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Updated
Stratford, the home of the Stratford Festival and countless live theatre venues, is a major tourist destination for Canadians and people all over the world. Many people who live there work in the tourism industry. As residents, they are required by law to have car insurance. Driving without a license comes with many risks. You may receive a fine for the infraction ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, as well as a license suspension.
All Ontario cities operate under a no-fault insurance system, which means that drivers would report any claims with their own insurance company, even if the other driver was at fault. Stratford auto insurance is run through private businesses (not the government), meaning you purchase your policy from a licensed insurance broker, insurance agent or direct writer.
This year Stratford 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.
Also, because of persistent inflation (and issues such as high car thefts), the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Canada approved rate increases for auto insurance companies in Ontario, which will be in effect this year. As a result, higher insurance rates in Stratford (and elsewhere) are likely.
| 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 |
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Drivers in Stratford pay less for car insurance than the average Ontarian. The average premium in 2023 for Stratford drivers was $1,471 per year, which is 18.5% less than the Ontario average of $1,744 per year, according to data from RATESDOTCA insuramap.
Despite tourism inflows, Stratford remains a relatively small town with less congestion and accident risk than other bigger cities in the province. But auto insurance rates for Stratford can also depend on a variety of personal things such as:
Stratford’s rate jumped 12% 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 four-door sedan.
| Stratford postal code | Average 2023 car insurance premium |
|---|---|
| N4Z 0A1 | $1,471 |
| N5A 0A1 | $1,471 |
Drivers in Stratford pay a relatively lower premium for auto insurance compared with other Ontario drivers. The average auto insurance rate for an Ontario driver is $1,744 per year.
The town has a relatively low crime rate (at 16% below the national average), is lower risk than many other parts of the province, and auto thefts, while not unfamiliar, occur at a lower rate than the provincial average. Here’s how Stratford compares with other cities in the province.
| City | Average 2023 car insurance premium | Percentage difference |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $2,325 | +58% |
| Hamilton | $1,810 | +23% |
| Guelph | $1,676 | +13.9% |
| Stratford | $1,471 | -- |
| Port Colborne | $1,463 | -0.54% |
| St. Thomas | $1,440 | -2.1% |
| Port Perry | $1,047 | -28.8% |
Source: RATESDOTCA Insuramap
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Francis Desjardins Insurance Agent | Insurance broker | (519) 271-7175 | 186 Ontario St Unit A, Stratford, ON N5A 3H4 |
| BrokerLink | Direct writer | (519) 271-1840 | 51 Albert St, Stratford, ON N5A 3K2 |
| Corey Goebel Desjardins Insurance Agent | Insurance broker | (519) 305-4555 | 169 Erie St, Stratford, ON N5A 2M6 |
| Co-operators - Peter Maranger & Associates Inc | Insurance broker | (519) 272-2667 | 204 Huron St, Stratford, ON N5A 5S8 |
| Insurance Hotline | 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 |
| 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 |
Being armed with knowledge is the best way to save money on car insurance. Below, we outline six tips that can help you save money. Remember, the more you can do, the more you can save, which can add up.
1) Bundle your home and auto policies: Do you own a home or rent an apartment? If you have insurance for your property, many insurance companies are willing to offer you a discount if you bundle your car insurance.
2) Compare: Don't just get a price from one company. It will rarely be the best price. Instead, use a comparison website like RATESDOTCA to find the best pricing quickly.
3) Buy a less expensive vehicle: The type of vehicle you buy affects your insurance rate. Stick to cheaper makes and models, and this can help you save money. Also, steer away from vehicles that tend to be stolen more, as this can raise your insurance premium.
4) Customize your policy: Take the time to review your policy and decide whether you should increase or decrease the amount of coverage you have. For instance, if your car is only worth $1,000, does it make sense to pay hundreds of dollars a year for collision coverage? It might not be the right coverage for you, especially if you also have a deductible.
5) Increase your deductible: A deductible is money you pay out of pocket for a claim before your insurance company's coverage kicks in. For instance, if your claim is worth $2,000 of damage to your car and you have a $500 deductible, you pay the first $500, and your provider pays the remaining $1,500. But are you willing or able to keep $1,000 in an emergency fund and commit to a higher deductible? Raising your deductible can lead to a lower annual premium, which can add to savings over time.
6) Install winter tires: Winter tires are a great investment to stay safe when temperatures drop. But did you know they can also save you money? Depending on your insurance provider, drivers in Stratford can get a discount of 5-15% when they install winter tires.
7) Telematics: Are you willing to let your insurance company monitor your driving? Downloading a telematics app can save you up to 30% on your car insurance, provided you're a safe driver who avoids speed or checking your phone while you drive (the app will monitor these behaviours).
Here is everything you need to know about Stratford car insurance.
Car insurance premiums are customized for each person and are based on several variables, including your driving history, car type, and how far you commute daily. Every car insurance company prices risk in its own way. So, while one insurance provider might categorize you as a risky driver based on its formula and offer you a higher premium, another company might deem you less risky and offer you a lower one. So, unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. The best thing you can do is to ensure that you compare insurance rates on a website like RATESDOTCA so you can quickly see who's willing to offer you the best rate.
The best car insurance company is the one willing to offer you the best price combined with good service. We can’t simply name one company and suggest you go with them. Instead, you need to shop the market so you can see the best price being offered to you. A website like RATESDOTCA can help you see the lowest price available. Once you get a quote, you'll be connected with a broker or agent from that insurance company. This is a great time to ask questions and get a sense of their service level.
Most car insurance companies offer an annual premium, which can be paid upfront once a year or in monthly installments. Alternative forms of insurance include pay-as-you-go insurance, an emerging form of insurance (for instance, CAA offers this), or short-term car rental insurance.
Auto insurance is available for new drivers, whether you're recently licensed or whether you've moved here from another country. Remember that those with little or no driving history pay higher insurance premiums, as insurance providers view you as a higher risk than those with long, safe driving histories. Your insurance rate will typically decline as you build up your driving history, provided you maintain a clear record. One way to start building your insurance history, especially if you're a new, young driver, is to be listed as a secondary driver on the policy of a more experienced driver, such as a parent.
Yes, car insurance companies in Stratford offer ride-sharing insurance. However, this is a specialized product. You must inform your insurance provider if you're driving for a ride-share company. If your insurance company doesn't offer such coverage, compare rates online using a site like RATESDOTCA or work with an insurance broker to find a company that can cover you.
*Shoppers in Stratford 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.
Joel Kranc is a freelance writer and content provider who has worked with RATESDOTCA since 2019. He holds an MA in political science from the University of Toronto and a film certificate from New York University.
He has been published in and worked for such companies as CNN, Rogers Media, Institutional Investor Magazine, The Globe and Mail, Infrastructure Investor, BenefitsPRO Magazine, Global Finance Magazine, With Intelligence, the CPP Investment Board, Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan, and many more financial services and industry publications.
He is the author of "Retirement Planning in 8 Easy Steps," which, when released in 2015, was No. 11 on the Publisher's Weekly US Bestseller List for Business and Finance, beating out Mark Cuban's "How to Win at the Sport of Business."
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