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How much does car insurance cost in Oshawa in 2026?
In 2026, the average car insurance premium in Oshawa is $2,559 per year (about $213 per month). Premiums in Oshawa are 3.56% lower than the provincial average of $2,653. This makes Oshawa 164th out of 181 Ontario communities for car insurance affordability.
How Rates.ca finds the average car insurance premium
Rates.ca’s Auto Insuramap is an interactive map that shows how car insurance rates compare across Ontario’s forward sortation areas (FSA).
The estimated premiums for each FSA are based on the average of the three lowest premiums quoted. These quotes were acquired from Rates.ca using a specific driver profile: a 40-year-old male driver with 16 years of continuous insurance history, driving a four-door Honda Civic that is approximately five years old at the time of quoting.
Very young men tend to pay more for car insurance than young women. We made our driver persona 40-years-old because the differences in premiums for men and women tend to resolve by then. We also made it male to avoid understating the premiums.
From there, we matched the FSAs to their corresponding city, town, or community, along with the number of quotes we received from real Rates.ca users in that area. The average premium for each municipality was weighted based on the number of quotes.
The estimated premium for all of Ontario was calculated by averaging the municipal averages.
Key numbers: Oshawa car insurance
- Drivers in Oshawa pay an average of $213 per month and $2,559 per year for car insurance.
- Oshawa is 164th out of 181 Ontario communities for car insurance affordability.
- Rates vary by postal code within Oshawa. Premiums are lowest in L1H at $2,493 and highest in L1K at $2,647.
- After years of increases, premiums are stabilizing — now is a good time to shop around and compare quotes.
As of March 2026
Changes coming to Ontario car insurance in 2026
Car insurance prices in Ontario will continue rising in 2026, but not as sharply as they did in 2023. Still, many drivers may notice higher premiums when their policies renew this year.
- Factors like increasing healthcare costs, cars being more high-tech, and auto theft are leading to higher insurance claims payouts. Insurance companies have raised premiums to cover these costs.
- On July 1, new rules will also change how accident benefits work in Ontario. Some benefits that used to be included automatically will now become optional.
- If you get a new policy after July 1, many accident benefits will not be included unless you ask for them.
- Choosing to do away with the newly optional accident benefits may save up to 5%, but you could lose access to tens of thousands of dollars in critical benefits.
- With the cost of everything rising, it can be tempting to cut down on coverage. Comparing car insurance quotes can help you save without giving up protection.
Oshawa auto insurance rates compared to the GTA
According to Rates.ca data, drivers in Oshawa pay about $2,559 per year for auto insurance as of March 2026.
Drivers here pay premiums that are higher than in Burlington, which is the cheapest city for car insurance in the GTA at $2,109 per year.
However, insurance costs in Oshawa are lower relative to the premiums in Brampton, the most expensive city in the region at $3,802 per year.
Compared to the GTA’s overall average premium ($3,072), car insurance rates in Oshawa are 16.71% lower.
Car insurance premiums depend on many factors, such as the number of claims in an area, the amount of time drivers spend on the road, and each driver’s personal and insurance history.
