Many people want to save on car insurance in Canada, and so they wonder if the price of car insurance is up for negotiation. Below, we answer the question, “Can you negotiate car insurance?” and provide some expert-approved tips on ways that you can pay less for auto coverage.
Can I negotiate car insurance rates?
The short answer? No. Auto insurance rates are not negotiable. Unlike when you buy a car or home, you are not allowed to negotiate your auto insurance premium. If you try, we guarantee that you will have no luck doing so. This means the premium you are assigned by an insurance company is the premium that you will have to pay if you choose to buy coverage from that provider. Car insurance companies use complex and precise risk calculation formulas to assign premiums to customers. These formulas take into account a multitude of factors, such as a driver’s age, claims history, location, and vehicle type, in order to come up with a rate that correlates with their risk level. Thus, the rate that you receive will be tailored to you and is not up for negotiation.
Understanding how car insurance companies calculate rates
To help you understand why car insurance isn’t negotiable, let’s consider the various factors that an insurance company will take into account when calculating your rates:
- Where you live
- Age
- Gender
- Vehicle type
- How you use your vehicle
- Driving record
- Driving experience
- Past claims
- Prior insurance coverage
- Number of kilometres you drive
- Type of coverage on your policy
- Your deductible
- Your policy limits
- Credit score
As you can see, there are a lot of different factors that influence car insurance rates in Canada. This is also a general list, which means some car insurance companies may take into account even more factors than this. It is also important to note that each insurance company weighs each factor differently, which is why you might pay different amounts for the same coverage at different providers.
For this reason, the BrokerLink team always recommends shopping around for insurance coverage if you want to get the best right. Your licensed and dedicated BrokerLink insurance advisor will take the time to reach out to several insurers in your province in order to determine which one offers the best price for the coverage you want. Plus, if you want to know how much car insurance costs, all you have to do is request a free quote from BrokerLink. All quotes are complimentary, reliable, and accurate.
Tips for lowering car insurance costs in Canada
If you want to save money and lower your car insurance premium in Ontario, there are several steps you can take:
Compare quotes from more than one insurance company
First, take the time to compare quotes from more than one car insurance company. Again, since each insurance company uses its own risk calculation algorithm, you might be surprised to discover that you receive varying quotes from different insurance companies. This is common. Therefore, you should always do your due diligence and reach out to multiple insurance companies before making a decision. If you don’t have the time or energy to do this, ask BrokerLink for help. It’s our job to shop around for you and then give you a professional opinion on the right policy for your needs.
Increase your policy deductibles
Premiums are impacted by deductibles, so choose your policy yours wisely. In other words, don’t simply choose the lowest deductible right off the bat. Instead, consider choosing a higher deductible, which can lower your premium. So, although you will have to pay more money in the event of a claim, you won’t have as much money leaving your pocket upfront. Plus, if you drive safely and avoid any incidents, you may never have to file an insurance claim. In this scenario, choosing a high policy deductible could save you a lot of money down the road.
Consider low mileage insurance
If you are an occasional driver, then you might want to ask a broker about low-mileage insurance. This type of insurance is designed for those who spend a below-average amount of time on the road. If you think you qualify for this type of coverage, call BrokerLink today. We can explain how low-mileage car insurance works, what annual mileage you need to qualify, and how much money you can save by switching to this type of insurance plan. Generally speaking, low mileage insurance plans cost far less than regular plans since you spend less time on the road and are thus less at risk of getting into a collision.
Review your policy before renewing
Insurance plans must have various types of coverage, limits, and deductibles. However, as the policyholder, you can choose what many of these coverages, limits, and deductibles are. If you wish to modify any aspects of your policy, doing so when it is up for renewal is the most convenient option. So once a year, when your car insurance plan renews, take the time to assess your coverage carefully.
Consider whether the same coverage from the previous year still works for you or if you can afford to make some changes. Certain changes - namely, raising deductibles, lowering limits, and removing coverage - can result in a drop in your insurance premium. To learn more about how to modify your policy so that you can save money on car insurance, contact BrokerLink.
