To compare car insurance quotes in Ontario, ask several insurers or brokers for prices on exactly the same coverage: liability limit, deductibles, collision and comprehensive, and accident benefits. Since July 1, 2026, several accident benefits are optional in Ontario, so check which ones each quote includes before you compare prices.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Ontario has some of the highest car insurance premiums in Canada. According to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), the average premium was about $2,006 a year as of October 2024, with higher averages in the Greater Toronto Area than in other urban and rural areas. Because prices vary widely from one insurer to another for the same driver, comparing quotes properly can make a real difference.
What every Ontario auto policy includes
Every policy must include mandatory coverages, including third-party liability (minimum $200,000, although most drivers buy $1 million or $2 million), direct compensation for property damage, uninsured automobile coverage and the standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care accident benefits. Collision and comprehensive coverage are optional but usually required by your lender or lessor if the car is financed.
What changed on July 1, 2026
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s summary of the reform, several accident benefits that used to be included in every policy became optional for new policies and renewals on or after July 1, 2026. These include income replacement, non-earner, caregiver, housekeeping and home maintenance, lost educational expenses, visitor expenses, damage to personal items, and death and funeral benefits. Standard medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory.
Two other points matter when you compare quotes:
- Auto insurance now pays first for medical and rehabilitation costs after a collision, before workplace or private health plans (medication excluded).
- Existing policies renew with the same coverage unless you agree in writing to remove optional benefits.
Build a comparison sheet
Ask every insurer to quote the same profile and coverage. Use a table like this one:
| Item to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Third-party liability limit | $1M vs $2M changes the price; a quote with lower liability is not comparable |
| Collision deductible | A $1,000 deductible costs less than $500 but you pay more after an at-fault claim |
| Comprehensive deductible | Covers theft, fire, hail, vandalism; theft risk is high for some models in Ontario |
| Optional accident benefits | Income replacement and other benefits may or may not be included since July 2026 |
| Endorsements | Rental car, depreciation waiver, accident forgiveness, family protection (OPCF 44R) |
| Discounts applied | Winter tires, bundling home and auto, multi-vehicle, telematics, anti-theft devices |
| Payment plan | Monthly payments may carry a fee compared with paying annually |
Where to get quotes
- Insurance brokers compare several insurers for you and can explain coverage options.
- Direct insurers sell their own policies online or by phone.
- Agents represent a single insurer.
- Comparison websites collect your details and pass them to insurers or brokers. Read their privacy terms before submitting.
Get at least three quotes, ideally from different channels, since a broker and a direct insurer may not show you the same companies.
What affects your premium in Ontario
- Where you live: postal code is a major rating factor, and GTA averages are higher.
- Driving record: at-fault claims and convictions raise premiums for several years.
- Vehicle: repair costs and theft rates for the model.
- Use and distance: commuting and annual kilometres driven.
- Experience: years licensed and graduated licensing level (G1, G2, G).
Shopping for a car? Get an insurance quote on the exact model before you buy. Our guides to car affordability and financing a used car in Ontario explain why insurance should be part of your budget.
Ways to lower your quote
- Install winter tires: Ontario insurers must offer a discount to drivers who use them.
- Raise deductibles if you can afford the out-of-pocket amount.
- Bundle home or tenant insurance with auto.
- Ask about telematics (usage-based) programs.
- Review optional coverage on older cars: collision may not be worth it if the car’s value is low.
A step-by-step way to compare
- Gather your information: driver’s licence numbers and history for every driver, the vehicle identification number (VIN), annual kilometres, commute distance and where the vehicle is parked overnight.
- Decide your baseline coverage: for example $2 million liability, $1,000 collision deductible, $500 comprehensive deductible and the optional accident benefits you want to keep.
- Request quotes on that baseline from a broker and at least two direct insurers.
- Write down each price annually, not monthly, so fees for monthly payments do not hide the real cost.
- Check the insurer’s claims service: how claims are filed, repair shop options and rental coverage.
- Only then adjust coverage to see how much a higher deductible or a removed benefit really saves.
Be accurate in your application. Misrepresenting where the car is kept, who drives it or how it is used can lead to a denied claim or a cancelled policy, which is far more expensive than any premium saving.
Switching insurers mid-term
You can usually switch before renewal, but your current insurer may keep a short-rate cancellation fee. Line up the new policy so there is no gap in coverage, and keep proof of insurance (the pink slip) in the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I compare car insurance quotes?
At least once a year before renewal, and whenever something changes: a move, a new vehicle, a new driver in the household or a claim falling off your record.
Does getting a quote affect my credit score?
Some insurers may use credit information with your consent, but a quote is not a credit application. Ask the insurer how it uses your information.
Are the July 2026 changes automatic for my current policy?
No. According to IBC, existing policies renew with current coverage unless you agree in writing to change it. Ask your insurer or broker to explain your options at renewal.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage rules come from Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule and your policy wording; confirm details with a licensed broker or your insurer.
