If you’re visiting this page, you’re likely in the process of buying a car or have recently completed a car purchase. For those in the research phase, you’ve come to the right place to have your questions answered and to obtain a quote. For new car owners, InsuranceHero.ca would like to take a moment to congratulate you on your purchase! Being able to purchase a car is rewarding and driving is one of the most enjoyable activities you’ll do.
Regardless of whether you’re looking for an estimate or are ready to purchase car insurance today, Insurance Hero will answer all your queries below. If we’ve missed something, contact us today, we’d be happy to assist you!
Don’t let car insurance send you over the edge when InsuranceHero.ca can save the day!
Our team of dedicated insurance advisors will guide you through a range of insurance options and help you choose features, deductibles and pricing best suited to your needs. Whether you’ve had auto insurance for several years or are just starting out, we can provide you with affordable insurance options without compromising your car insurance coverage. Let Insurance Hero help you protect one of your most expensive assets.
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What is car insurance?
Car insurance is a contractual obligation between an insurance company and an individual that protects the individual from financial loss in the event that the car is damaged, in an accident or is stolen. The individual pays a premium to the insurance company in exchange for financial support as defined in your policy.
Is car insurance mandatory in Ontario?
By law, the provincial Ontario government requires every vehicle owner to have car insurance. In fact, you cannot register a vehicle or renew your registration unless you show proof of car insurance.
Aside from the legal aspects, there are other reasons you might want to purchase car insurance. First, a car is likely the second most valuable and expensive item you will purchase in your entire life. The most expensive asset you’ll purchase in your life is real estate. Car insurance can protect the expensive asset you bought whether it gets keyed or totalled in an accident.
A second reason you might want car insurance is to protect you and your loved ones in an accident. You may endure an accident, but there can be lasting medical issues that impact you or a loved one’s health. Car insurance can cover medical costs in the event that anyone is hurt.
Finally, you, your car and your loved ones are one thing to protect, but what about others? You might come out of an accident unscathed with a little dent in your car, but the person on the receiving end of the accident may not be so lucky. Car insurance can cover the cost of damage you caused to someone else’s vehicle or health.
Even though car insurance is mandatory in Ontario, there are other reasons you might want car insurance or extras within your policy. Regardless of whether you want the bare minimum or all the bells and whistles, Hero can assist you with obtaining the best policy for your needs.
Speak with a broker at Insurance Hero to discuss the best level of car insurance coverage you need. We will outline what your insurance policy will cover and provide you with a quote appropriate to the coverage from the best auto insurance companies. There are a number of factors that contribute to the car insurance rates such as the type of coverage, drivers’ history, age, driving frequency and distance, deductible preference, as well as the make and model of the vehicle.
In Ontario, the law requires drivers to have a certain amount of coverage, otherwise. This includes:
Third-party liability – There needs to be a minimum of a $200,000 liability coverage, while most drivers opt for at least $1 million. This covers property damage or bodily injuries or death of other drivers.
Basic accident benefits – In case of injury or death, you will be covered no matter who causes the accident. You will be covered for medical and rehabilitation expenses, loss of income and more.
You can also add-on other coverage to the mandatory policy. However, even optional benefits are not required by law, you may want to purchase them, or may be required to do so if you are leasing or financing a car. These include, but are not limited to:
Collision Coverage
Comprehensive coverage for damage or loss due to theft, vandalism, explosions, falling objects, floods, lightning and more.
Accident Forgiveness
Rental Vehicle Coverage
Roadside Assistance
Disappearing Deductible Feature
Replacement Cost Coverage
Contact a HERO to find the best coverage for Ontario car insurance, or ask for more information about what is included in your policy.
Insurance considers a lot of factors to determine your premium cost including your age, amount of coverage, gender, winter tire use, license level, driving history, your deductible and marital status among many other factors. Because there are various factors that go into the pricing of car insurance, everyone pays a different amount. If you’re ready to obtain car insurance, you can obtain a quote with a Hero.
Another aspect that impacts the cost of insurance is where you live. Typically, insurance is more expensive in urban areas and less expensive in rural areas. The amount you’ll be required to pay will depend on the risk of your area. If there are a lot of high risk drivers, the cost will increase and vice versa. Unfortunately, this factor might be something out of your control as you likely won’t want to move elsewhere for cheaper insurance.
