competitive prices available for your particular situation. After that, the insurance agent will share details of the auto insurance coverage and prices with you. You can then select the company with the auto insurance policy that best meets your needs.

Does Your Driving Record Affect Your Insurance Rate?

Your driving record affects your insurance rate in numerous ways. If you are a new driver without a driving history, your vehicle insurance price will be higher than those of experienced drivers with good driving records. Generally, after six years of driving experience, you can expect your insurance rate to decrease as long as your driving record remains clean.

What Are The Benefits Of A Clean Driving Record?

A significant benefit of having a clean driving record is paying less for your auto insurance. Benefits to a driver with a clean driving record include:

• Lower insurance rates
• Drivers with clean driving records have more insurance options when it comes to looking for coverage from Canadian auto insurance providers
• Many car insurance discounts are offered
• Having a spotless driving record allows you to access more insurance discounts than other insured drivers. For example, you will be eligible for the conviction-free discount of 10 % or more on your auto insurance premium. A claims-free discount of 15 % or more off of your auto insurance rate is also offered. An insurance broker can provide more details on additional discounts that may be available to you on your auto insurance and other types of insurance.
• When you have a clean driving record, your auto insurance premium usually does not fluctuate very much over time. If they do increase, it is generally due to a rate increase the company is implementing
• No expenses from claims or accidents
• No tickets, convictions, license suspensions, or other problems to be concerned about
• No stress related to driving convictions, accidents, and insurance claims

What Traffic Convictions Can Damage A Clean Driving Record?

Traffic violations occur when a driver has a vehicle in motion and violates the law. When a driver is charged with a violation and found guilty, this is a conviction. Tickets that affect your driving record can be issued under the Highway Traffic Act and/or the Criminal Code of Canada.

There are three categories of driving convictions in Ontario that can damage a clean driving record: Criminal driving convictions, major driving convictions, and minor driving convictions.

Criminal Driving Convictions:

These are the most serious convictions and include driving violations such as:

• Impaired driving
• Road racing
• Careless or dangerous driving
• Criminal negligence
• Driving while under suspension

Convictions for criminal driving offenses are very serious. These can result in significant fines, license and driving restrictions, demerit points, even time in jail. These convictions have a substantial impact on your insurance options and prices.

Major Driving Convictions:

These are serious convictions and includes infractions such as:

• Driving without insurance
• Speeding in a construction zone
• False insurance or license information
• Speeding in a school zone
• Distracted driving

Major driving convictions can negatively impact your auto insurance rates and options.

Minor Driving Convictions:

These are less serious convictions and include infractions such as:

• Speeding
• Failing to use a seat belt
• Following too closely
• Not giving way to a pedestrian or another vehicle
• Failing to use a signal

Keeping minor driving tickets and convictions off your driving record helps a driver have a clean driving record.

Do Speeding Tickets Impact My Clean Driving Record?

Speeding tickets can adversely impact a driver's clean auto insurance record and insurance premium.

Here is what you need to know about how speeding tickets will impact auto insurance:

• Speeding convictions are noted by the government of Ontario's Ministry of Transportation on a driver's driving record.  A driving record is sometimes referred to as a driving abstract.
• When you are renewing your auto insurance with your insurance broker or contact an insurance broker for a quote, your driving record is reviewed by the insurance company. Remember, as mentioned above, your driving record is one of the factors insurance companies use to determine the auto insurance premium.  Speeding convictions can push up the price of auto insurance.
• Speeding tickets stay on your driving record for three years, and the three-year time period begins on the day you pay the ticket or on the day the court found you guilty of speeding.
• Insurance companies can pull reports at any time. If they find you have tickets, you may lose a conviction-free discount, an insurance discount offered to drivers with clean driving records.
• If you have a speeding conviction, you may be penalized with surcharges, or you may be non-renewed by the insurance company if you no longer qualify to be insured with them.
• Keep in mind that how much you were speeding over the limit also negatively impacts your auto insurance. The higher the speed for which you were ticketed, the worse the impact may be on your insurance.
• Demerit points will accumulate on your driver abstract when you are convicted of speeding or other driving violations.  However, insurance companies do not consider demerit points when determining your auto insurance price. Be aware, though, that if you have too many demerit points, the government can suspend your license and insurers are not required to provide coverage to a suspended driver.

Do Parking Tickets Affect My Clean Driving Record?

Parking tickets do not have an impact on your auto insurance unless you fail to pay them. If you don't pay parking tickets, your driver's licence can be suspended, and this does affect your auto insurance.

