Car Insurance Pembroke

Is auto insurance mandatory in Pembroke?

Yes, car insurance is required in Pembroke. In fact, it is required everywhere in Ontario, as car insurance is provincially regulated and the government of Ontario has made it compulsory for all Ontario drivers. Thus, in order to register your vehicle, you must purchase car insurance.

More specifically, the car insurance you purchase must meet the minimum coverage requirements set by the province. For example, in the case of Ontario, drivers are required to carry a minimum of $200,000 in third party liability coverage at all times (though many drivers opt for greater coverage than this).

Driving without insurance

Since car insurance is mandatory in Pembroke, choosing to drive without insurance, including with expired insurance, is illegal. As such, those caught driving without insurance can face severe fines.

For a first offense in Ontario, you can be fined anywhere between the minimum of $5,000 and the maximum of $25,000.

If you are caught driving without insurance a second time, you can be fined up to $50,000. There is also a 15% surcharge on any fines incurred.

Ultimately, the consequences of driving without insurance in Pembroke makes doing so not worth the risk. So if you’re a Pembroke driver without car insurance, contact your local broker as soon as possible to help you find a policy.

The benefits of Pembroke auto insurance

There are plenty of benefits to be derived from purchasing car insurance. From complying with the law to the peace of mind insurance offers, check out a list of four reasons why Pembroke drivers choose to buy auto insurance.

You’re protected in case of bodily injury

If you are injured following a car accident, your insurance can help. Most car insurance plans include bodily injury coverage, so if you require medical attention because of an accident, you can seek compensation to cover the cost of medical expenses.

You’re protected in the event of an accident

Accidents happen even to the safest of drivers. For this reason, it’s important to be prepared and auto insurance can help. Car insurance typically includes coverage to help with the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision.

You’re protected in case of theft

Another benefit to purchasing car insurance is that some policies offer protection against theft. This means that if your car was stolen, your insurance provider would help cover the costs of replacing it, rather than having to pay for a new vehicle out-of-pocket.

You’re in compliance with the law

One last and key benefit of purchasing car insurance is that in doing so, you comply with the law. Uninsured motorists can face serious consequences in Ontario (including fines of up to $50,000). Avoid the risk of getting caught by purchasing quality car insurance that at least meets the minimum requirements set by the province.

Four components of mandatory auto insurance in Pembroke

Many elements make up car insurance, several of which are mandatory in Ontario. From third party liability coverage to uninsured automobile coverage, each type of coverage is designed to offer you protection while on the road. The four types of coverage that are required in Ontario are listed below. They are required in all circumstances, no matter whether you own, lease or finance your vehicle.

Third party liability coverage

Liability coverage protects Pembroke drivers if they get into an accident that they are at fault for. For example, if you cause an accident that results in bodily injury or property damage, liability coverage can help you cover the costs of medical expenses or vehicle repairs. It can also help pay for court fees or legal counsel, if necessary. In Ontario, car insurance policies must include a minimum of $200,000 in third party liability coverage.

Direct compensation

Direct compensation coverage protects you in the event that you get into an accident that was not your fault. This type of coverage offers compensation if you suffer an accidental injury or your car is damaged in the collision. In the case of direct compensation, you contact the insurance company directly to file your claim.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage helps cover the costs of medical expenses following a collision. This type of coverage can be claimed no matter which party was at fault for the accident, and it can help pay for the medical expenses of the driver, passenger, or any pedestrians involved in the accident.

Uninsured automobile coverage

Uninsured automobile coverage protects you and any passengers in your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident with an at-fault driver who is uninsured or underinsured.

What determines the cost of Pembroke car insurance?

Insurers take several factors into consideration when calculating insurance premiums. One’s age, marital status, driving record, and location can all influence how much car insurance costs. Pembroke drivers might find it helpful to know these factors so they can understand why their insurance premium is what it is. Some of the most common factors that determine the cost of auto insurance are as follows:

Driving history

One of the top factors in determining the cost of auto insurance is a person’s driving history. Driving history consists of driving experience, as well as a person’s driving record.

Having more driving experience may result in lower premiums. A lack of experience is what raises the insurance premiums for young drivers.

However, experience alone does not translate to lower insurance premiums. Rather, you have to possess a mix of driving experience and a clean driving record. If you drive the speed limit and generally obey the rules of the road, you are likely to have a clean driving record. But if you speed, drive recklessly, or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then you are far more likely to have a poor driving record rife with tickets, accidents, and DUIs.

The better your driving record, the lower your premiums will be. Pembroke motorists with stellar records are often rewarded for it by paying less for car insurance.

Age

From an insurance company’s perspective, there is a direct correlation between age and driving skills. As such, the younger you are, the less driving experience you have, and the greater risk you pose on the road. This is why new drivers tend to pay the most for car insurance. Another age group impacted is the elderly, with studies showing that seniors might not be as quick to react. As a result, drivers of a certain age in Pembroke may have higher insurance premiums.

