Get the Best High-Risk Driver Quotes

Jump straight to:

• What is high-risk driver car insurance?
• Who is a high-risk driver?
• How much does high-risk car insurance cost in Ontario?
• Most recent high-risk driver car insurance quotes
• How to get a high-risk driver car insurance quote on Rates.ca
• How to get cheap car insurance as a high-risk driver
• Frequently asked questions about high-risk driver car insurance

What is high-risk driver car insurance? 

High-risk car insurance, also known as non-standard insurance, is for drivers with numerous convictions or at-fault accidents on their insurance records. You might have to buy high-risk insurance if your insurance company cancelled your policy due to non-payment.

Unfortunately, the high-risk label means high auto insurance rates. Insurance companies consider the probability of you being involved in a situation where you must file an unusually high claim. They, therefore, must be compensated for taking the risk of insuring you.

Who is a high-risk driver? 

In general, a high-risk driver is someone with:

• A major violation, such as speeding or a DUI conviction.
• Multiple, frequent minor violations, such as tickets or accidents.
• Multiple at-fault accidents in the past three to five years.

How much does high-risk car insurance cost in Ontario? 

To find the best high-risk driver car insurance quotes, check comparison sites like Rates.ca. We'll provide you with up-to-date high-risk driver insurance coverage quotes from the top insurance providers. It’s fast, simple, and comprehensive.

High-risk drivers who have difficulty finding insurance through conventional means should also consider facility insurance. It's a form of auto insurance for drivers who can't get approved for traditional insurance because they’ve been deemed too high-risk.

Facility insurance is provided through the Facility Association, created to guarantee drivers access to auto insurance. It's often referred to as the “insurer of last resort."

But the facility association doesn't insure drivers itself. It relies on three servicing carriers — RSA, Nordic (Intact company), The Co-operators, and Novex — to administer facility insurance policies and adjust claims on its behalf.

Facility insurance is only available in the six provinces and three territories the facility association serves: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Alberta, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Another way high-risk drivers can reduce their insurance premiums is by raising their deductibles. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and you make a claim for $3,000, your insurance provider is only responsible for paying $2,000. Opting for a higher deductible will reduce the amount your insurance provider has to pay. They'll likely reward you by lowering your premium in return.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario recently issued “Take-All-Comers” guidance to the auto insurance industry to prevent insurers from denying coverage to drivers who don't fit the ideal customer profile.

Specific consumer protections of the “Take-All-Comers” rule include:

• Insurers must offer the lowest rate available for each consumer's circumstances.
• Insurers must offer their customers a renewal if they continue to meet that insurer’s eligibility rules.
• Insurers must accept consumers that meet their approved underwriting.

How to get cheap car insurance as a high-risk driver 

We've got good news and bad news. The bad news is that car insurance costs more for drivers who companies consider ‘high-risk.’  

The good news is there is always an opportunity to become a safer driver, and proving you've taken the proper steps will help reduce your premiums. 

Tips to lower your premiums as a high-risk driver: 

• Take and complete a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies see this as a way to add to a driver's experience and lower their risk on the road. 
• Install safety features, upgrades or alarms in your vehicles. To save money, high-risk drivers may drive vehicles equipped with advanced safety equipment, low theft rates, or ones known to hold up well in collisions. 
• Consider increasing your deductible. For example, if your deductible is $2,000 and you make a claim for $8,000, your insurance provider is only responsible for paying $6,000. Increasing your deductible will reduce the amount your insurer is on the hook for, and they'll reward you by lowering your premiums. The downside is that, should you need to make a claim, you'll be responsible for paying a larger portion of the expense.