Car Insurance St. Catharines

Get reliable car insurance coverage tailored to you with Brokerlink.

St. Catharines drivers understand how important car insurance is, not just because it’s compulsory but because of the peace of mind it provides. If you’re currently in the market for car insurance in St. Catharines, whether you’re purchasing your first-ever policy or your existing one is about to expire, your local St. Catharines insurance broker from BrokerLink can help.

BrokerLink compares rates from a wide range of providers, ensuring you get the best deals available.

What is St. Catharines car insurance?

Car insurance is an agreement between you and your insurance provider. In this agreement, you agree to pay a regular premium, and if you're in an accident or your car gets damaged, they help cover the costs. It can cover things like:

Repairs or replacement for your car (or someone else’s)
Legal fees and expenses if you cause damage or injuries to others
Medical bills or even funeral expenses, if someone gets seriously hurt in a crash

In St. Catharines, rates and coverage are shaped by local factors like traffic, accident rates, and how often claims are filed.

Why you need car insurance in St. Catharines

Car insurance is mandatory in St. Catharines, along with everywhere else in Ontario. It is provincially regulated, and the government of Ontario has made certain types of car insurance coverage mandatory for all drivers. This means that no matter where you live in the province, you must hold valid car insurance at all times.

So, not only are St. Catharines drivers required to have a car insurance policy, but the policy must meet the minimum coverage requirements set by the Ontario government. For example, one such requirement is that all motorists must carry $200,000 in third-party liability coverage. Plus, in order to register your vehicle in Ontario, you will need to show proof of insurance.

Types of auto insurance coverage in St. Catharines

Whether you're new to driving in St. Catharines or just reviewing your current policy, it's helpful to know what types of auto insurance are required by law and which optional add-ons can give you extra protection on the road.

Mandatory

Optional

This is a must-have in Ontario. It helps cover the cost if you’re at fault in an accident and someone else is injured or their property is damaged. It can also help with legal and court fees. The minimum required liability coverage in Ontario is $200,000, but many drivers choose a higher limit for added protection.

If you, a passenger, or even a pedestrian gets hurt in a collision, this coverage helps pay for medical care, regardless of who was at fault. It’s there to support your recovery when you need it most.

This protects you and your passengers if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance, or if you’re involved in a hit-and-run and the other driver can’t be identified.

If you're in an accident that’s not your fault, DCPD covers damage to your vehicle and other losses. You deal directly with your own insurer, which makes the claims process quicker and less stressful.

Collision coverage helps pay for damage if your vehicle hits another car, a stationary object (like a pole), or rolls over. While optional, it’s often required if your car is leased or financed.

Comprehensive coverage covers damage that isn’t caused by a collision, such as theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, or hitting a wild animal. Like collision coverage, it’s often required for leased or financed vehicles.

One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among St. Catharines drivers 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 to help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim.

If you’re buying a brand-new car, this coverage ensures you’ll be reimbursed for the full value of the vehicle if it’s stolen or totalled, without deducting for depreciation. You’ll get back what it costs to replace it with a new one.

If your car’s in the shop after a covered claim, loss of use coverage helps cover your transportation costs. This can include things like a rental car, ride share, or public transit. Handy when you can’t be without a vehicle.

Collision coverage helps pay for damage if your vehicle hits another car, a stationary object (like a pole), or rolls over. While optional, it’s often required if your car is leased or financed.

Let us be your resource for all things car insurance

Why BrokerLink

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.

Our reviews

21187+ Reviews

Average rating of 4.6

Greg Silver

Excellent service, rates and customer service. Highly recommended.
Andy Rohansingh

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.
Ian Roome

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.
Clara Furlano

Honestly, they have the best advisors. Ones who take their time to understand your insurance needs.
Joyce Kivuyo-Kisamo

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...
Terry Mason

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.
Sandi G

Excellent, hands-on, personable service. I feel like I haven't had a broker like this, in a long time
DANI L

The best client experience!!! Honest, genuine, professional. They explain AND LISTEN! Trust no one else ❤️

