Car Insurance Toronto

Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario. It is one of the most diversely populated cities on the map of Canada. It is a commercial, cultural and financial hub and was incorporated as the City of Toronto as early as 1834. This city is host to the headquarters of the biggest banks in Canada, media moguls, and a stock exchange amongst others. It is situated in the southern part of Ontario on a plateau. It boasts of a skyline dotted with skyscrapers and is home to the CN Tower, one of the tallest buildings on earth.

The car insurance premiums are pretty high in a big city like Toronto. There is no escape from the law and if you are a motorist in Ontario, you have to carry active car insurance. Or you may have to face some serious concerns when you get pulled over by the police. There are a few provinces with the government-run insurance industry. But, the insurance industry is privatized in Ontario, and regulations are followed as per FSCO. The insurance market is very highly competitive as there are many choices available for auto consumers. It really depends on a combination of factors when it comes to quoting car insurance premiums. Basically, the type of car, driver profile, location of work, and daily commute are some criteria used by insurers to arrive at the magic figure.

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Toronto

The formula followed by each car insurance company in Toronto may vary. Some insurers may quote similar figures. While there are a few quotes that are way too high for an average motorist. We did a comparison of insurance quotes by some prominent insurance companies in Toronto. The difference in premiums from the highest quote to the lowest quote for car insurance was a staggering $2,527. Yes, that is a 53% range in variation.

Most Expensive Auto Insurer in Toronto

The highest quote for car insurance in Toronto was by Echelon at a whopping $4,751 average per year. You could only imagine how much could be the total annual operating costs if you insure with Echelon and even when you drive a clunker. They do offer commercial, auto, and motorcycle insurances apart from others. They do provide insurance to the residual high-risk consumers who had been quoted high premiums by Facility Association. That may be one of the reasons to tip their quotes to the higher side of the dollar. Echelon is the insurance company you may prefer if you have got a higher quote or been denied by others.

Cheapest Auto Insurer in Toronto

The best quote was offered for car insurance by Coseco at $2,224 per year.  This insurer does offer 10% to 15% multi-product discounts. With a driver training program, you may save up to 20%. The difference in quoted premiums between Coseco and the next lowest insurance amount is $36 per year and is a very close margin. So the auto consumer may consider other factors such as customer care, claims process, etc. while deciding on their insurance company between the two.

Cost of Car Insurance in Select Toronto Neighbourhoods

Most Expensive Areas in Toronto

Rexdale is the most expensive town in Toronto in terms of auto insurance premiums. The high occurrence of crime in this area proves to be a major factor. The major communities in Rexdale are Clairville, The Elms, Smithfield, Humberwood, and Thistletown. The theft crime rate in the Elms area of Rexdale is as high as $5,000 per capita.

Followed closely in terms of insurance cost is Jane and Finch in Toronto at an average rate $2246. It seems you pay dearly for not living in an upscale area. Jane and Finch’s area is considered a low-income area with major diversity. This town is a depiction that insurance companies do hike car premiums based on income per capita, though they deny that.

Least Expensive Areas in Toronto

The Yonge and Eglinton area in Toronto has the lowest quotes for car insurance per year at $1,296. There are many mid-rises, high-rise condos, and the sidewalks are getting busier by the day. This area is fast developing and would be a major transit hub by 2020. This area pretty much serves as a bridge between Downtown and the suburbs. York Mills area follows closely at an average annual car insurance rate of $1,335. This is a postal code that denotes affluence and upscale living.

Road Safety & Tips For Driving In Toronto

The City of Toronto has been making conscious efforts to enhance road safety. This will reduce fatality and injury due to accidents.  The below road safety measures are in effect among others:

• Pedestrian Accessible Signals that will aid those with mobility assistance
• Improvements geared towards geometric safety
• Transportation Safety Local Improvements Program
• Traffic Calming
• Annual Program for Sidewalks Capital
• Reducing speed Limits and Local and Collector Roads in TEY

