Leading Car Insurance Providers in Ottawa

It’s compulsory to have car insurance in Ottawa, as in all cities in Canada. There are mandatory car insurance requirements for drivers and optional coverages in Ottawa, including collision and comprehensive coverage. See our section on “Mandatory Car Insurance” for more details.

There must be a valid reason to deny a person auto insurance coverage in Ottawa. An insurance company can’t use your credit rating or a disability, for example, to not give you the proper auto protection. There are certain exceptions, such as serious traffic violations, that may lead an insurance company to not be able to give you adequate coverage. If you’re in a situation where you can’t find adequate coverage, you can contact the Facility Association, which deals with high-risk auto insurance in Ontario.

It depends. Ontario has a no-fault system, meaning that all parties involved in the accident must go through their own insurance company for reimbursement of medical costs and other expenses. This does not mean that no one is at-fault. The province’s system allows your insurance company to pay for your loss only and not the other driver’s loss, including vehicle damages, medical costs, and lawyers in case you’re sued.

No, if your personal items are stolen from your car you won’t be covered under your auto policy, but your protection will fall under your home insurance policy. If you leave personal items, such as your phone, laptop, and GPS device, in your car (even for a short time), you will be covered. If your car is damaged and the items inside were stolen, you must file two separate insurance claims, each with a separate deductible.

No. Your insurance rates will not be impacted by a photo radar speeding ticket as there is no evidence to show who was driving the car. If a cop pulls you over with a speeding ticket, for example, your insurance rates will likely rise. In any case, you must still pay for a photo radar speeding ticket, though, otherwise you won’t be able to renew your vehicle registration.

Yes, speeding tickets will impact your car insurance rates in Ottawa.

Yes. Whether you choose Lyft or Uber for your ridesharing service in Ottawa, or car sharing services, such as Turo, you must contact your auto insurance company and let them know. If you’re transporting other people for money, you need specific insurance on top of your personal auto insurance policy. Once you have an individual carsharing or ridesharing policy, read it over carefully. In 2016, Financial Services Company of Ontario approved a commercial auto insurance policy for ridesharing drivers and passengers. Make sure you let your insurance company know if you have a separate commercial auto policy in addition to your personal policy.

Ontario has a no-fault system, where regardless of who is at-fault in an accident, all parties must go to their respective insurance company in the event of an accident. This does not mean that no one is at-fault. The province uses Fault Determination Rules to determine fault in the event of an accident. Fault determination ranges from 0% to 100% fault.

By law, a driver must have a minimum of $200,000 for third party liability and accidents benefits coverage, which helps to cover damages and medical expenses of others involved in an accident where you’re at fault. However, a much higher amount of $2 million is recommended as expenses and damages from all parties involved in an accident are often much higher. The amount agreed upon can also cover legal expenses if you’re sued after an accident.  

No, car insurance rates are similar for men and women in Ottawa – as in the case in Ontario. On average, it will cost males $1,076 per year, or $90 per month, for auto insurance compared to a woman, who will spend $1,122, or $94 per month, on average.

Whether you pay monthly or annually depends on your car insurance policy. Often, your insurance company can change the frequency that you pay your rates, so ask your insurance broker when you first set up your policy or at the time of renewal. Ontario has a private system, so that gives customers the ability to shop around and find the best rates that suit their needs.

When your vehicle is in an accident, your insurance company will determine whether it’s a total loss by assessing the value of the car after the incident. For example, if repairs to your car cost more than the actual cash value of the car, the insurance company will deem your car a total loss. However, if the cost of repairs is less than the actual cash value, the insurance company will likely decide to repair your car.

Actual cash value and replacement cost are two methods that an insurance company will pay you for a loss. Actual cash value, also known as market value, pays for what an item is worth at the time of the claim. Replacement cost is the amount that your insurance company will pay you based on the price of the item at the time of loss. You can determine which method you’d like to use when you first set up your auto insurance policy. Actual cash value and replacement cost are determined differently from one insurance company to the next, so if you’re unsure of your policy details, simply contact your insurance broker for help.

No, as a car owner with a valid auto insurance policy, you don’t need to get a separate insurance policy for a new car. Simply transfer your old policy to your new policy. Keep in mind with a new car insurance policy, that you may need different coverage based on the make, model, and year of your new vehicle.

Yes. If you’re travelling with your personal vehicle, you should be protected with a basic liability coverage, which extends from your personal car insurance policy. If you’re in an accident in your own vehicle while in another province, city, or country – call your insurer immediately, even if it’s a minor accident. If you’ve rented a car for your travels, the level of insurance depends on whether you already have an auto policy. You may also want to consider an endorsement that covers physical damage to the rental car. Always contact your insurance company before you head out on the road for clarification on what you’re covered for and what you need.

Yes. If you need insurance in Ottawa, your car needs to be registered in Ontario.