How much do you use your car? The more kilometres you drive annually raises the risk of getting into a car accident, therefore, you’ll pay a higher premium. There are many financial and personal benefits to be had by driving less and ways you can reduce your insurance bill.

You may be young with no kids and no mortgage. Life insurance is for someone older, who has dependents right? Wrong. Let’s debunk life insurance myths and learn why everyone needs some form of coverage.

Canadians love to get outside and enjoy the summertime. Make your summer fun a memorable one by being prepared and following these safety tips.

While we still need to be mindful of the COVID-19 crisis and any provincial and territorial health-related restrictions that may be in place, taking to the open road to explore the raw, natural beauty of our country is an experience like no other. Here’s a few tips to consider when planning your cross-country road trip.

In June, the Toronto Police will resume its routine on-street parking enforcement and residential on-street permit violations. The cost of a parking ticket in Toronto can range between $30 and $450 depending on the infraction. Here are ways to avoid getting tagged.

The heat of summer can impact your vehicle’s performance. Before you take a road trip during the warmer months, here’s how to ensure your wheels are ready to roll and avoid a possible breakdown.

DC-PD is one of four mandatory components to every basic car insurance policy in Ontario. It expedites an auto claim by making it possible for drivers who are not at fault for a collision to be compensated quickly without having to wait. Here’s what you should know.

You might think cancelling the insurance coverage on your vintage auto or motorcycle when you’re putting either into storage will save you money, but by doing so, you’re exposing yourself to significant financial risk.

Though townhouses are similar to condominiums, the type of property insurance you need lies in the definition of your dwelling and its ownership.

Drivers in Ontario who are convicted of excessive speeding, stunt driving, street racing, and aggressive driving face expensive fines, as well as longer driver’s licence suspensions and vehicle impoundment periods with the ushering in of new legislation.

Your provincial health insurance program may not pay for medical expenses you incur if you need hospitalization or emergency care outside of your home province. Here’s why buying a domestic travel insurance policy makes sense.

There's more to towing something behind your car than attaching a trailer hitch. Ensure you have the insurance coverage you need to keep your summer fun and worry-free. Here’s what you should know.

Accident forgiveness provides policyholders with an extra layer of protection. If you are found to be at fault for an accident, and it’s your first, adding this rider to your policy means your insurer will forgive you for the collision and not increase your premium.

After a one-year hiatus, Ontario’s drivers have voted in CAA’s annual campaign identifying the worst roads in the province, and there’s a new “winner” at the top of the list.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority published its rate change decisions for May. Find out if your insurer was approved to increase or decrease its rate.

As a cyclist, you must share the road with other vehicles and obey all traffic laws. But if you’re convicted of a traffic violation, will it impact your licence, and in turn, the auto premium you pay? Here’s what you need to know.

The Ontario Provincial Police and the Toronto Police issued thousands of tickets to motorists during the annual road safety awareness campaign, with speeding and driving without a seatbelt the most frequent offences.

As more of the Canadian population get COVID-19 vaccinations, travelling may be on people’s minds as summer nears. However, separate surveys reveal most Canucks intend to stick close to home this summer and many favour the use of vaccination passports to travel by air.

Not only will regular maintenance help keep your vehicle roadworthy and extend its life, but it can also help you avoid breakdowns, or worse, an accident.

Motorists with spotty driving records may have a tough time finding affordable auto insurance. Here’s what you can do about it.

Choosing your auto insurance coverage deductibles can be tricky. Do you go low or high? There are trade-offs either way. We wanted to see what motorists in Ontario and Alberta who’ve filed claims decided versus those who haven’t to see how things stack up.

Loaded with pricey precious metals, thieves are stealing catalytic converters from vehicle exhaust systems to make a fast buck. Does your auto policy cover you if you’re a victim of such a crime? Here’s what you should know.

Sexy, stylish, fast and super-fun to drive, if you're in the market to buy a sports car, there's more to consider than the horses under the hood. Find out which high-performing two-seaters appeal to Canadians the most.

If your vehicle is jet black, canary yellow, cherry red or hot pink, will it impact how much you pay for car insurance?

The photo radar cameras continue to rake in cash for the city at the expense of drivers who don’t obey the speed limit.

In a time when the weather appears to be changing and storms becoming more severe, it’s prudent to protect your greatest asset – your home – with the right policy.

If you intend to take a road trip for the May long weekend, here are five road safety tips to keep in mind before shifting to drive.

With COVID-19 vaccinations ramping up nationwide, many Canadians may be eyeing a summertime road trip when it’s safe to do so. If your plans involve travelling outside of your home province, here are some things to think about before you hit the road.

