Car insurance coverage that all Haldimand County drivers must have
Car insurance is a legal requirement throughout Haldimand County. So if you drive, you must make sure that your plan meets the province’s minimum coverage requirements, which are explained below:
Third party liability coverage
Liability car insurance is a necessity for Haldimand County drivers. This coverage can help cover the cost of legal fees, medical expenses, repair bills, and more, if you are found at fault for an accident. Ontario drivers must have no less than $200,000 in liability insurance.
Accident benefits coverage
Accident benefits coverage is specifically designed to cover the cost of medical expenses not covered by health insurance, should someone require medical attention following an accident. This type of coverage can be claimed, whether it was the policyholder who requires medical attention, or someone else involved in the collision, like a pedestrian or another driver.
Direct compensation - property damage coverage
Direct compensation - property damage coverage is centred on property damage that results from an accident you are not liable for. With this type of coverage, the policyholder will receive compensation directly from the insurer, assuming that their claim is approved.
Uninsured automobile coverage
If you are involved in an accident with a driver who is uninsured or does not have adequate insurance coverage, uninsured automobile coverage comes into play. It can also reimburse you for the associated costs of a hit-and-run.
Optional auto insurance coverage for Haldimand County drivers
Optional coverage that Haldimand County drivers may wish to add to their policies are as follows:
Collision coverage
If you end up in a collision with another vehicle or even an object on the road, collision car coverage can compensate you for the cost of any necessary vehicle repairs. This type of coverage can be claimed no matter who was responsible for the accident.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive car coverage offers financial protection against damage and theft when your car is parked. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as parked car coverage. It can provide Haldimand County drivers with peace of mind knowing that, between their mandatory coverages and their comprehensive coverage, their vehicle is protected in a wide range of circumstances. Specifically, comprehensive coverage will protect your vehicle against damage caused by insured perils. As the policyholder, you can decide what perils to include with your policy, and they may depend on the part of the country you live in. Popular perils include fire, theft, vandalism, wind, and falling objects, however, you will likely have even more options available to you.
Accident forgiveness coverage
One final type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Haldimand County 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 varies by province.
Factors impacting the cost of Haldimand County car insurance
A plethora of factors will impact the cost of your Haldimand County insurance policy. The job of an insurance company is to determine your risk level, and assign your premium accordingly. To assess your risk as a driver, they will consider the following factors:
- 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
- Marital status
- Gender
How to keep car insurance rates low for Haldimand County drivers
Odds are, you want the best possible car insurance rate as most Haldimand County customers do. Finding a competitive rate can be difficult if you shop for insurance on your own, but with the help of an experienced broker, it’s a breeze. A broker can compare policies for you to ensure you never overpay for coverage. Plus, they can offer all kinds of tips that will help you save money on insurance. Our professional advice on how to keep car insurance rates low in Haldimand County is as follows:
Ask a BrokerLink insurance advisor to help you compare rates
Getting in touch with an insurance broker in Haldimand County is our first piece of advice for getting a reduced rate on your car insurance plan. We are experts at unlocking discounts and ensuring you find a policy with the exact coverage you need, to avoid paying for coverage that doesn’t suit you. Contact a BrokerLink insurance advisor to learn more about how we can find you a reasonable rate on your Haldimand County car insurance coverage.
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Increase your car insurance policy deductibles
When you buy a car insurance plan, you get to choose which deductibles you want for that plan. The lower the deductible, the more expensive the premium. So to keep rates low, choose a higher deductible. Oftentimes, insurance providers let policyholders choose a deductible anywhere between $250 and $1,000. Consider choosing a $500, $750, or $1,000 deductible to save money on car insurance in Haldimand County.
Enrol in an approved driving course
Safe drivers may benefit from cheaper insurance rates, and one way of proving you are a safe driver is by enrolling in an approved driving course in Ontario. Driving schools, including defensive driving courses, can make you eligible for a car insurance discount, no matter your age. Whether you’re a student driver looking to save money on high insurance premiums or an experienced driver who needs a refresher course, consider signing up for a driving class.
