How valuable is auto insurance ticket forgiveness?
Auto insurance, especially in Ontario, is costly enough, and if you are a driver who has a ticket or two under your belt, you can see even higher prices on your auto insurance.
Luckily there is a way to protect yourself from your premiums running too high in the event of a ticket resulting from a driving infraction: auto insurance ticket forgiveness. Ticket forgiveness is not right for everyone, but it can be extremely beneficial to some.
How it works
Ticket forgiveness is an additional coverage premium you can add to your insurance policy, protecting you in the event of receiving a ticket, speeding or otherwise. You can almost think of it as insurance for your insurance.
With ticket forgiveness, you pay an additional premium on your auto insurance upfront, and in return your insurer will “forgive” most tickets issued in the event of a driving infraction, saving you from watching your insurance costs rise. While it is certainly handy to know that you will not be penalised in the event of receiving a ticket, most insurers require you to have a clean driving record when opting in for the coverage.
Is it worth it?
If you think ticket forgiveness might be for you, be sure to speak with your insurance broker and determine whether you are eligible and if it is in your best interests to opt in. Because of the nature of the coverage that ticket forgiveness provides, there is a chance that it may never be utilised, which could be said for a lot of insurance matters.
But, while no one can predict if they will get a ticket, some driving habits may increase the chance of getting one. For example, if you know you drive a little too fast, chances are a speeding ticket will find you sooner than later.
Having the safety net of ticket forgiveness is worth it, especially if the premiums are not too high, and if you feel like your driving habits could lead to a ticket down the road. Paying an extra $60 or so a year on your auto insurance for ticket forgiveness pays for itself quite quickly if you receive a ticket that could potentially increase your premiums by $200+.
Shopping for ticket forgiveness
If you are not satisfied with the ticket forgiveness options your current insurer has offered you, shopping around is your best option. Some providers may offer more competitive rates than others on ticket forgiveness, or have different criteria that you need to meet in order to apply.
Additionally, shopping around is a great idea if you already have some tickets under your name, when ticket forgiveness may not be an option. There are some providers out there that cater to those with driving infractions, and strive to offer fair and competitive rates.