COVID-19 isn’t a major factor affecting the cost of a home policy but what the pandemic has done is shine a light on the need to ensure you are fully covered for any unexpected circumstance.

Racing your car when driving on public roads is a big no-no. If you’re busted for stunt driving or street racing, the consequences can be harsh.

A new C.D. Howe Institute report finds the amount of money Canadians pay for insurance is “at the high end” of what consumers in most other developed nations pay.

Buying a used vehicle tends to be cheaper than buying new, and they usually feature a lower insurance premium. But be aware you may need to pay more maintenance and repair costs to keep an older, previously owned car humming.

Seatbelts save lives and wearing one is also the law. What would happen to your car insurance rate if you are convicted of not wearing a seatbelt?

Racking up parking violations and not paying them off in a timely manner comes with a cost. Find out how unpaid parking tickets may affect you.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority published its rate change decisions for April. Get the details on whether or not your insurer was approved to increase or decrease its rate.

An increasing number of auto insurers are extending or reintroducing their customer care packages for motorists who are driving less during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out if your insurer is on the list.

More than 10,000 Brampton residents have signed the City of Brampton’s "Fair Deal for Brampton” online campaign, which calls on the provincial government to fulfill its promise to standardize auto rates across Ontario.

Learn surprising ways home insurance protects you, including identity theft, spoiled food, stolen bicycles and vandalized gravestones.

Sometimes, good drivers with claims-free histories see their rates increase. There are reasons beyond your control for that. Nevertheless, the benefits of having a spotless driving record are inarguable.

Being a caregiver is time-consuming and it can create financial stress. Here’s what you can do to offset those costs and where you can get help.

Do you and your family have an action plan and emergency survival kit in the event a natural disaster impacts your community? Follow these steps and always be prepared.

With excessive speeding and stunt driving on the climb in Ontario since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government is aiming to crack down on drivers whose reckless driving behaviours put others at risk.

Certain traffic convictions can influence the car insurance rate you get for years. How much convictions may cost you depends on the seriousness of the violation.

A word to the wise: do not assume anything when it comes to your insurance coverage. Taking the time to understand what your auto and home insurance provides can help avoid an unpleasant surprise if you need to file a claim.

Drivers in Ontario who cruise along either highways 412 or 418 won’t need to worry about being charged a toll to use them up until May 31, 2023, the province announced recently.

Getting into a collision is a stressful experience. Minimize stress and confusion by learning about what to do if you are in an accident and need to file an auto claim.

Poor road infrastructure has a noteworthy impact on the cost of maintaining and repairing our vehicles. Ontarians incur $88 and Albertans $64 per year in extra costs because of the state of our roads, a CAA nationwide study reveals.

Severe weather caused $2.4 billion in damages in Canada in 2020. Even if you’ve never made a claim on your home insurance, your premium can rise. Here are a few ways you might be able to mitigate those costs.

While having an SUV can lead to higher insurance rates, there are ways to save money on the premium you pay. Get the scoop on what you can do to reduce your insurance bill.

Collision. Crash. Accident. Fender-bender. Whatever you call it, here’s what to do if get into a collision.

CAA South Central Ontario's annual Worst Road campaign is back, and the insurer is asking drivers in Ontario to nominate the road they think is the most unpleasant to travel.

The Toronto suburb of Mississauga will introduce Automated Speed Enforcement cameras to its streets in an effort to get drivers to slow down. Here are the details.

See the Automobile Insurance Rate Board’s latest rate-filing decisions for the first quarter of 2021 to find out if your insurer is increasing or decreasing the cost of insurance.

Frequently referred to as “other than collision” coverage, comprehensive car insurance is an optional type of protection that covers the cost of damages resulting from things such as a natural disaster. Here’s what you should know.

Minor traffic convictions may result in a relatively small increase in your premium, while serious violations can result in a significant increase. Here’s what to do if you are charged with a traffic violation.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority published its rate change decisions for March. Get the details on whether or not your insurer was approved to increase or decrease its rate.

Travelers Canada, Dominion, and Chieftan auto policyholders in Ontario will get a rate decrease between 3% and 10% to help them weather the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 stay-at-home orders reduced traffic volumes and collision claims in 2020, but road fatalities hit historic heights in Ontario, and the cost to repair vehicles continues to rise. What’s it all mean insofar as the cost of your auto policy goes?

In 2020, Canadians lost $107.5 million to fraud. Data suggests 78% of Canadians feel vulnerable as a target for online fraud but many of us don’t know what to do about it. Here’s what you should know.

Ontario is the second-most expensive province in Canada for car insurance. There are a few reasons why that is.

In general, the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium payment is. But choosing high deductibles simply to decrease your premium may not be the way to go. Here’s why.

