An at-fault accident can raise your car insurance rate in Ontario, because insurers treat it as a sign of higher future risk. Insurers commonly look back six years for at-fault accidents. How much your rate rises depends on the insurer and the size of the claim. Since 2016, there are also rules against rate increases after a minor at-fault collision.
Key takeaways
- An at-fault accident can raise your premium, often for several years.
- Insurers commonly look back six years for at-fault accidents and three years for traffic convictions.
- Ontario has rules against raising your rate after a minor at-fault collision, with limits.
- The size of the increase varies by insurer and by the claim. Ask your broker.
- Comparing insurers after a claim can be worth the effort, because they treat claims differently.
What "at fault" means
After a collision, insurers decide how much each driver caused it. In Ontario, they use a set of rules called the Fault Determination Rules. These rules are the same for every insurer. They look at the facts, such as who rear-ended whom or who failed to yield, and give each driver a percentage of fault.
You can be:
- Not at fault (0 percent). The other driver caused the accident.
- Partly at fault (for example, 25 or 50 percent). Both drivers share the blame.
- Fully at fault (100 percent). You caused the accident.
Insurers usually treat a claim as at-fault when you carry more than a small share of the blame. Exactly where the line sits can depend on the insurer, so ask your broker how your claim was recorded.
Fault is decided by your insurer using the rules, not by the police report alone. A traffic ticket and a fault decision are two separate things, although they often point the same way.
Here is a simple example. Say you are stopped at a red light and the driver behind you hits your car. The rules would normally place the blame on the driver behind, so you would be recorded as not at fault. Now say you pull out of a driveway and a passing car hits you because you did not yield. You would probably carry most or all of the blame. Real cases are rarely this tidy, which is why it helps to ask for the percentage that was assigned to you.
Why your rate can go up
Your premium is a price for risk. Insurers look at your history to guess how likely you are to claim again. A recent at-fault claim is one of the strongest signals they use. It does not mean you are a bad driver. It means that, on average, drivers with a recent claim have claimed more often than those without one.
Think of it from the insurer's side. It cannot see how carefully you drive day to day. It can only see your record, so a claim becomes the main piece of evidence it has. That is also why a long run of years without claims helps so much when you shop around.
How much the premium rises is not fixed by law. It depends on:
- The insurer and how it prices claims.
- The size of the claim. A large payout usually matters more than a small one.
- Your share of the fault.
- Your driving history and years licensed.
- Whether you have other claims or tickets.
- Your coverage and the type of car.
For the full list of price factors, see our guide on how Ontario car insurance rates are calculated.
How long it stays on your record
Insurers commonly look back six years for at-fault accidents. That does not mean your rate stays high for six years. Many people see the effect lessen over time as the claim gets older and as they drive without new claims. But it can remain a factor in the price until it falls outside the insurer's look-back period.
Traffic convictions are looked at over a shorter period, commonly three years. These include things like speeding tickets. A conviction and an at-fault claim together can have a bigger effect than either alone.
Here is a simple summary.
| Item | Typical insurer look-back |
|---|---|
| At-fault accident | Commonly six years |
| Traffic conviction | Commonly three years |
These periods are common practice, not a single rule that all insurers follow. Your insurer or broker can tell you what applies to you.
The minor collision rule
Ontario has had rules since 2016 against raising your rate after a minor at-fault collision. In general, a minor collision is one where the damage is under $2,000, no one is injured, and the insurer does not pay out on the claim. There are also limits on how often the protection applies.
This rule can matter if you scrape a post in a parking lot, for example. But it has conditions. If someone is hurt, if the repair is above the limit, or if the protection has already been used, it may not help.
Because the details are specific, do not rely on a summary. A common mistake is to assume that any small scrape is covered by the rule. If your insurer pays out on the claim, or someone is hurt, the situation changes. Ask your broker whether your situation fits. You can also read the regulator's consumer information at FSRA.
Should you claim?
After a small accident, many people wonder whether to claim or pay for the repair themselves. There is no single right answer.
Think about:
- The repair cost compared with your deductible. The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance pays. If the repair is close to or below the deductible, a claim may not make sense.
- The effect on your premium. A claim that pays out may raise your rate. Ask your broker how your insurer would treat it.
- Other people involved. If another person or vehicle is involved, or someone is hurt, you should usually report it. Your policy has rules about reporting accidents, and breaking them can cause problems.
- Your own coverage. If you have collision or all perils coverage, you can claim for your own car. Our guide to Ontario car insurance coverages explained describes what each coverage does.
Ask your broker before you decide, and do it quickly. Your policy may have a deadline for reporting an accident.
A useful way to compare: write down the repair estimate, your deductible and the amount your broker thinks your premium could rise. Then look at the three numbers side by side. If paying yourself costs about the same as the likely increase over several years, claiming may not be worth it. If the repair is large, claiming is usually the safer choice.
What you can do after an at-fault accident
An increase at renewal can be frustrating, but you have options.
- Ask your broker to shop the market. Insurers weigh claims differently. A broker can compare quotes from several companies.
- Review your coverage and deductible. A higher deductible usually lowers the premium, but you pay more if you claim. Choose a level you can afford.
- Look for discounts. Examples include insuring more than one vehicle, bundling with home insurance, or fitting winter tires. See our article on the winter tire discount in Ontario.
- Ask about accident forgiveness. Some insurers offer it as an optional feature. It may affect how a future claim is treated. Check the conditions.
- Drive without new claims or tickets. Time and a clean record are the most reliable way to bring a price down.
- Take a recognized driving course. Many insurers discount completion of an approved course. Ask which ones they accept.
New drivers face an extra challenge, because they already pay more while they build experience. If that is you, read about car insurance for G1 and G2 drivers in Ontario.
What to ask your broker
Brokers in Ontario are licensed by RIBO. Useful questions:
- How was my claim recorded, and what percentage of fault was assigned?
- Does the minor collision rule apply to my situation?
- How long will this claim affect my price with my insurer? What about with others?
- Would a different deductible or coverage change the premium?
- Do you offer accident forgiveness, and what are its conditions?
- Are there discounts I am missing?
- If I dispute the fault decision, what is the process?
If you disagree with the fault decision, you can ask your insurer to review it. Your broker can explain the steps. The Insurance Bureau of Canada also publishes general information about claims.
Before you act
- Report the accident to your insurer or broker as your policy requires.
- Keep photos, the other driver's details and any police report number.
- Ask how your claim was recorded before your next renewal arrives.
- Request quotes from several insurers about 30 to 60 days before renewal.
- Write down dates and names whenever you speak with your insurer, so you can check them later.
You can start a comparison on our auto insurance page.
A note on this article
This article is general information, not advice. Insurance rules and insurer practices change, and your situation may differ, so confirm details with your broker and your insurer. Reviewed October 2026.