Will A Distracted Driving Conviction Damage My Clean Driving Record?

Yes, a distracted driving conviction will damage your clean driving record and increase your insurance rates. Some insurers will not renew a driver with a distracted driving conviction. Some companies increase rates for drivers with distracted driving convictions by 10 to 20%.  Bottom line: A distracted driving conviction will mean you will pay more for auto insurance.

How Do At-Fault Accidents Impact My Clean Driving Record?

At-fault accidents can increase the price of your auto insurance. Ontario has a no-fault auto insurance system, which means that regardless of who is at fault in an accident, your insurance company deals with their own insured for any claims associated with the accident.

Ontario's no-fault auto insurance system does not mean no one is deemed to be at fault when there is an accident.  This is a common misunderstanding of the no-fault auto insurance system. Fault is determined in auto accidents. This is done by the insurance companies following established at-fault rules, and these determinations are used by insurance companies when assessing what auto insurance premiums they will charge.

How Often Do Insurance Companies Check Driving Records In Ontario? 

Depending on the policy and insurance company a record check could be more frequent. If you have a good driving record and are an existing client, your driving record may be checked less frequently.

Do All Car Insurance Companies Check Your Driving History?

Yes, all insurance companies check your driving record if you are looking for auto insurance. The insurance company will use your driver’s license number to look at your driving history, they do not look at the vehicle’s.

How Far Back Does Insurance Go To Check Driving Records?

Insurance companies will generally go back 3-5 years of your driving history to calculate your insurance price. Some companies will look back up to 10 years depending on your driving history.

How To Protect Your Clean Driving Record

A driver can get insurance coverage to protect them in case of an accident. This is often called accident forgiveness coverage. If you have a clean driving record and want to protect it, you will be eligible to purchase a driver protection insurance endorsement. This coverage will protect your good driving record should you have an accident.  It means your auto price will not be affected if you have your first at-fault accident as long as you stay with the same insurance company that insured you at the time of the accident.  Accident forgiveness insurance is offered by most insurance companies in Ontario.

"Why Does My Insurance Keep Going Up Even Though I Haven't Had A Claim or Tickets?"

We get asked this question a lot. If you have a clean driving record, your auto rates usually will not fluctuate much. If they do increase, it can be due to a general rate increase.

Insurance companies must apply to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) if they want to increase or decrease their rates. "FSCO determines whether the proposed rates are reasonable and justified, reviews and approves each company's criteria for setting rates, and reviews its underwriting rules and guidelines the company uses to determine if it will sell auto insurance to a consumer," notes FSCO.

While some factors that determine your insurance premium are within your control – such as having a clean driving record – other factors are not. Factors outside an individual driver's control that affect rates are those being felt across the auto insurance industry. Increased auto insurance fraud and higher costs to repair the complex technology in today's vehicles are among these factors.

How Technology Can Help Good Drivers To Save

One good way to save immediately and over time on your auto insurance is to sign up for a technology-based insurance rating programs which is offered by several insurance companies in Ontario.  These programs have different names, some of the most common being telematics, Usage Based Insurance (UBI), or black box insurance. These services track a driver's individual driving.  This means the driver’s good habits can be rewarded with reduced insurance rates.  This can be a good option for people who say they are "tired of paying for other people's bad driving habits.

"I'm Tired Of Paying For the Bad Driving Habits Of Other People"

We hear this from lots of drivers who believe they are paying too much for auto insurance.  They feel they are being penalized financially for the poor driving habits of others. It's entirely accurate that auto insurance premiums are affected by forces beyond an individual driver's control.

If you want more control over your auto insurance premium, a driving program that tracks your unique driving habits can be financially rewarding. Several insurance companies in Ontario offer savings if you participate in a program that uses app technology to monitor driving habits. The technology enables tracking of driving and things such as hard breaking (sudden stops), rapid acceleration, and distractions. These programs are free. Reports on driving performance are provided regularly to the driver. This means the driver is aware of how safely they are driving and areas where they can improve.  Data is kept confidential between the policyholder and the insurance company.

These programs can be a great way to save hundreds of dollars on auto insurance. There are immediate sign-up discounts – usually about 10%.  Further, if you demonstrate good driving habits, you may receive a discount – in some cases, up to 30 %!  The amount of the discount is determined by how safely you drive.  The better you drive, the more you save up to the maximum discount offered. Ask an insurance broker about these discounts.

