The grid, in one paragraph
Alberta’s private auto insurers use government-supervised grid systems to rate drivers based on driving record. Each conviction on the abstract during the lookback period moves the driver across grid steps, and each step carries a different rate. A clean abstract is the cheapest position. Each conviction is a step away from it.
Lookback windows
- Minor convictions (typical speeding, distracted driving, most stop-sign and right-of-way violations) — generally 3 years from the conviction date.
- Major convictions (careless driving, no insurance, driving suspended, racing) — generally 6 years or longer.
- Criminal driving convictions (impaired, refusal, dangerous driving) — looked at well beyond 6 years and almost always trigger a facility placement.
What facility actually means
Facility — also called the Risk Sharing Pool or the high-risk market — is where drivers go when standard markets will not write them. Premiums are multiples of the standard rate, deductibles are higher, and coverage choices are more limited. Drivers in facility generally cannot leave until the underlying record clears.
Why one ticket can matter more than expected
Many drivers think one minor conviction is harmless. In practice, the first conviction often moves a driver off the preferred grid and onto the standard grid, which can mean a measurable premium increase at renewal. A second conviction inside the lookback window typically compounds that move. The third can be the one that triggers a non-renewal letter from the existing insurer.
No obligation
Have the ticket in front of you?
Send us a photo and the basics through our Free Ticket Review form — we will walk you through what the charge actually is and what your real options are.
Questions about traffic tickets and insurance
How long does a conviction affect insurance in Alberta?
Most insurers look back three years for minor convictions on the standard abstract. Serious or criminal convictions are typically looked at for six years or longer, and can move a driver into the facility (high-risk) market for an extended period.
What is the difference between minor and major convictions?
A minor conviction is typically a speeding ticket, a stop-sign violation, or similar single-event moving offence. A major conviction includes careless driving, no insurance, driving suspended, and similar serious charges. Major convictions move drivers off the standard grid much faster than minor ones.
What is facility insurance?
Facility (sometimes called the Risk Sharing Pool or high-risk market) is where drivers end up when standard insurers will not write them. Premiums are significantly higher and coverage options are limited. Serious convictions and a string of minor convictions are the usual paths in.
Does paying a ticket affect insurance differently than fighting it?
No — once a conviction is on the abstract, insurers treat it the same regardless of whether it came from a paid ticket or a guilty finding at trial. The difference is whether the conviction lands at all.
Read next
Related resources
The information on this page is general guidance about Alberta traffic ticket matters. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create a solicitor–client or representative–client relationship. Outcomes depend on the facts of each matter. For advice on your specific situation, request a ticket review.