Question on demerit points

[aznfoos]

This is my first accident in 10 years and I need your expertise on a couple questions. I am trying to treat this experience as a learning experience so hopefully I don't get flamed for this.

I just got into a rear-end crash that involved 3 cars in front me when everyone slammed on their brakes, but I was the last car in the line-up.

I made the claim to my insurance since the damages on my car were ~$5000, but, correct me if I'm wrong, the real reason why I made the claim was because my insurance co will eventually have to pay for the car/personal damages in front of me.

I was also wondering how much my insurance will go up and Meloche Monnex says that my premiums increase based on the # of claims, not by how much $ is involved in each claim. I am now at the highest rating, 6 stars, and I will go down to 5 stars for 6 years, until I regain my highest rating again. In the meantime, my premiums go up ~$350/year, which I think is pretty reasonable.

Now, I initially recieved a ticket for "careless driving" (ie. 6 demerits) by the police officer (which BTW is the same category as "racing"). I just thought I should be charged for "following too close" (2-3 demerits) instead since everyone slammed on their brakes at the same time, so I decided to go to court to fight for the lower charge. 5 days later, I get a call from the officer saying that a mistake has been made and the ticket and charges have been cancelled.

Why did he drop the charges?

What does 6 vs 2 demerit points make on my insurance premiums? I know that it takes longer for the 6 pts to drop off my record, then the 2 pts.

Would there be any circumstances where I would be better off NOT making an insurance claim?

Is 6 years standard for insurance co to ding you after a claim?


Thanks for your help.

[boyoflondon]

Why did he cancel your ticket? Look at it this way ... He is a cop, he is THE law ... He can do as he pleases! Probably realised he might be ruining someones life pretty much by giving them such a ticket so he came to senses.


As far as what is the difference between 2 points and 6 .... Look at it this way. Our insurance agent (who used to be a family friend), showed us a chart on how insurance companies treat tickets. A 4 point ticket (for going 30-49km over) is treated the same by insurance companies as if you drove drunk and killed somebody.

Needless to say, you are lucky you are not stuck with the careless driving ticket. That is as bad as a ticket gets after a DUI charge ...

[chilicat]

1. Follow Too Close is 4 demerit points.

2. A cop can't "cancel" a ticket. He could "forget" to submit it to the court, though. Call the court exactly 16 days from the date of your ticket and ask them for the status of your charge. They will ask for the ticket number at the top right hand corner.

[actng]

No fault insurance in Ontario means everyone claims their damages/losses with their own insurance companies. Your insurance company will not be paying for damages from the other cars involved in the accident ahead of you, unless those parties sue you / your insurance company for damages and win.

Insurance companies categorize tickets into two categories, namely major vs. minor. Most tickets you deal with are minor tickets. A major ticket is in reality not a "ticket" but a "summons" you receive at the scene you're pulled over or served. All minor tickets are treated equally with a few minor exceptions that deviate from insurance company to company. Minor exceptions like no insurance card, no plate sticker. Non-moving violations do not count against you.

Having said all this, it means a 1km/h over speeding ticket is the same as a 49km/h over speeding ticket, as is following too close, as is running red light.