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Updated Aug. 30, 2024
Sarnia’s motto is “The place you want to be.” And if you’re lucky enough to live there, and own a car, there are some things you’ll want to know about car insurance.
Car owners in Sarnia, like the rest of Ontario, are required by law to have car insurance. If you take the risk of driving without valid insurance, you could have your driver's license suspended. You may also receive a fine for the infraction ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.
Auto insurance in Sarnia, like in other Ontario cities, is a privatized industry. This means, you will purchase your auto insurance policy from either a licensed insurance broker, insurance agent or direct writer. It is by rule that all Ontario cities operate under a no-fault insurance system, implying that drivers would report any claims with their own insurance company, even if the other driver were at fault.
This year Sarnia residents (and others around the province) could see an increase in auto insurance rates. The RATESDOTCA Auto Insurance Outlook for 2024 says that premiums grew by 6% from Dec. 2022 to Dec. 2023.
Increase in auto theft crimes amid persistent inflation has pushed authorities such as Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Canada to approve rate increases for auto insurance companies in 2024. As a result, higher insurance rates in Sarnia, and across Canada, are likely.
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| Insurance type | Mandatory coverage | Optional/Additional coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Liability | $200,000 minimum. Provides coverage in the event of a lawsuit resulting from an accident where you are at fault. | Coverage can be increased to $500,000, $1 million, or $2 million, with up to $2 million limit. |
| Uninsured Automobile Insurance | 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. | Family Protection Coverage is an optional coverage that includes additional coverage of up to $1 million in the case of a hit-and-run by an uninsured motorist. |
| Statutory Accident Benefits | Provides coverage if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Covers medical expenses that aren’t covered by OHIP. Income Replacement Benefits: Basic weekly income replacement of 70% of your gross income up to $400/wk. Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care Benefits: Up to $65,000 for serious injuries, and $1 million for catastrophic injuries. Caregiver Benefits: Up to $250 per week for the first dependent, and $50 per week for each dependent after that. Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Expenses: Maximum payout $100 per week. Death and Funeral Benefits: Up to $25,000 is provided to your spouse, $10,000 for each dependent, and up to $6,000 in funeral costs in the event you are killed in an automobile accident. |
Coverage limits can be increased. |
| Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DC-PD) | Optional | Effective Jan. 2024, insurers will give consumers the choice to opt out of Direct Compensation - Property Damage (DCPD) under the newly-created Agreement Not to Recover Loss or Damage From an Automobile Collision (OPCF49). DCPD covers damage to your car, or loss of use of your vehicle, if someone else is at fault. Must involve another insured vehicle. |
| Collision Coverage (Also Upset Coverage) | Optional | Covers the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle following a collision with another vehicle, an object, or property. |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Optional | 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. |
| Specified Perils Coverage | Optional | 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 Coverage | Optional | Combines collision/upset and comprehensive coverage. Also provides additional protection if a household member or an employee steals your vehicle. |
| OPCF 20: Coverage for Transportation Replacement | Optional | 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: Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobile(s) | Optional | Covers if you damage a borrowed or rental vehicle. The coverage limit is usually around $25,000 to $50,000. |
| OPCF 39: Accident Waiver/Forgiveness | Optional | Protect your premium from rising when you have your first at-fault accident. |
| OPCF 43: Waiver of Depreciation | Optional | 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 Coverage | Optional | Protects you if you or a family member is injured, regardless of whether you or your family members are in the car when the accident occurs |
Drivers in Sarnia pay less for car insurance than the average Ontarian. The average premium in 2023 for Sarnia drivers was $1,481 per year, which is 16% lower than the Ontario average of $1,744 per year, according to data from RATESDOTCA insuramap.
Sarnia’s rate jumped 14% from 2021 to 2023.
Premium averages were estimated by running sample quotes for a 35-year-old male driver with no claims or driving convictions and who drives a sedan.
| Postal code | Average 2023 premium | Average 2021 premium |
|---|---|---|
| N7S0A1 | $1,481 | $1,241 |
| N7T0A1 | $1,481 | $1,241 |
| N7V0A1 | $1,481 | $1,318 |
| N7W0A1 | $1,481 | $1,241 |
| N7X1A1 | $1,481 | $1,383 |
Drivers in Sarnia pay a relatively lower price for auto insurance compared with other Ontario drivers. The average auto insurance rate for an Ontario driver is $1,744 per year. Sarnia is a town that borders Michigan and sees a lot of traffic in and out of its area. That makes it highly congested and has greater risks for drivers (and insurance providers).
