Car Insurance in Ottawa

Car insurance rates typically start to drop after a driver gains 10 years of accident free driving experience. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. This is because car insurance premiums depend on tons of factors beyond age. These include gender, driving record, claims history, location, local laws, local weather events, etc.

Renewing car insurance in Ottawa is relatively simple and can be done by getting in touch with your provider or broker. Either type of insurance professional can help you renew your policy. Nowadays, car insurance plans in Ottawa can usually be renewed online, over the phone, or in person.

Typically, yes. If you cause a car accident, your insurance rates are likely to go up the next time that your policy is renewed. If this was your first at-fault accident and you have accident forgiveness coverage, then your rates may stay the same since insurance providers do not raise your rates if you have this type of coverage. It is worth noting that if you get into an accident and are not found to be liable, then your rates may not change at all.

No. Even if you have comprehensive car coverage in your Ottawa car insurance policy, it is unlikely to cover you. Comprehensive coverage will cover you if your vehicle is stolen but not if non-permanent items are stolen from your car. For instance, if personal belongings, such as a smartphone, laptop, or wallet, are stolen from your vehicle, your comprehensive coverage may pay for any necessary repairs that result from the break-in. However, it will not pay to replace the items that were stolen. Further, if your policy does not feature comprehensive coverage then even the damage related to the theft will not be covered. It is worth noting that comprehensive coverage may cover you if a permanent or built-in component of your car is stolen, like the steering wheel, catalytic converter, or stereo. For coverage for these personal items, it may be worthwhile to ask your home insurance provider if they will cover the replacement of these items.

Yes, you must hold a valid driver’s licence in Ontario if you want to buy car insurance in Ottawa. One of the first pieces of information that an insurance agent will ask for is your driver’s licence. You will also need a licence in order to register your vehicle in the province, which is also required to drive legally.

An Ottawa insurance broker can help drivers find all kinds of car insurance coverage. This includes mandatory coverage in Ottawa, like third party liability coverage and accident benefits coverage, as well as optional coverage. For instance, an insurance broker can help you find a policy with accident forgiveness, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, loss of use coverage, or waiver of depreciation coverage.

You can find cheap car insurance by buying multiple auto insurance policies at the same time or bundling home and auto insurance policies. Other tactics that can help you save money on car insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, installing winter tires on your car, completing a driver’s education course, choosing high deductibles, and getting rid of coverage you no longer need. You can also try to qualify for hybrid or electric car discounts, employment-based discounts, telematics discounts, group insurance discounts, and more.

If someone has an accident in your car, your insurance probably applies. This is because insurance follows the car, not the driver. So if a friend accidentally rear-ends the vehicle in front of them while driving your car, it is your third party liability coverage that would likely apply.

Yes, speeding tickets can impact car insurance rates in Ottawa. These tickets tend to stay on a driver’s record for three years, which means your rates could be higher for three years due to a speeding ticket. The number of speeding tickets on your record, as well as the severity of the speeding ticket and how many kilometres above the speed limit you were travelling, can influence how much your rates go up.

This answer is different for each driver, as insurance rates vary significantly between policyholders. Ultimately, the amount that you should pay for car insurance in Ottawa depends on factors like your claims history, age, driving record, gender, home address, and the type of vehicle you drive. To get a free Ottawa car insurance quote, reach out to an insurance broker.

There isn’t one type of car that is cheaper to insure than all others in Ottawa. If insurance rates were solely based on the type of vehicle being insured, then this might be the case. But the reality is that insurance rates are dependent on many other factors beyond the make and model of your vehicle. Thus, if you are looking to receive the best rate possible on your Ottawa car insurance plan or want advice on how to reduce your premium, contact an insurance broker near you.

Shopping for car insurance is available to anyone! Individual drivers can choose to shop for car insurance on their own. However, they can also ask a broker to do it for them. Insurance brokers act as middlemen between insurance companies and customers and can help drivers shop around and find quality policies.

A few of the different types of car insurance available in Ottawa, Ontario include the basics like third party liability coverage, accident benefits, and uninsured automobile coverage. On top of this, customers can purchase extra protection like direct compensation, collision, comprehensive, accident forgiveness, loss of use, waiver of depreciation, and roadside assistance coverage. Ultimately, there are car insurance policies for all types of drivers, from high-risk drivers to first-time drivers.

Ottawa winters bring dangerous driving weather, like snow and ice. Snowy and icy roads are more slippery, increasing your risk of collisions. To help ensure you're protected on the road during Ottawa's winters, consider adding or maintaining collision coverage to your policy. Also, don’t forget that many insurers offer insurance discounts if you use winter tires every year.

Yes. Car insurance rates can differ based on your postal code. Drivers living or working in densely populated areas like Sandy Hill may have higher premiums than those living in suburban areas like Kanata due to increased traffic (which means a higher risk of accidents) and theft risk.

Yes, as long as your car insurance policy reflects your regular commute. Just make sure your Ottawa car insurance broker knows about your cross-border driving, especially if you park in Quebec regularly, as it may affect your insurance rates or coverage needs.

Some of the more common car insurance claims in Ottawa include rear-end collisions during the winter or due to traffic congestion, as well as weather-related damage like hail or flooding. An increase in car thefts has also been a concern in many Ottawa neighbourhoods, including Gloucester-Southgate, Bay Ward, and Rideau-Vanier.

Yes. Some auto insurance companies offer group discounts to federal employees. Be sure to ask your insurance broker if you're eligible through your workplace or union, as it could save you money on your premium.

Heavy traffic increases your chance of being in a collision. This increased risk can raise your premium to reflect it. Therefore, if you regularly drive or park in downtown Ottawa, insurance companies may consider that when setting your car insurance premium.

Typically, yes. Street parking, especially in high-traffic or high-theft areas, can increase your risk of damage or theft, which may lead to higher premiums than if you parked your car in a secured or private parking garage.

According to the Ottawa Police Service, the worst areas for vehicle thefts in 2024 were Gloucester-Southgate and Bay Ward, while the worst neighbourhood was New Barrhaven. If you live or park in these areas, your comprehensive coverage rate may be slightly higher.