Is auto insurance mandatory in Timmins?
The short answer is yes. Car insurance is provincially regulated, which means each provincial government gets to decide whether auto insurance is compulsory or not. In Ontario, auto insurance is mandated by law. Therefore, every vehicle registered in the province must be insured, and your car insurance must meet the minimum coverage requirements, for example, $200,000 in third party liability coverage.
In order to obtain auto insurance in Timmins, all 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.
Uninsured motorists in Timmins
Uninsured motorists in Timmins face serious consequences and hefty fines can be levied if you are caught driving without auto insurance in Ontario.
More specifically, Timmins drivers can be fined between $5,000 and $25,000 for a first offense and up to $50,000 for a second offense. Plus, there is an additional 15% surcharge that the driver is also required to pay.
In short, you do not want to be caught driving without valid car insurance in Timmins. To avoid this, buy quality car insurance and remember to renew it annually, or purchase a new policy before your existing one expires.
Mandatory car insurance coverage
There are several elements that make up mandatory car insurance in Ontario. From liability coverage to accident benefits coverage, all Timmins drivers must ensure that their auto insurance policy meets the minimum requirements set by the province of Ontario. The mandatory coverage, which is outlined in detail below, is designed to protect all drivers, passengers, and cars on the road, and is required no matter whether you lease, finance, or own your vehicle.
Liability
Liability coverage helps protect you against the cost of accidental injury or property damage if you are deemed at fault for an accident. Beyond helping to cover the cost of medical expenses for injury or repairs of a damaged vehicle, this type of coverage may also help you pay for legal counsel and court fees, if applicable. Liability coverage is mandatory throughout Canada, with each province setting its own minimum coverage requirements. Ontario drivers are required to carry a minimum of $200,000 in third party liability coverage.
Direct compensation
Opposite of liability coverage, direct compensation coverage protects you if you get into an accident you are not at fault for. In such an instance, you will contact your insurance provider directly and file a claim to receive compensation to cover the costs of your injury and/or any damage to your vehicle.
Uninsured automobile coverage
As the name suggests, uninsured automobile coverage is to protect you and any passengers in your vehicle should you get into an accident 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 you were involved with, accident benefits coverage can help. To claim this type of compensation, you do not need to prove that the accident was not your fault. An insurance provider will provide compensation regardless of who the at-fault party is. However, there is typically a specific amount of accident benefits coverage included in each policy, so knowing this limit is important.
How car insurance premiums are calculated
Many factors are considered when calculating car insurance rates. Timmins motorists may find it helpful to understand the main factors that influence auto insurance costs. The weight given to each factor varies between insurance companies. However, you can generally expect that the following common factors will be taken into consideration when calculating your car insurance rate.
- Where you live (and work - if you drive to work)
- Age
- Make and model of vehicle
- Past claims
- Annual mileage
- Prior insurance coverage
- Your deductible
- Local laws
- How you use your vehicle
- Marital status
How driving history affects car insurance rates
Although the factors above will be taken into consideration when determining your Timmins car insurance rate, there is one factor that is even more important: driving history. Driving history combines your driving experience with your driving record.
In terms of experience, people with several years or even decades of driving experience may benefit from lower premiums. To an insurance company, there is a direct correlation between experience and skill. The more experience you have, the better a driver you will be. This is the reason that car insurance for young drivers is so expensive, because they have little to no driving experience.
That said, driving experience in and of itself doesn’t translate to lower premiums. In addition to having experience driving, you must have a relatively clean driving record. People who drive the speed limit and drive defensively rather than offensively are more likely to have a clean driving record. In contrast, people who do not obey the speed limit and other rules of the road may have multiple speeding tickets, accidents, or DUIs on their record. Timmins drivers with poor driving records are likely to pay more for car insurance.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that having an accident on your record, even if the accident was not your fault, can give insurance providers a reason to raise your premium.
