Have you ever compared car insurance quotes and wondered why the numbers don’t add up? Searching for a car insurance quotation or vehicle insurance quotes might seem straightforward, but in Ontario, there’s far more behind the price than meets the eye.
Your auto and car insurance rate is influenced by everything from your location and driving history to how each insurer calculates risk. That’s why one company may offer you cheap insurance for auto while another quotes something much higher for the same vehicle.
We’ll unpack the biggest factors that shape Ontario auto insurance rates and explain how a Canadian auto insurance broker like Levitt Insurance can help you find the best fit for your coverage and budget.
1. Your Driving History
No surprise here your record on the road matters. If you’ve had:
- Accidents (especially at-fault ones)
- Traffic violations
- Claims in the last few years
- Driver license suspensions
Then your rate will reflect that risk.
Aviva Insurance for instance looks at your driving record over the past six years. The cleaner it is, the more likely you’ll qualify for better pricing. Even a minor speeding ticket can affect your quote depending on the insurer.
At Levitt Insurance, we help you understand how each incident impacts your quote. And if one insurer penalizes you more than another, we’ll show you the difference in black and white.
2. Where You Live in Ontario
Yes, your postal code affects your auto insurance. Insurers analyze claim trends in your area, accident frequency, theft rates, fraud cases and adjust rates accordingly.
For example, car insurance in Ontario tends to be more expensive in:
- Toronto
- Brampton
- Mississauga
And more affordable in areas like:
- Kingston
- Ottawa
- Guelph
If you’re searching “auto car insurance near me”, you may notice a spike in pricing depending on your neighbourhood. That’s not just about the car you drive, it’s about the risk data for where you park it.
When you contact an Ontario auto insurance broker like Levitt Insurance, we help find the most affordable car insurance options in your region by comparing multiple providers, not just one.
3. Your Vehicle
What you drive makes a difference. It’s not just about price, it’s about:
- Repair costs
- Theft likelihood
- Safety ratings
- Engine size and modifications
For example, a 2020 Honda Civic might cost more to insure than a 2020 Toyota Corolla, simply because the Civic might be more commonly stolen or claims might be historically higher.
Some insurers use different data models to assess these risks. One might charge less for a particular model based on its claims history in their books.
When we run quotes for vehicle insurance through our systems, we show you which insurer treats your vehicle more favourably and why.
4. Your Coverage Choices
Ontario requires certain mandatory auto insurance coverages by law:
- Third-party liability
- Accident benefits
- Direct compensation property damage
- Uninsured automobile coverage
But beyond that, you can customize your protection with:
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Loss of use
- Waiver of depreciation
Choosing more coverage increases your rate, but it also means better financial protection when something goes wrong.
For example, Aviva Insurance offers a “My Drive” program that rewards safe drivers with discounts, even with full coverage policies. Has a customizable “Your Lifestyle” option that lets you pick the add-ons that match your driving habits.
5. Your Age and Driving Experience
In Ontario, new drivers or those under 25 often pay higher premiums. It’s not personal, it’s statistical. Younger or inexperienced drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions.
That said, if you’re a newcomer to Canada, insurers may allow you to submit proof of previous driving experience or insurance history from another country.
This is exactly where a Canada auto insurance broker like Levitt Insurance can make a big difference. We’ll help you gather the right documents and match you with insurers that are more open to reviewing foreign history or newly licensed drivers.
6. Annual Mileage and Usage
How much you drive every year affects your rate. The more time you spend on the road, the higher your exposure to risk.
If you’re only driving to the grocery store and back, you may qualify for a low mileage discount. On the other hand, long daily commutes into Toronto or Mississauga will increase your rate.
Aviva Insurance offers usage-based insurance programs that track your habits via a mobile app. Drive safely and infrequently? You could save up to 25 percent.
When clients ask us about auto insurance in Ontario, we always check if one of these usage programs makes sense for their lifestyle.
7. Insurance History and Gaps in Coverage
If you’ve had continuous coverage for years, great. Insurers reward that stability. But if you had a gap, even a few months, your quote might be higher.
Let’s say you took a break from driving or canceled your policy for the winter. Some insurers might view that as increased risk, especially if you’re coming back after a lapse.
At Levitt Insurance, we flag these situations early. We’ll help you explain the gap or find insurers that are more flexible in how they rate these scenarios.
8. Your Deductibles
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in for certain claims. Higher deductibles = lower premiums.
Choosing a $1,000 deductible instead of $500 can reduce your quote but only if you can comfortably afford that amount if a claim happens.
Aviva Insurance offers flexible deductible options across their auto insurance packages. As your broker, we help you find the sweet spot between savings and security.
Levitt Insurance Helps You Compare the Right Way
Here’s the truth: you won’t find the cheapest car insurance by looking at one quote in isolation. That’s why using a Canada auto insurance broker like Levitt Insurance makes a big difference.
We compare auto and car insurance offers from top insurers break down the differences, and help you:
- See how each company rates your risk
- Choose coverage that fits your life
- Avoid overpaying or underinsuring
And when you’re ready, we help you apply fast. If you’re tired of jumping between websites, trying to decode insurance lingo, or wondering why your quote jumped 20 percent this year, let’s fix that.
At Levitt Insurance, we simplify the process. We’re a Canada auto insurance broker who works with the best in the industry including Aviva Insurance to help you get competitive car insurance quotes that make sense.
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