Speeding Ticket Yesterday (Insurance question)

[killface]

Good morning,

I'm 24 (I turn 25 this month) and received my first ever speeding ticket yesterday. I'm not concerned about the amount on the ticket (it's $56.00 I think) but the infraction happened in Collingwood and I live in Toronto. I think I was doing 75 in a 60 (dropped from 81).

No points are at stake here, but I am concerned about insurance. What happens to it? Obviously since I'm turning 25 so soon, I know my insurance, otherwise, would drop. Will it be affected by this ticket? Should I fight it? I cannot for the life of me think of a viable argument in court.

Thanks in advance

[thephenom]

Most insurance company would "forgive" 2 tickets, but the 3rd one would jack up your rates, and tickets stays in your file for 3yrs.

[kleptodathief]

dood just take it to court , show up and if the cop(most likely) dusn't show up its tossed out! NEVER pay the fine unless u go to trial and found guilty! GL

[DJ_Peanuts22]

That's pretty bad timing. Get ready to get raped on your premiums. This would have a big effect on the possibility of a discount when you do turn 25. I have never heard of an insurance company forgiving tickets, but it should vary, ask yours to make sure.

[killface]

dood just take it to court , show up and if the cop(most likely) dusn't show up its tossed out! NEVER pay the fine unless u go to trial and found guilty! GL

sorry, i was more concerned about insurance...

your suggestion has a lot of risk associated with it. It will cost me $40 to drive, plus the time I take off work, all in the hopes that the officer doesn't show.

[Shaner]

That's pretty bad timing. Get ready to get raped on your premiums. This would have a big effect on the possibility of a discount when you do turn 25. I have never heard of an insurance company forgiving tickets, but it should vary, ask yours to make sure.

Where did you get this info from? Almost all insurance companies will forgive one ticket.

OP, your rates aren't likely to rise, in fact, they'll drop when you hit 25. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

[euphoria18_79]

I can only speak for insurance in Alberta, but as far as i know the rules are basically the same between Alberta and Ontario. 1 speeding ticket... a minor conviction, should not affect your driving record. If you have 2 within 3 years, then perhaps it may, depending on the insurance company. The only one that i know that 1 ticket would affect the record is ING, but there is a very minimal difference.

[cereal83]

No insurance companies will forgive 1 ticket, Your rates go up maybe only 5% but they do go up. Fight it in court. Sure it might cost you $40 for the day but it will save you hundreds over 3 years!

[Shaner]

No insurance companies will forgive 1 ticket, Your rates go up maybe only 5% but they do go up. Fight it in court. Sure it might cost you $40 for the day but it will save you hundreds over 3 years!

Once again, where are you getting this false information?
I have personally been forgiven by two different insurance companies for a speeding ticket I received.

Numerous other RFD'ers have also been forgiven for a ticket. No rate increase whatsoever, not even 5%.

In fact, numerous insurance companies now advertise that they forgive one ticket per every three years. They've always done it, but now they are advertising it.

[quarterpounder]

if you have had your license for at least 6 years, and this is the only thing, it will make 0 difference.
a 6 star driver can have 1 ticket, some underwriting manuals allow for 2.

I would still take my chances in court, whats the worse that could happen? the cop shows up, you save a few bucks on the ticket itself.

In the best case, cop doesn't show up, the ticket goes away and you still have some leaway on your driving record.

here's a dirty little secret though..

Insurance companies do not necessarily pull your drivers abstract every year, they really need a reason to.

I started with one insurance company, had 0 tickets, thus being a 6 star driver.. in a matter of one year I got 3 tickets (I know, nothing to be proud of) I wasn't about to call my insurance company and tell them.. but as the renewals came, I remained a 6 star driver and now only one of them is on my drivers abstract, and even then, the insurer doesn't know about it.

I wouldn't worry too much about 1 minor ticket. Especially if you are staying with the same insurance company. you will see a healthy savings on renewal.. in fact, take the ticket to court, so you don't get convicted..Call your insurance company on your 25th birthday, even if it is ahead of your renewal.. ask them to rerate your policy.. they can do it, and you will see the savings right away.

If you have insurance related questions, I can do my best to help.. I work in the field... pm me though.. cheers.

[killface]

Thanks very much for your help quarterpounder.

Take care

[new_vr]

No insurance companies will forgive 1 ticket, Your rates go up maybe only 5% but they do go up. Fight it in court. Sure it might cost you $40 for the day but it will save you hundreds over 3 years!

Maybe they don't forgive yours, since they are for 100km/h over the limit, but for minor convictions they let one (sometimes 2) slide. After that, expect to pay a lot more for your insurance

[cereal83]

Maybe they don't forgive yours, since they are for 100km/h over the limit, but for minor convictions they let one (sometimes 2) slide. After that, expect to pay a lot more for your insurance

Your a moron and don't talk to me anymore. I have never been caught for anything more then 15 over so have a nice day!