Install a telematics device in your car
Some insurance providers allow customers to install telematics devices in their vehicles. A telematics device monitors your driving habits, and if they prove to be safe, you could be eligible for a significant discount on your car insurance plan. Telematics devices typically measure things like your speed, acceleration rate, braking, distance, hard cornering, and more. Contact an insurance broker to find out if a telematics device might be a good idea for you.
Consider driving less often
It won’t come as a surprise that the more often someone drives, the more expensive their insurance might be. This is mainly because the more time you spend on the road, the more likely you are to get into a collision. In other words, if you drive less frequently, you could save money, because your odds of getting into an accident are less. Insurance providers have different thresholds you need to hit to qualify for this type of discount, however, they are usually around 11,000 kilometres each year. If you’re someone who uses their car infrequently, perhaps driving once a week or less, let your insurance provider know and you could save.
Buy multiple insurance products from the same insurer
Buying multiple insurance products from the same insurer is a method known as bundling. Many insurance companies allow bundling, whether you buy two of the same type of policy or two different policies. Bundling multiple insurance products into one can allow customers to qualify for a major discount of 15%.
Maintain a clean driving record
Maintaining a driving record that is free from tickets and other infractions is one of the best ways to cut insurance costs in Haldimand County. Although you cannot control what other drivers do, the more responsibly you drive, the less likely you are to get into an accident. The cleaner your driving record, the cheaper your rates will be, as a driver’s record is one of the main factors that determine their premium. For a list of safe driving tips, contact BrokerLink Haldimand County.
Choose your next vehicle wisely
If your goal is to keep your car insurance rates as low as possible, then we recommend thinking long and hard before buying your next car. The make, model, and year of the vehicle you choose can all impact your insurance rates. Generally speaking, newer, more luxurious cars tend to come with higher premiums because the cost of repairing parts or replacing the vehicle if it were stolen would be much higher. The exception to this rule is if your car has lots of safety features or is equipped with an anti-theft device, which can bring rates down. Further, if you buy a car that is statistically more likely than others to be stolen, your insurance may be higher. Do some research and speak to a broker before buying a new car to learn more about what factors can influence auto insurance costs in Haldimand County.
We’re in your community
BrokerLink is dedicated to giving back to the community, which is why we always put our Haldimand County customers first. We are customer-driven, dedicated to excellence, and operate with generosity and integrity. Get in touch today to learn more about what we stand for.
Local Ontario Insurance Links
If you’re a member of a group or association, you may be eligible for more discounts.
Contact us
At Haldimand County 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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Haldimand County car insurance FAQs
Do I get a car insurance discount if I install snow tires on my car?
You may qualify for a car insurance discount in Haldimand County by installing winter tires on your car. Some insurance providers offer discounts of 5% or more to drivers who swap their all-season or summer tires for winter tires during the cold months. There are typically specific conditions that must be met in order to qualify for this type of car insurance discount, such as all four snow tires being the same model. Contact an insurance broker for more information on a wide range of car insurance discounts, including winter tire discounts.
How do I find the best car insurance company in Haldimand County?
There is no one insurance company that is the best in Haldimand County. Rather, the best insurance company is the one that has the coverage you want at a price you can afford. You can speak with an insurance broker to learn more about what various insurance companies can offer you so that you can find the best possible policy for your needs.
What is a deductible for car insurance?
A deductible is an amount that you pay towards a loss before the insurance company steps in and pays the rest. Deductibles only come into play after you have submitted a car insurance claim, and that claim has been approved by your insurer. Deductibles for car insurance policies typically fall somewhere between $250 and $1,000, and you can have multiple deductibles within the same policy (e.g. one deductible for third party liability coverage and another for accident benefits coverage). How a deductible works is as follows: Say your claim is approved and you have a $500 deductible but the damage costs $1,000. As the policyholder, you are required to pay $500 out of your own pocket to cover the loss, but after that, the insurance company would cover the remaining $500. It is worth noting that policies with lower deductibles tend to be more expensive than policies with higher deductibles, as the more financial responsibility you are willing to take on, the lower your premium will be.
Will an at-fault car accident affect my auto insurance premium?
