Why buy Norfolk County car insurance?
Why should Norfolk County drivers purchase auto insurance? The answer is simple: for peace of mind. Car insurance offers financial protection to drivers so that no matter what happens on the road - accident, injury, theft - they can rest easy knowing they’re covered. The following is a list of benefits that come with buying auto insurance.
You’re protected in the event of a collision
The reality is that car accidents happen all the time, and they can do serious damage to your vehicle. But when you purchase car insurance, it can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle.
You’re protected in the event of theft
Depending on the car insurance policy you choose, it may provide coverage against theft. This means that if your vehicle is stolen you can receive compensation from your insurance provider to help cover the costs of replacing it, rather than paying for a new car out-of-pocket.
You’re protected in the event of injury
If you suffer a physical injury following a car accident, your insurance company can help cover the medical expenses. Although some of these fees may be covered through your health insurance, additional expenses such as physical therapy may cost extra, and that’s where your car insurance comes in.
You’re not in breach of the law
One final reason to purchase Norfolk County car insurance is that it is compulsory in Ontario, and failure to do so would put you in breach of the law. We’re going to delve more into this below, but ultimately, driving without insurance is illegal and doing so means risking severe fines.
Is car insurance required in Norfolk County?
Yes, car insurance is mandatory in Norfolk County, as well as everywhere else in the province of Ontario. Auto insurance is provincially regulated, which means each provincial government in Canada decides all rules surrounding it, including whether it is compulsory and the minimum coverage requirements. The Ontario government has made car insurance mandatory and the minimum coverage requirement is $200,000 in third party liability coverage (it’s important to be aware of the minimum amount so you purchase a policy that complies with provincial regulations).
The risks of driving without car insurance in Norfolk County
Driving without car insurance in Norfolk County is not a wise decision. This is because, since insurance is mandatory in Ontario, driving without insurance is illegal and if caught, can result in serious fines.
For a first offense, uninsured motorists in Norfolk County could face fines of up to $25,000. This fine can go up to $50,000 if charged with a second offense. There is also a 15% surcharge on all fines that the driver is responsible for paying.
Given the severe fines that can be levied if caught driving without a license in Ontario, it’s important to purchase car insurance and ensure you renew your insurance before it expires. If you require assistance, BrokerLink is always here to help you compare quotes and answer any questions you may have about car insurance in Ontario.
Calculating car insurance rates for Norfolk County drivers
Norfolk Country drivers may find it helpful to understand how insurance premiums are calculated. When determining car insurance rates, insurers consider a multitude of factors. We’ve compiled a list of the most common factors that affect how car insurance rates are calculated below:
- Location
- Age
- Make, model, and year of the vehicle
- Past claims
- Annual mileage
- Prior insurance coverage
- Your deductible
- Local laws
- How you use your vehicle
- Marital status
Driving history matters
As mentioned above, there are many factors that insurance companies consider when calculating premiums. Age, marital status, location, and the type of vehicle you drive will all determine how much you pay for car insurance. But there is one factor that is perhaps the most important in calculating your insurance premium and that is your driving history.
Driving history is a combination of one’s driving experience and driving record. From the insurer’s perspective, the more experience a driver has the lower their premium. That is why young drivers often pay the highest car insurance premiums - because they have little to no driving experience under their belt.
That said, driving experience alone is not enough to lower your premium, and this is where your driving record comes into play. To qualify for a lower insurance rate, you must have years of experience coupled with a clean driving record. A clean driving record means a record without tickets, accidents, DUIs, and other incidents that result in demerit points. The better record you have, the lower your insurance premium will be.
On the other hand, if you have been convicted of breaking multiple driving laws, your record will reflect this, and your insurance premium will likely be higher.
So if you’re looking to save money on car insurance, one of the best things you can do is drive the speed limit and obey the rules of the road.
How to save money on auto insurance
On average, car insurance costs Ontario drivers between $1,300 and $1,800 annually. And as you now know, several factors are used to determine one’s car insurance rate, some of which you have no control over. So while you can’t change your age or marital status, there are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of car insurance. The following are some of our top tips for saving money on Norfolk County auto insurance:
- Enroll in driving school (for young drivers)
- Pay car insurance annually rather than monthly
- Purchase car insurance for multiple vehicles from the same provider (savings of up to 20%)
- Buy multiple insurance policies (home insurance + car insurance, business insurance + car 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
Compare car insurance quotes with a Norfolk County broker
Shopping for car insurance can be extremely overwhelming, especially with all the complicated jargon. Understanding premiums, deductibles, and the various types of coverage is no easy task. But there is a solution.
By partnering with a trusted broker like BrokerLink, you’ll have a skilled professional by your side every step of the way. Each of BrokerLink’s insurance advisors is an expert in the field of car insurance. They know the ins and outs of the industry and will ensure you receive the best possible coverage for the most affordable price.
They will also take the time to understand your insurance needs and match you with a policy that suits your lifestyle. So whether you’re a young driver purchasing their first-ever car insurance policy or a seasoned veteran looking to get the most out of their car insurance, BrokerLink can help.
Let us browse coverage options and compare quotes while you spend your free time exactly how you want to be spending it.
At the end of the day, BrokerLink has the resources, expertise, and customer service to turn an overwhelming and tedious process into an entirely stress-free experience.
Get in touch
Want to learn more? Make BrokerLink your go-to resource for all things car insurance, and we promise we won’t let you down. From start to finish, our insurance advisors will do the heavy lifting to ensure you walk away satisfied.
What are you waiting for? Give our brokers a call today, visit one of our many locations to chat with us in person, or contact us online.
BrokerLink car insurance quotes are fully complimentary for all Norfolk County residents. And if you have any questions upon receiving your free quote, the BrokerLink team is always on hand to take your call.
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