Our numbers speak for themselves

Ways to save money on St. Catharines car insurance

Car insurance can be expensive, but there are ways that those on a budget can save money. From insuring multiple vehicles together to increasing your deductible, BrokerLink’s expert insurance advisors have put together this list of tips for getting cheaper car insurance in St. Catharines:

Discounts

Combine insurance policies

Bundling more than one insurance policy together is another way to get cheap car insurance in St. Catharines. The more insurance you buy from a company, the more likely they are to give you a discount. So if you’re also in the market for another type of insurance, such as home insurance, tenant insurance, or recreational vehicle insurance, look for a provider that sells both. Doing so might result in savings of up to 15% per policy.

Insure vehicles together

Similar to the principle behind bundling multiple insurance policies into one, if you purchase more than one car insurance policy from the same provider, they are more likely to give you a multi-vehicle discount. So if your household has more than one car (perhaps your spouse or adult child has their own vehicle), then try to insure them together. Doing so can make you eligible for a discount of up to 20% per policy.

Install snow tires on your car

The safer your vehicle, the less likely you are to get into a car accident, which is why insurance companies offer discounts to St. Catharines drivers who invest in snow tires. While winter tires are not mandatory in Ontario, they are known to have superior capabilities in winter conditions, such as ice and snow. For this reason, if you equip your car with snow tires, insurance companies will reward you with a discount of up to 5%.

Buy a hybrid or electric vehicle

Saving the environment pays. In recent years, an increasing number of car insurance companies in Ontario have started offering discounts to drivers of eco-friendly vehicles. So if you’ve been debating whether to purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle, now is the time because it could save you up to 10% on auto insurance.

Savings Options

Increase your deductible

One surefire way to reduce how much you pay for car insurance is to increase your deductible. Generally speaking, the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium. For those that don’t know, a deductible is the amount of money the policyholder is responsible for paying toward an insured loss. Thus, the more you increase your deductible, the less the insurance company is responsible for paying, and the lower your premium will be.

In Ontario, the average car insurance deductible is $500, so to save money, you may wish to consider raising your deductible to $1,000 or more. When debating whether to raise your deductible, we always recommend contacting a broker who can ensure you understand the pros and cons of doing so, as well as offer their objective opinion.

Make annual payments

If it’s feasible, paying for car insurance upfront will almost always pay you money. Alternatively, if you choose to make monthly payments, most insurance companies tack on administrative fees that ultimately make your car insurance more expensive.

Review your coverage annually

Car insurance rates can change over time, so it’s a good idea to check in on your policy before automatically renewing it. If your renewal date is coming up, take a moment to see if your premium is going up and by how much. Then, reach out to a St. Catharines insurance broker who can shop around and compare quotes for you.

Brokers are experts in the field, and they’ll give you honest, unbiased advice. Whether that means staying with your current provider or switching to a new one with a better deal, they will help you make the right call.

Work with a broker

Shopping for car insurance doesn’t have to be a hassle, especially when you team up with a local St. Catharines insurance broker like BrokerLink. We work with a variety of insurance companies, so we can compare quotes and find you the best rate. Plus, we’ll help you customize your coverage to match your needs and answer any questions along the way.

Factors that affect St. Catharines car insurance costs

Calculating St. Catharines car insurance rates is no simple task. Insurance companies must consider several factors in order to determine how much a person pays for car insurance in Ontario, with factors ranging from your vehicle type, driving history, age, chosen coverage, and even local risk factors based on your location. Here’s how that can affect your rates in St. Catharines:

Local crime rates

Auto theft has become more of a concern lately in the Niagara Region, including St. Catharines. Between 2022 and 2023, vehicle thefts went up by almost 34%. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the rise in auto theft across Ontario adds approximately $130 to the average annual premium in Ontario.

So far, in the first half of 2025, according to the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Crime Map, only 15 vehicles were reported stolen around St. Catharines.