The provincial government says it will table new legislation designed to enhance standards and improve safety when getting your vehicle towed. Get a refresher on what your rights are if you need a tow.

Ontario drivers who are Aviva policyholders will see their premiums reduced by up to 20% when they apply for a new policy or renew their existing policy.

Canadian drivers carrying a car insurance policy with Intact and belairdirect can apply for one month’s worth of premium relief to help them cope with the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your auto policy’s third-party liability coverage protects you if the car you’re driving injures or kills someone or damages someone’s property and you are at fault. But do you have enough liability coverage? Here’s what you should know.

The insurer says it’s giving its new and existing Ontario car insurance policyholders a 15% discount on a 12-month term.

Auto insurance premiums change frequently. When your policy is up for renewal, checking to see if you can get a better rate for your coverage needs might save you a fair bit of cash.

Talk of establishing some form of a digital immunity or vaccination passport around the globe and in Canada is ratcheting up. How would proof-of-vaccination documentation affect the cost of a travel insurance policy? Here’s what we know so far.

Get insight into what a basic Ontario or Alberta car insurance policy includes, as well as its restrictions, limits, and deductibles.

T.O.’s Automated Speed Enforcement cameras are photo-capturing thousands of drivers who speed through the city’s community safety zones. All 50 cameras will be moved to new locations in May.

Clocks spring forward one hour on March 14, 2021, at 2 a.m. The routine maintenance on your home and car should be done twice a year, so what better time to start checking items off your list?

Buying a new car isn’t cheap and it will depreciate in value once you drive it off the dealer’s lot. That’s why purchasing Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance from the dealership or adding a waiver of depreciation to your auto policy to cover a total loss makes sense. But which option is the best?

Canadians who are eager to take a weeklong trip away from home might want to think twice. If you do decide to travel in March or April, here’s what you should know.

A survey by the Insurance Bureau of Canada finds many condo dwellers don’t know if they’re properly insured. Find out what you’re covered for and where there may be gaps.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority published its rate change decisions for February. Get the details on whether or not your insurer was approved to increase or decrease its rate.

Safety-conscious drivers rejoice: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says 90 vehicles earned either its Top Safety Pick+ or Top Safety Pick award this year. That’s a heck of a leap from the 64 vehicles it recognized one year ago.

When drivers think about why they pay as much as they do for car insurance, the cost of fraud may not spring to mind, but insurance fraud costs Canadians $1 billion to $2 billion annually. Learn how you can protect yourself.

Thanks to the digital age, you can still file a home or auto claim or get a home inspection done despite the ongoing pandemic. Here’s what you need to know.

Right-of-way determines which driver has the right to proceed first through an intersection. But it isn’t always obvious. Here’s what you need to know.

If you are 50 years of age or older, have a clean driving record and no history of collisions, you may be eligible for a premium discount.

Motorists who sign up for usage-based insurance have the opportunity to earn discounts for demonstrating safe-driving habits. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority said it will allow insurers to impose surcharges on those with risky driving habits.

The Ontario Provincial Police published new rules outlining what tow truck drivers’ responsibilities are when responding to a towing request from the OPP in the Greater Toronto Area. Know what your rights are whether you request a tow or if the police order your vehicle to be towed.

When unexpected things happen on the road or at home, your insurance coverage can help you pay for damages and recover quickly. But what can you claim? Take the RATESDOTCA quiz and find out.

Changing your residential address can trigger changes to your car and home insurance costs. Here’s what to look out for and how to reduce your overall insurance bill.

Ontario’s car insurance regulator published its rate change decisions for January. Get the details on whether your insurer was approved to increase or decrease its rate.

Driving without insurance anywhere in Canada is illegal. The financial and personal consequences you may face for doing so can be life-altering.

Get a breakdown of what your statutory accident benefits coverage are in Ontario, as well as the minimum coverage limits, and the options to up your protection.

Making sure the insurance company can confirm your driving and insurance history is an important step before purchasing a policy. That’s where a letter of experience may help tilt the odds in your favour.

The seemingly mild winter much of Canada has been enjoying to date may be about to end. Get ready to bundle up and adapt your driving habits for icy driving conditions.

See the Automobile Insurance Rate Board’s latest rate-filing decisions for the fourth quarter of 2020 and find out if your insurer is increasing or decreasing the cost of insurance.

The average auto insurance premium in Toronto is $2,201 per year, up by 12.9% since 2018. Some Torontonians pay more than others depending on where in the city they live. Look up the average auto insurance rate where you live using your postal code with our Insuramap online tool.

In 2018, the average Ontario auto insurance premium was estimated to be $1,473 per year. In 2020, and according to RATESDOTCA’s Insuramap, the average premium is approximately $1,616 annually.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority wants to make consumer protection stronger by defining what is unfair or otherwise harmful to consumers. The regulator is seeking the public’s input on its proposal.