The amount you pay could be higher or lower depending on your individual factors as well. For example, young men tend to pay higher premiums than young women do. Also, the older you are, the less you’ll pay. This might seem unfair, but insurance pricing is based on statistics and information and is priced according to the driver’s risk. There are individual factors that you can control, such as keeping a clean driving record. Do what you can to be a responsible driver to keep your car insurance costs low!
If you receive a premium that feels too high for your budget or needs, ask us about discounts and bundles. InsuranceHero.ca can help you save some dollars on your policy!
Why is Ontario car insurance so expensive?
As you may have noticed, car insurance in Ontario isn’t exactly the cheapest in Canada. One reason for the exorbitant cost is insurance fraud. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Ontario is the insurance fraud capital of Canada which involves faking collisions, exaggerating damages or overbilling services during a claim.
Insurance fraud causes the price of premiums to go up because there is more risk to the insurance company that an individual will report an accident and make a claim. Ontario is trying to put a stop to this issue, however, it’s a complex problem that doesn’t exactly have an easy solution.
Another reason for the high cost in Ontario is the driving challenges and amount of drivers. Daily commuters in Ontario face more challenges than other Canadian drivers, especially in the Greater Toronto Area. If you’ve driven on the Gardiner Expressway, DVP or 401 during rush hour, you’ll understand the challenges we’re talking about! In addition, there are more drivers in Ontario which means there is a greater risk for accidents.
The silver lining is many car insurance providers are competing for your business in Ontario which brings down the cost. Our heroes can help you obtain a competitive offer that suits your budget today!
How can I get the cheapest car insurance policy?
Car insurance is unavoidable if you own a car. However, that doesn’t mean you need to purchase every type of car insurance available on the market. There are ways to reduce your premium cost in Ontario, as listed below.
Keep your driving record as clean as possible Bundle your car with your property insurance Install winter tires Pay yearly instead of monthly Research the car insurance premium cost on a car before you buy it Increase the deductible amount on your policy, but make sure you’re prepared to pay the amount in the event of an accident! Only obtain liability insurance instead of full coverage Consult with a hero who will help you find all the discounts available
Keep in mind that some of these tactics give you less insurance coverage. Although, there is a clear trade off here. By spending less on your insurance policy, you can save more money for a rainy day, such as a car accident. But, by spending less on your insurance policy, you’ll receive less coverage.
The extent of insurance coverage you need depends on your individual lifestyle and finances. If you’d like to compare costs with different types and levels of coverage, use Hero’s quote tool or reach out to a Hero today to find the best policy for your needs.
How do I know what car insurance is right for me?
When you’re getting your car insurance policy together, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of choice. We get it, sometimes choice isn’t always a good thing! But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to say, “if this, then get this” when it comes to car insurance. The coverage that will work for you depends on your lifestyle. For instance, if you live in a city you might be more concerned about scrapes, dents and scuffs to your car when compared to someone who lives in a small town. For this reason, you might want more coverage in that area. Alternatively, you might be more concerned about needing roadside assistance in a small town, when compared to a city, meaning you’ll want more coverage in that department.
Another important factor to consider is your finances. Start by asking questions such as, how much can I afford for car insurance? What deductible can I realistically afford? If my car were to get damaged, what could I afford to repair on my own? These questions will help you determine the kind of car insurance coverage you need as well.
Choosing what you need for a car insurance policy is overwhelming, even if you know what you want! We’re here to help you out with the process. Contact us to have your question answered today.
If you’re an unlucky driver with previous driving convictions, claims, tickets or license suspensions, Insurance Hero will find insurance coverage that works for you.
Insurance Hero is just as passionate about collector and antique cars as you are. We offer collector car insurance so you can drive and enjoy your vehicle all year round, at events, or show off to your friends and family.
Insurance Hero offers your business the right commercial auto insurance coverage, whether you drive dump trucks, delivery and cargo vans, tow trucks, sedan cars, or pickup trucks.
Usage based insurance is also known as pay-as-you-go car insurance that uses telematics to collect data on driving behaviour. This insurance plan is designed to help you save by keeping more money in your pocket.
Getting a license and sitting behind the wheel is a big milestone for young drivers. Whether you are buying a car, or borrowing parents’ vehicles, you need an affordable auto insurance policy with the right coverage.
Obtain the proper insurance while driving for a ride sharing network. InsuranceHero.ca will make sure you, your passengers and your vehicle are properly covered while you earn some extra money.
