Car Insurance in Guelph

Is car insurance mandatory in Guelph, ON?

Yes, auto insurance is mandatory throughout Ontario, including Guelph. Auto insurance is provincially regulated in Canada, which means each province and territory has its own regulations surrounding car insurance. Ontario has made auto insurance compulsory and has stipulated that all car insurance policies must comply with the minimum coverage requirements set by the province. For example, one such requirement is that Ontario drivers must carry a minimum of $200,000 in third party liability coverage at all times.

To purchase auto insurance in Guelph, drivers must have a valid driver’s license. You may also be asked to provide a driver’s abstract (a record of your driving history), as well as basic information about any other people who may be driving your car, such as your spouse or teenage child. To learn more about mandatory car insurance in Ontario, contact a Guelph insurance broker today.

Driving without car insurance in Guelph, Ontario

As car insurance is mandatory in Ontario, driving without insurance is a criminal offense. If caught driving uninsured anywhere in Ontario, including Guelph, you could face hefty fines.

More specifically, Ontario drivers can be fined between $5,000 and $25,000 for a first offense and between $10,000 and $50,000 for a second offense. Plus, there is an extra surcharge that the driver is also required to pay.

Driving without car insurance in Guelph is illegal and not worth the risk. To avoid the risks that come with uninsured driving, purchase a valid car insurance policy and remember to renew it annually or purchase a new policy before your current one expires. For help finding Guelph car insurance that’s right for you, BrokerLink is here.

Standard auto insurance coverage for Guelph drivers

At a minimum, Guelph motorists must buy a standard car insurance policy that meets the coverage requirements set by the province of Ontario. Standard auto insurance policies in Ontario consist of the following four types of coverage: third party liability coverage, accident benefits coverage, direct compensation - property damage coverage, and uninsured automobile coverage. We outline each of these mandatory coverage types below.

Third party liability coverage

Third party liability coverage provides legal protection if a driver injures another person or causes property damage to another person’s property. Under this portion of your policy, you can receive compensation to pay for medical expenses associated with injuries or repairs of a damaged vehicle, as well as legal fees and settlements up to the coverage limit.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Direct compensation - property damage coverage protects an insured vehicle and its contents from the costs of property damage, so long as the policyholder is not at fault for the accident that caused the damage. Under this type of coverage, the insurer typically provides direct payment for the repair or replacement of your vehicle. To be eligible for direct compensation coverage in Ontario, the accident must meet the following criteria: it occurred in Ontario, it involved multiple cars, and it involved at least one car that participates in the province’s car insurance program.

Uninsured automobile coverage

Uninsured automobile coverage is also included in all standard car insurance policies in Ontario. It was designed to protect you and any passengers in your vehicle if you get into an accident with an at-fault driver who is uninsured or underinsured. This type of coverage also protects the driver in the event of a hit-and-run. Uninsured automobile coverage can be used to help pay for the costs of injuries, car damage, lost wages, and more.

Accident benefits coverage

If you, a passenger, or a pedestrian requires medical attention following a collision, accident benefits coverage can help. Protection is offered regardless of who was at fault for the collision and can help cover loss of incomes, medical expenses, such as prescription medications, physical therapy, or rehabilitation, and more.

Optional car insurance coverage for Guelph drivers

The standard car insurance coverage in Ontario only includes the coverage types that are required by law. However, there are several optional coverage types that Guelph drivers might be interested to learn about. Though not compulsory, they may be worthwhile for a wide range of drivers. A few of the most popular additional coverages are listed below.

Collision coverage

This type of coverage protects the policyholder if they get into an accident with another vehicle or object on the road, no matter who is at fault for the accident. Under the collision coverage section of your policy, you can receive compensation to help pay for any property damage that resulted from the accident, such as a damaged car.

Comprehensive coverage

For peace of mind, many Guelph drivers choose comprehensive coverage. While standard auto insurance coverage in Ontario offers protection against collisions, it does not protect drivers from other circumstances on the road. That’s where comprehensive coverage comes in. If you choose to include comprehensive coverage in your Guelph car insurance policy, you and your vehicle can be protected against theft, vandalism, water damage, fire, and more.

Accident forgiveness coverage

One last optional type of coverage popular among Guelph drivers is accident forgiveness. This type of coverage is strongly recommended for new or high risk drivers as it prevents the insurance company from raising your rate after your first at-fault accident.

