Insurance Terms Defined – High Risk Driver
In searching for car insurance you may have come across the term high risk driver, or high risk auto insurance. If you’re wondering what that means, this post is for you!
The definition of a high risk driver:
A high risk driver is one that has a poor driving record. This could be someone with several tickets, such as speeding or other driving violations. How severe the ticket is also affects the degree to which you have been deemed high risk. A DUI for example is much worse than say a ticket for forgetting to put on your turn signal. Getting into accidents that were your fault also will put you in the high risk driver category.
You can also be labeled a high risk driver if you have a poor credit history, such as missed insurance payments.
Young drivers (anyone under 25 years old) are also considered high risk. Because they have less experience behind the wheel, insurance companies see them as riskier.
Why this matters when it comes to auto insurance
If you are considered a high risk driver, you will pay higher insurance rates. Insurance companies see you as a liability and will charge you more for coverage, plain and simple. So if this is you, you won’t be enjoying cheap auto insurance, at least for a while. In Ontario, tickets, a DUI and other infractions stay on your driving record for three years. If you were at fault in an accident, this will stay on your record for up to six years. Check in with your insurance company to find out the specifics of your high risk driving designation.
If you want to learn more about what it means to be a high risk driver, check out some of these posts from the archives:
~ Your Questions About Being a High Risk Driver in Ontario Answered
~ What You Need to Know About High Risk Auto Insurance
~ 7 Things You Need to Know as a High Risk Driver in Ontario
~ Auto Insurance Q & A: How Long Are You Considered a High Risk Driver?
~ Nix Aggressive Driving Habits and Avoid the High Risk Driver Label
~ How to Get the Best Car Insurance Rates as a Young Driver
~ Your Questions About Being a Young Driver in Ontario Answered
~ The Residual Auto Insurance Market and High Risk Drivers
And if you’re a high risk driver looking for an auto insurance quote, head over here or get in touch with someone from our team.
Have some other insurance jargon on your radar that you’d like clarified? Check out our blog posts defining common terms and peruse our full glossary of insurance terms here.
We have provided the definitions in this blog post for general information purposes only. They are not meant to be complete descriptions to cover any and all terms, conditions and exclusions that are found in different insurance policies. If there is any inconsistency between this information and the definitions in your policy, it is your policy that governs. Contact your insurance broker if you have any questions or need any clarification about your particular policy and the definitions therein.
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