Still fight the ticket.

[new_vr]

Your a moron and don't talk to me anymore. I have never been caught for anything more then 15 over so have a nice day!

Still fight the ticket.
I don't want to talk to you, I was pointing out why your advice is so flawed (as has come to be expected). And if you want to try and make fun of somebody, at least use the conjugation of you are which is you're)

[cereal83]

I don't want to talk to you, I was pointing out why your advice is so flawed (as has come to be expected). And if you want to try and make fun of somebody, at least use the conjugation of you are which is you're)

My advice which is to fight a ticket is flawed or that every tickets affects your insurance?

Umm yeah 1+1=2 yah

:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Corinthein]

dood just take it to court , show up and if the cop(most likely) dusn't show up its tossed out! NEVER pay the fine unless u go to trial and found guilty! GL

Take what to court, the fact that he was nailed for speeding? There is nothing to fight, verdict = GUILTY. OP was fortunate enough to have the ticket reduced.

[cereal83]

Take what to court, the fact that he was nailed for speeding? There is nothing to fight, verdict = GUILTY. OP was fortunate enough to have the ticket reduced.

You obviously never went to court!

[new_vr]

My advice which is to fight a ticket is flawed or that every tickets affects your insurance?

Umm yeah 1+1=2 yah

:confused: :confused: :confused:
That every ticket affects your insurance. There is forgiveness. Please don't try and pass off misinformed opinions as fact

[cereal83]

That every ticket affects your insurance. There is forgiveness. Please don't try and pass off misinformed opinions as fact

I guess you work for or have worked for an insurance company! Doesn't matter. I will believe what I want to and you will do the same.

[Shaner]

I guess you work for or have worked for an insurance company! Doesn't matter. I will believe what I want to and you will do the same.

I can honestly say I've never worked for an insurance company. I personally think insurance companies are the devil. They are just short of scam artists IMO. With that said, facts are facts, and although you can believe whatever you wish, this isn't a matter of opinion, it's a matter of right and wrong, and you are wrong.

Most insurance companies will forgive one minor ticket. Some will forgive two minor tickets (although not mine). Like I said, insurance companies are now starting to advertise this fact.

[Jon Lai]

Stop spreading false info guys. Usually you are penalized for only the 3rd ticket accumulated within 5 years. Some insurance companies only keep looking in 3 years but a lot nowadays say 5 years.

[cereal83]

Stop spreading false info guys. Usually you are penalized for only the 3rd ticket accumulated within 5 years. Some insurance companies only keep looking in 3 years but a lot nowadays say 5 years.

You don't seem like to bright of a person at all. You said to price out a computer more expensive then your Mac @ $3500 in another thread when just today, I walked several times by a cabinet with over $1 million in IBM computer equipment.

They DO effect your rates. maybe only 1% or maybe 15% but it does affect your rates!

[Shaner]

You don't seem like to bright of a person at all. You said to price out a computer more expensive then your Mac @ $3500 in another thread when just today, I walked several times by a cabinet with over $1 million in IBM computer equipment.

They DO effect your rates. maybe only 1% or maybe 15% but it does affect your rates!

Then explain why when I got a speeding ticket my rates didn't increase? They didn't go up at all, not even 1%.

Many, many other RFD'ers have also stated the same thing. How do you explain that?

You can believe whatever you want, but the OP came in here looking for serious advice and you're spreading false information. You're doing a disservice to this forum.

[SoNgMaN]

You don't seem like to bright of a person at all. You said to price out a computer more expensive then your Mac @ $3500 in another thread when just today, I walked several times by a cabinet with over $1 million in IBM computer equipment.

They DO effect your rates. maybe only 1% or maybe 15% but it does affect your rates!

no they don't i have 2 minors and my premium didn't change.

[cereal83]

no they don't i have 2 minors and my premium didn't change.

Did it go down at all?

[SoNgMaN]

Did it go down at all?

it decreased slightly (but other factors were involved, change of address etc. my broker said they would have no effect). but i've changed cars so i'll see next march if it goes either way again.

[dre145]

Take what to court, the fact that he was nailed for speeding? There is nothing to fight, verdict = GUILTY. OP was fortunate enough to have the ticket reduced.

you people are stupid, always fight a ticket, there is a chance the cop doesnt show up, but not even that, you set a trial date and they assign a court date 6 months away. The offense doesnt go on ur record untill you are found guilty, but it comes off ur record 3 years after the offense date, meaning it will only be on ur record for 2.5years.

[cereal83]

it decreased slightly (but other factors were involved, change of address etc. my broker said they would have no effect). but i've changed cars so i'll see next march if it goes either way again.

