Car Insurance FAQ

There are many factors that insurance providers take into consideration before quoting you a price for an insurance policy, such as:

• your age

• your gender

• where you live

• what kind of car you drive

• how much you use your car

• your driving record

• your claim history

• the type of coverage you choose

• the amount of your deductible

Depending on the policy you choose, your car insurance could help cover repairs on your car if damaged or in an accident, as well as liability claims if you're held responsible for an accident that causes damage to property.

An insurance policy covers an automobile and its drivers or passengers in the event of a claim (accident, theft, vandalism or other damage) as outlined in the policy.

Car insurance coverage is the maximum amount of money the insurance company will pay you if you make a claim for a loss or an event covered by your policy.

A premium is the amount you pay monthly or yearly to keep your car insured.

If you own a vehicle in Canada, you are legally required to have the mandatory coverage such as liability, accident benefits, direct compensation-property damage and uninsured auto. You should also have adequate optional collision and upset coverage and comprehensive coverage to protect your property in case of loss.

Liability can cover costs resulting from injuries to a person or damage to someone else's property with your car.

Accident benefits can provide coverage of payment for income replacement, medical payments, and other financial assistance if you are injured in a car accident. Options to increase these benefits are available.

Direct compensation may cover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, and may provide you with a rental car, if you're in an accident that isn't your fault or only partly your fault.

Uninsured auto may cover you and any other passengers in your vehicle for injuries. It may also cover damage to your vehicle by a driver who doesn't have insurance, or a hit-and-run driver. In Ontario, you can only make a claim under this coverage if the other vehicle and/or driver can be identified. If the driver or vehicle can't be identified, this coverage doesn't apply but there still may be benefits for injuries and/or collision under other parts of your policy.

We recommend $2 million liability coverage on your car insurance.

$1 million liability has been standard on many car insurance policies for some time, with the number of payouts exceeding this amount continuing to increase year over year.

We don’t want to put our clients in a situation where they don’t have enough coverage when they need it the most.

That’s why we recommend increasing to $2 million liability - it’s typically only a few extra dollars each month.

Get a free online quote now.

We'll make sure your online quote includes all the mandatory coverage legally required in your province.

You can also select optional coverage based on your individual needs.

Our licensed Insurance brokers are here to answer all your questions. To start this discussion, complete your free online quote now.

Here are some common endorsements that can be added to your car insurance policy:

Coverage for Transportation Replacement: Loss of Use

If your vehicle is in the shop due to an insured claim, you can be reimbursed up to your limit for a rental car, taxi cab, or whichever form of transportation you need to get around.

Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Autos

If you rent a vehicle anywhere in Canada or the U.S., this policy can help provide coverage for any damage up to your limit.

Limited Waiver of Depreciation

In the event you are in an accident which causes the full loss of your vehicle within the first few months you own it, you can be reimbursed for the purchase price rather than the depreciated value of the vehicle.

Accident Waiver

Your first at-fault accident is forgiven, which means that it will not be reflected in your driving record.

Conviction Protector

Your first minor conviction (such as a speeding ticket) is forgiven, which means that your premium will not increase as a result of that minor conviction.

Please note that endorsements are not available from all insurance providers and that policy holders must meet certain requirements to qualify for them.

There are several things you can do to help lower your car insurance costs:

Work on your driving record

Here's an easy and effective way to bring down your insurance costs: build a consistent accident and conviction-free track record with an insurance company.

Choose your automobile wisely

We recommend you do your research before you invest in a new car. Read consumer reports and check with your insurance company to find out which cars tend to be targets for theft and vandalism. If you purchase a car with a high theft rate, your premium could be higher.

Adjust how you use your car

By adjusting the way you use your vehicle, you could bring down the cost of your insurance rates. If you live in a metropolitan area: can you take the subway, train or bus to work? Has your job changed, or have you moved recently? Do you use your automobile to drive a short distance to work? Does your vehicle get used for low annual kilometers?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be entitled to lower insurance costs.

Choose a higher deductible

If you choose a higher deductible up front, in many cases your premiums will be lower.

Consider Telematics

Telematics-powered car insurance is a form of policy in which insurance companies rely on in-car tracking devices to monitor your driving habits and tendencies. This can earn you discounts based on your safe driving habits.

Don't forget our licensed Insurance brokers are here to answer all your questions. To start this discussion, complete your free online quote now.

If a vehicle is not listed, it's likely that is because it’s brand new and hasn’t been added to our quoting system yet.

To continue with your free online quote, select the same or closest model of the previous year. Then, when you are confirming your rate with one of our licensed Insurance brokers by phone, they can update the year of your vehicle and inform you of any rate adjustments.