Future Road Safety Plans by City of Toronto

• The increasing rate of collisions and injury has led to a revisit of the city’s road safety plans for the upcoming years. The budget that could be increased is for safety plans over 5 years.
• There are plans to lower speed limits in many busy traffic areas. The speed limits may be reduced in high crash zones by at least 10 km per hour. These new speed limits may be effective in 14 identified corridors for pedestrians from 2016 to 2017.
• Especially 20 school zones have been identified to reduce speeding. These zones will have radar signs installed to ensure adherence.
• There may be modifications to road planning to improve safety on dangerous intersections. These may include changing the curb radii to increase safe turns. Markings pavements would be made with better durability to ensure clarity.
• Enforcement would be very strict for those found speeding over the limit and unsafe driving. Widening lanes, warning surfaces that are tactile are also aimed at the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and runners.
• Crossing times and frequencies would be increased for better pedestrian safety. There would also be more crossovers and safety zones for senior citizens.
• MTO will work together with Rider Training Institute to ensure motorcyclists follow road safety signs at all locations including those with high crash rates.

KSI Collisions in Toronto, 2005-2015

When we look at statistics for collisions in Toronto that were serious injuries and fatal, the trend does have a downward slope over a decade. From 558 in 2005, there has been an improvement at 348 in 2015. Albeit, at just 210 less reported road safety does have lots of room for improvement. On the other hand, the fatality has risen from 52 to 65 despite many measures to educate safe driving. The only high variance seems to be for reported major injury due to a collision that went from 506 to 283 which is a 44% improvement in that category. When we compare the data of 2014 with 2015 it seems disappointing with all three components of major injuries, fatalities, and seriously injured on the high. Let’s hope that the city initiatives for better road safety would bring in better numbers for the coming years.

KSI Collisions by Road User, 2011-2015

The majority of collisions that caused serious injury and fatalities involved pedestrians at 45% based on data over a period of 5 years. This seems to be the reason for targeting better road and pavement markings, pedestrian crossing times, and safety with lower speed limits in current and proposed road safety plans by the city of Toronto. Followed closely at 31% is the data for motor vehicle accidents. The enforcement has been stricter than ever towards distracted driving and heavy penalties geared at educating the motorists to drive safe and better. Increasing corner radii, more lane space, radar signals at school zones are some of the efforts made for better road habits for motorists to bring down the numbers.

Areas of Risk – Pedestrian Collisions in 10 Years 2005 to 2014

Criminal Code Driving Statistical Report for Toronto

Criminal offenses for impaired driving have been alarming high for a span of 4-5 years. It has been on the rise since 2008 with 1259 convictions that rose to 1374 in 2012. When looking at data for 2012, the DUI criminal convictions at 1374 were 74% more than the convictions for dangerous driving at 380. This is despite the fact that hefty fines and suspension of license are more rampant for impaired driving. So, it is high time that enforcement makes more result-oriented strategic plans for driver safety towards reducing DUI instances.

Motor Vehicle Theft Statistics in Toronto

The number of motor vehicle theft data reported over a period of the past 8 years has been reducing in Toronto as per the above graph. The mid of 2008 saw the numbers drop to just over 6000 which is below the median. Since then it reached 4479 in 2010 and continued to drop to 3509 in 2012. It could be a result of stricter enforcement that is deterring thieves. Or it could be the anti-theft sensors and alarms that most motorists prefer to install in their vehicles to prevent theft. As the insurance industry does not seem too lenient towards high-risk theft-prone clients, there could be increased awareness to cut down costs.

FAQ About Toronto Car Insurance

How Much Is Average Car Insurance In Toronto For New Drivers

You may have to consider insurance while buying a car as a new driver in Toronto. It would make no sense to buy a fancy car and then regret the cost of insurance. The rates could be in the average range of $300 to $500 per month in Ontario. The average car insurance cost could be on the higher tip of the scale in Toronto. This depends on factors such as the kind of car, location of residence and work, driving experience, etc.

Drivers under the age of 25 are more prone to accidents and violations as per the statistical analysis. So, it is no surprise that the age group of 16 to 24 years pays higher premiums. It’s just based on the insurance logic that the cost of cover needs to be proportional to the risk of the insured. The following factors reflect this calculation:

• Driving Experience

  – New drivers lack driving experience and are more risk-prone.

• Claims

  – The ratio of at-fault accident claims by new drivers is much higher.

• Insurance History

  – Absence of insurance history does prove to be a deciding factor.

