Is Driving Without Insurance Illegal?

In Canada, driving without an insurance policy is illegal. While not having insurance is not a criminal offence, it still holds very serious consequences if you are caught driving without insurance. Driving a vehicle without insurance puts you, your passengers and other drivers on the road at risk. The law is put in place to make sure that everyone is protected.

Is Driving Without Insurance Common?

Most people don’t realize that there are more drivers on the road than they think. In Ontario, approximately 2% of drivers are regularly driving without insurance. With about 8.5 million drivers in the province, that means about 170,000 do not have insurance.

What Will Happen If I Get Caught Driving Without Insurance?

In the event that you get pulled over by a police officer and do not have an insurance policy, you may be charged with:
1. Operating or allowing a vehicle to be operated without insurance

2. Failure to present proof of insurance at the police officer’s request

What Are The Consequences Of These Fines?

If you are convicted of driving without insurance, there are a number of consequences, such as: 

  • Large fines 
  • The suspension of your licence for 30 days to a year 
  • Having your car impounded for up to three months

These charges may also make it more difficult for you to get insurance after being convicted. It is most likely that you will only be able to get a car insurance policy through “high-risk” insurance companies. Those insurance companies offer coverage to individuals with tainted driving records, however, they will also have very high premium rates.

How Much Can I Get Fined For Driving Without Insurance?

The amount of your fines will depend on whether it is your first offence or if you’ve been caught and convicted before. If it is your first time, the minimum fine is $5,000 and can go up to $25,000. If you are caught a second or more times, you can be fined anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. 

Related: Changes to Ontario Careless Driving Laws and Penalties

Can I Borrow Someone Else’s Car Without My Own Insurance?

In most cases, it is completely acceptable to drive someone else’s car, as long as they have an insurance policy for the car because the policy is attached to the vehicle, not the driver. The coverage on the policy will extend to anyone that drives the vehicle.

What Happens If I Get Into A Car Accident Without Having Insurance?

If you get into a car accident without having insurance, you will be held responsible for the damage to both vehicles. You may also have to pay a number of fines and penalties for driving without insurance. 

If you or someone you know needs legal services in Guelph, contact Bulwark Legal Services. For a free initial consultation, contact us today.

Related: How Speeding Affects your Driving Record?