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Cheap Ottawa Car Insurance Quotes

Ottawa drivers saved an average of $438* on their car insurance premiums with RATESDOTCA.

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Economical
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Recent auto insurance quotes in Ottawa

Recent Auto Insurance Quote from OTTAWA, ONTARIO
Female, Age 35
2013 MAZDA MAZDA2 GS 5DR
November 09, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 111 / month
$1,334 / year
Average Quote
$ 191 / month
$2,292 / year
Savings
$ 80 / month
$958 / year
or
41.80 %
Recent Auto Insurance Quote from OTTAWA, ONTARIO
Male, Age 30
2013 KIA FORTE LX 4DR
November 09, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 189 / month
$2,270 / year
Average Quote
$ 277 / month
$3,327 / year
Savings
$ 88 / month
$1,057 / year
or
31.77 %
Recent Auto Insurance Quote from OTTAWA, ONTARIO
Female, Age 31
2010 KIA SOUL 4U 5DR
November 09, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 172 / month
$2,067 / year
Average Quote
$ 234 / month
$2,810 / year
Savings
$ 62 / month
$743 / year
or
26.44 %
Auto insurance quotes are compared from CAA, Coachman Insurance Company, Echelon Insurance, Economical Insurance, Gore Mutual, Pafco, Pembridge, SGI, Travelers, Zenith Insurance Company

Frequently asked questions about Ottawa car insurance

Why does Ottawa car insurance cost as much as it does?

The average cost for car insurance in Ottawa is $1,257. While that might be a significant expense to drivers in that city, it is by no means the most expensive in the province. The provincial average is $300 more annually, coming in at $1,557. 

But Ottawa is still a metropolitan North American city with many of the same driving risks and expenses experienced elsewhere. Comparing rates on RATESDOTCA is an excellent way to ensure your rates are the lowest they can be. 

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Ottawa? 

Luckily, drivers in Ottawa have many insurance providers to choose from if they are looking for cheap car insurance. By comparing quotes on RATESDOTCA, drivers in Ottawa can find the best prices in minutes. 

Remember that where you live, your driving record and how you bundle (or not) your insurance will help you save money over time and help you keep rates low. 

Can I get month-to-month car insurance in Ottawa? 

Unfortunately not. Even if you are living in Ottawa for a short time or need insurance temporarily, standard auto insurance in Ontario lasts one calendar year. Some companies may offer six-month policies, but this is not the norm for car insurance. 

I am a newcomer to Canada. How can I buy car insurance in Ottawa? 

Driving experience from your home country will be helpful as you become a driver in Canada. Your previous insurance company will likely be able to provide proof of your insurance to your new Canadian provider. Likewise, as you build experience here, some companies will adjust your rate as you increase your local driving history. One of the best ways for newcomers coming to Ottawa (or Canada) to find the cheapest car insurance in Ottawa is to comparison shop through sites like RATESDOTCA.   

Comparison shopping on RATESDOTCA can also help educate you on the best choices for insurance in your area. Also, try to work with a broker who can advise you on how to get the lowest rates, which policies are available to newcomers, and how to keep rates low. 

If you have an international driver’s license, most carriers will require you to obtain a Canadian license before they write a policy. 

Ottawa Car Insurance By Postal Code

Postal Code Average Premium
K1A 0A1$1134
K1G 0A1$1523
K1H 0A1$1134
K1J 0A1$1374
K1K 0A3$1523
K1N 0A1$1134
K1P 0A1$1134
K1R 0A1$1134
K1S 0A2$1134
K1V 0A1$1523
K1Y 0A1$1134
K1Z 0A1$1134
K2A 0A1$1134
K2B 0A1$1134
K2C 0A1$1134
K2P 0A1$1134
K4C 0A1$1107
K1B 0A1$1374
K1T 0A1$1523
K1X 0A1$1523
K4P 0A1$1107
K2K 0A1$1189
K2L 0A1$1189
K2M 0A1$1189
K2T 0A2$1189
K2V 0A1$1189
K2W 0A1$1189
K4M 0A1$1356
K2E 0A1$1134
K2G 0A1$1134
K2H 0A1$1134
K2J 0A1$1134
K2R 0A1$1134
K1C 0A1$1107
K1E 0A1$1107
K1W 0A1$1107
K4A 0A1$1107
K1M 0A1$1134
K2S 0A1$1107
K1L 0A1$1523

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

Tips for driving in Ottawa

Do I need a car if I am visiting Ottawa?

Nope. Most of Ottawa’s tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another, or easily accessible by public transport.

Which areas are the worst for driving?

One enduring challenge for drivers in Ottawa is that two rivers and a canal cut through the city, and traffic can sometimes bottleneck around the limited number of bridges that cross these waterways. Both of Ottawa’s major highway corridors (the 417 Queensway and Ottawa-Carleton Regional Road 174) get congested during the morning commute. Albert and Slater streets are notorious for traffic congestion and sudden stops due to the constant presence of slow-moving buses. There are also significant restrictions on right turns from these streets. If you are in a hurry, avoid them during rush hour! Anywhere in the downtown core poses an elevated risk to drivers, as the prevalent one-way streets are confusing and not always well signed.

More tips:

  • Watch out for wildlife - Once you leave the downtown core, beware of deer crossing! Surprisingly, Ottawa drivers have a consistently higher number of wild animal collisions than any of the other 53 counties in Ontario.
  • Get winter tires - While Ottawa is a relatively safe city to drive in, the city does have to endure a brutal winter, during which time the roads may be covered in slippery ice. Just a couple of years ago, there was a 20-vehicle pileup on Highway 417 due to snow and high winds. Bonus tip: Be sure to invest in some decent winter tires and you could be rewarded with a five percent discount on your car insurance premium.
  • Parking downtown - Ottawa’s parking metres are set deliberately high in an effort to encourage transit use in the city centre. However, it is worth remembering that free parking is often available on weekends and after 3:30PM.
  • What are the red licence plates all about? - Ottawa is Canada’s political centre and as such it is home to many foreign embassies and high commissions. A car with a red license plate means it belongs to a foreign embassy. A very low number on a red plate means it belongs to a high-ranking individual, likely an ambassador.

Alternatives to driving

Your car insurance premium will be lower if you drive less, and if you are lucky enough to live in Ottawa, you are not beholden to the automobile!

OC Transpo have a fleet of almost one thousand buses and they cover all corners of the city. Dedicated bus lanes are closed to regular traffic, meaning it is often faster than driving yourself. The O-Train is Ottawa’s light rail service, running about 8km from the north of the city to the south. It too is isolated from road traffic, making it an efficient option for getting across town. Construction is underway on a new light rail line, which will add 40 km and 22 more stations by 2023.

In the warmer months, cycling is a very pleasant alternative to driving in Ottawa. There are lots of bike trails and on-street bike lanes (and not many hills!).

In the colder months, many locals use their skates to get around. The Rideau Canal (the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America), freezes over, and ice skaters can use it to get from Carleton University in the south of the city, to Rideau Centre in the downtown core. If you wrap up warm, it sure beats sitting in traffic.

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Save on Ottawa car insurance today

Ottawa is a beautiful city, jam-packed with interesting things to see and do, and it has some of the safest roads in Canada. None-the-less, all drivers need car insurance, and the best way to ensure you are getting the best possible deal is by comparing quotes on RATESDOTCA. Go ahead, see how much you can save.

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