Is car insurance required in Pickering, Ontario?
Yes. The Ontario Government has made car insurance a legal requirement everywhere in the province, which means all Pickering motorists must purchase valid coverage in order to drive legally. In Ontario, valid coverage includes the following four coverage types.
Failure to purchase a policy that contains each of these coverages, and specifically a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability car insurance, can result in fines of up to $50,000, the suspension of your driver’s licence, and the impoundment of your vehicle. So don’t make the mistake of driving without insurance because the consequences could be severe.
Mandatory Pickering car insurance explained
To give you an idea of what makes mandatory Pickering car insurance so important, we explain how each type of compulsory coverage protects you.
Third-party liability coverage
Third-party liability coverage is a form of coverage that protects you against the cost of damage if you are held responsible for an accident. For example, if you get into a rear-end collision and the insurance company determines that you are at fault, you can file a third party claim to cover the cost of vehicle repair bills, medical expenses, and any legal fees that may arise from the claim.
Accident benefits coverage
Accident benefits coverage can pay for everything from medical expenses to funeral fees and lost wages if you are injured in a car accident. Whether you suffer a minor injury or a major one, you can receive compensation for any injury-related expenses that aren’t covered by health insurance, e.g. prescription medications, physical therapy, etc.
Direct compensation coverage
Direct compensation coverage is a type of property damage coverage that can pay for your vehicle to be repaired if it gets damaged in an accident. The only catch with this type of coverage is that you will only be eligible for it if you are not at fault for the collision that resulted in the damage. However, assuming you are not liable, then you can file a claim to cover all kinds of repairs, from dents and scratches to engine replacements.
Uninsured automobile coverage
You can file an uninsured automobile coverage claim with your provider if you are involved in an accident with a motorist who is uninsured, underinsured, or anonymous because they fled the scene of the collision. Therefore, uninsured automobile coverage is what you would claim if you fall victim to a hit-and-run. It can cover medical fees, property damage bills, and more.
Optional auto insurance coverage in Pickering explained
Now that you know more about mandatory coverage, let’s dive into the world of optional coverage. Optional coverage, as the name suggests, is not legally required to drive in Pickering. That said, there are many advantages to adding these extra types of coverage to your policy. Namely, you will have broader protection if you choose to purchase collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, accident forgiveness coverage, etc. Continue reading to find out how each type of optional auto insurance coverage can protect you on the road.
Collision coverage
Collision car coverage is a form of property damage coverage that can pay for vehicle repairs and replacements if you get into an accident. This type of coverage offers broader protection than direct compensation coverage, another type of property damage coverage, in that you can claim it even if you were at fault for the accident. In addition, the collision doesn’t need to have involved another motorist, it could also be a single vehicle collision with an animal or a grounded object, such as a lamppost.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive car coverage, also referred to as parked car coverage, is one of the few types of coverage that offers financial protection against non-collision incidents. For example, you can file a comprehensive coverage claim if your car is stolen or a hail storm damages it. Comprehensive insurance will cover damage caused by a list of insured perils that will be outlined in your policy.
This list varies but often includes theft, vandalism, fire, explosions and riots, falling and flying objects, and weather-related events. So long as the damage resulted from one of these covered perils, you can file a comprehensive claim and receive a payout from your insurance company to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
Accident forgiveness coverage
One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Pickering 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 vary by province.
Loss of use coverage
Loss of use coverage is one last type of optional coverage that may be worth considering as a Pickering driver. This type of coverage can pay for you to take other modes of transit if you are temporarily unable to drive your car due to damage. For instance, if it is damaged in an accident and needs to go into the repair shop for a week, you can be reimbursed for the cost of renting a car or taking taxis during this time under the loss of use coverage portion of your policy.
How much are Pickering car insurance premiums?
The cost of Pickering car insurance varies widely. Why? Insurance companies take into account a multitude of factors when calculating rates. For this reason, if you want to find out how much Pickering car insurance premiums are, your best bet is to reach out to BrokerLink and request a free insurance quote. All BrokerLink insurance quotes have no strings attached and take as little as five minutes. Use our online quote tool now, or give us a call to request a free quote directly from a licensed insurance broker.
What factors are used to calculate Pickering auto insurance premiums?
To give you a better idea of exactly how insurance companies in Ontario calculate Pickering car insurance premiums, the BrokerLink team has put together a general list of factors that insurers use to assess risk. This list is as follows:
- Where you live
- Age
- Gender
- Vehicle type
- How you use your vehicle
- Driving record
- Driving experience
- Past claims
- Prior insurance coverage
- Number of kilometres you drive
- Type of coverage on your policy
- Your deductible(s)
We’re in your community
BrokerLink is honoured to be an integral part of the Pickering community. On top of providing top-notch insurance services to our customers, we also strive to get involved in the local community. That means attending charity events and fundraisers and giving back in any way we can. Corporate social responsibility has been a core value of ours since we were founded over 30 years ago. Learn more about BrokerLink’s core values and our community efforts by getting in touch with us today.
Contact us
At Uxbridge 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. We can also help you adjust or renew your policy down the road.
You can reach us by phone or email or visit our location in Pickering. 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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Pickering auto insurance FAQs
How can I get a car loan in Pickering?