The type of vehicle you drive can influence the cost of your car insurance. But by how much? We wanted to find out by looking at the vehicles motorists in Alberta and Ontario drive who’ve had at least one at-fault collision, and what the impact is on premiums.

Getting set for winter is an annual tradition in Canada. In addition to pulling out the ski jackets and insulated boots, here’s how to prepare your house for when the temperature drops.

Data suggests distracted driving behaviour appears to be on the increase among Canadian drivers of all ages. With Canada’s annual National Safe Driving Week campaign underway, motorists should take stock of their habits behind the wheel and learn to avoid the temptation of interacting with their mobile phones while driving.

The term ‘no-fault insurance’ is confusing. Does it mean no one is to blame for a car accident? Not exactly. Find out how no-fault insurance works in Ontario.

Home insurance covers a broad range of risks your dwelling may face. But sometimes, strange or unexpected things happen. Here are a few unusual circumstances that your policy may cover, and the factors insurers look at when calculating your premium.

Some insurers and airlines are offering travel insurance policies that includes coverage if you are stricken by COVID-19. But plans vary, and not all policies may cover expenses incurred if you are required to quarantine in another country. Here’s what you should know.

Albertans have been waiting for months to learn what the Automobile Insurance Advisory Committee’s research shows. Now they’ll have until mid-2021 to find out whether or not the government will overhaul how auto insurance works in Alberta.

More than 65% of injuries and deaths in Ontario are attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning annually. Here’s how you can keep your family safe.

The Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB) in Alberta gave several insurers the green light to increase their auto rates in the third quarter of 2020. Here’s what you need to know.

As Canada’s National Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off, a new RATESDOTCA survey of young drivers uncovers some alarming results when it comes to distracted driving.

Renovating or re-modelling your digs can be exciting but take the necessary steps to avoid disappointment and protect yourself before reaching for the hammer and nails.

An alarming number of 18- to 24-year-old drivers report driving while high or getting into a vehicle with a motorist impaired by cannabis. Cannabis can affect a motorist’s judgment, decision making, and reaction time, which increases the risk of getting into a collision.

If you see a solid red lane painted on a street in T.O., steer clear of driving in it. The painted red lanes denote buses and bicycles are allowed to use them, but not vehicles.

Also known as photo radar, more municipalities in Ontario are installing automated speed enforcement cameras in community safety zones to get drivers to slow down.

Many insurers may classify vaping in the same way they do smoking. If you smoke or vape, you can still qualify for a life insurance premium, but in all likelihood, you will pay a higher rate than someone who does not.

The coronavirus pandemic and Canada’s economic shutdown is shifting Canadians’ attitudes on how and where they work that will reverberate long after government restrictions ease, a new Rates.ca survey finds.

Natural Resources Canada warns the wildfire season will be well above average this year. Find out how you can mitigate the risk to your home and property.

Although Canada records more than 4,000 earthquakes each year, earthquake insurance is not typically included in a standard home insurance policy.

Flooding is the most significant peril facing Canadian homeowners. Most home insurance policies don’t include flood coverage. Here’s how you can try to mitigate that risk.

If you find yourself in an uncomfortable financial position because of COVID-19 and can’t pay your monthly insurance bill, here are ways you can proactively manage the situation and avoid your insurance from being cancelled.

Driving less and looking for ways to save money on car insurance during the coronavirus pandemic? Consider these eight suggestions.

These are extraordinary times for Canadian travellers. Find out what you need to know about how the COVID-19 virus may impact your travel insurance and travel plans.

Insurers wish to use consumer credit scores when calculating auto rates because it may be an indicator for them to determine the level of risk a driver poses.

Whether you’re heading stateside or any popular travel destination to escape winter’s wrath, don’t make the mistake of thinking your provincial health care plan will protect you if you suffer an injury or get sick.

As severe storms erupt across Canada more often, consumers may find their home insurance rates increasing, or they may face challenges finding coverage for their properties altogether.

One out of every four fatal collisions in Canada involves a distracted driver. A distracted driving conviction may increase your auto insurance by as much as 25%.

An Insurance Bureau of Canada comparison of auto insurance premiums in B.C. and Alberta shows most drivers in B.C. pay higher premiums for similar coverage than drivers in Alberta.

The goal of driver-assist technologies is to make our roads safer, so why aren’t auto insurance rates decreasing?

There are plenty of plan options to choose from that will help you when you need it. But how should you decide which roadside assistance program to join?

Get the lowdown on how a collision or fender-bender in a parking lot can affect your auto insurance rate.

The cost of private passenger car insurance is going up in Alberta, in some cases by as much as 30%.