If you get into a car accident that you are found to be at fault for, then it can result in an insurance premium increase. The amount that your premium may go up depends on how “at fault” you are deemed. Further, whether the accident affects your rates depends on your insurance coverage. For example, if you have accident forgiveness coverage, then your rates may not be raised if this is your first at-fault accident.
Will my car insurance cover me if items are stolen from my vehicle?
If your car insurance policy features comprehensive coverage, then your insurer may reimburse you for the cost of damage if someone breaks into your vehicle and damages it in an attempt to steal items from it. However, comprehensive coverage does not typically cover the cost of repairing or replacing any personal belongings stolen from your vehicle. Instead, these items may be covered by your home insurance policy, depending on your coverage.
What auto insurance coverage do I need?
The auto insurance coverage you need depends on a number of factors, like the type of car you drive, how frequently you drive, where you drive, how many people use your vehicle, and whether you use your vehicle for personal use, business use, or a mix of the two. Generally speaking, all Haldimand County drivers need auto insurance coverage that complies with Ontario law, which means a policy that features third party liability coverage, uninsured automobile coverage, accident benefits coverage, and direct compensation - property damage coverage. But how much of each coverage you include with your policy and whether you add any optional coverages, like comprehensive or collision coverage, will depend on the factors listed above. If you need help figuring out which coverage is right for you, contact an insurance broker.
Does Haldimand County car insurance renew automatically?
Some car insurance policies renew automatically upon the expiry date. However, policyholders can choose to turn off this feature, and of course, have the option of cancelling their policies rather than renewing them. It is recommended that you review your coverage every time it is up for renewal to determine whether your current policy is still working for you. There is also no harm in shopping around each year to ensure your current provider is still giving you the best rate. For help comparing policies and shopping around, contact an insurance broker. Even if you decide to renew your policy, a broker can help you with
expired car insurance renewal.
Is it necessary to purchase car insurance in Haldimand County?
If you drive a car in Haldimand County, then car insurance is necessary. It is government-mandated, which means that all drivers in Ontario are required to have a valid car insurance policy.
How can I find affordable auto insurance in Haldimand County?
The key is to work with an insurance broker who can shop around for you and compare rates. A licenced insurance broker knows the ins and outs of the insurance industry and will guarantee you find a policy within your budget.
Do I need a driver’s licence to buy auto insurance?
Yes, all drivers must have a valid driver’s licence in order to purchase a car insurance policy. In addition, when you buy insurance in Haldimand County, the car you are insuring must be registered in your name, and in order to register your vehicle with the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario, you need a valid driver’s licence. You may also need to provide a driver abstract, which is a record of your driving history, along with your vehicle registration information, and information about anyone else who will be driving your vehicle, such as a spouse or adult child.
Will my Haldimand County auto insurance policy cover me if I'm driving in another province?
Yes, your Haldimand County auto insurance policy will cover you if you are visiting another province and driving while you are there. However, if you are moving to another province, then you must notify your insurance company and obtain a new policy within the first 90 days of moving. You will also need to switch over your licence and registration so that your vehicle is registered in your new province.
Will I be penalized for driving without insurance in Haldimand County?
If caught, you could be penalized for driving without insurance, since doing so is illegal in Haldimand County. More specifically, you could be fined tens of thousands of dollars and have your Ontario driver’s licence taken away temporarily. Remember that the average cost of car insurance in Ontario ranges from $1,300 to $1,700, which is far less than the fines you could incur for uninsured driving.
Will my auto insurance rates go up if I let someone borrow my car and they get into an accident?
Your auto insurance rates could go up, but it depends. If your policy does not have a “non-owned auto liability” add-on, and the person you loan your vehicle to gets into an accident that they caused, then your premium may go up. The amount that your premium may be raised depends on how “at-fault” the person is deemed, so while an at-fault accident could raise your rates substantially, it could also only raise your rates minimally.
Where can I get a car insurance quote in Haldimand County?
The easiest place to get a car insurance quote is by contacting an insurance broker. Many insurance brokers offer complimentary car insurance quotes, which can give you a better idea of how much you can expect your policy to cost.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
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