Car Insurance Companies

Your Essential Car Insurance Guide

Easily and quickly save on your car insurance by comparison shopping at Kanetix.ca.

Car insurance is one of those things that everyone needs and everyone wants to pay less for and the single most effective way to do this is to shop around. Car insurance rates often change, and the insurance provider who gave you the best rate in the past, may no longer offer you the best rate today.

Kanetix.ca shops the market for you. We make it quick and easy for you to get quotes and coverage from the top insurance providers all in one place. Compare car insurance quotes today for a better price.

Save today and get quotes for: Alberta car insurance, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI.

Cheap car insurance in Canada

No matter where you live in Canada, you must have auto insurance, and even though each province and territory establishes their own required minimum insurance coverages, there are many similarities across Canada about Canadian car insurance in general.

Insurance for new drivers will likely be expensive

When you're first starting out, you've got a clean record with no blemishes, but also, no history. Young drivers can gain more experience to add to their driving history by starting off as an occasional driver under their parent's auto policy.

With no history to indicate what kind of driver you are, insurers will charge you more for your premium. The good news is that getting a great car insurance rate gets easier the longer you drive and the more history you build up. Since you're starting with a clean record, it's important to maintain it as it builds a positive driving history that shows insurers you're not a dangerous driver. In return, you're rewarded with lower car insurance rates.

• Buying Used Vehicles: Safety Recommendations For Teens
• Car Insurance For Your Teen
• 4 Easy Ways A Driver Under 20 Can Lower Their Car Insurance Rates

Your driving record will affect your car insurance premium

Think of your driving record as a continuous report card for your driving. You lose marks if you've been involved in any accidents or had convictions. However, you can improve those marks by the number of years you've been licensed and continue to be. The fewer marks you lose, the higher your grade is, which insurers reward with lower premiums.

• Distracted Driving Laws In Canada
• Traffic Tickets, Fender-Benders And Your Insurance
• Five Bad Driving Traits That Could Cost You
• At Fault Accident Rules: 10 Common Accidents And Who Is At Fault

The vehicle you drive affects your car insurance premium

Vehicles have this in common; they have four wheels, they have a steering wheel, they have a metal body with windows and they need something to power them. This is where the commonality ends. Ultimately, every vehicle is different and rated by insurers differently as well. Insurers look at a variety factors, including safety ratings, repair costs, and theft rates.

• The Most Environmentally Friendly Canadian Cars
• Which Cars Hold their Value the Best?
• Canada's Best SUVs: Top Selling 10 SUVs In Canada
• Best-Selling Minivans in Canada
• Top 10 Trucks In Canada
• Top 10 Cars In Canada
• Buying A Used Car? Tips To Help You Avoid Buyer's Remorse

One of the hardest things about shopping for a car is trying to narrow down what you want. It's not easy to pick between two to three different cars. An important factor that could be a great way to break a tie is the cost of car insurance. Ever vehicle is different, which means auto insurance coverage will be different for each car as well. We've got you covered with this great tool that shows how rates differ between multiple vehicles.

Your auto insurance rate is impacted by how often and how far you drive

You can be the safest driver in the world, but that doesn't mean much if everyone else isn't also a perfect driver. The more you expose yourself to danger, the higher your odds are to be hurt. This means that the longer your commute, the higher your chances of being in a collision. Find ways to lower your time behind the wheel, and your auto insurance provider may lower your rate. If work is close by, try walking, biking, or even taking public transit. Not only will you save on your premium, you'll save at the pumps doing less driving, and you'll enjoy the health benefits if you choose to bike or walk.

• Traffic Report: Canadian Drivers Lose 79 Hours A Year Delayed In Traffic

The area you live affects how much you pay for auto insurance

Where you live and drive is one of the factors in determining your car insurance rate. If you live in a rural area, chances are you'll pay less than someone who lives and drives in a city where there are more drivers on the road, and the likelihood of getting into a collision is higher. Also, more vehicles tend to be stolen in urban areas.

• Moving? Where You Live Affects How Much You Pay In Insurance
• Top 10 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance In Ontario
• The 10 Most Expensive & Cheapest Areas For Auto Insurance in Alberta
• Quebec Car Insurance: The Cost Of Car Insurance In Quebec's 10 Largest Cities

Optional Coverages and Endorsements are available

While every province has compulsory minimums that you must have as part of your policy, there are also optional coverages and endorsements that you can add to your policy for a fee. A few of the more popular include:

• Collision coverage: This covers damage to your vehicle as a result of an impact or collision with another vehicle or object.
• Comprehensive coverage: This insures your car against damage caused by events like theft and vandalism.
• Loss of Use: Let's say you have collision coverage, and you're in an accident. Loss of use will cover your transportation costs (like a rental car) while your vehicle is being repaired or replaced.
• Rental Car: If you frequently rent cars, this endorsement will ensure that your rental has both collision and comprehensive coverage.
• Depreciation Waiver: If you have a new car, this endorsement ensures you will receive the full value of your vehicle should it end up being considered a total loss.

Deductibles

Parts of your insurance policy may have deductibles. A deductible is the portion of an insurance claim you agree to pay. Your insurance company covers the remaining cost. Your deductibles play a part in how your auto insurance rates are calculated. Depending on how much financial responsibility you take on in the event of a claim, your rates will reflect your commitment. Take on more responsibility (i.e. increase your deductibles) and your rates will lower, take on less responsibility (i.e. decrease your deductibles) and your rates will increase.

• Save Five To 10 Per Cent On Your Car Insurance Right Away

Shopping around can save you money

Whether you own or lease your vehicle, it's important to compare rates regularly to ensure you're not overpaying for your coverage. At minimum, you should compare rates annually at renewal. You should also shop around when life changes: you get married, move, buy a new car, add drivers to your policy (like your teen), get a ticket, are involved in a collision, change jobs or retire. These are all times when you should be shopping around to see if there's a cheaper car insurance rate available.

---

*60% of Kanetix customers in Ontario who participated in the survey said Kanetix helped them identify an average savings amount of $776.58 (December 1, 2015 - February 29, 2016) on their car insurance. The cited amount represents the average difference between the best quote obtained at www.kanetix.ca and the current premium amount of participants in the survey. The savings amount varies by individual and does not constitute a guarantee; in each individual case, the difference may be smaller or greater than the savings amount cited.

---