High-Risk Auto Insurance in Ontario

High-risk auto insurance covers drivers insurers see as more likely to file a claim than average — typically due to multiple tickets, at-fault accidents, a DUI or other criminal conviction, a licence suspension, or a policy cancelled for non-payment. It's also called non-standard auto insurance and is written by specialty insurers rather than standard carriers.

High-risk premiums vary by driver, but industry data puts the Ontario average around 7,000–8,000 per year, with some files running higher. Rates can run 25% to 300% above standard pricing depending on your record. Comparing multiple non-standard insurers is the best way to avoid overpaying for the same risk.

Yes. A DUI or other criminal driving conviction typically moves you to the non-standard market, but specialty insurers and, if needed, the Facility Association will still provide coverage. A DUI conviction can affect your rating for up to six years, after which you may become eligible for standard-market pricing again.

It depends on the reason. Most tickets and minor violations fall off your driving record after three years. At-fault accidents and criminal convictions like a DUI can affect your insurance rating for up to six years. Staying ticket- and accident-free during that window is what moves you back toward standard rates.

The Facility Association is Ontario's insurer of last resort — an industry-funded pool that guarantees every licensed driver access to auto insurance, even if standard insurers decline them. It doesn't sell policies directly; a licensed broker places your coverage through a participating insurer on your behalf. It's meant to be temporary, not a long-term solution.

Your high-risk classification is based on your driving and claims record, not the company you're insured with, so it follows you when you switch insurers. However, different specialty insurers weigh the same record differently, which is why comparing several non-standard markets can still lower your premium even while classified as high-risk.

Yes. New and inexperienced drivers, especially those under 25, are often rated as higher risk simply due to lack of driving history, regardless of a clean record. This isn't permanent — premiums typically decrease as you build a few years of claims-free experience, and a broker can help you find the most competitively priced new-driver market.