Local collision risks

According to the Niagara Region, an injury collision occurs every 23 hours along Niagara Regional roads. While they don’t separate numbers by municipalities, it does state that known priority locations for traffic collisions in St. Catharines include:

Street name	Stretch or intersection
Welland Avenue (Regional Road 77)	Lake Street/James Street intersection
Carlton Street (Regional Road 83)	Between Ontario Street and Lake Street
Glendale Avenue (Regional Road 89)	Between Highway 406 (west ramps) and Glenridge Road, and Between Homer Road and Taylor Road
Niagara Street (Regional Road 48)	Between Vine Street and Carlton Street

Since these stretches of road and intersections are known for higher collision risks, if you spend a lot of time either driving or parked along these roads, insurance companies may factor that elevated risk into your premiums.

Local weather risks

When insurance companies are aware of higher risks of severe weather damage in the area, they factor that into their calculations. And while increasingly severe weather events are happening all over Canada, the Niagara Region, including St. Catharines, has had its fair share. In 2024, several tornadoes touched down within the Niagara Region. Back in 2023, summer storms across southern Ontario resulted in over $340 million in insured losses, with nearly 25% linked to vehicle damage, according to the IBC.

Are you having a hard time finding cheaper auto insurance in St. Catharines? You're not alone. With so many factors affecting your rate, the easiest way to find out what you’ll actually pay is to reach out to a BrokerLink insurance advisor and get a free St. Catharines car insurance quote. There’s no pressure to buy, and every quote is accurate and personalized, so you’ll get a clear idea of what your coverage would really cost.

Contact BrokerLink for a free St. Catharines car insurance quote

Interested in learning more about St. Catharines' car insurance? We’ve got you covered. BrokerLink’s expert insurance advisors are always available to discuss your auto insurance options. We offer a wide range of insurance services and partner with top insurance providers in Ontario to bring you the best policy for your insurance needs. We can also help answer your questions, like whether you can negotiate car insurance, and help you tackle some common car insurance myths.

For your free St. Catharines car insurance quote, contact BrokerLink. You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Ontario. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

[phone]

Get an auto insurance quote

Resources

Check out our wide range of resources, offering valuable information and tools, all in one convenient place.

Check our Blog

Service & Claims

Visit a branch

About us

FAQs

Have questions? Our FAQ section has the answers you're looking for. Find helpful information to guide you through your options.

Can I get St. Catharines car insurance with a suspended licence?

Getting car insurance with a suspended licence is tricky but not impossible. Most insurers won’t issue a new policy while your licence is suspended, but if you already have coverage, it might stay active (depending on your provider). However, you won’t be allowed to drive until your licence is reinstated. Once you’re eligible to drive again, expect higher premiums, since insurers may see you as a higher-risk driver. A broker can help you explore your options and find coverage when you're ready to get back on the road.

How does a minor accident affect my St. Catharines car insurance?

Even minor accidents can affect your insurance, especially if you’re found at fault. In St. Catharines, insurers may raise your premiums after an at-fault accident, even if the damage is small. That said, some policies include accident forgiveness, which prevents your first at-fault accident from affecting your rate. If you’re not sure what your policy includes, a broker can review it with you and help you understand how a minor accident might affect your future premiums.

What happens if I lend my car to a friend and they get into an accident?

In Ontario, car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. That means if your friend borrows your car and gets into an accident, it’s your insurance policy that will be used to cover the claim. If your friend is at fault, your premiums could increase, and it might impact your claims history. So, it’s important to only lend your car to someone you trust to drive responsibly.

Can I get St. Catharines car insurance with a suspended licence?

What happens if I lend my car to a friend and they get into an accident?

How does a minor accident affect my St. Catharines car insurance?

More ways to find great car insurance

Browse additional resources to help you find the right coverage at the best price.

Newfoundland & Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Ontario

Vehicle Insurance

Property Insurance

Other Insurance

Car Insurance St. Catharines

What is St. Catharines car insurance?

Why you need car insurance in St. Catharines

Types of auto insurance coverage in St. Catharines

Third party liability insurance coverage

Accident benefits coverage

Uninsured automobile coverage

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Collision insurance coverage

Comprehensive coverage

Accident forgiveness coverage

Waiver of depreciation

Loss of use coverage