Car insurance in Belleville

How compulsory car insurance works in Ontario

Car insurance in Ontario is the law. You can’t drive without it. Specifically, if you want to drive in Belleville, your car insurance plan must contain four specific coverages, and they are as follows:

• Third party liability coverage (no less than $200,000 of it)
• Accident benefits coverage
• Direct compensation - property damage coverage
• Uninsured motorist coverage

What mandatory auto insurance looks like in Belleville

Now that you know what the four mandatory types of auto insurance are in Ontario, we’re going to explain how they protect you, your vehicle, and other drivers on the road.

Third party liability coverage

Liability car insurance is designed to protect drivers who cause car accidents. In other words, if you get into an at-fault accident, it is the liability portion of your auto insurance policy that will help cover the costs. For instance, third party liability insurance can pay for medical expenses, vehicle repair bills, and legal fees, including defence and settlement fees, that arise from the incident. All Belleville drivers need to have at least $200,000 in third party liability coverage in order to legally drive in the province.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage will cover you if you are involved in an accident and someone is injured as a result. The injured party could be you, a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, but regardless, the accident benefits portion of your policy will help pay for the cost of medical attention. Specifically, accident benefits will cover medical fees not covered by basic healthcare in Ontario. It may also cover costs related to injury, like loss of income or even funeral costs if someone perished in the accident.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

If your vehicle needs to be repaired after suffering damage in a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation via the direct compensation - property damage coverage portion of your policy. Please note that this type of mandatory coverage is intended to cover the cost of vehicle repairs but is only applicable if you did not cause the accident.

Uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage aims to protect all Ontario drivers who get into car accidents with drivers who are either uninsured, underinsured, or unidentified. We explain each of these categories below:

• An uninsured motorist: a motorist who does not have a car insurance policy that is valid in Ontario, and is therefore driving illegally
• An underinsured motorist: a motorist who does not have high enough coverage limits to pay for the cost of the damages that arise from the car accident
• An unidentified motorist: a motorist whose identity is unknown because they fled the scene of the accident, unidentified motorists are typical of hit and run accidents

Adding extra coverage to your Belleville car insurance policy

When basic car insurance isn’t enough, you have several options. Many drivers in Belleville choose to add extra protection to their car insurance policies in the form of optional coverage. Optional coverage in Ontario can look like a lot of different things, though a few of the most common types are collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, accident forgiveness coverage, and loss of use coverage. Discover more about each of these coverage types and be sure to ask a BrokerLink insurance advisor about them if you decide to add them to your policy:

Collision coverage

Collision car coverage is similar to direct compensation - property damage coverage in that they are both designed to protect drivers from the reality of physical damage to their cars. That said, collision coverage is more comprehensive than direct compensation coverage as it can be claimed regardless of whether the policyholder caused the accident (direct compensation can be claimed if the policyholder was not responsible for the accident), as well as no matter what was involved in the accident.. It could be with another car, an animal, or even a grounded object on the road. If you decide to add collision coverage to your Belleville insurance plan, make sure that you choose a coverage limit that adequately reflects the value of your car. It’s also worth noting that while collision coverage is optional for most motorists, it may not be if you finance or lease your car.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive car coverage is a second type of optional car insurance coverage that Belleville motorists like to add to their policies. Why? Due to the extra protection it offers. Comprehensive coverage is sometimes referred to as parked car coverage because, unlike the other coverages on this list, it can protect you if damage occurs to your car while it is parked rather than while you’re driving. Specifically, comprehensive coverage offers financial security in the event that your car suffers damage or loss that is caused by a covered peril. Covered perils range from fire and water to theft, vandalism, falling objects, water damage, and more. Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage is usually optional, though it could be required if you lease or finance your car in Belleville.

Accident forgiveness coverage

One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Belleville 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. Note: coverage and eligibility varies by province.

Loss of use coverage

Last but not least, loss of use coverage can pay for costs that arise when your vehicle is being repaired. For example, if you are in a car accident and your car is dented, it will likely go into the shop. But how will you get around while your vehicle is in the shop being repaired? Loss of use coverage helps answer this question. It compensates policyholders, up to the coverage limit, for the cost of taking an alternative mode of transportation until they get their vehicles back. This alternate mode of transportation could take the form of public transit, renting a car, or hiring taxis or ride shares.

How Belleville auto insurance rates are calculated

When buying car insurance, it’s important to understand how rates are calculated. As soon as you start shopping around, you will quickly discover how much auto insurance costs vary. For example, the amount you pay for car insurance will be different, even from your neighbour of a similar age and gender. In fact, your own auto insurance quotes are likely to be different simply because insurance companies use varying algorithms to calculate rates. Knowing which factors matter when it comes to the price of car insurance can help you understand why you pay what you pay, which is why we made a list of these factors below:

• Where you live (and where you regularly commute)
• Age
• Model, make, and year of vehicle
• Past claims
• Average mileage
• Driving experience
• Driving record
• Insurance history
• Deductible amount
• Regulatory bodies
• How you use your vehicle
• Gender

At the end of the day, since car insurance rates vary so widely between both insurance companies and drivers, the only way to find out how much a policy will cost you is to shop around and request quotes. BrokerLink can help you do this. This means that while a BrokerLink insurance advisor can certainly help you obtain estimates and explain how these estimates were calculated, we cannot set or determine rates on your behalf.

