Car Insurance St. Thomas

Driving history = driving experience + driving record

As seen above, there is a long list of factors that car insurance companies consider when calculating premiums. Annual mileage, age, gender, location, marital status, and past claims can all affect how much St. Thomas drivers spend on auto insurance. But there is one other factor not listed above that comes into play: driving history.

Driving history combines one’s driving experience and driving record. From the insurer’s point of view, experience and record are clear indications of risk level on the road. Therefore, driving history is one of the most important details in determining insurance premiums.

The theory goes that the more driving experience a person has, the better their driving skills will be and the less likely they are to get into an accident. Therefore, insurance companies will lower their premiums.

A lack of experience is the single reason young drivers often pay the highest insurance premiums.

Beyond driving experience, your driving record will also be reviewed. Experience alone is not enough to reduce your car insurance rate, it must go hand in hand with a clean driving record. A clean driving record indicates to the insurance company that you are a safe and responsible driver who is less likely to get into an accident, and your premium will be lowered accordingly.

Alternatively, if your record is full of speeding tickets, demerit points, DUIs, and collisions, you are considered a greater risk and your insurance premium will be raised.

Is car insurance required in St. Thomas?

In short, yes. Car insurance is mandatory everywhere in Ontario, including St. Thomas. In Canada, the government of each province and territory gets to decide whether to make auto insurance compulsory, and the government of Ontario has made it so. Not only is car insurance a legal requirement, but the province has also stipulated that all motorists must purchase car insurance policies that meet the minimum coverage requirements, which includes $200,000 in third party liability coverage.

Uninsured motorists in St. Thomas

As car insurance is compulsory in Ontario, St. Thomas drivers who choose to drive without insurance are breaking the law, and in doing so, may be subject to severe fines.

Specifically, uninsured motorists in Ontario can be fined between $5,000 and $25,000 for a first offense. If caught a second time, the maximum fine doubles to $50,000. To make matters worse, there is a 15% surcharge applied to all uninsured motorist fines.

Overall, driving without insurance in St. Thomas is not worth it. So if you do not currently have a valid car insurance policy, whether you let your last policy expire or never bought it in the first place, get in touch with a local broker to learn about your options. An experienced broker will explain the coverage options available to you, ensure you understand the minimum coverage requirements in Ontario, and help you find a budget-friendly car insurance policy that suits your lifestyle.

Advice for young drivers in St. Thomas

Driving for the first time can be intimidating, which is why we urge young drivers to remember that driving is a skill. And like any skill, it takes practice to master. The more time you spend on the road, the more comfortable and confident you will become, especially if you develop safe driving habits. To aid in this transition, the following are a list of tips for new drivers in St. Thomas:

Keep your eyes moving

You’ve probably been told to keep your eyes on the road. And while the intentions behind this are sound, the reality is that you’re actually safer if you keep your eyes moving. Scanning all lanes ahead of you and glancing at your rear-view and side mirrors every few seconds ensures you’re aware of everything happening around you. So keep your eyes on the road, but don’t keep them locked on the one vehicle in front of you. A safe driver is aware of what’s happening ahead of them, beside them, and behind them at all times. The more aware you are of other vehicles on the road, the less likely you are to be involved in a collision.

Enroll in driving school

Attending a driving school is one of the best ways to learn about the rules of the road and develop safe driving habits. Young drivers can find driving schools all over Ontario, most of which offer a combination of in-class and in-car lessons. Taking a driving course also gives young drivers an opportunity to practice driving with someone other than a family member, which can be nerve-wracking. As an added bonus, enrolling in driving school in Ontario can save you money on car insurance. Many insurance providers will lower your premium if you can prove you graduated from a professional driving institution.

Drive slowly

Our third piece of advice is to slow down. Whenever you’re on the road, do your best to remain calm, take deep breaths, and most importantly, take your time. Whether you’re accelerating, braking, turning, or parking, going slow is always better. Additionally, remember to drive the speed limit, or below it when driving through a construction zone, at night, or in poor weather conditions. Ultimately, the slower you drive, the more time you will have to react, and the better off you will be.

Give yourself space

One final tip for new drivers in St. Thomas, Ontario is to give yourself ample space on the road. Whether you’re stopped at an intersection or in motion, always leave two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. You can increase this distance when driving on the highway or in inclement weather. This way, if you have to stop suddenly for any reason, you have room to do so safely.

The right approach to car insurance

Getting comprehensive coverage at a competitive rate is no easy task. That’s why we’re here.

As one of the top insurance brokerages in Ontario, BrokerLink will stop at nothing to find a car insurance policy that suits your lifestyle and budget.

We will work around the clock, obtaining quotes from car insurance companies and comparing them to ensure you receive the most comprehensive coverage at the most affordable price. If it’s amazing results you’re after, look no further than BrokerLink.