Why Is Car Insurance In Toronto So Expensive

The competition is very stiff in the auto insurance sector in Ontario. The industry is regulated by FSCO and is home to more than 100 private insurers. The only positive aspect seems to be the wider selection and quality that auto consumers get to choose from. On the downside, insurance rates could be more subsidized when under a government undertaking. Many industry analysts do believe that private car insurance in Toronto is a rip-off and could be a result of a highly paid broker/agent nexus.

This is not good for auto consumers as the brokers then try to sell a lucrative auto policy rather than find the best match. The overhead costs of having a fancy head office, computer system, labor etc. do lead to the private insurers hiking the premium rates. With widespread insurance fraud in Toronto, the insurers get another reason to charge more premiums.

How To Reduce Car Insurance In Toronto

In order to reduce the premium rates in Toronto, drivers could pay attention to a few options. Checking with the insurer for any kind of discount may help to cut the costs as follows:

• Driver Education Program

  – By getting trained by a Ministry-approved driver training program, you may be able to get a discount. You may have to provide your insurer with your Driver’s License History Report from the Ministry Of Transportation of Ontario as proof of training. Graduating from G1 to G2 to a full G licensing could get you some insurance discounts at each level.

• Student Discount

  – If you have good scores in school, let your insurer know that. You may get good premium rates assuming that you follow the same discipline in minding the rules of the road too.

• Multi-Product Discount

  – You may save on your insurance premiums if you are able to bundle your car insurance with the regular home or car insurance of your parents. This may lower the overall insurance premiums for your household.

• Loyalty Discount

  – Most insurers provide loyalty discounts to long-term customers to retain business that could get you some savings.

• Clean Record

  – If you are able to keep a clean, claims-free driving record for more than 3 years then you may get a discount.

• Insurance History

  – If you are listed as an occasional driver on your parent’s policy, you may build some insurance history that could give you a discount when you get a new policy.

• Kind of Car

  – A lot of the insurance rates depend on how fancy is the car you drive. The cars that are less likely to be stolen are considered safer to be insured.

• Usage-Based Insurance

  – This is an option where the drivers could use a telematics device to ensure safe driving habits. The mileage, driving behavior, etc. are monitored and could save some money. For a trial of up to 7-9 month period, you may gain savings by adhering to safe driving and rules of the road.

• Multiple Quotes

  – You may consider using our car insurance calculator to get competitive quotes from multiple insurers in just a few clicks. Our calculator would get you the best deal by staying ahead of the competition and matching your budget with your insurance needs.

Is Car Insurance Cheaper Outside Toronto

In Toronto, the cost of owning a car, gas, parking can all be much higher compared to other cities within the province. The cost of insurance also does not come cheap as rates could be as much as 40% to 50% higher. You may definitely notice a decrease in your car insurance premiums when you move out of the Toronto area, considering all other factors stay the same. Other cities are less populated and the risk of theft is also lower, resulting in cheaper car insurance rates outside Toronto.

Is Car Insurance Mandatory In Toronto

If you wish to drive a car in Toronto, it is mandatory to carry an active car insurance policy with at least standard coverage.

Is It Possible To Get Car Insurance For One Month In Toronto

There are no insurers who provide temporary car insurance in the province including Toronto. The shortest available car insurance policy term would be for 6 months.

List Of the Best Car Insurance Companies In Toronto

Some of the major players in the car insurance industry of Toronto include :

• Allstate
• Aviva
• Axa
• Belair Direct
• Co-operators
• Desjardins Group/State Farm
• Dominion of Canada
• Economical
• Intact
• RBC
• Royal & Sun Alliance Group
• Wawanesa
• Western Assurance Company

Methodology

For the purpose of the survey, we assumed that the car insurance rates are based on our sample driver who is a 35-year-old man. The credit is excellent with the car-owned and basic liability coverage. He drives a Honda and the model is Civic built-in 2012. The mileage per year is around 6000 – 8000. Commuting for work purposes is the main usage. He does not have any tickets or collisions on the driving record for the period of the last 5 years.

Insurance quotes shown here are examples only. The lowest cost insurance provider depends on numerous factors related to the car, driver, location, and driving conditions. There’s no guarantee that the lowest rate provider in these examples produces the lowest rate for every driver.