How to get cheap car insurance in Timmins
No one likes to pay more than they have to, and this principle extends to car insurance. Luckily, there are several ways you can reduce the cost of auto insurance. From bundling multiple insurance policies to buying an electric vehicle, we’ve compiled a list of tips for getting cheap car insurance in Timmins.
- Purchase car insurance for more than one vehicle (savings of up to 20%)
- Buy multiple insurance policies (home insurance, business 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
Partner with an insurance broker
If budget is a serious concern, we recommend contacting your local insurance broker. BrokerLink’s team of experienced insurance advisors is always on hand to help you find the best deal on car insurance. We are committed to finding our customers the best policy at the best rate. How? We are experts in the field of car insurance, which means we know where to look to get you the best deal. By partnering with a broker, you’ll have someone by your side to answer any questions you may have, compare quotes on your behalf, and inform you about discounts you may be eligible for. At the end of the day, working alongside a broker is one of the best ways to reduce the cost of car insurance in Timmins.
4 tips for young drivers in Timmins
Driving is a skill that takes time to master. Practice and patience are key to improving your driving skills and becoming a safer, more confident motorist. Below are a few tips that might help young drivers get used to the road.
Slow down
A tip for drivers of all ages is to drive slowly. Give yourself extra time and space (more on that below) by driving slowly and cautiously at all times. Never drive over the speed limit and take your time when accelerating and braking. If you’re driving in poor weather, such as fog, rain, or snow, at night when visibility is reduced, or through a construction zone, we recommend slowing down even more.
Attend driving school
Attending driving school is a great way to learn about the rules of the road while getting some practical driving experience. Plus, driving with an instructor may be less nerve-wracking than practicing with your parents or someone you know well. Even better, young drivers who complete driving school may be eligible for discounts on their car insurance.
Leave extra room
Space, like time, is your friend. Always give yourself extra space. If you’ve ever taken formal driving lessons, then you may have been taught to leave two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you at all times. This is a good rule of thumb to follow, however, keep in mind that this distance should increase the faster you're driving. On the highway, aim to leave at least six seconds worth of space between cars. Driving at higher speeds or in inclement weather can impact braking times. The more distance between you and other cars, the more likely you are to avoid an accident.
Check your mirrors
Drivers should be aware of their surroundings at all times. While keeping your eyes on the vehicle ahead of you is important, so too is checking your rear-view and side mirrors. You should always keep track of not only the car in front of you, but those behind you, on either side of you, and ahead of you in other lanes.
Compare car insurance quotes with a Timmins insurance broker
Shopping for car insurance can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of a reputable insurance broker like BrokerLink, your car insurance experience can be entirely stress-free.
Here at BrokerLink, we do all the heavy lifting for you. We scour the internet for the best policies and compare quotes in order to get you the best deal possible. When you partner with an insurance broker, you’re saving not only time but money too!
Another advantage of working with a Timmins insurance broker is that brokers are experts in the field of car insurance. Since we don’t work for insurance companies, we can provide you with our unbiased opinions on the best coverage and policy options. At BrokerLink, we also take the time to answer any questions you may have and explain complicated industry jargon, to ensure you’re comfortable with the policy you choose.
So whether you’re a young driver buying their first car insurance policy or you’re a seasoned veteran with an impeccable driving record looking to reduce their premiums, you can count on BrokerLink’s team of insurance advisors.
Get in touch
What are you waiting for? Get in touch today to learn more about Timmins car insurance.
Make BrokerLink your resource for all things auto insurance, and we promise you won’t be disappointed. Our insurance advisors are always available to answer your call, email, or speak with you in person at one of our many locations.
BrokerLink also offers free car insurance quotes to all Timmins drivers. Our competitive quotes are not only accurate but obligation-free, meaning you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by requesting a free quote today.
To request a free car insurance quote online (and receive a quote in just 5 minutes!), click the “Get a Quote” button in the top right-hand corner of this webpage.
We look forward to hearing from you!
[phone]
More Ways to find a great car insurance rate in Ontario
