Driving without valid insurance in Ontario: what happens next.

What Ontario requires before you drive

Ontario says that before you can drive a vehicle on Ontario roads, you need proper insurance for the vehicle, a permit showing you are the legal owner, and valid licence plates when applicable. Ontario also says you need insurance before you can register as the owner of a vehicle.

Ontario's vehicle registration page says every vehicle must be insured for third-party liability for at least $200,000. When you drive your own or someone else's vehicle, you must carry the insurance card for that particular vehicle.

What FSRA says can happen if you drive uninsured

FSRA says fines for vehicle owners, lessees, and drivers who do not carry valid auto insurance can range from $5,000 to $50,000. It also says your driver's licence can be suspended and your vehicle can be impounded if you drive without valid auto insurance.

FSRA also says that if you are convicted of driving without valid insurance, your insurer may consider you a high-risk driver and charge higher premiums or refuse to insure you. If you are injured while driving or occupying an uninsured vehicle, FSRA says you may not be entitled to certain accident benefits and may not be allowed to sue the at-fault driver for compensation for injuries.

Proof of insurance matters too

FSRA says you are responsible for ensuring you have proof of auto insurance while driving in Ontario. Some insurers offer electronic proof, but FSRA says it remains your responsibility to be able to show it, and you should consider keeping a paper version as a backup.

If someone else uses your vehicle with your consent, FSRA says the law still requires proof of insurance to be in the vehicle at all times.

If the vehicle is stored seasonally, do it properly

Ontario says that when a seasonal vehicle will not be driven for an extended period, you can remove the required road, liability, and accident benefits insurance while it is in storage, while keeping comprehensive coverage for fire, theft, or other damage. When you are ready to drive again, Ontario says you should resume road insurance about two to three weeks before you start driving and renew the licence plate if required.

Practical point: "parked and properly stored" is very different from "uninsured and still being driven." The file is treated very differently.

What to prepare before you try to put the vehicle back on the road

• The exact date the prior policy ended or became invalid.
• Whether the vehicle was driven after coverage ended.
• The prior insurer, cancellation reason, and any notice you received.
• The vehicle, address, use, and all regular drivers.
• Any conviction, suspension, claim, or non-payment history already on the file.

The key is to be exact. A broker can work with a difficult file. A broker cannot quote accurately from half-correct facts.

Insurance and plate renewal are connected

Ontario says that for certain passenger vehicles, plate renewal may happen automatically only if you have valid insurance and no outstanding fines or tolls. That means the absence of valid insurance can affect more than the policy itself.

• Do not assume a plate will stay fine if the insurance side is not.
• Do not assume you can bring a vehicle back on the road the same day you start looking for insurance.
• Plan a little ahead so the insurer has time to report the information properly.

Common questions

Official Ontario links

• FSRA: it's the law - what you need to know
• Ontario register and insure a vehicle
• FSRA working with your broker, agent or insurance company