Here’s how Sarnia compares with other cities in Ontario:
| Location | Average 2023 premium | % difference from 2023 average Sarnia premium |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $2,325 | 36.5% |
| Pickering | $1,985 | 25.3% |
| Markham | $1,870 | 20.8% |
| Sarnia | $1,481 | --- |
| Ottawa | $1,307 | -13.3% |
| Picton | $1,276 | -16% |
| Kingston | $1,259 | -17% |
About the data
We’ve organized the rates the same way insurance companies group their markets – by the first segment of the postal code (otherwise known as the Forward Sortation Area, or FSA), which in Ontario denotes a particular district.
If you are wondering how we have accumulated these numbers, be sure to learn about our methodology.
| Insurance Companies | Company Type | Phone | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billyard Insurance Group | Insurance broker | +1 (519) 977-2324 | 201 Front St N Suite 503, Sarnia, ON N7T 7T9 |
| CAA Store | Insurance agency | +1 (519) 344-8686 | 1095 London Rd, Sarnia, ON N7S 1P2 |
| HUB International | Insurance agency | +1 (519) 332-0480 | 265 Exmouth St, Sarnia, ON N7T 5M7 |
| InsuranceHotline.com | Quotes Comparison | +1 (855) 821-7312 | 225 King St W, Suite 1000, Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2 |
| LowestRates.ca | Quotes Comparison | +1 (855) 487-6911 | 1910 Yonge St. Suite 401, Toronto, ON M4S 3B2 |
| McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers | Insurance agency | +1 (519) 679-5440 | 1315 Michigan Ave, Sarnia, ON N7S 4M6 |
| North Kent Mutual Insurance | Insurance agency | +1 (519) 330-3946 | 546 Christina St N Unit 304A, Sarnia, ON N7T 5W6 |
| RATESDOTCA | Quotes Comparison | +1 (844) 726-0907 | 225 King St W, Suite 1000, Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2 |
| Scoop Insurance | Insurance Brokers | +1 (866) 456-6620 | 300 Lincoln St. Unit 22, Welland, ON L3B 4N4 |
| Reliable Insurance Brokers | Insurance broker | +1 (416) 854-2809 | 1249 Cathcart Blvd, Sarnia, ON N7S 2H7 |
| State Farm Insurance | Insurance agency | +1 (519) 490-3276 | 450 Trudeau Dr, Sarnia, ON N7S 4V1 |
When determining a premium, insurance providers consider a range of factors.
Some of the key variables include:
Need more information on Sarnia car insurance? We got you covered.
No single insurance company offers the cheapest car insurance in Sarnia. Getting the best policy depends on your specific circumstance. Cost is based on several factors, including your age, driving experience, claims history location and the type and amount of coverage you’re seeking. Once you’ve established a driving history, you may be able to secure a discount from a provider you’ve been with for many years. In addition, you can reduce your insurance costs by comparing all available rates.
RATESDOTCA partners with the most-trusted insurance providers in Canada. Each offers car insurance coverage in cities throughout Ontario, including Sarnia.
Drivers based in Ontario should expect to get car insurance with a standard policy term of one year. While some insurance providers offer six-month policy terms, they’re not common.
If you’re looking for short-term car insurance while away from home, your existing policy is likely to cover you. However, if you’re moving to Ontario, the Ministry of Transportation requires you to register your licence plates and transfer your driver’s licence within 60 days of relocation
If you’re a new driver, you can expect to have more expensive premiums than an experienced driver. If you can prove that you’re an experienced driver, you may be eligible for a lower rate. To assist, consider getting proof of insurance coverage from the provider in the country where you were last insured.
If you’re a driver who can’t reflect much driving experience, expect to pay more for the first year. Once you’ve established some driving history, we encourage you to compare car insurance rates around your policy renewal period. If your first year of driving has been without any claims or infractions, you’ll likely be able to secure a lower premium.
Another way for young drivers in Sarnia to reduce their insurance costs is by being added as a secondary driver on a parent or guardian’s policy.
Many ride sharing companies require drivers to be covered by their commercial policies. However, there are limits to that coverage. For example, it may only provide coverage while the ride sharing app is on.
To fill any coverage gaps, ride sharing drivers should have their own personal car insurance. We recommend that they inform their existing insurance providers to ensure adequate coverage. If you’re in a collision while ride sharing and file a claim, an insurance provider may deny coverage if they were unaware that the vehicle was being used for commercial purposes at the time of the collision.
*Shoppers in Sarnia who obtained a quote on RATESDOTCA from January to December 2023 saved an average of $547 per year. The average savings represents the difference between the shoppers’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third-lowest quoted premiums generated by RATESDOTCA.
Content Manager
Katie Rook was a content manager at RATESDOTCA, 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 Dow Jones’ MarketWatch, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Saint John Telegraph-Journal and VICE. Katie is a graduate of Ryerson and Dalhousie universities.
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