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Finding affordable car insurance in Toronto is easier today than ever before. In an increasingly competitive market, consumers comparing car insurance quotes can use the dozens of offers available to their advantage. Although it takes time and research, getting several car insurance quotes puts the power in your hands when it comes to finding the best deal. It is important to explore your options. Not only does this give you a good idea of what you are looking at when it comes to the monthly premium, but it also gives you the power of negotiation.
You might think that car insurance quotes for the same driver/car would be similar across all providers, but every auto insurance company has its own costs to cover, based on data about all of their existing users/claims. In fact, an insurance rate calculation has many subtle complexities to it and multiple factors contribute to the final rate you receive. Based on the information you provide for your driving profile a car insurance company will categorize your risk potential and calculate a personalized rate. Unfortunately, some factors are out of your control, but there are still a few that you are 100% in the driver’s seat for, so being in the know could save you money on your auto insurance policy. Here are seven factors that auto insurance companies will consider before offering you a personalized car insurance rate.
Those that will continue your driving record: Some companies will consider your previous experience and will offer you a rate based on how long you have been driving, no matter where you got your on-road experience. Check with a broker to see which companies consider previous out-of-Canada experience so you can reduce your chances of a denial and increase your chances of getting the best possible rate.
Many Ontario drivers have additional third party insurance coverage. This is a wise move since the provincial requirement is only for $200,000. Settlements from serious accidents often exceed this amount. Any amount in excess of insurance coverage remains the responsibility of the driver. To guard against serious financial strain, it’s common to add liability coverage to $500,000 and beyond.
_{Although rural backroads and small-towns in Ontario do have their own unique hazards, owning and driving a car in an urban area, like Toronto or Ottawa, carries significantly higher risks for everything from traffic accidents to theft to minor fender benders. Due to the higher risk associated with cars in the city, car insurance is generally more expensive in city centres.}
In Alberta, Ontario, the Atlantic provinces, and the territories, there are only private insurers. In British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, basic auto insurance is available from the government and additional coverage is available from private insurers. Quebec, on the other hand, has is it's own unique regulations - public insurance covers injury or death while private insurance covers property damage.
Insurance is funny, in a weird sort of way, because rates can vary wildly between insurance companies. Also, premiums often change so the insurance provider who offered you the best rate two years ago, or even last year, may not be the insurer who offers you the best car insurance rate today. That’s why it’s so important to shop around, because the quote you get from one company can be significantly higher (or lower) than the quote you get from another.