This article has been updated from a previous version.
There are three things that suck about traffic tickets: the fine, the impact the ticket has on your auto insurance rate, and the demerit points that can get tacked on to your driving record.
The first two are typically top of mind when a driver gets pulled over, while the latter is often misunderstood, especially as to how it affects your auto insurance rate.
In short, no. Demerit points do not affect your auto insurance rate. It's the ticket, and the severity of the ticket, that affects your premium.
Basically, demerit points are your province's way to keep tabs on drivers who repeatedly ignore the rules of the road. Demerit points are used to score your driving record and if you get enough of them, you run the risk of losing your licence. If your province suspends your licence because you have too many demerit points, this licence suspension will also affect the auto insurance rate you pay once it is reinstated.
Each province's rules vary somewhat and what follows is a summary for Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. What is consistent across all three of these provinces, however, is that your licence will not be suspended without notice. You'll be sent a cautionary letter as you accumulate demerit points warning you that you're approaching the maximum number of points permitted.
Your driving record matters. It is one of the most influential factors in determining your insurance rate. Sure, there are others like where you live, your insurance history, and the type of car you drive, but your driving record and history is indicative of how you are when behind the wheel. Drive carefully and mind the rules of the road to keep your car insurance premium low by avoiding tickets in the first place.