We do not currently quote this product online, but to get a quote in under 15 minutes please give us a call.
Get reliable car insurance coverage tailored to you with Brokerlink.
Ottawa is home to a wide range of drivers, from government workers commuting downtown on the 417, to students at Carleton University or the University of Ottawa, to families living in Barrhaven or Kanata. Wherever you’re driving in the city, BrokerLink understands the local roads, weather, and traffic risks that can impact your coverage and your rates.
Are you looking for affordable car insurance in Ottawa? Let one of our local Ottawa insurance brokers find the right auto insurance for you today!
BrokerLink compares rates from a wide range of providers, ensuring you get the best deals available.
First, you may be wondering, Am I required to purchase car insurance in Ottawa? The answer is yes. Car insurance is compulsory everywhere in Canada, and that includes the city of Ottawa. Auto insurance regulations are set provincially, which means in order to drive legally in Ottawa, you must comply with the minimum coverage requirements set by the province of Ontario. The types of coverage that the Ontario government requires all drivers to have is as follows:
If you need help understanding how mandatory coverage works, get in touch with an insurance broker in Ontario. One of BrokerLink’s licensed Ontario insurance brokers can explain the importance of purchasing coverage that complies with local laws, as well as how each type of mandatory coverage can protect you.
Ontario has some of the harshest penalties for uninsured driving. These include:
Ottawa’s major roads, like Hunt Club Road, Riverside Drive, Bronson Avenue, and Highway 174, can be especially dangerous in icy conditions, making coverage not only legally required but practically essential. Without it, you'd be on the hook for paying for legal fees and repair costs out of your own pocket if you're involved in a collision.
Given that the cost of purchasing a single policy would likely be significantly less than a fine for a first offence, the best decision you can make is to contact an insurance broker and buy coverage. A BrokerLink insurance advisor can further explain exactly what can happen if you are caught driving without a valid insurance policy in Ottawa.
The main types of car insurance coverage available in Ottawa include a range of options to meet different needs. Many drivers find that basic coverage is not enough, and there are several other types of coverage that can be purchased through an insurance broker. Whether you are buying an Ottawa motorcycle insurance policy or an Ottawa car insurance policy, the following types of protection may be available to you:
Third party liability coverage
Accident benefits coverage
Uninsured automobile coverage
Direct compensation - property damage coverage
Collision coverage
Comprehensive coverage
Accident forgiveness coverage
Waiver of depreciation
Loss of use coverage
Third-party liability coverage is a type of mandatory auto insurance coverage that protects drivers who cause car accidents. If you are found liable for a collision, and that collision results in bodily injury or property damage, third-party liability coverage can help pay for the associated costs. These costs could include medical bills, repair bills, or even legal fees. Ottawa drivers are required to have no less than $200,000 in third-party liability coverage at all times.
Accident benefits coverage will help if you get into an accident that results in bodily harm. If someone is injured in a collision, accident benefits can pay for the cost of medical attention that isn’t covered by healthcare. This could include rehabilitation, physical therapy, or prescription medication. Accident benefits may also pay for lost income due to the victim’s injury or funeral fees if someone involved in the accident passes away.
Uninsured automobile coverage is a type of coverage that is designed to protect drivers who find themselves in accidents with certain types of drivers. Specifically, uninsured automobile coverage can pay for the cost of the accident if you collide with a driver who does not have car insurance, does not have sufficient car insurance, or flees the scene of the accident and thus you never learn their identity or exchange insurance information.
Direct compensation - property damage coverage can help pay for the cost of repairing your car if it is damaged in a car accident. As long as you are not liable for the accident, you may be eligible to file a claim and receive a payout directly from your insurance company to help cover the repair costs.
Collision car coverage can help pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident, whether you caused the accident or not. It can cover damage caused by a wide range of accidents, including those with other vehicles, animals, and grounded objects. With Ottawa averaging over 220 cm of snowfall per year, according to the CBC, increasing the risk of wintertime fender-benders, collision insurance can give Ottawa drivers peace of mind.
