Cheap Ottawa Car Insurance Quotes

Car insurance in Ottawa

As a car owner in Canada, you are obliged to have auto insurance. Ottawa car insurance works under Ontario auto insurance regulatory model. Here are the mandatory and optional coverages and common endorsements:

Insurance in Ottawa is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FRSA), which is responsible for licensing insurance companies.

While providers are regulated, FRSA allows rate increases or adjustments to pay for operating costs, claims and profit. Besides mandatory coverage, Ottawa drivers can opt for policy endorsements on:

• Rented or leased vehicles
• Transportation replacement
• Liability for damage to non-owned automobiles
• Removing depreciation deduction
• Family protection coverage

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How much does car insurance cost in Ottawa?

Car insurance in Ottawa is lower than the provincial average — $300 a year less, a significant saving for those living in our nation’s capital. We looked at quotes offered to 35-year-old drivers with clean driving records in different Ottawa neighbourhoods. For this demographic, insurance prices range from $1,206 at the low end to $1,378 at the high end in the Ottawa area.

• Ottawa average: $1,257
• Ontario average: $1,557

Why is Ottawa car insurance lower than the provincial average?

Insurance is all about risk. Insurance companies deem Ottawa a less risky place for drivers and thus offer cheaper car insurance to its drivers. Given the population and density of the GTA, for example, compared to Ottawa, insurers are willing to keep costs lower in an area with fewer cars and commuters.

The RATESDOTCA Auto Insuramap is an interactive online map that lets users search for the estimated auto insurance rate in a city or neighbourhood by postal code.

All estimated premiums are based on a 35-year-old male driving a 2018 Honda Civic four-door with a clean driving record (gender becomes less of a concern for insurance providers after age 30).

Above average insurance premium numbers are according to data from RATESDOTCA Insuramap.

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How do Ottawa’s car insurance rates compare to other cities in Ontario?

Comparing the top 10 most expensive insurance areas in Ontario, it is clear that drivers in Ottawa seeking auto insurance will save at least $500 compared to people in Nobleton, for example, and more than $800 compared with people in Vaughan, the most expensive area of the province to buy auto insurance.

Rate estimates are based on a 35-year-old driver of a 2018 Honda Civic with a clean driving record

Comparing Ottawa's average premium ($1,257 annually) with the top 10 most expensive insurance areas in Ontario, it is clear that drivers seeking auto insurance will save at least $500 compared to people in Nobleton, for example, and more than $800 compared with people in Vaughan, the most expensive area of the province to buy auto insurance.

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Which companies offer car insurance quotes in Ottawa?

Ottawa residents are fortunate to have an abundance of insurance companies to choose from when seeking the cheapest car insurance rates. Most companies prefer if you apply for a quote using their online services, but you can also call. Those companies include:

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Top 7 tips on getting a cheaper car insurance premium in Ottawa

1. Shop around: One of, if not the first things you should do is compare car insurance quotes from different insurance providers in Ottawa for cheap car insurance. RATESDOTCA can do that for you. With a few quick clicks, you’ll be able to find the most affordable car insurance in Ottawa and the provider offering it.
2. Maintain a good driving record: It can’t be stressed enough. A clean driving record is the fastest road (get it?) to cheaper insurance rates. Insurance companies are all about assessing risk. The less risky a driver you are and prove yourself to be, the lower you will pay for insurance premiums.
3. Increase your deductible: Depending on who you choose as your insurance provider, increasing your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance pays) is a relatively easy way to keep premiums down. But the savings are upfront. If you are in an accident and need to pay out of pocket, make sure you have savings to take care of it.
4. Educate yourself: Insurance companies see taking a driver’s ed course favourably. The more you train, the better driver you become and the less risky you are to insurance providers.
5. Check your payment options: Some insurance providers will offer discounts depending on how or when you pay. Allowing some companies to take payments directly from your bank account can offer savings. Paying upfront annually rather than monthly can also sometimes garner savings.
6. Bundle: Many insurance companies offer bundling packages. Suppose you also need home insurance and use the same company as you are using for auto insurance. In that case, your company may offer a discount for giving them all of your business. The savings can range from 5% to 15%, depending on your chosen insurance company. Consider your insurance needs when seeking auto insurance and if bundling is an option, ask your provider for discounts.
7. Review your existing policy: Many of us are on autopilot when it comes to our insurance. We buy it and forget about it. But if you’re in the market to save money on car insurance in Ottawa, consider reviewing your policy with your broker. If you are a safe driver or perhaps have an older vehicle, you may be able to reduce coverages and rates. Having only the minimum provincial coverages on your policy, without addons, can help save you money in the long run.

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*Represents the average saved by Ottawa shoppers who obtained a quote on RATESDOTCA and transacted via our contact centre between January and December 2022. The average savings amount represents the difference between the shoppers’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third lowest quoted premiums generated by RATESDOTCA.