The Best Car Insurance Rates. Hands Down.

No! All registered vehicles in Canada must have insurance, as required by law. If you own and drive a vehicle in Ontario, for example, you are required to take out a basic car insurance policy that includes four types of auto insurance. Vehicle owners in Ontario who do not carry valid auto insurance can be fined anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. You also risk having your license suspended and your vehicle impounded, not to mention facing sky-high insurance rates in the future.

Insurance companies consider several factors when calculating your insurance rate.

• Vehicle type: The type of vehicle you drive impacts the premiums you pay. Different vehicles are associated with different risks including their likelihood of being stolen, how much they cost to repair, their safety rating and features, and claims history. There is also some perceived behavioural risk associated with different vehicles. Insurers are more willing to offer low rates to drivers with “sensible” vehicles. As a result, when shopping for insurance, you might notice your dad’s 10-year old minivan suddenly seems more appealing.
• Commute distance: How much you drive will also affect your premiums, which is why you are always asked to provide your anticipated vehicle usage when obtaining a car insurance rate. The more you drive, the higher the chance that you could be involved in a motor vehicle accident, and the more you will have to pay for insurance.
• Driving history: Individuals with a clean driving can expect to pay lower premiums than those with tickets and/or accidents on their record. The number of years you have had a licence also matters.
• Demographics: Where you live makes a difference. Areas with higher occurrences of theft and collisions result in higher premiums. Your age can also come into play. Drivers who are 25 years old or older will generally pay less to insure a vehicle. This is based on data that shows that younger, less experienced drivers are more likely to be involved in traffic collisions.
• Coverage type: The larger the scope of the coverage and the higher the coverage limits you choose, the more you will pay for insurance. The deductible, which is the portion that you must pay out of pocket following a claim, is also important in the calculation of your insurance premium. If you are willing to take on more risk with a higher deductible, the insurer will offer a cheaper rate.
• Discounts: Most insurance companies will provide you with discounts if you meet certain criteria. For example, if you have winter tires, or if you have more than one vehicle, you may be eligible for discounts. When you get quotes with RATESDOTCA, we ask the same questions as the insurers do to ensure you are getting the lowest possible price.

RATESDOTCA is currently available to drivers in Ontario and Alberta.

RATESDOTCA makes it easy for you to get an accurate auto insurance quote. You will be asked to provide basic information about yourself that will help insurance companies determine your premium. All we need is:

• Your age, gender and marital status.
• Your name and address, and names of any other drivers in your household.
• Your vehicle make and model.
• Number of years you have held a licence.
• Your insurance claims history.

Oh, and don’t worry, RATESDOTCA values your privacy, and will never sell your personal information. Your info will remain safe, secure, and protected.

What you see is what you get. The auto insurance quotes you receive are accurate, based on the details you provide. A representative from the insurance company will confirm your information before issuing a policy. As long as your details stay the same, so will your rate.

A deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay in the event of a claim before the insurance coverage kicks in. A driver with a $500 deductible and $2,000 in damage resulting from an accident will pay $500 out of pocket while the insurance company covers the remaining $1,500. Think of a deductible as your share of the repair cost.

Your deductible will also determine your policy premium. The higher the deductible you are willing to pay, the lower your insurance rate will be.

There are many ways to save on your car insurance! Here are some tips to help you bring down the cost:

• Take a ministry-approved driver’s education course
• Bundle your home and car insurance with the same company
• Increase your policy’s deductible
• If you have an older vehicle, consider removing collision coverage
• Maintain a clean driving record
• Reduce your annual mileage by walking, cycling or taking transit
• Compare rates annually, it’s the easiest way to save!

RATESDOTCA partners with over 50 top insurance companies in Canada, more than any other comparison site. Our partners include Intact, Aviva, Wawanesa, Jevco, Allstate, and Echelon, to name a few. See our full list of insurance partners here.