Keep in mind that collision car coverage is usually optional for Ottawa drivers, but might be mandatory if you lease or finance your car; however, it is best to check the terms and conditions of your lease agreement to make sure.
Comprehensive car coverage is another form of extra protection that you can add to your Ottawa car insurance policy. This coverage is also known as parked car insurance and it protects against all kinds of risks outside of collisions. For instance, if your car is damaged in a fire or hailstorm or if it is stolen by a thief, comprehensive car coverage can protect you. This type of coverage only protects against the risks that are stated in your policy. Most of the time, these risks are fire, theft, vandalism, explosions and riots, falling and flying objects, and weather-related incidents. As with collision coverage, your leasing or financing company may require you to purchase comprehensive coverage for the duration of your agreement.
One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Ottawa is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy as an endorsement to protect your driving record and help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim. Note: coverage and eligibility vary by province.
A waiver of depreciation is important if you are insuring a new vehicle. While not a legal requirement, this type of coverage can save you a lot of money if your vehicle is totalled. In the event of a total loss of your vehicle, the payout will nearly equal the value of your car before it was totalled without depreciation. Otherwise, you may only receive a payout that factors in depreciation, which would be far less.
Loss of use coverage is another type of optional coverage that can be added to Ottawa car insurance policies. It will pay for you to take alternative modes of transportation, ranging from renting a car and taking public transit to hiring ride shares and taxis, if your car is damaged and needs to be repaired. During the time that your car is in the shop, your loss of use coverage can cover the additional transportation costs incurred.
Let us be your resource for all things car insurance
Discover what sets BrokerLink apart. Our commitment to personalized service, expert advice, and comprehensive coverage options ensures you get the best protection tailored to your needs.
20753+ Reviews
Average rating of 4.6
Excellent service, rates and customer service. Highly recommended.
Very easy to do business with this company. They handle all of my past, current and will be doing my future vehicles also. They listen and get you the insurance that you want and need.
I've always had a great experience with their agents/brokers when I've had questions about my policy. Agents are always polite, professional and able to answer my questions.
Honestly, they have the best advisors. Ones who take their time to understand your insurance needs.
I have been with BrokerLink for over 5 years and have never been disappointed; my issues have been always solved promptly and efficiently, they even found me a cheaper motor insurance with same qualit...
I find Brokerlink to be better priced than most of their competitors. I have received good, prompt advise and always deal with a live agent.
Excellent, hands-on, personable service. I feel like I haven't had a broker like this, in a long time
The best client experience!!! Honest, genuine, professional. They explain AND LISTEN! Trust no one else ❤️
insurance companies
We shop among Canada’s leading insurance companies to offer you a range of options.
customers
Trusted by Canadians to protect what matters to you for more than 30 years.
employees
Ready-to-serve insurance specialists for your needs.
Insurance companies in Ottawa each have their own risk-calculation formula to determine what a customer’s premium will be. That said, many take into account the same factors. To help you understand how rates are calculated and what your rate is likely to be, read through the list of factors influencing Ottawa car insurance premiums below:
Please note that BrokerLink insurance advisors do not set premiums. Rather, auto insurance companies do that. However, we can still help you find a great policy, bind coverage, compare your options, and even provide you with free Ottawa auto insurance quotes. Reach out today to request a free car insurance quote now. It will only take five minutes! If you’re looking for another type of insurance, like business insurance in Ottawa or Ottawa boat insurance, we can also give you a free quote.
Navigating Ottawa’s roads means dealing with a unique mix of urban challenges, such as rush‑hour traffic, frequent construction, weather extremes, and higher theft rates, all of which affect both your driving experience and your insurance needs. Here's what to keep in mind about driving in Ottawa:
According to Statistics Canada, the average one-way commute in Ottawa for 2024 was 26.1 minutes, up 13% since 2022. That’s a lot of time on the road, especially when you factor in traffic congestion on key routes like Highway 417, Riverside Drive, and Hunt Club Road, where collisions are more common. The more time you spend in traffic, the greater your risk of an accident, which is something insurance companies definitely consider when setting your car insurance rate.
