Photo radars: Do speed camera tickets affect auto insurance in Ontario?
Has your insurance increased after a speeding ticket? It might be a good time to compare car insurance quotes to see if you can find a better rate.
With files from Jessica Ho
This article was originally published on July 9, 2021 and was updated on August 27, 2026.
Speed cameras, also known as photo radars, have become a hot topic of discussion in Ontario. From the provincial government banning their use as of November 2025, to municipal leaders urging their reinstatement, you may be wondering what a speed camera ticket really meant. Was it simply a “cash grab”? Did it make roads safer? Did it have an impact on your driving record or auto insurance rates?
Let’s break down how speed cameras worked and what a speeding ticket today means for your future insurance premiums.
Key takeaways
- Speed camera tickets generally had no direct impact on auto insurance premiums.
- While the tickets must be paid, they are tied only to the vehicle licence plate, not the driver and therefore do not affect insurance, demerit points or driving records.
- As of November 2025, Ontario banned the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras and replaced them with the New Road Safety Initiatives fund to help municipalities add traffic-calming measures such as roundabouts and speed bumps.
- The ban on ASE cameras in Ontario has resulted in a 380% increase in speeding (over 16km/hr) in Toronto after the cameras were removed and 25 fatal collisions.
- Increased speeding and accident rates mean there’s a higher chance of expensive and severe claims being filed, leading insurers to raise premiums to try to recoup their losses.
How does Ontario’s ban on speed cameras affect insurance rates?
Ontario’s ban on speed cameras affects insurance rates by prompting insurers to raise premiums in an effort to recoup losses from filed claims. Since the ASE cameras were removed, the City of Toronto has reported a 380% increase in drivers exceeding 16km/h over the posted limit. There have also been 25 fatal collisions reported since ASE cameras were shut down.
So, even though getting a speed camera ticket would never directly increase a driver’s premium, removing the cameras has resulted in more speeding and accidents, which in turn push rates higher for everyone. The more insurance companies pay out in claims, the higher they raise premiums. In addition, as certain regions in the province, such as densely populated cities, experience higher rates of speeding, it’s likely that providers will charge more based on postal code.
At the same time, increased speeding means more drivers are likely to be pulled over by a police officer, which directly affects rates. This is because traditional speeding tickets are tied to the driver and appear on their driving records. That means that when you renew your auto insurance or apply for a new policy, your provider will consider the speeding conviction when calculating rates. Driving safely and obeying traffic laws will help you avoid an increase in your auto insurance premiums.
How did speed cameras work?
Ontario’s Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) used cameras to capture the speed of passing vehicles and issue tickets accordingly in an effort to promote safer driving. With monetary fines on the line, Ontario drivers were more likely to slow down on the road. In fact, a study released in July 2025 led by researchers at SickKids Hospital and Toronto Metropolitan University found that ASE cameras reduced the number of speeding vehicles by 45% in school zones.
But how did a snapshot of your vehicle turn into a ticket mailed directly to your home?
After the camera detected a speeding vehicle, it recorded four pieces of information:
- The vehicle speed
- The vehicle’s licence plate, make, and model
- The date and time
- The travelling direction
A provincial offence officer then reviewed the information for accuracy. They were the person to determine whether you were actually speeding, and if it was valid, they would issue a ticket and send it to your address.
Photo radar ticket penalties in Ontario
The main consequence of a speed camera ticket was the fine you had to pay. The cost of your ticket depended on how fast over the speed limit you were travelling, and of course, a faster speed means you’d be paying more.
In Ontario, the fines for speeding varied depending on the location where the speeding occurred. Community safety zones where ASE cameras were located were subject to double the fines set out for regular speeding tickets.
Speed camera ticket fines in Ontario
The penalties for speed camera tickets followed the set fines in Schedule D for community safety zones under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). Note: the maximum fines in the HTA are higher, but out-of-court fines used the rates below.
| Speed | Ticket Fine |
| 1-19 km/h over the speed limit | $5.00 per km |
| 20-29 km/h over the speed limit | $7.50 per km |
| 30-49 km/h over the speed limit | $12.00 per km |
| 50km/h or more over the speed limit | $19.50 per km |
How much was a speed camera ticket in Ontario?
The cost of a speed camera ticket was calculated based on your exact speed at the time of the conviction. For instance, if the speed limit was 40 km/h and you were going 55 km/h, the ticket would cost $75.00 (15km/h multiplied by $5.00 per km).
That’s not all you had to pay, however, as there was a court cost of $5.00 and the victim fine surcharge (VFS) to add on. The surcharge was added to some fines in Ontario as funding to help victims of crime. It was calculated based on the cost of the speeding ticket.
Historical fines in Ontario (Prior to November 2025)
| Speeding Ticket Fine | Victim Surcharge Fine |
| $0-$50 | $10 |
| $51-$75 | $15 |
| $76-$100 | $20 |
| $101-$150 | $25 |
| $151-$200 | $35 |
| $201-$250 | $50 |
| $251-$300 | $60 |
| $301-$350 | $75 |
| $351-$400 | $85 |
| $401-$450 | $95 |
| $451-$500 | $110 |
| $501-$1000 | $125 |
| Over $1000 | 25% of the speeding ticket fine |
From this, the speeding ticket would actually cost a total of $95.00, including the $15.00 victim fine surcharge and $5.00 court cost.
Do you get demerit points from speed camera tickets?
No, you would not receive demerit points from a speed camera ticket because the camera only recorded the vehicle, not the driver. Therefore, it would not impact your driving record. The info collected from the ASE only allowed the ticket to be issued to the vehicle owner, regardless of who was driving. It wouldn’t be fair to add demerit points to the owner’s record for a mistake made by a friend or spouse when borrowing their car.
Also read: Do demerit points impact your car insurance?
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Do speed camera tickets go on your driving history?
No, a speed camera ticket does not appear on your driving history because the camera didn’t record the driver, only the vehicle licence plate. Getting pulled over for speeding by the police is completely different, as a physical person is able to identify who was speeding at the time.
Also read: How to check your Ontario driver’s history
Did speeding tickets from cameras affect your insurance?
No, speed camera tickets generally had no direct impact on your car insurance premium. When renewing your auto insurance or applying for a new policy, insurers consider your driving history within the last three years to determine your risk level. But since speed camera tickets do not impact your driving record, your provider wouldn’t factor in the ticket when calculating your premium.
What happens if you don’t pay speed camera tickets?
If you don’t pay a speed camera ticket by the listed due date, additional fees will be added to your outstanding amount. In addition, your Ontario licence plate would not be renewed until you pay the outstanding fees in full. For more information, visit the City of Toronto website. Even though ASE cameras are no longer in use, any ticket you received prior must still be paid.
Can you fight a speed camera ticket in court?
Yes, like any regular ticket, you can dispute a speed camera ticket in court if you feel it was a mistake or the fine is too substantial. With photo radar tickets, however, there is no penalty to your demerit points, driving record, or insurance, so it may not be worth your time or effort. Hiring legal representation to help with the dispute might also financially outweigh the cost of your ticket in the end, so consider your options clearly.
The bottom line
Speed camera tickets never had a direct impact on car insurance premiums. However, now that the cameras are gone and speeding rates are up, the chance of getting into an accident is higher, which can increase your rates. As insurance companies pay out more claims, premiums are likely to increase for everyone. There is also a greater risk of being pulled over for speeding by police, which will directly impact your insurance premiums. To avoid rate increases, drive safely and follow the speed limits.
If you’re up for renewal or applying for a new policy, compare auto insurance quotes online at Ratehub.ca to find your most affordable rates.