How insurance premiums are calculated in Guelph

Insurers consider a wide variety of factors when calculating insurance premiums. Some of these factors are within a driver’s control, like the make and model of their vehicle or their claims history, while others are not, such as their age. Not all insurance companies weigh these factors equally, which is why shopping around for car insurance is so important. BrokerLink’s insurance advisors are experts at shopping for car insurance and can help find you the best policy at the best price. In the meantime, we think Guelph drivers would be interested to know the biggest factors that affect car insurance rates in Ontario, including:

• Where you live (and work - if you drive to work)
• Age
• Make and model of vehicle
• Past claims
• Annual mileage
• Driving experience
• Driving record
• Prior insurance coverage
• Your deductible
• Local laws
• How you use your vehicle
• Marital status

How to get cheap car insurance in Guelph, Ontario

No one should pay more for Guelph car insurance than they have to. Luckily, there are several ways you can find affordable auto insurance in Guelph, Ontario. From buying an eco-friendly vehicle to bundling multiple insurance policies together, a list of BrokerLink’s top tips and tricks for saving money on car insurance is below:

• Purchase car insurance for more than one vehicle from the same provider (savings of up to 20%)
• Buy multiple insurance policies (home insurance, business insurance, leisure vehicle insurance, etc.) from the same provider (savings of up to 15%)
• Install winter tires on your vehicle (savings of up to 10% in Ontario)
• Purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle (savings of up to 5%)
• Increase your deductible
• Enrol in driving school (for young drivers)
• Pay car insurance annually rather than monthly

Consult with a Guelph insurance broker

If budget is a top concern, we recommend contacting a trusted insurance broker in Guelph from BrokerLink. Since 1991, the BrokerLink team has been dedicated to finding car insurance policies that meet the needs and budgets of our customers. We are experts in all things Canadian car insurance and can ensure you receive the most competitive rate on your Guelph policy. BrokerLink’s insurance advisors will also unlock discounts on your behalf and let you in on the industry’s best-kept secrets for saving money on car insurance. For quality Guelph car insurance that doesn’t break the bank, get in touch with BrokerLink today.

Three tips for young drivers in Guelph

Driving can be exciting and stressful at the same time. For young drivers, it might represent newfound independence, but getting used to the road can also be overwhelming. To help young drivers hone their skills and adjust to their new lives behind the wheel, we’ve compiled the following three tips.

Avoid distractions

Avoiding distractions behind the wheel is crucial to driving safely. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents, so when you are in the driver’s seat, try to refrain from eating, drinking, chatting with others, fiddling with the radio, or searching for something in your bag. Adjusting the GPS, channel surfing the radio, and texting your friend should all be reserved for when the vehicle is parked and the engine is turned off. To avoid getting into an accident, concentrate on the road at all times.

Leave extra room

Young drivers should always give themselves ample space on the road, two car lengths to be specific. Maintaining a distance of two car lengths between yourself and the vehicle in front of you is a good rule of thumb to follow. However, this distance should be even greater when travelling at high speeds, such as on a highway, or in inclement weather when brake times could be delayed. At the end of the day, the more space between you and other vehicles, the less likely you are to get into an accident.

Check your mirrors

Drivers of all ages should be aware of their surroundings on the road. To do this, you should check your mirrors regularly. Glancing into your rear-view and side mirrors every few seconds will make you aware of any cars behind or beside you. Further, when looking out the windshield, scan all lanes ahead of you, don’t just fixate on the one vehicle directly in front of you. Being aware of all vehicles and hazards on the road will allow you to make the smartest decisions as a driver.

Compare car insurance quotes with the help of a Guelph insurance broker

As you now know, car insurance is mandatory in Ontario, but just because it’s mandatory doesn’t make it easy to shop for. In fact, shopping for car insurance can be tedious and time-consuming, which is why we recommend enlisting the help of a broker.

Working alongside a reputable insurance broker at BrokerLink makes shopping for car insurance easier than ever before.

From start to finish, your BrokerLink insurance advisor will do all the heavy lifting. While you’re spending your free time exactly how you want to be spending it, we’ll be browsing coverage options, unlocking discounts, and comparing quotes on your behalf.

Our insurance advisors can also help you understand the mandatory coverage requirements in Ontario and offer their unbiased opinion on the best Guelph car insurance policy for you.

Get in touch for the best auto insurance in Guelph

Want to learn more about Guelph car insurance?

The BrokerLink team is available to take your calls, answer your emails, or chat with you in person at one of our many locations throughout Ontario.

No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you.

BrokerLink is also pleased to offer free car insurance quotes to all Guelph drivers. Obtaining a free BrokerLink quote is your first step in finding the best auto insurance policy for you.

Contact BrokerLink to start your Guelph car insurance journey today.

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