Oshawa vs. the GTA: average car insurance rates (2026)
| Rank | City | Annual premium | Difference vs. Oshawa (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | $2,109 | -17.58% |
| 2 | Oakville | $2,167 | -15.32% |
| 3 | Uxbridge | $2,175 | -15.01% |
| 4 | Port Perry | $2,193 | -14.30% |
| 5 | Whitchurch-Stouffville | $2,203 | -13.91% |
| 6 | Newcastle | $2,235 | -12.66% |
| 7 | Sunderland | $2,260 | -11.68% |
| 8 | Orono | $2,269 | -11.33% |
| 9 | Newmarket | $2,275 | -11.10% |
| 10 | Halton Hills | $2,317 | -9.46% |
| 11 | Georgina | $2,380 | -6.99% |
| 12 | Milton | $2,384 | -6.84% |
| 13 | Aurora | $2,397 | -6.33% |
| 14 | East Gwillimbury | $2,399 | -6.25% |
| 15 | Bowmanville | $2,407 | -5.94% |
| 16 | Courtice | $2,435 | -4.85% |
| 17 | Whitby | $2,483 | -2.97% |
| 18 | Richmond Hill | $2,491 | -2.66% |
| 19 | Oshawa | $2,559 | 0.00% |
| 20 | Pickering | $2,650 | 3.56% |
| 21 | Ajax | $2,692 | 5.20% |
| 22 | Caledon | $2,794 | 9.18% |
| 23 | Downtown Toronto | $2,888 | 12.86% |
| 24 | King City | $2,894 | 13.09% |
| 25 | Markham | $2,900 | 13.33% |
| 26 | Mississauga | $3,078 | 20.28% |
| 27 | Scarborough | $3,180 | 24.27% |
| 28 | East York | $3,207 | 25.32% |
| 29 | Vaughan | $3,259 | 27.35% |
| 30 | Etobicoke | $3,277 | 28.06% |
| 31 | North York | $3,348 | 30.83% |
| 32 | Brampton | $3,802 | 48.57% |
GTA average premium: $3,072
Updated March 2026
Oshawa car insurance rates by postal code
The lowest average premium in Oshawa is found in the L1H area, where drivers pay $2,493 annually. Meanwhile, drivers in L1K have the highest average premiums at $2,647 per year.
Car insurance rates in Oshawa vary by postal code. Differences in neighbourhood characteristics — such as claims frequency, collision rates, theft patterns, and traffic density — influence what drivers in any given area pay, since insurers use these factors to predict how likely customers will be to file a claim.
Oshawa car insurance: average premiums by postal code (2026)
| Rank | Postal code | Annual premium | Monthly premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1H | $2,493 | $208 |
| 1 | L1J | $2,493 | $208 |
| 3 | L1G | $2,599 | $217 |
| 4 | L1L | $2,640 | $220 |
| 5 | L1K | $2,647 | $221 |
Why we don't show complete postal codes
The first three characters of your postal code signfy the forward sortation area (FSA). An FSA covers a specific geographic region used to sort and deliver mail. Each FSA contains multiple postal codes.
Auto insurers also use FSAs to understand risk in an area. For example, if an FSA has more accidents or vehicle thefts than average, insurers may see that area as higher risk. This can lead to higher insurance premiums for people who live there.
We look at premiums at the FSA level because it shows clearer, more reliable pricing patterns. Since each FSA contains many postal codes, using the whole FSA helps smooth out small differences between individual addresses and gives a more accurate view of trends in your area.
Recent auto insurance quotes in Oshawa
Recent auto Insurance Quote from Oshawa, Ontario
Male, 30 years old
2005 VOLVO S60 2.5T 4DR
June 16, 2026
Cheapest Quote
$ 260 / month
$ 3,125 / yearAverage Quote
$ 392 / month
$ 4,703 / yearSavings
$ 132 / month
$ 1,578 / year
34 %
Recent auto Insurance Quote from Oshawa, Ontario
Male, 31 years old
2024 TOYOTA CAMRY SE HEV 4DR
June 16, 2026
Cheapest Quote
$ 621 / month
$ 7,446 / yearAverage Quote
$ 957 / month
$ 11,489 / yearSavings
$ 337 / month
$ 4,043 / year
35 %
Recent auto Insurance Quote from Oshawa, Ontario
Female, 42 years old
2026 HONDA CR-V EX-L HEV 4DR AWD
June 16, 2026
Cheapest Quote
$ 204 / month
$ 2,442 / yearAverage Quote
$ 284 / month
$ 3,404 / yearSavings
$ 80 / month
$ 962 / year
28 %
Auto insurance quotes are compared from CAA, Coachman Insurance Company, Echelon Insurance, Economical Insurance, Gore Mutual, Pafco, Pembridge, SGI, Travelers, Zenith Insurance Company
The best car insurance companies of 2026
Drivers should always compare multiple quotes to find the best policy for their needs, and that doesn’t always mean the lowest-priced premium. Instead, a great rate should provide value and quality, with attentive customer service, an easy claims process, and personalized policy offerings.
The Rates.ca Annual Best Auto Insurance Study surveyed 14,676 auto insurance customers in Ontario about their experiences with Canada’s top auto insurance providers. These customers are from five major insurance brokerages that collectively serve more than 220,000 personal line customers.