Pay for your car insurance policy annually
Paying for your car insurance policy annually is another way that you might be able to save money on insurance. The reason for this is that some insurance companies charge extra to customers who opt for monthly payments. The extra charge is usually in the form of transaction or administrative fees. Therefore, paying for your policy once upfront might be cheaper than paying for it in monthly installments.
Become a better, safer driver
Our second last tip for saving money on car insurance is to drive better and safer. Why? This increases your odds of maintaining a clean driving record, and your driving record significantly impacts how much you pay for car insurance. The cleaner your record, the cheaper your rates will be. On the other hand, if you engage in reckless or distracted driving, you are far more likely to get a ticket or be involved in a collision, both of which can increase your rates.
Choose a safe and reliable car
If you are in the market for a new car, consider one of the cars with the lowest insurance rates. Although the car you drive alone will not determine your premium, it does come into play. Insurance providers like to see when a customer drives a safe, reliable, and economical car. Vehicles with high safety ratings are less likely to get into accidents, and if they are involved in accidents, they are less likely to suffer severe damage. Meanwhile, cheaper cars are more affordable to insure since the replacement and repair costs will be less. Alternatively, if you choose a high-end luxury SUV or a fancy sports car, you will likely pay more for auto coverage.
Save money by qualifying for a car insurance discount
Another way that you can pay less for car insurance is by qualifying for a discount. There are all kinds of auto insurance discounts out there, from winter tire discounts to driver’s education discounts. We outline a few of the most popular options below:
Driver’s education discount
A driver’s education discount is the first type of discount that might be applicable to your situation. You should let your insurance company know if you recently completed a driver’s education course, whether it was a defensive driving course or an introductory course. They might be willing to offer you a discount on your car insurance rate due to the valuable skills and knowledge you just acquired. Driver’s education discounts are most often applied to young or new drivers, and they can make a big difference considering how high premiums are for new drivers in Canada.
Winter tire discount
A winter tire discount is a second type of discount that you might be interested in. As the name suggests, you can qualify for this discount in certain provinces simply by installing snow tires on your car. Just make sure that all four snow tires are the same model and that you have them installed on your car by the date set by your insurer.
Insurance bundling discount
Insurance bundling is another option if you want to save money on car insurance via a discount. Insurance bundles do not apply to every type of insurance product, but they usually apply to car insurance, home insurance, and recreational vehicle insurance, among others. If you also need another type of coverage, buy them both from the same provider, and they might be willing to bundle them together for you. Insurance bundles or packages are almost always cheaper than buying two or more separate policies.
Multi-car insurance discount
Qualifying for the multi-car insurance discount is relatively straightforward. All you have to do is buy multiple car insurance policies from the same provider simultaneously. So, if you have two or more cars in your household, ask an insurance company if they will bundle your policies together, and you could save.
Hybrid and electric vehicle discount
Did you know that driving a hybrid or electric vehicle could result in a car insurance discount? It’s true! Insurance companies across Canada now offer discounts to motorists who drive eco-friendly cars as a way of motivating people to reduce their emissions and go green.
Get in touch with BrokerLink to find out more about car insurance costs and how to reduce yours
If you are concerned that you are paying too much for car insurance or simply wish that you were paying less for it, reach out to BrokerLink today. Although auto insurance premiums are not negotiable, there are still ways that you can lower your rates. A BrokerLink insurance advisor can provide all kinds of tips and advice on ways that you can save money on auto coverage. We can also ask about the different auto insurance discounts out there, if any apply to you.
Plus, through our meticulous research, we will make sure that you always get the most competitive rate for your policy. No matter what type of auto insurance you’re looking for, we’ll help you find it, and that includes:
Contact BrokerLink to request a free car insurance quote. This is the best way to begin your car insurance journey, and all BrokerLink quotes are entirely complimentary!
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