Well I bet if you didn't get that ticket, it would have gone down even more. They say it has no real effect but it does. Even if it is only $5 a month

[Shaner]

you people are stupid, always fight a ticket, there is a chance the cop doesnt show up, but not even that, you set a trial date and they assign a court date 6 months away. The offense doesnt go on ur record untill you are found guilty, but it comes off ur record 3 years after the offense date, meaning it will only be on ur record for 2.5years.

It's from the date of the conviction, not the date of the offence.

[Alvito]

you people are stupid, always fight a ticket, there is a chance the cop doesnt show up, but not even that, you set a trial date and they assign a court date 6 months away. The offense doesnt go on ur record untill you are found guilty, but it comes off ur record 3 years after the offense date, meaning it will only be on ur record for 2.5years.

i didnt know that, i hope its true!

[killface]

Hey everyone, I really appreciate the number of folks who have weighed in.

I am using RBC insurance, I signed up for the policy (after so much hassle that I never want to deal with them again) in January of this year.

I spoke to them about the ticket today. They told me, in the event that the company randomly selects my drivers record at renewal time, they do not forgive the first ticket. They did say that typically, drivers with perfect driving records are not checked as rigorously as someone with prior convictions (so I could get away with it).

However, the increase on the first ticket is around 5%, or about $100.

I think because of this, I will fight the ticket.

FYI they also told me that canceling their policy mid-term will come with a 1-month (worth of coverage) penalty. By using their insurance calculator, it shows no difference between me at 24 compared to me at 25, so I'm questioning it's accuracy.

Assuming that I take this to court, it should not be on my record by the time I start figuring out whether I will continue with my original policy (at the end of the month), or cancel it and hopefully get an annual discount that is more than the cancellation penalty because I would then be 25. In the very least, in that logic, I should save approx. $50 assuming when I would regularly renew in January that they figured out that I received a ticket.

Thanks again for everyone's help

[SirLurksAlot]

I got a speeding ticket yesterday going from my home in Ottawa to other house in Halifax, I was just outside Montreal at the time. I was pretty sure I was doing about 140km when he got me and he said he hit me at 141km on Radar. It was OPP just to make it clear.

This is my first ticket for anything, other than parking. So I had the same question as the OP regarding insurance which has been pretty much answered, but I was also looking for help regarding fighting it.

He wrote on the ticket that I was only doing 130km/h, he said to save me about $100 bucks. If I do fight it, do I go to Ottawa to fight it or what? I told the cop I lived in Halifax, because I only had NS drivers license and didn't want him asking questions, as the car had no plates and is a quebec car.... I would think since it is OPP I would fight it in Ontario somewhere, probably closest place to me which would be Ottawa....

The only thing I am worried about, if I fight it can he come back and say well you were doing 140 not 130 so the ticket is actually going to be $100 more and charge me the higher rate????

If I say I was not speeding wouldn't he have to show evidence? And there would be no evidence of me doing 130..... Only of me doing 141

As I said I am new to this, and my parents are the type to just pay without asking questions, unlike myself..... Any help would be appreciated....

[D-3vil]

I got a speeding ticket yesterday going from my home in Ottawa to other house in Halifax, I was just outside Montreal at the time. I was pretty sure I was doing about 140km when he got me and he said he hit me at 141km on Radar. It was OPP just to make it clear.

This is my first ticket for anything, other than parking. So I had the same question as the OP regarding insurance which has been pretty much answered, but I was also looking for help regarding fighting it.

He wrote on the ticket that I was only doing 130km/h, he said to save me about $100 bucks. If I do fight it, do I go to Ottawa to fight it or what? I told the cop I lived in Halifax, because I only had NS drivers license and didn't want him asking questions, as the car had no plates and is a quebec car.... I would think since it is OPP I would fight it in Ontario somewhere, probably closest place to me which would be Ottawa....

The only thing I am worried about, if I fight it can he come back and say well you were doing 140 not 130 so the ticket is actually going to be $100 more and charge me the higher rate????

If I say I was not speeding wouldn't he have to show evidence? And there would be no evidence of me doing 130..... Only of me doing 141

As I said I am new to this, and my parents are the type to just pay without asking questions, unlike myself..... Any help would be appreciated....

You were charged with speeding, not with speeding 30km/h over the limit. So whether you were going 141 or 130, it's still speeding.
If your ticket is marked as reduced, then you run the risk of having the charge amended, and having to pay the fine on the original offense.

[trixstar]

Your a moron and don't talk to me anymore. I have never been caught for anything more then 15 over so have a nice day!

Still fight the ticket.

you sound like a 10yr old. i agree with him.. the reason why your insurance doesn't forgive you is because you drive 2x the speed limit.. skills or no skills.. they don't give a **** about you.

[Asad_A203]

Someone actually in Winnipeg fought the tickets that are mailed, this his one was a Red Light camera, claiming that he requires the actual evidence and not a photocopy of the picture of his car in black & white. I am not sure how it turned out, but you can look into that.