Driving w/o Insurance
Ontario Provincial Offences
In Ontario, the law requires that all drivers, regardless of age or experience level, have valid auto insurance coverage. Even if you are driving a borrowed vehicle, you must have insurance to legally operate it. Failing to do so can result in a fine of up to $50,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to six months.
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Driving Without Insurance
Driving without insurance in Ontario is a serious offence. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without valid insurance in the province, and the consequences of doing so can be severe. In addition to being fined and facing possible jail time, drivers caught without insurance can have their license suspended or revoked, and their vehicle impounded.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation outlines the fines for driving without insurance in the province. If a driver is convicted of driving without insurance, they can face fines of up to $50,000 and/or a jail term of six months. If convicted of a second or subsequent offence, they can face fines of up to $100,000 and/or a jail term of one year.
Drivers in Ontario are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. This type of insurance covers any damage or injuries that you cause to another person. It does not cover damages to your own vehicle. Drivers should also consider purchasing additional insurance coverage, such as collision coverage, to protect themselves from financial loss in the event of an accident.
Driving without insurance in Ontario is a serious offence and can have serious consequences. If you are caught driving without insurance, you could face hefty fines, jail time, and a suspended or revoked license. To avoid these consequences, make sure you are properly insured before you get behind the wheel.
How to Get Out of a Traffic Ticket
Getting caught driving without insurance in Ontario can be a serious offense with hefty consequences. For those who find themselves facing such charges, understanding the defences available can be a critical first step.
There are several defences available when facing charges of driving without insurance in Ontario. The most common defence is that the driver was unaware that insurance had lapsed. This defence may be accepted if the driver can prove that they had insurance coverage on the day of the incident, but failed to renew it in a timely manner.
Another defence is that the driver was driving a borrowed vehicle and was unaware that it was uninsured. This defence is more likely to be accepted if the driver can provide documentation proving that the vehicle was, in fact, borrowed.
Other defences may include the driver being unaware that their license had been suspended, or that the vehicle in question was registered as off-road. In both of these cases, the driver must be able to prove that they were unaware of these facts in order for the defence to be accepted.
Finally, a defence may be available if the driver can prove that the vehicle was not operable. This is because insurance is not required on a vehicle that cannot be driven.
It is important to note that while these defences may be available, they may not be accepted in all cases. In order to be successful in any of the above defences, the driver must be able to prove that the circumstances were beyond their control. It is always best to speak with our team at Cordaie Paralegal Services to ensure that all necessary evidence is presented.
In Ontario, driving without insurance can carry hefty penalties, including fines of up to $50,000, imprisonment and a one-year license suspension. Because of this, it is important to understand the defences available and to know when to seek legal advice.
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Driving Without Insurance Tickets
Here are some important information about driving without insurance.
An Explanation of Insurance Laws
Under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA), a driver cannot operate a car on a highway unless it has car insurance. To comply with this, drivers should have their insurance cards in their cars, which must be surrendered to a police officer upon request. In Ontario, driving without insurance carries severe penalties.
Vehicle owners are responsible for valid insurance and the offence itself, regardless of who is driving the vehicle. Registered owners are responsible and will be charged. Even if they weren't driving the car, they are still liable.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
On a first conviction for driving without insurance in Canada, a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $25,000 is imposed. A fine between $10,000 and $50,000 is imposed on a second or subsequent conviction. Additionally, your driver's license will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days and up to one year. A three-month impoundment is also possible.
In addition to the fine imposed by the court, you are subject to a 25 percent victim fine surcharge under the Provincial Offences Act (POA). The victim's fine surcharge would be $1,250 on top of a $5,000 fine and $12,500 on top of a $50,000 fine.
If you are charged with driving without insurance, defending yourself can be very difficult. Although you may be able to lower the fine imposed, it is not a defence to say you thought you were insured or didn't know you had to be insured. In the event of an accident, you may also be responsible for your injuries and damages.
You could lose your driver's license for up to one year, have your vehicle impounded, and have your car insurance policy cancelled for three years or more if convicted. You'll have a permanent record of driving without insurance in Ontario, with higher fines and more serious consequences if you're convicted.
A driver who is uninsured while operating a motor vehicle may not be eligible for certain mandatory statutory accident benefits (SABS), such as income replacement benefits, or be able to sue the other driver.
Your vehicle must carry at least $200,000 in Third-Party Liability insurance to cover any claims made against you. Your assets may be garnished if you do not have valid insurance, exposing you to personal liability for damages to others.
Defending Tickets for Driving Without Insurance
You should get your motor vehicle insured as soon as possible. Driving without insurance puts you at serious risk of being sued personally for any physical or material damage you cause in the event of an accident.
Motor vehicle insurance is essential in Ontario because it protects you for a minimum of $1,000,000 in case someone gets injured and is not able to maintain the same quality of life as before the accident. You should prepare proof that your motor vehicle insurance has been reinstated before going to court. On average, Ontario drivers charged with driving without insurance choose to drive knowingly. Approximately three percent of Ontario drivers have no insurance coverage while driving.
The complicated process of fighting no insurance tickets in Ontario is difficult if you don't have legal representation. It includes proving to the prosecutor that your auto insurance has already been renewed, bringing all the relevant documents, and preparing questions for the police officer. An officer from the police department will be invited to the court date as the main bystander who performed the investigation. Your case may require up to three court appearances.
You can choose to challenge your ticket alone or hire the professionals at Cordaie Paralegal Services to represent you. Traffic tickets can be fought with our help. It's up to you what kind of result you want. Depending on what you need, you can pay less or not receive a fine or points. When a ticket can be negotiated down, it will be. To keep you safe on the road, we will do everything we can to help you improve your driving skills and knowledge. Your best option is Cordaie Paralegal Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions.