If you have ever driven on the Ontario roads, you know that the conditions can be tricky and dangerous at times. When there are snowy winter months every year, some of the busiest highways in North America, and one of the highest car insurance fraud rates in Canada, it is no surprise that Ontario has some of the strictest regulations and highest insurance premiums in the country.
Driving restrictions in Ontario state that drivers must be at least 16 years of age to get a G1 license, have 8-12 months of road experience to obtain a G2 license, and wait another year before getting their full G license.
In addition, driving laws indicate that all vehicles registered in Ontario must have car insurance that provides, at a minimum:
- Accident benefits coverage
- Direct compensation coverage
- Third-party liability coverage
- Uninsured motorist coverage
You should do your research and get the best quotes available when it comes to deciding which insurance policy to purchase before making an informed decision.
Below is a guide on car insurance quotes in Ontario, how to get different quotes, and the different types of car insurance coverages available for you.
How to Get a Car Insurance Quote Online in Ontario
There are many ways you can get a car insurance quote online in Ontario.
The most obvious way to get an online quote is to research the different insurance companies that offer car insurance. Most insurance companies will offer free car insurance quotes online through their website, on the phone, or by chatting with an agent.
When looking for a car insurance quote online, you will be asked to provide some personal information. This includes your name, location, vehicle make/year/model, the date you obtained your license, when you want your insurance to start, whether you have a full G license, and how long you have had continuous insurance coverage.
Once you get your online insurance quote, you can decide whether the rates you received are acceptable for your budget. There is no need to rush this process. It is better to make an informed decision than to save time by making a quick decision. Remember, car insurance can get quite expensive, and most policies are six-month to one-year terms. You should ensure that you are comfortable with your premium rate.
Do Your Own Car Insurance Quote Comparison Ontario
Before you settle on which car insurance package you want to purchase, you should always compare the different policies and rates to find one that fits your driving needs while staying within your budget.
Companies will usually have pre-packaged insurance plans, but you can always customize your coverage amount depending on the vehicle you drive and your driving needs.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRAO) estimates that the average annual insurance premium in Ontario is $1,664. Of course, the exact price is difficult to estimate because insurance premiums can vary greatly depending on several factors.
Using an insurance brokerage such as Insurance Hero can help you conveniently compare insurance quotes. We have the industry knowledge, experience, and innovation to bring you accessible and affordable insurance. With us, you can easily shop around to find the package that you want.
How to Get a Quick Insurance Quote Ontario
Most insurance companies allow you to get insurance premium quotes in minutes. You can even purchase your desired insurance policy and become covered on the same day! This is especially useful if you have purchased a new vehicle and need proof of insurance to drive it off the dealership’s lot.
When you use Insurance Hero, you will get different insurance quotes from some of Canada’s leading insurance companies in a matter of minutes. All you have to do is fill out your driving record, vehicle, and personal information. Once you find the quote you want, we connect you with the car insurance broker that offers the best package you want.
Our car insurance partners include:
- Aviva
- Chieftain Insurance
- Economical
- Facility Association
- Gore Mutual Insurance Company
- Hagerty Classic Car Insurance
- Ingenie
- Intact Insurance
- Jevco
- PAFCO
- Pembridge Insurance Company
- Perth Insurance
- RSA
- Travelers
- WA (part of RSA group)
Get a Car Insurance Quote Ontario Canada
Getting a car insurance quote is very easy in Ontario because most companies provide online services that help you compare insurance rates almost instantly.
To get your car insurance quote from Insurance Hero, all you have to do is fill out this form with your information, such as your name, age, vehicle, driving history, and insurance record. We will do the searching and comparing for you to find you the best insurance quotes.
Once you find your desired rate, you can purchase your insurance policy almost immediately.
Commonly Asked Questions About Car Insurance
1. Do you need car insurance to drive someone else’s car?
This depends. Generally, the insurance policy you buy relates to the vehicle, not the driver. If you are only temporarily driving someone else’s car, it should be fine to drive someone else’s car even if you are not directly covered under their insurance policy. However, if you plan on regularly driving someone else’s car, you will need to be added as a secondary driver.
2. Can I add someone to my insurance policy?
Again, your insurance policy relates to your vehicle, not you as the driver. You can choose to add people to your policy as secondary drivers or temporary drivers as long as they have a valid driver’s license. If you want to add additional drivers, you will have to contact your insurance company.
3. Can I change insurance policies?
Most insurance policies last six months to one year. If you wish to cancel before the renewal period, you may have to pay cancellation penalties. You can always switch insurance policies or companies after the policy term, but you usually get loyal customer discounts for staying with an insurance company.
What Other Types of Auto Insurance are Available in Ontario?
Besides the mandatory insurance coverages that we discussed above, there are plenty of optional coverages to choose from.
These optional coverages include:
- Comprehensive insurance – covers all other damages to your vehicle up to the actual cash value (not collision).
- Collision coverage – covers damages to your vehicle caused by collisions with an object or vehicle.
- Specified perils coverage – protects your vehicle from losses arising from events that are predefined in your policy.
- All perils – combines collision and comprehensive insurance coverage along with theft protection to provide broader protection for your vehicle.
- Accident forgiveness – ensures that your car insurance premiums will not increase for your first at fault or partially at fault accident.
- Uninterrupted driving coverage – covers your vehicle for short distances if you are travelling between Canada and the United States, even if you are driving a rental vehicle.
- Removing depreciation deduction – covers the purchase price of your vehicle as your settlement value if your car is completely destroyed.
What Factors Determine Auto Insurance Rates in Ontario?
If you are a high risk driver and have gotten into a lot of accidents in the past, your insurance rates will be more expensive than someone who drives more responsibly.
How often you use your vehicle also determines your insurance rates. If you use your car strictly for pleasure and do not use it a lot, your insurance premiums will be lower than someone who uses their car for daily commute.
The type of car you drive has a significant impact on the insurance rate you pay. Typically, insurance companies will look at the make, year, and model of your car to look at the safety features and size of the vehicle.
Older vehicles are usually cheaper to insure. The exception is insurance for vintage or collector vehicles because they are more expensive to repair.
Your age, sex, marital status, and location also play a part in determining your insurance premiums. Drivers under the age of 25 or new drivers usually pay the most for insurance premiums because they are inexperienced and are more likely to file an accident claim.
If you live in an area that statistically has more accidents or theft, such as a large city, you might also be paying more towards your insurance premiums. For example, Brampton, Canada’s ninth-most populous municipality, has the most expensive insurance premiums in all of Ontario.
Why Are Auto Insurance Rates So High in Ontario?
There are a few factors that make insurance rates in Ontario so high compared to other provinces in the country.
- Weather – according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), severe weather caused $2.4 billion in insured damage in 2020. $186 million resulted from severe weather in Ontario.
- Auto insurance fraud – IBC states that insurance fraud costs Ontario drivers $1.6 billion each year. That is an average of $236 per driver. Because of its size, Ontario feels the impact of auto insurance fraud more than many other provinces.
- Distracted drivers – Deaths from collisions caused by distracted drivers have doubled since 2020. With more accident claims, insurance premiums will be significantly higher.