Location

An insurance provider will almost certainly ask about where you live and work when determining your auto insurance rate. This is because drivers who live in populous urban areas, such as Toronto, are more likely to get into an accident given the increase in traffic. In contrast, drivers who live and work in rural areas with less traffic are viewed as less likely to get into an accident and will receive a cheaper rate because of it.

In addition, if you live or work in an area prone to climate related incidents, your insurance premium may be raised.

Make, model, and vehicle year

The type of car you drive can also influence how much you pay for auto insurance. Generally speaking, the newer and more expensive your vehicle, the higher your insurance premium. This is because newer, luxury vehicles are more at risk for theft and will cost more for the insurance companies if they need to be replaced or repaired. That said, if your vehicle is new but has safety features, the insurance company will likely take this into account.

The number of kilometres you drive

The number of kilometres you drive is one final factor that can affect your insurance premium. The more frequently you drive, the higher your insurance premiums are going to be. For example, if you have to drive every day as part of your job, or you drive at night and on highways frequently, you will likely pay more for car insurance.

However, if you only drive on weekends or a couple of times per week, your insurance premiums may be lower. Be sure to speak to an insurance broker about driving habits when purchasing car insurance.

Marital status

Marital status is another factor that can influence your insurance premium. Why? Data reveals that married people are more responsible and financially stable, which insurance companies take into consideration. It might not seem fair, but the reality is that married drivers tend to have lower insurance premiums than single people.

Saving money on Pembroke auto insurance just got easier

Why spend more when you can spend less? No one should ever have to pay a premium for car insurance. Luckily, there are several ways that Pembroke drivers can save money on car insurance. From increasing their deductibles to making annual instead of monthly payments, we’ve compiled the following tips on how Pembroke motorists can save on car insurance

Increase your deductible

A general rule within the insurance industry is the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. In essence, the more money you are willing to take on, the less your car insurance will cost. For those that don’t know, a deductible is the amount of money you are responsible for paying towards an insured loss. The average car insurance deductible is around $500 in the province of Ontario. To reduce the cost of car insurance, consider raising your deductible to $1,000 or more. Got questions about how insurance deductibles work? Contact a local broker who will ensure you understand all the terms of your car insurance policies.

Make annual payments

Paying for car insurance annually rather than monthly will almost always save you money. This is because most insurance companies will charge an administrative fee for monthly payments, which means that paying monthly ultimately costs you more.

Insure vehicles together

If your household has more than one car, insuring them together can save you money. Insuring multiple cars at once with the same provider may make you eligible for a discount of between 15% and 20% per policy.

Combine different insurance policies

Bundling multiple insurance policies together is another way to save money on your Pembroke car insurance. The more insurance you buy from a provider, the more likely they are to give you a discount. So if you’re also shopping for home insurance, business insurance, or insurance for leisure items like a cottage, boat, or ATV, consider finding a provider that sells various types of insurance and buying it all from them. Doing so can typically save people up to 15% per policy.

Install winter tires on your vehicle

Safety pays. If you take care to install winter tires on your vehicles, insurance providers will take this into account and often offer you a discount on car insurance. They understand that snow tires reduce your risk of getting into an accident during the snowy, icy winter months, and they will reward you accordingly. In Ontario, discounts vary by the insurance company but Pembroke drivers can save up to 5% on car insurance.

Buy an electric vehicle

Reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on car insurance with an eco-friendly vehicle. Car insurance companies across Ontario have begun offering discounts to drivers of hybrid or electric vehicles. So beyond saving you money at the gas pump, purchasing a green vehicle could save you up to 10% on car insurance.

Attend driving lessons

Taking formal driving lessons can also reduce your car insurance rate. For young drivers, whose insurance premiums are typically highest, enrolling in driving school is one way to receive a discount. Insurance companies know that driving schools produce skilled and knowledgeable drivers who know the rules of the road and are more likely to obey them. For these reasons, attending driving school and receiving formal instruction from a professional can save you some money.

The right approach to car insurance

Getting comprehensive coverage at an affordable rate takes hard work, time, and dedication - three things that not everyone can spare for car insurance. That’s why we’re here.

As one of the leading insurance brokerages in Ontario, BrokerLink is here to offer our resources and expertise. Our team of knowledgeable insurance advisors is always ready to put in the time and effort so that we can find you your perfect car insurance policy.

We will obtain quotes from several car insurance companies to ensure you receive the best coverage at the best possible price.

Get in touch

Get in touch today to learn more about Pembroke car insurance and receive a free quote from one of our expert insurance advisors.

We offer 100% obligation-free quotes to all Ontario residents and can provide you with an accurate and competitive quote in just five minutes.

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