Customers were asked about their satisfaction levels across multiple categories, from claims processing to ease of communication, as well as coverage options and overall trustworthiness.
Here are the top-ranking auto insurance companies in 2026.
Rates.ca Annual Best Auto Insurance Study 2026
CAA Insurance Company
About the winner
CAA Insurance Company ranks as the top insurer for the third year in a row, also placing first in: Most Trustworthy, Best Product & Value, and Best Communication & Clarity.
Customers praise its low rates and strong claims service. Many use its recommended repair shops.
Its products address real needs, like MyPace, which rewards low-mileage drivers skeptical of traditional usage-based insurance.
Key takeaways
- CAA Insurance leads the market with strong customer satisfaction.
- Competitive rates are the top reason customers choose it.
- The company scores highly for product value, meeting customer needs, and policy innovation.
- It also excels in communication clarity, with nearly all respondents satisfied with their policy documents and over half reporting they are very satisfied.
Intact Insurance
About the winner
Intact Insurance achieved outstanding scores for its claims process. Customers find Intact reps easy to reach, knowledgeable, and proactive. The vast majority report quick claims resolutions.
Over half of customers bypassed their broker and went straight to Intact, underscoring its reputation for hassle-free service.
Of all insurers, Intact Insurance customers are also the most likely to use the company’s app for updates.
Key takeaways
- Intact Insurance is a trustworthy brand, according to the majority of customers surveyed.
- Top-ranked for ease of its claims process; customers say it’s clearly outlined and that reps are helpful.
- Quick claims handling drives satisfaction, with nearly two-thirds of those very satisfied.
- Intact Insurance customers are more likely to reach out directly than calling their broker.
Northbridge Insurance
About the winner
Northbridge Insurance promises quick support: calls are answered within 20 seconds, and an adjuster follows up within three hours.
This speed and efficiency helped drivers rank it among Canada’s best car insurers.
It earns strong marks for claims experience, and customers say it delivers solid value for the premiums they pay without compromising service.
Key takeaways
- Northbridge Insurance is a trustworthy brand according to survey respondents.
- Earned top marks for claims experience across virtually all aspects of the claims process
- Ease of claims handling and expert representatives are key strengths for Northbridge Insurance.
- High ratings for product offerings and overall value.
How we got our ranking
To properly evaluate how great an insurance company is, you have to look way beyond online reviews. In collaboration with Pollara Strategic Insights, we surveyed 14,676 drivers in Ontario about their interactions with their insurers and specific experiences when filing claims to capture new trends and evolving expectations.
According to our methodology, we also asked them to rate their satisfaction with their insurance companies across a few critical areas, including: brand trustworthiness, claims experience, communication, products and billing.
This year, we also expanded the field and allowed insurers to rank for the following titles:
- Best Overall
- Most Trustworthy
- Best Auto Claim Experience
- Best Product & Value
- Best Communication & Clarity
To find the best overall scores, we took the scores for each survey category and weighted averages based on customer demographics, brokerage and insurance carrier.
