Auto Insurance
Auto insurance is not only required by law but is also vital protection for owner and driver, passengers, and any pedestrians, other vehicles, or property that could be involved in an accident.
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Auto Insurance Overview
For many of us who live in Ontario, our cars are necessary because they help us to move from Point A to Point B easily. Unfortunately, driving comes with risks every time we get behind the wheel. Not only are our own vehicles and lives at risk, but so are our fellow drivers on the roads, pedestrians, and our passengers. Auto insurance requirements may vary by province but in Ontario drivers are recommended to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in third party liability, as well as accident benefits coverage, uninsured automobile coverage, and direct compensation coverage for property damage.
Third Party Liability
If you are held liable for an accident where injury or death is caused, your liability coverage can pay for medical costs, legal expenses, and settlement fees awarded to the injured party up until the amount specified on your policy. You may choose your limits depending on your exposures. Most insurance companies will recommend you purchase a minimum limit of $1,000,000.
Accident Benefits
If you were to get into an automobile accident where you were seriously injured, your accident benefits may pay out for expenses that your healthcare doesn’t already include, cover your loss of income if you are unable to work, and much more. Death and funeral benefits, medical, rehabilitation, income replacement, and non-earner/caregiver benefits are included with statutory accident benefits.
Options
- Collision:Includes protection for your insured vehicle from a collision with another vehicle, object, trailer, the ground and/or any object in or on the ground.
- Comprehensive:Includes protection for the cost of repairs/replacements for your vehicle from damage not due to collision, such as any incidents listed under Specified Perils.
- Specified Perils:Includes protection for losses due to a specific event, such as attempted theft, various natural disasters, civil disturbance, fire, and others.
- All Perils:Includes protection for all risks unless stated explicitly in the policy.
Common Endorsements
At the minimum, you must have third-party liability, statutory accident benefits, uninsured automobile, and direct compensation coverage. This does not cover every situation you will encounter on the road, however. In order to have protection against all your exposures, supplementation may be necessary or alter or add to your existing coverage. These include endorsements such as loss of vehicle use, accident waver (to forgive a first at-fault accident), removing depreciation deduction, family protection coverage, and liability for damage to non-owned automobiles/rentals.
Contact your D.G. Smith account manager to discuss any auto insurance endorsements you may require.
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FAQ
No-fault auto insurance in Ontario implies that in an accident, no one is deemed “at fault.” Your insurance company will take responsibility for you, as will the insurance company covering the participating driver’s vehicle. There is no confusion about who will be paying claims so that you and your vehicle can get back on the road faster.
Auto insurance rates in Ontario vary from driver to driver and the amount you pay will depend on a variety of factors. On average, car insurance costs in Ontario may be between $1,300 to $1,800/year, but these will be higher and lower based on the vehicle you drive, your driving history, and numerous other factors.
There are industry factors that you cannot control which can contribute to an increase in rates, like the increasing cost of claims due to more advanced vehicles getting into accidents and insurance fraud. Individual factors will affect your rates as well. These include where you live, your driving history, how much you drive, your deductible, and your coverage limits.
Your insurance rates reflect your risk, and inexperienced drivers may see higher rates because they are statistically more likely to be involved in auto accidents. They can combat this by taking driver’s education courses, enrolling in usage-based insurance (UBI) programs, and raising their deductible amount.
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Getting a quote with D.G. Smith has never been easier! Apply for a quote today online, over the phone, or in-person.