Car Insurance in Hamilton

Yes, installing snow tires on your vehicle is likely to result in a car insurance discount. For several years now, insurance companies in Ontario have been required to offer an auto insurance discount to any driver who installs snow tires on their car. However, you must meet the insurance company’s conditions to qualify. These vary but usually stipulate that the driver must have the tires installed on their vehicle by a set date each season and that all four winter tires must be the same model.

An insurance deductible is the amount that a policyholder is required to pay if they suffer a loss, submit a claim, and that claim is approved. Once they have paid the required deductible, the insurance company will step in and cover the remaining cost, up to the coverage limit. Here’s an example to clarify: If you got into a car accident that you caused and it results in $5,000 worth of vehicle damage, you would submit a claim with your insurance provider. If the claim was approved, and your deductible was $1,000, you would be required to pay $1,000 out of your own pocket before the insurance company covered the remaining $4,000. It is important to note that car insurance policies often have multiple deductibles since you can choose a different deductible for each type of coverage in your policy. Higher deductibles usually result in cheaper premiums than lower deductibles, as high deductibles mean more financial responsibility on behalf of the policyholder.

Yes. If you get into an accident that you caused, your Hamilton car insurance premium is likely to go up. While being involved in an accident that you did not cause is unlikely to affect your premium, causing an accident will likely lead to an increase in your rates. The only exception to this is if you have accident forgiveness coverage. In this case, if this was your first at-fault accident, your insurance premium would not change. It is also worth noting that accidents typically stay on your record for six years in Ontario.

No, most Hamilton car insurance policies do not cover personal belongings if they are stolen from your car. In fact, theft of any kind, including the theft of your vehicle, will not be covered by your policy unless it includes comprehensive coverage. If theft is a named peril in your policy, your insurance provider can reimburse you for the cost of property damage that occurred during the act of thievery, such as if the burglar broke your front window to steal your belongings. The only situation in which the personal belongings in your car may be covered is if the items stolen were permanent fixtures of your vehicle, such as a pre-installed stereo or steering wheel.

Save money on Hamilton car insurance by bundling insurance policies together, driving safely and maintaining a clean driving record, graduating from an approved driver’s education program, installing an anti-theft device in your car, driving a hybrid or electric vehicle, driving a car with a high safety rating and a low rate of theft, installing winter tires on your car, or choosing high deductibles for your policy.

Yes, all policyholders must first have a valid Ontario driver’s licence in order to buy insurance. You will also need to show proof of a valid driver’s licence before registering your vehicle with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Yes. If you are temporarily visiting another province, such as going on vacation in Quebec, your car insurance coverage will follow you. However, if you are moving to another province, you will need to purchase a new policy. In the case of a permanent move, make sure to notify your insurance provider as early as possible. They can provide you with any necessary documents and adjust your coverage as needed. If your current insurance provider offers coverage in your new province, you may not even need to switch insurance companies.

Driving without insurance is extremely ill-advised, not to mention illegal. Since uninsured driving is illegal everywhere in Ontario, if you are caught doing so, there could be serious consequences. Namely, you could be slapped with a fine of up to $25,000 for a first offence and double that, up to $50,000 for a second offence. You could also have your car impounded and your driver’s licence suspended for anywhere from 30 to 365 days. As you can see, driving without insurance is not worth the risk so make sure that you purchase a policy that complies with local laws.

The cost of Ontario car insurance can vary significantly between policyholders. However, you can generally expect to pay between $1,300 and $1,700 per year.

Reach out to a local insurance provider or insurance agent near you and request a free quote. Many insurance professionals offer complimentary quotes to customers. You should expect to answer some questions about yourself, your driving habits, and the vehicle you drive. From there, you can receive a quote in a matter of minutes.