Mandatory and optional auto insurance in Oshawa
| Protection type & status | Coverage details & risks |
|---|---|
| Third-party liability [MANDATORY] | $200,000 minimum in coverage is required. Provides coverage in the event of a lawsuit resulting from an accident where you are at fault. Ontario drivers are encouraged to buy at least $1M in third-party liability insurance. |
| Accident benefits: Basic medical & rehab [MANDATORY] | Provides coverage if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Covers medical expenses that aren’t covered by OHIP. |
| Accident benefits: Income & family support [OPTIONAL] | Replaces lost wages, caregiver costs, and funeral expenses. After July 1, 2026, this coverage is no longer included by default on new policies; you must actively opt-in to keep your income safety net. Renewing policies will keep this coverage. |
| Uninsured automobile [MANDATORY] | Provides up to $200,000 in coverage if you are injured or killed by an uninsured driver, or if your vehicle is damaged as a result of a hit-and-run by an unidentified, uninsured motorist. |
Direct compensation property damage [OPTIONAL] | DCPD is a standard coverage. It covers damage to your car, or loss of use of your vehicle, if someone else is at fault. DCPD is automatically included in all policies, but an insurance professional can remove it using form OPCF 49. Insurance experts, as well as the Ontario regulator, warn against this. |
| Collision [ADD-ON] | Covers the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle following a collision with another vehicle, an object, or property. Usually required for leased vehicles. |
| Comprehensive [ADD-ON] | Covers damages caused by named perils identified under the specified perils coverage, as well as losses from other perils like falling or flying objects, theft, fire, hail, windstorms, missiles, and vandalism. Usually required for leased vehicles. |
| Specified perils [ADD-ON] | Covers damages caused by named perils such as theft, attempted theft, explosions, natural disasters like fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, rising water, earthquakes, and also other perils specified in your policy. Specified perils do not cover damages due to vandalism, breakage of glass, etc. |
| All-perils [ADD-ON] | Combines collision/upset and comprehensive coverage. Also provides additional protection if a household member or an employee steals your vehicle. |
| OPCF 20: Replacement vehicle [ADD-ON] | Covers the cost of your transportation replacement and rental car insurance if you were to get into a car accident or if your vehicle is stolen. |
| OPCF 27: Rental car liability [ADD-ON] | Covers if you damage a borrowed or rental vehicle. The coverage limit is usually around $25,000 to $50,000. |
| OPCF 39: Accident forgiveness [ADD-ON] | Protect your premium from rising when you have your first at-fault accident. |
| OPCF 43: Depreciation waiver [ADD-ON] | Protects you by removing your insurer's right to deduct depreciation from the value of your vehicle when settling a claim. This coverage is for new vehicles with fewer than 5,000 kilometres. |
| OPCF 44R: Family protection [ADD-ON] | Increases your coverage if you're injured or killed in a collision involving an underinsured, uninsured, or unidentified driver. This coverage also applies if you or a family member is injured as a passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist. |
| OPCF 49: DCPD opt-out [ADD-ON] | Removes DCPD coverage from your insurance policy. |
| Legend | Essential: Critical coverage you should always have, with few exceptions Caution: Think carefully before removing Optimal: Useful add-on |
Insurance providers examine many details when considering whether to write a policy for a driver and what premium to offer them. Some of their most important considerations are the driver’s:
- Age and gender: More experienced female drivers tend to pay lower car insurance premiums whereas less experienced male drivers pay more. This is because less experienced drivers are more likely to make a claim, and young male drivers tend to be more likely to be in a collision.
- Claims history: Any driver who has made an auto insurance claim in the last 10 years may pay a higher premium. Insurance providers believe that past behaviour hints are future behaviour and adjust the premium to mitigate the risk.
- Coverage amount and limits: In general, more auto insurance coverage costs more. Coverage limits can also drive up a premium. Oshawa drivers seeking cheap car insurance can reduce their premiums by securing a policy with less coverage.
- Vehicle type: Drivers in Oshawa with cars that are expensive to repair or replace should expect to pay more for coverage.
Top five tips for getting cheap car insurance in Oshawa
There are many tactics drivers in Oshawa can use to get cheap auto insurance. Some of the most effective ones are outlined below.
- Bundling: When a driver holds more than one insurance policy with one insurance company, they may receive lower premiums. This practice is known as ‘bundling’. The most common bundle is auto and home insurance policies.
- Discounts: Drivers may be able to secure a lower insurance rate by applying discounts they have through member organizations. Installing winter tires is also an easy way to secure a discount; providers will offer 5-15% off for winter tires. Students may also be able to pay less by maintaining a specific Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Pay upfront: Drivers who pay upfront for their full one-year policy term may be able to secure a lower premium.
- Increase deductible: If a driver is likely to have the cash available, opting for a higher deductible can lead to a lower overall premium. For example, increasing the deductible from $500 to $1,000, will save the driver about 5-10%.
- Choose a car that costs less to insure: Before buying a new vehicle, we recommend that drivers consider how much it will cost to insure. Car insurance rates are calculated, in part, by the car the chances it’ll be stolen, its repair costs, and how well it protects passengers from injury if involved in a collision.