Note that the discounts quoted here are those being offered at the time of writing. Discounts can change. It's best to contact an insurance broker to get details on these safe-driving programs and current discounts.

What Is The Best Car Insurance For A Clean Driving Record?

The best car insurance for drivers with clean driving records is available from insurance companies across Ontario. These insurers include Aviva, CAA Insurance, Chieftain, Chubb, Coachman, Dufferin, Economical, Elite, Gore Mutual, Guarantee, Hagerty, Heartland, Intact, Nova, Peel, Pembridge, Portage, SGI, Travelers, and Wawanesa.

Morison Insurance represents all of these insurance companies.  We will shop at Canadian insurance companies to get clean drivers auto insurance at competitive rates. Our experienced brokers will explain important details about auto insurance, review coverages, and costs, so you can make an informed decision about your auto insurance. We will also help you to get any money-saving discounts available to you.

• Expect us to shop far and wide to get you competitively priced insurance.
• Expect personal and prompt service excellence from us.
• We are not a call centre. Morison Insurance is an award-winning customer-focused insurance provider. We are dedicated to providing excellent insurance and exemplary service.
• Every Morison Insurance customer has a specific broker dedicated to looking after their insurance. We are here to serve you.  Contact us online, by phone, email or text, or visit one of our offices in southern Ontario.
• If you prefer to contact us online, by phone, email, or text, our online broker team is ready to help you.
• Prefer to visit in-person at one of our offices? We look forward to looking after all of your insurance needs at one of our offices across southern Ontario.

Do You Need To Insure More Items Than Your Vehicle?

Morison Insurance is a full-service insurance brokerage. We provide home, auto, business, recreational, season home, high-value home, and other kinds of insurance. If you insure several items, you may receive a multi-policy discount.

Safe Driving Tips

In 2016, 33.8 million vehicles were registered in Canada.  Ontario alone had 11.9 million vehicles registered, says Statistics Canada. And here's the thing: Every driver is going somewhere. And often, it seems, many drivers are in a hurry. Safety is priority number one when it comes to driving. Here are some driving tips to keep you safer. We encourage you to use them and share them with others.

• Be a responsible driver by obeying the rules of the road.
• Be considerate, cooperative, careful, and responsible when driving.
• Drive defensively. Ontario's Ministry of Transportation (MOT) says that driving defensively is based on three things: visibility, space, and communication.

Visibility means seeing and being seen.  Know where you are and where others are. Check your mirrors every 5 seconds or so, says the ministry. Use your signals to let others know your intentions.  Also, keep an eye on what is coming up. The farther you look ahead, the less surprised you will be, and the more time you will have to avoid hazards, notes the MOT.

Space means making sure you are leaving enough space between your vehicle and those behind and in front of you.  The most significant risk is from the car in front of you, says the MOT. Stay back.

Communication means letting others know where you are and your intentions. Use signals. Make eye contact with pedestrians, other drivers, and cyclists whenever possible. Using your horn is also an option to get the attention of others.  There are more tips from Ontario's Ministry of Transportation.

• Map out your route before you set out on a road trip. Check weather and road conditions before you leave.
• Focus on your driving. Avoid distractions. Distractions can be deadly.
• If you feel tired and sleepy, find a safe place to get off the road and have a break.
• Don't speed.
• Follow the traffic rules. If you are travelling on an expressway, know the rules of high-speed multi-lane roads. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has online information about expressway driving rules.
• Always be on the lookout for pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, and motorcycles.
• Make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt. Children should be in approved car seats.
• Keep your vehicle well maintained. This includes having the correct tire pressure, ensuring washer fluid is maintained, and all lights work correctly.
• Here are some winter-specific driving tips: Create a survival kit and keep it in your vehicle. Pack booster cables, non-perishable snacks, water, a first-aid kit, a snow brush and shovel, wiper fluid, candles, a safety vest. Keep a safe distance from snowplows. Have winter tires on your vehicle. (Quick insurance note here: You can save money on your insurance is you have winter tires on your vehicle. An insurance broker can help you with this.) Don't rush to your destination. Driving safely in winter often means slowing down and taking your time.  Check on the weather forecast before you travel. Have enough fuel on your vehicle. Don't use cruise control in winter driving conditions.  Take snow and ice off your vehicle before you leave. Have a cellphone with you. Know how to control your vehicle if it begins to skid.

This content is written by our Morison Insurance team. It is provided for general information only. Insurance needs differ from person to person, and this article is therefore not a substitute for professional advice about your individual insurance needs which can be obtained by speaking to one of our brokers.