Vehicle owners in Toronto must adhere to auto insurance rules set by the province of Ontario. It is illegal to drive without a valid car insurance policy, which must include third-party liability, statutory accident benefits, DCPD, and uninsured automobile insurance. If desired, Toronto drivers can buy optional car insurance products over and above standard coverage.
Toronto insurance operates under a 'no-fault' system. After a collision, each driver deals with their respective insurance company, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
It is important to note that Toronto auto insurance operates under a private insurance model. Toronto car owners must buy insurance from private companies. You can purchase insurance from brokers, agents or providers directly (also known as direct writers). Competition is good for Toronto drivers, as it helps to keep premiums down.
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Cheapest Rate | $2,959 |
Average Rate | $3,972 |
Savings: $1,013 (26%) |
Cheapest Rate | $5,606 |
Average Rate | $8,654 |
Savings: $3,048 (35%) |
Cheapest Rate | $1,836 |
Average Rate | $2,467 |
Savings: $631 (26%) |
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. |
Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DC-PD) | Covers damage to your car, or loss of use of your vehicle, if someone else is at fault. Must involve another insured vehicle. | For additional vehicle coverage, including for when you are at-fault, consider collision coverage. |
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. | Coverage limits can be increased. |
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 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 16: Suspension of coverage | Optional | This allows you to suspend your insurance coverage for 30 days or more during periods when you aren't using the car. |
OPCF 43: Waiver of depreciation | Optional | Ensures your insurance company won't factor in depreciation when settling a claim; you will receive the amount you initially paid for the car. |
OPCF 44R: Family protection coverage | Optional | Ensures your costs are covered if you and your family are involved in an accident with a driver with less liability insurance than you. This endorsement will cover the remainder. |
OPCF 13C: Limited glass | Optional | For a lower premium, you can limit or exclude any coverage for glass damage that might've been in your policy. |
OPCF 40: Fire and theft deductible | Optional | Adds a deductible (an amount you must pay before your insurance company chips in funds) for a theft or fire damage claim. |
Savings: $197
Driver: Female, age 39, Toronto, ON
Driving: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze 4DR
Current Rate: $1,969
Cheapest Rate: $1,772
Savings: $265
Driver: Male, age 49, Toronto, ON
Driving: 2016 BMW 550
Current Rate: $2,912
Cheapest Rate: $2,647
Savings: $419
Driver: Male, age 21, Toronto, ON
Driving: 2012 GTI Hatchback 2DR
Current Rate: $2,946
Cheapest Rate: $2,527
Savings: $538
Driver: Female, age 62, Toronto, ON
Driving: 2011 Nissan Sentra SE-R 4DR
Current Rate: $2,292
Cheapest Rate: $1,754
Savings: $202
Driver: Male, age 34, Toronto, ON
Driving: 2017 Honda Civic 4DR
Current Rate: $2,983
Cheapest Rate: $2,781
Savings: $496
Driver: Female, age 31, Toronto, ON
Driving: 2016 Kia Optima EX 4DR
Current Rate: $2,304
Cheapest Rate: $1,808
According to the 2023 RATESDOTCA Insuramap data, the average premium paid by an Ontario driver is $1,744 per year or $145 per month. This is significantly lower than what a driver would pay in Toronto, where the average premium sits at $2,235 per year, or about $186 per month.
Auto insurance premiums depend on several factors, including your age, gender, car, driving record and your address in Toronto. Given that Toronto has more car accidents and car thefts than most of Ontario, there are more people filing claims here, which is likely what’s keeping those premiums high.
Premium changes on the individual level can also be a result of changes in your specific circumstances, such as moving to a new location, purchasing a new vehicle or being issued a speeding ticket.
Toronto's average auto insurance rate is the second highest in Ontario, sitting at $2,235 per year, according to the RATESDOTCA Insuramap data. If you've been hunting for the cheapest car insurance rate, you might have noticed already that rates vary from one neighbourhood to another. That’s not your imagination. Insurers do, in fact, sort their premiums based on postal codes, or more specifically, the first three characters of a postal code – also known as the forward sortation area (FSA) – which denote a particular district.
In 2023, neighbourhoods with the following FSAs have the cheapest average car insurance premium in Toronto:
Both neighbourhoods are located slightly to the north of the downtown core and have a good number of quiet residential neighbourhoods, with relatively little traffic and low crime rates. This means that fewer people file insurance claims here, whether it’s due to a car accident, theft or vandalism. The other reason for the lower rates is that more people avoid driving here altogether, opting for walking, biking, TTC and taxis instead.
A Toronto neighbourhood that boasts the second-lowest premiums is located in the Davenport area. In fact, its annual car insurance rates are only marginally higher than those in found in Eglinton-Lawrence or Toronto-St. Paul’s.
The third-lowest premiums are also to the north of the downtown core, skewing slightly to the east. These areas have significantly higher premiums than the ones listed above, being much more reflective of the average for the whole city.
Ontario automobile owners pay the most expensive premiums compared with other provinces in Canada. The town or city you live in significantly impacts your insurance rates. Smaller, rural municipalities are considered low risk as opposed to urban centres.
