Car insurance in Windsor

Car Insurance in Ontario is the law

By law, you're required to have car insurance in Ontario. Some of the minimum coverage requirements you should be aware of include: third-party liability coverage which covers you in the case that you are sued for causing injury or damage to personal property; statutory accident benefits coverage which provides benefits in the form of reimbursements for medical expenses or loss of income if you're injured in an accident, no matter who's at fault; direct compensation property damage coverage which covers the cost of repairing damages to your vehicle if you are involved in an accident whether you or a third-party is responsible; uninsured automobile coverage which protects you in the case you're involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or you are the victim of a hit-and-run.

You can discuss these and other coverages with your broker to see which ones best suit you and your lifestyle!

Things to be aware of regarding car insurance in Windsor, Ontario

If you are a Windsor resident, you should be happy to know that, on average, your car insurance rates are competitive. Of course, depending on your driving experience, claims history, and even the make of your vehicle, these rates vary from person to person even if they're living in the same postal code. Another rating factor used by insurance companies is population density and the resulting number of vehicles operating on local roadways. Windsor is home to a popular border crossing for those travelling into Michigan, or on to Chicago, Nashville, and many other cities in the United States which means there may be more vehicles on the roads as people pass through.

Optional auto insurance coverage for Windsor drivers

Standard car insurance is mandatory in Ontario. However, there are also several optional coverage types available to Windsor drivers. While not required by law, they can be extremely beneficial to drivers. A few examples of optional car insurance coverages available to Windsor motorists can be found below:

Collision coverage

If you get into an accident with another car or object on the road, no matter which driver is at fault for the accident, collision coverage can help cover the costs. Under the collision coverage portion of your policy, your insurance company can help pay for any property damage that resulted from the collision, such as a damaged vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage

For added peace of mind, Windsor drivers may choose to include comprehensive coverage in their car insurance policies. While standard auto insurance coverage in Ontario provides some protection against accidents, it does not protect drivers from many other circumstances on the road. For example, if your car is stolen, basic car insurance won’t help. But if you purchase comprehensive coverage, you can be protected against everything from theft and vandalism to water damage, fire, and more. This means that if your car was stolen, your insurance company would help cover the costs of replacing it, rather than having to pay for a new one entirely out-of-pocket.

Accident forgiveness coverage

Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your auto 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. Note: coverage varies by province.

How car insurance premiums are calculated in Windsor, Ontario

Insurers companies in Canada consider a wide variety of factors when calculating insurance premiums. Some of these factors are within a driver’s control, like the make and model of their vehicle or their claims history, while others are not, such as their age or gender. Windsor drivers might find it helps to understand which details matter most when it comes to the cost of car insurance. Below is a list of the most common factors affecting auto insurance rates in Windsor, Ontario:

• Where you live (and work - if you drive to work).
• Age.
• Make and model of vehicle.
• Past claims.
• Annual mileage.
• Driving experience.
• Driving record.
• Prior insurance coverage.
• Your deductible.
• Local laws.
• How you use your vehicle.
• Gender.
• Marital status.

How to save money on car insurance in Windsor

Car insurance should never break the bank, and you should never pay more for it than you have to. BrokerLink makes sure of that by helping Windsor drivers find the best coverage at the lowest rate. Our insurance advisors have put together a few tips for saving money on Windsor car insurance. Check them out below:

• Purchase car insurance for more than one vehicle from the same provider (savings of up to 20%).
• Buy multiple insurance policies (home insurance, business insurance, leisure vehicle 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 a Windsor insurance broker

One bonus tip for saving money on auto insurance is to partner with a Windsor insurance broker. An experienced broker can unlock discounts you didn’t even know you were eligible for and obtain and compare quotes on your behalf. We can also let you in on some of the industry’s best-kept secrets for saving money on auto insurance. Ultimately, working with a reputable insurance broker from BrokerLink can ensure you receive the most comprehensive insurance coverage at the most affordable price.

Tips for young drivers in Windsor, Ontario

Driving isn’t easy, especially when you are first starting out. Just like riding a bike, it is a skill that takes time and patience to master. As a young driver in Windsor, Ontario, it’s important to learn the rules of the road early so that you can grow into a safe and responsible driver. To help improve your driving skills, we’ve put together a list of tips below:

Slow down

One of the most important driving tips - no matter your age - is to slow down. The slower you drive, the less likely you are to get into an accident. Take care to drive the speed limit and don’t rush when accelerating, braking, turning, parking, or changing lines. You should remember to drive even slower, possibly even beneath the speed limit, during inclement weather like fog, rain, or snow, at night when visibility is reduced, or in a construction zone.

Check your mirrors

Driving instructors will often remind you to check your mirrors regularly. Why? It makes you more aware of your surroundings. The more frequently you check your rearview and side mirrors, the more aware you will be of other vehicles, pedestrians, and hazards on the road. Further, when looking out your windshield, don’t focus solely on the vehicle in front of you. Instead, take note of all cars in the vicinity. Ultimately, the more aware you are of road conditions, the less likely you are to get into an accident.

Enrol in driving school

Enrolling in driving school is another tip for young drivers or even just drivers who haven’t driven in a while. There are many approved driving schools in Windsor, any of which can teach you the rules of the road. Driving schools usually also incorporate in-car lessons, giving you an opportunity to practice with someone other than a family member. Even better, if you complete a recognized driving school in Ontario, you could be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance policy. Insurance companies realize that attending driving school makes for safer, more confident drivers, and they may lower your premium accordingly.

Space is your friend

Similar to the reasons for driving slowly, leaving space on the road is equally important as doing so can drastically reduce your odds of getting into an accident. Experts recommend leaving two car lengths between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This way, if you have to stop suddenly, you will have more room to come to a complete stop without hitting the vehicle in front of you. Extra space will also come in handy if you are rear-ended, as it can prevent you from crashing into the car in front of you - or worse, into a pedestrian. Remember that you should leave even more space when driving in poor weather conditions, at night, or at high speeds.

Minimize distractions

One last tip for young drivers in Windsor is to minimize distractions on the road. It can be tempting to blast the radio, check your phone, or sip on a drink while behind the wheel, but doing so increases your odds of getting into an accident. First, texting and driving is illegal in Ontario so in addition to the risk of causing a collision, you also run the risk of being fined. However, even actions that aren’t illegal, such as changing the radio station or eating and drinking, can be dangerous. For this reason, we recommend putting your phone away, finding a radio station before taking the car out of park, and finishing any snacks or drinks before pulling out of the driveway.

Get in touch for a free car insurance quote

Do you want to learn more about car insurance in Windsor? BrokerLink can help.

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 encourage Windsor drivers to take advantage of our online quote tool. BrokerLink offers free quotes to all Windsor residents. Simply provide us with some basic information about yourself and your vehicle, such as the make and model, and we’ll get back to you with an accurate and competitive quote in minutes.

Looking for cheap car insurance quotes? Protect yourself with Windsor car insurance by contacting BrokerLink today. We look forward to hearing from you!

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