Construction is another constant for Ottawa drivers. Between the ongoing LRT expansion, resurfacing projects, and detours in high-growth neighbourhoods like Barrhaven, Orléans, and Vanier, drivers often face delays and sudden changes in traffic flow. These disruptions can lead to higher claim activity from fender benders and minor collisions, especially during peak commuting hours.
Then there’s Ottawa’s urban core, where you’ll encounter busy pedestrian zones, bike lanes, and the challenges of driving near high-traffic tourist areas like ByWard Market, Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal. These areas require extra caution and can present additional risk factors for both collisions and insurance claims.
Car theft is also a growing concern in the capital. According to Ottawa Police, 1,705 vehicles were reported stolen in 2024, with only 951 recovered. When there is a high level of vehicle theft insurance claims, insurance companies will often increase premiums for everyone in the area to help cover the loss. According to data from the Ottawa Police Service, the worst Ottawa areas for car thefts in 2024 were:
Ottawa’s weather can be unpredictable, and it often dents more than just your mood. According to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ), a severe ice storm in March 2025 that hit parts of Ontario and Quebec, including Ottawa, caused $342 million in insured damage, with many damaged vehicles as a result.
Plus, the Insurance Bureau of Canada reported that over the summer of 2023, severe storms and flash floods hit parts of Ontario, causing $340 million in insured losses. The Ottawa region, specifically, was hit hardest, with intense flash flooding, torrential downpours, and violent wind gusts. More than $80 million was used just for replacing or repairing storm-damaged vehicles. Because our BrokerLink brokers live and work in the city, we understand these local driving risks and more, and we’ll work with you to find the right coverage. We’ll help tailor an affordable auto insurance policy that fits how, where, and when you drive in Ottawa. Contact us for a free Ottawa car insurance quote today.
When buying Ottawa car insurance, one of the best practices to adopt is to shop around for coverage. The way to do this is by enlisting the help of an Ottawa auto insurance broker. One of the licensed insurance brokers at BrokerLink will make finding you the perfect policy a top priority. We will reach out to our contacts at some of Canada’s top car insurance companies to inquire about their products and obtain insurance quotes on your behalf. After that, we will compare the products to find the best possible auto insurance policy for your needs.
You can always trust that your BrokerLink insurance advisor has your best interests at heart. We specialize in providing objective, unbiased insurance advice. At the end of the day, all we want is to find you the cheapest car insurance available that matches your Ottawa insurance needs. Overall, when you take advantage of the expertise and resources of a professional insurance broker in Ottawa to help you shop around, you are much more likely to find quality, affordable coverage.
BrokerLink has been a proud member of the Ottawa community since our founding in 1991. That means that for over 30 years, we have been helping Ottawa drivers find quality car insurance coverage. Whether you’re skating on the Rideau Canal, shopping in the ByWard Market, or driving over the Portage Bridge into Gatineau, we understand what it means to be a driver in the capital. Because we live and work in Ottawa, our brokers know traffic patterns and weather risks in Ottawa neighbourhoods that affect your rates and your protection. Learn more by contacting BrokerLink today.
Want to learn more? Let us be your resource for all things car insurance. From start to finish, our brokers handle the legwork to make sure you walk away satisfied. Use our free online quote tool to get a free quote today, or give our brokers a call, and we’ll find you cheap Ottawa auto insurance coverage that works best for you.
Check out our wide range of resources, offering valuable information and tools, all in one convenient place.
Check out blog
Service and claims
Visit a branch
About us
Have questions? Our FAQ section has the answers you're looking for. Find helpful information to guide you through your options.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
Explore our other insurance products to find additional coverage options that fit your needs. Discover more ways to protect what matters most.
Home Insurance
Business Insurance
Apartment & Tenant Insurance
Condo Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
Boat Insurance
Insurance bundle
ATV Insurance
Pet Insurance
Life Insurance
Travel Insurance
Browse additional resources to help you find the right coverage at the best price
Alberta
Newfoundland & Labrador
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Ontario