How to get Oshawa car insurance quotes on Rates.ca
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Frequently asked questions about Oshawa car insurance
Learn more about what contributes to car insurance rates in Oshawa.
Oshawa car insurance rules and regulations you need to know
It’s illegal to drive in Canada without car insurance.
There are many steps a driver can take to secure the best coverage at the lowest rate. One of the first and most important is understanding how car insurance works.
It’s a bit different in each province; in Ontario (and Alberta) car insurance must be purchased from a private company. While each provider determines the premium they offer each driver, those premiums must first be approved by a regulatory body called the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
Since car insurance rates tend to increase over the long term, it’s up to each individual driver to manage their insurance costs. One way to do so is by customizing the policy.
Each driver in Oshawa needs a baseline of coverage that’s considered mandatory in the province. There are also optional coverages & endorsements are available to add on top of your mandatory coverages.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Oshawa?
Car insurance providers look at a range of factors when deciding on a premium. There’s no single provider that offers the lowest rate in the market. Instead, they consider the driver’s claims history and driving record. They also examine their location and vehicle type. Of course, the coverage amount and its associated limits are also part of the equation.
To secure the best coverage at the lowest rate, there’s a lot an Oshawa driver can do. In addition to shopping available rates from dozens of the most-trusted providers in the country, a drive can save by bundling their auto and home policies, applying discounts such as those available to drivers who install winter tires, they can also reduce their amount of coverage to make sure they’re only paying for the protection they need and nothing more. In addition, a driver can opt-in to a telematics program which monitors driving behaviour and offers discounts for good driving.
Can I get month-to-month car insurance in Oshawa?
Most car insurance providers offer one-year policy terms. It’s unlikely that a driver will be able to secure a month-to-month policy. Driving in Canada without car insurance is illegal. And any gaps in coverage can result in long-term insurance problems – especially if a driver is in a collision and doesn’t have coverage. We encourage drivers in Oshawa to compare rates from providers using our free, online auto insurance quote tool. Next, they can speak to an insurance provider to secure a policy that makes the most sense for their circumstance. Oshawa drivers saved an average of $673* on their car insurance premiums last year using Rates.ca. Total savings represents the average savings multiplied by the number of shoppers who generated a quote in 2021.
How do I get car insurance as a new driver in Oshawa?
New drivers tend to pay more for car insurance, regardless of location. This is because insurance providers have no driving history to refer to when trying to gauge how likely the driver is to make an auto insurance claim.
We recommend that new drivers in Oshawa get auto insurance by applying for a quote and providing proof of coverage from a previous insurance provider.
If that’s not an option, a new driver can secure a lower rate by developing their insurance history by being added as a secondary driver on the policy of an experienced driver such as a parent or guardian. After one year of driving (without infractions), providers may be willing to provide a lower premium.
Is ride sharing insurance available in Oshawa?
Yes. Most ride sharing companies have insurance they require drivers to purchase. Drivers should be aware that this coverage is likely to only apply while their driving for the ride sharing service or app. So that they have adequate car insurance coverage at all other times, we recommend that the driver have their own auto insurance policy. The driver should disclose to their insurance provider that they’re using the car for ride sharing to ensure that a future claim is covered rather than denied.
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Katie Rook, Freelance writer
Content Manager
Katie Rook was a content manager at Rates.ca, specializing in home insurance. She has been a full-time reporter at CTV, National Post, and The Globe and Mail. Her work has also appeared in DowJones MarketWatch, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Saint John Telegraph-Journal and VICE. Katie is a graduate of Ryerson and Dalhousie universities.
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Disclaimers
*More than 50% of Rates.ca users in Ontario who obtained an auto insurance quote from January to December 2025 saw savings ranging from $250 to $1,050, with an average savings of $583.87. The average savings amount represents the difference between the users’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third lowest quoted premiums generated by Rates.ca.
**The Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) is the self-regulatory organization in charge of overseeing insurance brokers working in the province. Its mandate is to protect the public by ensuring that brokers meet provincial standards for licensing, professional competence, and ethical conduct. It maintains a public database of registered brokers, which displays a broker's licensing status and their standing within RIBO.