What a "Minor" Ticket Actually Costs Over Three Years
The fine is the smallest part of the bill.
You pay the ticket and move on.
That feels like the end of it.
On an auto policy, a conviction generally stays relevant for about three years.
And that is where the real cost shows up.
A minor speeding ticket might cost you well under a hundred dollars at the counter.
The premium effect is usually the larger number, spread quietly across three renewals.
One minor conviction may be tolerated by some insurers.
Two often changes which companies will offer you their best pricing at all.
What counts as minor, and what does not
Minor generally includes things like speeding, improper turns, and failing to signal.
Major and serious convictions, including distracted driving and stunt driving, sit in a different category entirely and can affect eligibility, not just price.
If you get one
✅ Take it seriously before the court date, not after
✅ Understand what it will be recorded as
✅ Tell your broker at renewal — it will be visible anyway
✅ Protect the years around it, because clean years dilute the impact
The cheapest insurance discount in Ontario is still a clean record.