Compulsory car insurance coverage in Kenora
Each Canadian province sets the rules and regulations surrounding car insurance. In Ontario, the provincial government has made it mandatory, which means failing to obtain car insurance puts you in breach of the law. As such, buying auto insurance is of the utmost importance. If caught driving without it, you can be fined up to $25,000 for a first offense and up to $50,000 for a second offense.
Further, not just any car insurance will do in the province of Ontario. There are specific types of coverage that must be included in your policy. We delve into these types of coverage below, all of which were made compulsory to ensure the safety of all drivers, passengers, and cars on the road. Please note that Kenora car insurance is mandatory for all drivers, no matter whether you own, finance, or lease your vehicle.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage is a key component of any car insurance policy in Ontario. This type of coverage protects you against the cost of accidental injury or property damage, should you be involved in an accident that you are at fault for. Liability coverage can help cover the costs of medical expenses for injuries and repairs for damaged vehicles, as well as any applicable legal fees. In Ontario, drivers are required to carry $200,000 in third-party liability coverage at all times.
Direct compensation
Direct compensation coverage comes into play if you get into an accident where you are not at fault. If such a situation occurs, you can contact your insurance company directly and receive compensation to cover the costs of any injuries suffered or property damage incurred.
Uninsured automobile coverage
Uninsured automobile coverage aims to protect you, as well as any passengers in your car, should you get into a collision with an at-fault driver who is uninsured or underinsured.
Accident benefits coverage
If you, a passenger, or a pedestrian requires medical attention following a collision, accident benefits coverage can help cover the costs. No matter which party was at fault for the accident, this type of coverage can be claimed. However, it’s important to note that most policies have a limit to the amount of accident benefits coverage that can be claimed, so be sure to understand this before purchasing your policy.
Factors that affect Kenora car insurance costs
Calculating insurance premiums is far from simple. Insurers consider all kinds of factors when determining your auto insurance rate. Your age, marital status, driving record, past claims, annual mileage, and more, all come into play when buying car insurance. So Kenora drivers are prepared when shopping for car insurance, we’ve compiled a list of common factors that affect insurance premiums:
- Where you live and work
- Age
- Driving experience
- Driving record
- Make and model of vehicle
- Past claims
- Annual mileage
- Prior insurance coverage
- Your deductible
- Local laws
- How you use your vehicle
- Marital status
How to lower the cost of auto insurance
Although purchasing car insurance is a smart decision, it can be costly to do so. The cost of auto insurance is not insignificant and can be especially high for young drivers, those with poor driving records, or those who live in urban areas. That said, there are several ways Kenora drivers can save money on auto insurance. We’ve put together a list of 8 ways to get cheap car insurance in Kenora below.
- Purchase car insurance for more than one vehicle (savings of up to 20%)
- Bundle insurance policies (i.e. buy home insurance + car insurance or leisure insurance (cottage, ATV, boat) + car insurance etc…) and purchase them 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
Tips for young drivers in Kenora
Though driving for the first time can be an incredibly freeing experience, it can also be scary. After all, driving can be dangerous if you fail to obey the rules of the road. That is why practice and formal driving instruction are crucial to young drivers. You can find a few tips to help young drivers be more confident on the road below.
Attend driving school
Our first tip for new drivers? Attend a driving school. There is nothing more beneficial than receiving formal driving instruction from a professional. Most driving schools in Ontario offer a mix of in-class lessons and practical in-car experience. This combines the best of both worlds, ensuring new drivers learn the rules of the road before getting behind the wheel. Driving schools are known to produce quality drivers with safe and responsible habits. Plus, attending driving school can significantly reduce your insurance premium.
Leave extra space
As a young driver, space is your friend. Whenever you’re on the road, always leave extra space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. The recommended distance is two car lengths, however, this should be increased if travelling at higher speeds, such as on a highway. The more space you leave, the more time you have to make decisions, and the less likely you are to get into an accident.
Drive slowly
Tip #3? Drive slowly. This is a good rule of thumb for all drivers. Take your time on the road. There is no reason to rush and doing so only increases your odds of getting into an accident. Drive the speed limit (or slower when driving in inclement weather), and get into the habit of accelerating, braking, and turning at reduced speeds.
Check your mirrors
Drivers should be aware of their surroundings at all times, and the best way to achieve this is by checking your mirrors. Every few seconds, take the time to glance into your rear-view and side mirrors. This will inform you about the whereabouts of other cars on the road.
In addition to using your mirrors to understand which cars are behind you in all lanes, be sure to scan ahead of you as well. Rather than keeping your eyes on the vehicle in front of you, scan left to right to keep track of the vehicles in all lanes.
Let your insurance broker do the work for you
Make shopping for car insurance a hassle-free experience by partnering with a trusted and reliable insurance broker like BrokerLink.
Let BrokerLink’s team of insurance advisors do all the heavy lifting. While you sit back, relax, and spend your free time exactly how you want to be spending it, they’ll be browsing coverage options and comparing quotes on your behalf.
At the end of the day, you can always count on BrokerLink to find the perfect car insurance policy for you.
Receive a free car insurance quote today
Want to learn more about Kenora car insurance? We can help!
A member of the BrokerLink team is always on hand to chat with you about your car insurance options. Whether you prefer to contact us by phone, online, or in person, we promise to help you find an auto insurance policy that meets your needs.
BrokerLink is also pleased to offer free quotes to all Kenora drivers. So if you’re curious to find out your unique car insurance rate, get in touch today.
What are you waiting for? Contact us today to learn more about Kenora auto insurance and receive a 100% obligation-free quote.
Get an auto insurance quote [phone]
