The criteria used to rate high risk car insurance in Ontario is similar to the criteria used by standard auto insurance companies. High risk insurance companies use a risk point and surcharge system to determine the cost of your premium. Risk points, otherwise known as insurance points, are violation markers on your driving record for traffic violations and at-fault accidents. Risk Points and surcharges are allocated according to the severity of the driving violation. The violations are broken down into groups. (This is just an example; every High Risk Insurance Company is slightly different.) Minor Convictions – 1 Point: 20% surcharge for first conviction, 25% surcharge for each additional conviction Major Convictions – 2 Points: 40% surcharge for first conviction, 50% surcharge for each additional conviction Serious/Criminal convictions – 4 Points: 50% surcharge for first conviction 100% for each additional conviction Cancellations: gaps of continued auto insurance resulting from lapses due to cancellations are factored into the premium. Cancellations for non-payment also determine the payment options that can and can’t be offered. For a driver licensed less than four years, insurance points attached to a conviction are doubled