How to find Belleville auto insurance on a tight budget

BrokerLink aims to make car insurance as accessible as possible for all Belleville residents. One way we do this is by providing a wide range of tips to our customers. These tips can help you lower your premium and ultimately save money on Belleville car insurance. Check them out below and get in touch with BrokerLink for even more helpful advice:

• Opt for a Belleville car insurance plan with a yearly payment plan instead of a monthly one to ensure you don’t get stuck paying pesky administrative fees.
• Do not purchase more coverage than you need or coverage that does not make sense for you, like collision coverage for a low-value car.
• Take the time to determine the highest deductible amount you can afford and then select that for your Belleville car insurance policy.
• Learn safe driving tips by enrolling in an approved driver’s education course or defensive driving course in Ontario.
• Minimize how much time you spend behind the wheel and possibly even qualify for an occasional driver discount by walking, cycling, carpooling, and taking public transit when possible.
• Become eligible for a snow tire discount by installing winter tires on your vehicle between the fall and spring.
• Obey all Ontario traffic laws and drive responsibly at all times to keep your driving record.
• Install an anti-theft device in your car to reduce the odds of it being targeted by thieves.
• If you’re in the market for a new car, consider an eco-friendly car like a hybrid or electric car or one that has a high safety rating if you want to save on Belleville car insurance.
• Ask a BrokerLink insurance advisor about the various auto insurance discounts that may be out there, like occasional driver, telematics, winter tire, or employer discounts.
• Buy multiple auto insurance policies at once or try bundling insurance policies , like your car insurance plan with your home insurance plan, to save big.
• Do not buy the first car insurance plan you find, and instead, shop around to compare policies and weigh your options.
• As a licensed insurance broker at BrokerLink for more advice on how you can save money on your Belleville car insurance coverage.

Obtain a free Belleville car insurance quote from BrokerLink

Move on to the next step of purchasing car insurance by requesting a free quote from BrokerLink. This is the best way to find out how much you can expect to pay for car insurance, as well as begin your auto insurance journey. Not only can a BrokerLink insurance advisor provide you with a free auto insurance quote but they can also explain how car insurance works, help you understand the difference between mandatory and optional coverage, and answer any questions you may have. Get started today by requesting a free quote from BrokerLink over the phone, in person at one of our 200+ locations across Canada, or on our website. Our online quote tool is available for all to use 24/7, and through it, you can receive a complimentary quote in minutes.

We’re in your community

BrokerLink is in your community. Since 1991, we have made it a priority to give back to the communities we operate in. That’s why you will find us doing more than providing top-notch insurance services in Belleville. You will find us participating in local charity events, from marathons to natural disaster relief fundraisers. Find out more about BrokerLink’s commitment to the Belleville community by contacting us today.

Contact us

At Belleville BrokerLink, we’re here to help you with any insurance needs you may have. Whether it’s insuring your home, car, business, recreational items, or pets, let us help you find the best coverage possible.

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.

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FAQs about auto insurance in Belleville, Ontario

Should I renew my Belleville car insurance coverage?

If you aren’t sure whether to renew car insurance in Belleville, we recommend reviewing your coverage and premium to decide if your current plan is working for you. If it isn’t, find out what options you have to adjust your plan with your existing provider and how much it would cost to do so. From there, obtain quotes from other insurance companies to find out if you can get a better deal somewhere else. Since insurance companies are constantly underwriting behind the scenes, you might be surprised to learn that your current insurance provider no longer offers the most affordable coverage. Another tip for renewing car insurance is to do so before your current policy expires. Waiting until your coverage has expired can spell trouble, including more expensive rates and a longer expired car insurance renewal. So make sure to decide whether to renew your policy before it expires. If you choose to purchase coverage from a different company, plan for your new coverage to begin the day your old coverage expires.

How long do car accidents stay on driving records in Belleville?

Generally, at-fault car accidents in Ontario stay on a driver’s record for roughly six years. This means that if you cause a collision, you could be forced to pay more expensive car insurance rates for this period, until it is eliminated from your record. However, if you have accident forgiveness this can be waived in the event of your first at-fault accident.

Do I need an Ontario driver’s licence if I want to purchase Belleville auto insurance coverage?

Yes, you cannot purchase car insurance anywhere in Ontario without a valid driver’s licence. Similarly, you cannot drive anywhere in Ontario or register your vehicle with the Ministry of Transportation if you do not have a driver’s licence.

If I move to another province in Canada, does my Belleville auto insurance coverage still apply?

It will apply temporarily after your first move. However, you will eventually need to switch your coverage as an Ontario car insurance plan is only valid in Ontario. Anytime there is a change in address, whether you are moving within the province or outside the province, you must notify your insurance provider. Any change in location can impact your rates, and failure to provide this updated information can be considered misrepresentation or even fraud, which can lead to a cancelled or voided policy. If you are moving away from Belleville and relocating to another province in Canada, make sure to contact your provider as soon as possible. Depending on the provider, they may still offer coverage in the province you’re moving to, which could help simplify the process.

If I am charged with uninsured driving in Belleville, what penalties may I face?

The penalties for uninsured driving in Ontario may include:

• Maximum fines of between $25,000 for a first offence and $50,000 for a second offence
• A 25% surcharge on any fines incurred
• The impoundment of your vehicle
• The suspension of your driver’s licence for a period of 30 to 365 days

Given these severe penalties, purchasing a valid car insurance policy makes the most sense.

How much does Belleville car insurance cost?

The average cost of car insurance in Ontario per month is $150 to $450. However, it is worth noting that this is the general average for Ontario, not Belleville drivers specifically. In addition, motorists could end up paying well above or below the average amount depending on their unique circumstances. All kinds of factors come into play when an insurance agent calculates your premium, like your age, driving record, home address, the type of car you drive, and more.

Do I need third party liability coverage if I want to drive in Belleville?

Yes. Third party liability coverage is one of the four mandatory coverages in Ontario. All Belleville drivers must purchase a minimum of $200,000 in third party liability coverage for their auto insurance policy to be valid. Failure to add third party liability coverage to your policy can lead to uninsured driving charges.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.