If you want to buy a new car but need a loan in order to do so, then you will need to speak with lenders in your area. Banks are a popular place to apply for car loans. The first step is to get pre-approved for a loan. To do this, you should be prepared to gather important information about yourself and your finances, such as your credit score and proof of income. Once you are pre-approved, you will have an idea of how much you can afford to spend on a car. From there, you can select a model that makes sense for your budget and then formally apply for the car loan. Remember that if you lease a car, there might be additional insurance requirements, like having valid collision and comprehensive coverage for the duration of your loan, so make sure that you review the terms and conditions of your lease or financing agreement carefully.
What is the process for renewing car insurance in Pickering?
The process for renewing car insurance in Pickering is easy. All you need to do is let your insurance company know that you want to renew your policy. You can do this by calling them on the phone, visiting your local insurance office, or even logging into your account online. Most of the time, your request for renewal will be granted. The only exceptions to this are if you failed to pay for your last policy or you have a material change in risk that your insurer can no longer insure you for. Before finalizing your car insurance renewal, be sure to make any modifications that you wish, such as raising or lowering your deductibles or policy limits and adding or removing additional coverage.
Am I allowed to drive with an expired car insurance policy in Pickering, Ontario?
No. Driving with expired car insurance is the same as driving with no insurance at all, and that’s illegal. If you are caught driving with an expired car insurance policy, you could face consequences for uninsured driving, which include fines worth tens of thousands of dollars, the impoundment of your car, and the suspension of your Ontario licence for up to a year.
Will the insurance company give me a discount if I install snow tires on my car?
Most likely, yes. So long as you comply with the conditions set by your insurance company, then you should receive a winter tire discount for installing snow tires on your car. This offering has been mandatory in Ontario for over seven years now as a way of incentivizing drivers to install snow tires on their cars.
How do auto insurance deductibles work in Pickering?
Auto insurance deductibles work the same regardless of where you drive in Canada. When you purchase a policy, you will need to select one or multiple deductibles. A deductible is the amount of money that you, as the policyholder, will be required to pay if you suffer a loss and need to file a claim. If your insurance claim is approved, you will pay your deductible before your insurance company issues a payout to cover the rest. Deductibles for Pickering car insurance typically range between $500 and $2,000. The higher the deductibles you choose, the lower your premium is likely to be since you are agreeing to take on a greater level of financial responsibility in the event of a claim. In contrast, if you select low deductibles, then you will pay more for your policy upfront but will pay less if and when you need to file a claim.
I got into a car accident and was found liable. How will my Pickering car insurance premiums be affected?
Unfortunately, at-fault accidents affect car insurance rates, which means that your premium is likely to increase as a result of the accident. You likely won’t notice this increase right away, but you will notice it the next time that you renew your policy. Your premium will be raised until the at-fault accident is no longer on your driving record, which can take up to six years in Ontario. The good news is that your rates will likely be the highest in the year immediately following the accident but then will continue to decrease so long as you do not rack up any other driving infractions.
Please note that the only exception to this is if you have accident forgiveness coverage and this was your first at-fault accident. In that scenario, your insurer would not raise your rates after the accident.
At what age will my Pickering car insurance premiums decrease?
Most car insurance premiums start to go down once a driver gains years of clean driving experience. As they gain experience, their rates are likely to go down. However, they will only do so if you maintain a clean driving record. That is why following safe driving tips is so important. You must drive safely and responsibly if you want to avoid getting a ticket or getting into an accident, which are the only ways to keep your record clean.
Can an insurance broker help me find Pickering car insurance?
Yes! Insurance brokers are car insurance experts who can help Pickering customers find all types of car insurance. Whether you’re looking for basic or enhanced coverage, a new driver policy or a senior driver policy, a broker can help. A few of the types of car insurance that you can find through a Pickering insurance broker are third-party liability, accident benefits, direct compensation, uninsured motorist, collision, comprehensive, waiver of depreciation, loss of use, roadside assistance, and accident forgiveness coverage.
How can I reduce my Pickering auto insurance premiums?
If you want to save money on your Pickering auto insurance policy, there are many ways to do so. For example, you can bundle home and auto policies or buy multiple auto insurance policies from the same provider. Insurance companies appreciate loyalty, so if you buy two or more insurance products from them, you can save a lot.
Qualifying for a car insurance discount, like a winter tire discount, a telematics discount, an anti-theft device discount, a safe driver discount, a driver’s educational discount, an employment-based discount, or an occasional driver discount, can also help you reduce your premium. To find out if you are eligible for an occasional driver discount, learn how to calculate mileage so that you can determine if you meet the maximum annual mileage.
Do I need an Ontario driver’s license to purchase an auto insurance plan in Pickering?
Yes. The insurance agent or broker will ask to see a copy of your valid Ontario driver’s licence when issuing your policy. You will not be able to buy the policy without this.
What is the punishment for driving without car insurance in Pickering?
The potential punishments for driving without car insurance anywhere in Ontario include a maximum fine of $25,000 for a first offence, a maximum fine of $50,000 for a second or subsequent offence, a surcharge of 25% on top of any fine incurred, the impoundment of your car for up to 90 days, and the suspension of your driver’s licence for up to a year. Ontario has some of the harshest punishments for uninsured drivers, which is one of the many reasons that driving without a valid car insurance policy isn’t smart. On top of all this, if you get into an accident while driving uninsured, you will likely be on the hook for the cost of the collision.
How do I get a free Pickering car insurance quote?
You can get a Pickering car insurance quote right now for free! To get started, contact an insurance company or insurance broker in your area or simply visit their website. From there, you can request your free quote. For your quote to be as accurate as possible, make sure that you answer each question with as much detail as you can. Once you’ve answered the necessary questions, you can receive a free car insurance quote in a matter of minutes.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
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