Does a parking ticket affect insurance?
6 minute read Published on Sep 26, 2024 by BrokerLink Communications
Parking tickets can be frustrating and inconvenient. However, you might worry if getting a parking ticket affects your insurance. If you live in a big city, missing a sign and getting a parking ticket can happen at any time. However, you could get a bunch of parking tickets, and your car insurance will not increase. However, in some cases, you risk getting towed, so parking in restricted areas is not recommended.
How can this be? Car insurance rates are based on various factors, and parking tickets are not one of them. Fortunately, all you have to do is pay your parking ticket close to the day you get it to prevent the fine from increasing. It’s time to find out why parking tickets don’t affect your car insurance premiums.
Explaining parking tickets
Parking tickets can be issued for a plethora of reasons. Essentially, they are fines you receive for parking your car in areas that it’s not supposed to be in. Parking enforcement officers can charge you for the following parking infractions:
Parking in a no-parking zone
If you park in a no-parking zone, you can get an expensive fine. It doesn’t matter if you were desperate to find a spot. There are usually road signs that indicate whether you can park in a spot or not. Pay attention like you do when turning on your parking lights to avoid a parking ticket.
Parking in a disabled/accessible spot without displaying a valid permit
Every parking lot has disabled and/or accessible parking spots — these should be reserved for those who need them. They are much wider to accommodate drivers or passengers with physical disabilities or those with mobility devices, such as wheelchairs. If you need to use one of these spots, you will need to display a permit to avoid a parking ticket.
Parking too close to a fire hydrant
You should never park too close to a fire hydrant. Firefighters need to access them in emergencies and will break your windows if necessary to fight the fire. Doing so will also result in an expensive parking ticket.
Leaving your car parked in a spot after time on the parking meter has expired
If you use a parking meter, ensure you’re paying for enough time. You should return to your vehicle in a timely manner and pay for more time if necessary. Overstaying your time in a parking lot can get you multiple parking tickets.
There are various types of parking violations. Even in places with limited parking spaces, you still have to follow the rules. Otherwise, you will have to pay the parking ticket by the due date to prevent the fine from increasing. Now that you understand why parking tickets are issued let’s discuss the options you have when you get a parking ticket.
Options you have when you get a parking ticket
When you’re issued a parking ticket, you have a few options. The process is similar to when you get a speeding ticket. You can either pay the fine or dispute the ticket. Below, we will outline the options available to you when you receive a parking ticket:
Paying for the parking ticket
In the majority of cities, you have the option to pay for parking tickets online, by mail or in person. If you opt for the latter, you can usually visit city hall or a provincial government building. Once you make the payment, the case is considered resolved. Taking accountability for your actions is part of becoming a better driver.
Disputing the parking ticket
You can pay the entire amount of the fine within 15 days or dispute the ticket. In some cities, such as Toronto, you can submit your dispute online. It’s important to note you will forfeit your right to dispute the ticket if you miss the deadline printed on the ticket. If this occurs, you will have to pay the fine. This is also true if you pay the fine before a decision is made.
Most of the time, it’s easier to pay for a parking ticket than to dispute it. However, if you feel that you were given an unjustified parking ticket, you can come forward with evidence, such as photos of a damaged sign or the area being unmarked. In the end, it’s your decision. Next, we will discuss whether or not a parking ticket will affect your car insurance.
The effect a parking ticket has on car insurance
The good news is a parking ticket will not increase your car insurance premiums. You can still get affordable car insurance rates because parking tickets are issued to the vehicle and not the driver, which is a similar case to speed cameras. Therefore, parking tickets will not go on your driving record. As a result, you won’t have to take additional actions like speeding tickets, which sometimes require driving education to lower your rates.
The truth about parking tickets is they will not affect your insurance rates. Your premiums will remain the same because they do not fall into the category of moving violations like getting caught running a red light or failing to stop at a sign. This might leave you wondering if parking tickets give you demerit points or not. We will explore this next.
Parking tickets and demerit points
Contrary to popular belief, parking tickets don’t add demerit points to your driving record. Demerit points accumulate as a result of moving violations such as careless driving tickets. Parking tickets affect the vehicle directly as they appear on the vehicle registration if not paid.
No matter how many parking tickets you get, you will not receive demerit points or have higher insurance premiums. This shouldn’t stop you from developing good driving habits and parking where you are supposed to. Other tickets often cost more and prevent you from keeping a clean driving record. However, not paying a parking ticket has other consequences, which we will discuss shortly.
Potential consequences of unpaid parking tickets
As mentioned earlier, parking tickets don’t give you demerit points or affect your driver’s licence or car insurance premium. However, they do come with other consequences. Unpaid parking tickets that haven’t been disputed can wreak havoc in other ways. Here are the effects of outstanding parking fines you need to know about:
Increased fines
In Ontario, you usually have 15 days to pay or dispute your parking ticket. Sometimes, municipalities charge you less if you pay your parking ticket sooner. However, leaving your parking ticket unpaid can come with late fees. Over time, this can add up to double the amount of the original fine, so it’s better to address and prevent parking tickets from getting too expensive over time.
Having your vehicle towed
Leaving your vehicle in an area such as a no-parking zone parking spot can cause your vehicle to get towed. That’s why you should avoid parking somewhere for an extended amount of time. In the event that you miss a sign, your vehicle can get towed, and it will cost more money to get it back than paying a single ticket would.
Licence plate denial
Once 15 days pass, you will receive a reminder or two. However, once enough time has passed (at least 90 days), the information about the parking ticket will be passed on to the Ministry of Transportation in your province for collection. The result is your licence plate being flagged for “plate denial.” In turn, you won’t be able to renew your licence plate until you pay any outstanding fines.
Even experienced drivers get parking tickets. Although the consequences aren’t always as severe as other driving violations, non-moving violations shouldn’t be dismissed completely. You should still look for a parking space that’s legal and safe. Look for nearby signs to ensure you’re allowed to park in the spot before leaving your vehicle.
Reach out to BrokerLink today!
Parking tickets do not affect auto insurance rates. Despite this, they can come with hefty fines if left unpaid. That’s why you should pay your fine or dispute the ticket as soon as possible. It will save you money in the long run.
Paying for car insurance is a commitment as well, and failure to pay your premiums on time can affect your policy and rates. You should find an insurance policy with coverage that works for you. There are various types of coverage available for all you need, including:
- Third-party liability coverage
- Accident benefits coverage
- Direct compensation - property damage coverage
- Uninsured automobile coverage
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Accident forgiveness coverage
If you’ve recently received a parking ticket, you should pay the fine or dispute the ticket right away. This will prevent potential consequences such as increased fines, getting towed, and licence plate renewal denial. However, if you’re driving on the roads, you will need car insurance. Contact a BrokerLink broker for a quote today.