Despite this, Toronto, an attractive destination for many newcomers, does not have the highest average auto insurance premium in Ontario. As of 2023, it’s the second most expensive city for auto insurance in Ontario, right behind Brampton, according to the RATESDOTCA Insuramap data. The rest of the GTA is not too far behind, with Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Vaughan occupying third, fourth and fifth spots, boasting the rates of $2,311, $2,188 and $2,158, respectively.
GTA drivers paid 72% more than rural drivers in Ontario, according to the province’s car insurance regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). As of October 2022, rural drivers paid $1,306 per year for car insurance, while GTA residents paid $2,245.
If you look at auto insurance prices overall, you’ll notice that from December 2020 to June 2022, they’ve been steadily declining – only to start seeing an upswing at the end of 2022. That’s because the COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted from 2020 to early 2022, has led to fewer people driving, and thus, fewer accidents and claims filed. In 2023, car insurance prices have continued to increase – not only because more people were driving again but because of the rising inflation rates.
As for your best defence against increasing car insurance prices? Regularly shopping around and comparing rates will ensure you're still getting the best deal on your auto insurance. However, your city isn't the only thing that impacts your rate (even if it is a major contributor). Your personal driving and insurance histories and the car you choose contribute to the premiums you're offered and are all things you can control.
Region | As of Oct 2022 | As of Jun 2022 | As of Mar 2021 | As of Dec 2020 | As of Jun 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ontario | $1,674 | $1,659 | $1,651 | $1,665 | $1,664 |
GTA | $2,245 | $2,214 | $2,223 | $2,246 | $2,252 |
Other Urban | $1,590 | $1,564 | $1,564 | $1,573 | $1,566 |
Rural | $1,306 | $1,282 | $1,289 | $1,295 | $1,286 |
Auto insurance companies consider many factors when calculating your premium rate, and no two drivers would have the same rate being offered. Here are some of the main factors that insurance companies consider when calculating car insurance rates in Toronto:
Saving on car insurance is easier than you think. These 10 tips help ensure you’re getting the cheapest Toronto car insurance rate:
InsuranceHotline.com shoppers in Toronto saved an average of $1,286* on their car insurance premiums by comparing car insurance quotes from over 50 insurance companies in Canada.
If it fits your budget, increase your deductibles from $500 to $1,000 to save on your Toronto car insurance.
A single annual payment can help the insurance company reduce the administrative fees associated with charging and processing monthly payments.
You can save anywhere from 5 to 15% off each policy when you bundle your home and car insurance under the same insurance provider, which means you're getting the cheapest Toronto car insurance and the cheapest Toronto home insurance too. Simply select the bundling option when completing your home or auto quote to unlock these savings.
Save 10 to 20% when you insure all your vehicles under the same policy.
Let your insurer know if you have winter tires. A winter tire discount could save you about 5%.
Renewal time is the best time to save as you won’t have to pay a penalty for terminating your policy early. Compare rates annually and get rid of coverages you no longer need.
Allow your insurer to monitor your driving habits and they will reward you with a reduced rate, sometimes as much as 25% off the standard price.
You’re a savvy city-dweller, but don’t be afraid to ask about discounts you might be eligible for, including alumni and claims-free savings.
Are you a new driver, or is your child almost ready to take the wheel? Consider an accredited driver’s education course to save on Toronto car insurance.
Your key to savings is finding the car insurance company that offers you the cheapest available rate. Busy families don't have time to call the plethora of Toronto car insurance companies to get multiple quotes. This is why getting instant online Toronto car insurance quotes saves you time and money. Compare multiple quotes from over 50 trusted Canadian insurance companies in the same amount of time it takes to get just one quote.
*Represents the average saved by Toronto, Ontario, shoppers who obtained an auto insurance quote on InsuranceHotline.com and transacted via our contact centre between January and December 2022. The average savings amount represents the difference between the shoppers’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third lowest quoted premiums generated by InsuranceHotline.com.
Here are some of the most common questions we get about car insurance in Toronto.
The best way to find the cheapest car insurance is by shopping around and comparing quotes by insurance providers. Insurance Hotline allows you to compare quotes to see multiple quotes side by side and determine if you could get a cheaper rate.
Every insurance company analyses driver risk slightly differently. The company willing to offer the lowest premium is different for everyone, and the cheapest company for you will change as your driver profile changes. This is why it pays to shop around. Compare quotes on InsuranceHotline.com to see multiple quotes.
Car insurance premium depends on the area you live in, driving patterns in that area, and claims frequency. The more likely you are to make a claim, the more an insurance company will charge for coverage. For Torontonians, the city is home to many factors that make claims more likely.
Toronto contains some of the busiest roads in Canada (Highway 401 is the busiest in North America), and your chances of a collision go up with more cars.
On top of this, Toronto is a large city and the chance of your car being stolen, or broken into, is higher than in less populated places.
Finally, insurance fraud is a real problem in the GTA, with some unscrupulous drivers participating in staged auto collisions or filing fraudulent claims to get unwarranted payouts.
If you are struggling with the cost of car insurance, read our 10 tips on getting the cheapest insurance in Toronto.
Toronto's insurance rates are decided by private insurers, who adjust their rates in response to the number and manner of claims they have been receiving. If there have been more collisions in your neighbourhood, you can expect your premiums to increase. In Ontario, rate changes are regulated by a body called the Financial Services Regulatory Body (FSRA).