Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in North Bay

Jump straight to:

• Car insurance in North Bay
• How to get North Bay car insurance quotes on Rates.ca
• How do North Bay car insurance rates compare to nearby cities?
• Which companies offer car insurance quotes in North Bay?
• Factors that affect your North Bay car insurance premium
• Tips on how to get cheap car insurance in North Bay
• Frequently asked questions about car insurance in North Bay

Car insurance in North Bay

North Bay sits on Lake Nipissing in northeastern Ontario. With a population of more than 51,000, it is relatively small compared to communities in the southern area of the province.  

Because it is in Ontario, drivers in North Bay follow the same limited no-fault insurance system as the rest of the province. No-fault means that drivers in an accident are reimbursed for legal and medical expenses by their respective insurance agencies. You can still be found responsible for causing an accident and face consequences under a no-fault system.

No-fault auto insurance also includes direct compensation property damage (DCPD) coverage. It ensures that if another car collides with your vehicle and damages it, your insurance company will pay to replace or repair it, and it won't impact your premium. The settlement is proportionate with the degree of fault. For example, if you're 75% at fault, you'll only receive 25% of the possible settlement; if you're 75% not at fault, you'll receive 75%. 

Ontario allows lawsuits in cases of pain and suffering, loss of income, and other damages. 

Unlike provinces such as B.C., Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, Ontario's insurance system is private. However, Ontario still has a regulatory board that monitors the price of auto insurance: the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). Insurance companies must submit requests to change their rates to FSRA along with a justification for the increase or decrease.

Factors that affect your North Bay car insurance premium

Your driving record

Establishing a safe driving record through good habits will help keep your North Bay auto insurance rates low. That means obeying the laws and building a history free of offences like speeding, drunk driving or driving without a licence. 

Staying free of convictions takes work, but it's even harder to clear your record once there's something on it. If you’re convicted under the Highway Traffic Act, the conviction will remain on your record for six years. 

Your insurance history 

North Bay auto insurance providers scrutinize past claims history to indicate your future behaviour. But beyond reducing or eliminating claims, you can also: 

• Pay bills on time  
• Be selective about filing claims 
• Be honest about your needs and where you live 
• Practice defensive driving 

Younger drivers will pay more for North Bay auto insurance due to inexperience and lack of insurance history. Staying safe and building a good driving history will help reduce North Bay auto insurance premiums, but it takes time and effort. 

Your coverage 

Buying more insurance than the minimum requirement will increase your premium, but it often makes good financial sense. Over the years, replacement and medical and legal expenses have increased, so anticipating these costs should play into your insurance thinking. Talking to a professional about your needs and potential future costs is an excellent place to start. 

Also, consider the age of your car. Newer cars (less than three years old) are more expensive to replace and repair and might need extra coverage.  

Your commute 

Commuting can raise the cost of your North Bay auto insurance. The more time you spend in your vehicle, the more likely you could end up in an accident or need to make a claim. 

Your neighbourhood 

Insurance companies use forward sortation areas (FSAs) to determine boundaries. North Bay car insurance companies will determine your rate in part by looking at the first three letters of your postal code. If a particular area has more claims, then policyholders will be surcharged. The opposite is true if claims are low in your postal code area.

Tips on how to get cheap car insurance in North Bay

1) Compare quotes 

One of the best ways to get cheap car insurance in North Bay is by comparison shopping on sites like Rates.ca. We aggregate quotes from top insurance providers, giving you the final say on which insurer to choose.

Just provide information about your car insurance needs, and we’ll do the rest. It’s simple, fast and free.

2) Increase your deductible 

Increasing your deductible reduces the risk your North Bay insurance provider has to take on, giving them the room to offer a discount on your insurance. It can save you money in the short-term but could also cost you should you need to make a claim. Talk to your insurance professional about how much you should increase your deductible.
 

3) Get the appropriate amount of coverage 

Different drivers have different needs. You may need additional liability or accident insurance, depending on your situation. If you have a car older than three years old, it may not make sense to have collision or comprehensive insurance. Talk to your North Bay auto insurance professional about what makes sense.

4) Drive less 

You may have already started driving less as a work-from-home lifestyle change, or you may want to consider other means of transportation, like carpooling.

Either way, less driving means fewer chances for claims and accidents and, ultimately, a potential for auto insurance reductions.

5) Bundle home and auto insurance 

Bundling home and auto coverage under one provider can save you as much as 15%. It reduces administrative costs for your provider, and they appreciate the loyalty of your business. These two items can result in a discount from your provider.

6) Try telematics 

Telematics is a device auto insurance companies can install into your car to monitor your driving habits.

It records your driving and braking speed, acceleration, and distance travelled.

The reductions can be steep – up to 25% in some cases.

However, Ontario insurance companies now have the right to penalize you based on data collected through telematics.

So, unless you know you're a good driver — or if you have a secondary driver listed on your policy that you're iffy about — enrolling in telematics could backfire.

7) Pay for the year upfront 

Insurance companies often show appreciation for your payment by offering a discount.

8) Apply for discounts 

Some North Bay auto insurance companies offer discounts for members of a particular association, alumni group or unions. Ask your provider if you qualify.
 

9) Avoid additional drivers 

The more drivers you add to your insurance policy, the higher premiums. Be sure they need the use of the car before adding them on.
 

10) Buy an endorsement 

Endorsements are optional car insurance coverages that alter the terms of your insurance policy.

Unlike other optional forms of insurance that enhance your coverage, like collision or comprehensive insurance, endorsements can be used to reduce your coverage in one area.

For example, you can waive coverage for glass repair in exchange for a lower premium. Talk to an insurance professional about whether this tactic makes sense for you.