Auto Insurance

If you want to drive in Ontario, you need auto insurance.

This isn’t just a matter of protecting yourself in the case of an accident or breakdown, it’s the law. However, it can be difficult to know what kinds of auto insurance are required, which are optional (and available), and the factors which go into balancing these for the best combination of cost and coverage.

Failure to carry the correct auto insurance can result in penalties, but ultimately the risk of not having insurance is precisely the risk that insurance is meant to cover. If you happen to be in an accident, or suffer some other car-related misfortune, auto insurance is there to cover the associated costs that you would otherwise not be able to pay.

There are a number of different types of insurance required for motorists in Ontario. There are also some insurance types that are optional.

Required Auto Insurance

Liability Coverage - Also known as third-party liability (TPL), this is the main type of coverage required in Ontario. If you’re at fault, whether in full or part, this coverage helps with the cost of injury, damage to property, and other fees. For example, you may be required to cover the cost of lost wages for anyone you injure, and liability coverage will do that on your behalf. This type of coverage can run from a few hundred thousand dollars to a few million.
Direct Compensation - Also known as direct compensation-property coverage (DCPD), this covers damage to your own property (i.e.:your car) in the case of an accident that is not entirely your fault. In other words, if your vehicle is involved in a collision, and someone else is partially or entirely at fault, then this coverage will assist in having your vehicle fixed. It’s called “direct” coverage because it does not come from the person who is at fault, but rather directly from your own insurance provider.
Uninsured Automobile Coverage - This type of coverage is intended to protect you in the event that the person at fault for a collision or injury is either unknown or uninsured. It covers both injury and loss or damage to property.
Accident Benefit Coverage - This type of insurance provides general coverage for injury regardless of who is at fault. This coverage can help with things like rehabilitation costs, caregiver expenses, and income replacement. The extent of the coverage for this type of insurance is optional, even though having it is required.

Optional Auto Insurance

There are some additional types of coverage offered by many insurance providers.

Specified Perils - This protects you from specific events like theft, attempted theft, weather events, and so on.
Collision or Upset Coverage - These cover you in case of collisions or if your car rolls over when you are at fault in an accident. It covers damage to your vehicle caused by a traffic collision with another vehicle or object.
Comprehensive Coverage - This covers other forms of damage done to your vehicle other than collision. For example, theft, vandalism, tree falling on your car, or any other flying or falling object.
All Perils - Often referred to as “all risk” policy combines collision and comprehensive coverage, plus theft by somebody in the household or by an employee.

Some policies will also cover extras, like not having your rates go up if you’re in an auto accident, being provided with rental cars and towing services in the event that something happens to your car, and getting back the cost of your vehicle should it be lost.

There are many factors which can influence the monthly cost of your insurance policy.

Type of car - The make, model, and year of your car. Some cars are considered safer than others, and this will be reflected in your premiums.
Your driving history - Your level of experience as a driver, as well as any relevant events (like past accidents and tickets) will be calculated into your risk profile, and translated into different premiums.
Personal details - Your age and where you live will also likely affect your premiums. Younger drivers are considered to be a higher risk, so they typically pay more. Urban areas are considered to have more risks, accidents and thefts. Some areas have higher than average claims costs than others.
Behaviour & planned use - What you plan on using your vehicle for will affect its associated risk. Depending on how often you drive and how many km you commute to work as well as if you are driving for commercial purposes can impact your insurance premium.

Changing the Cost of Your Policy

There are various steps you can take to get cheaper insurance or adjust the cost of your policy to get a lower price.

Given the factors listed above, you should inform your insurance broker whenever a significant change is made. For example, if you change the way you use your vehicle could be relevant to reducing your premiums. Also, you should look into the possibility of bundling more than one policy together to get a cheaper price.

There are some cases where you will want to expand your policy, potentially opting to pay more as a result. For example, you should assess how vulnerable you are in the case of a car-related accident or mishap. How will you be affected if you are unable to work? Can you take extended time off? Will you have assistance or someone to help with your care? Do you have dependents who rely on you? Answers to these questions might imply that you expand your coverage.

Private Passenger Vehicles are vehicles operated by an individual or family for personal use, excluding recreational vehicles.

The mandatory coverages in Ontario include Third Party Liability Coverage, Accident Benefits, Direct Compensation Property Damage and Uninsured Automobile Coverage.

There are optional coverages you may want to add to your policy. Among the most common are Collision, Comprehensive, Optional Accident Benefits, Waiver of Depreciation, Liability for Damage to Non-owned Automobiles, Loss of Use Endorsement and Accident Protection.

Our available discounts include home and auto discount, multi-vehicle insurance, conviction -free discount, renewal discount, no commute discount, driver training discount, higher deductible, winter tire discount, good student discount, plus many more. Contact our office to see what additional discount you may be eligible for.

We offer customized rating depending on your commute. We insure vehicles up to $200,000. Varying deductibles available for $500-$10,000, and up to $5,000,000 liability limit.

Commercial vehicles are generally defined as a motor vehicle that is used for business purposes or the transportation of goods or passengers in exchange for compensation.

If you use your personal vehicle for business purposes, there is a chance that in the event of an accident, the claim will be denied and there would be no coverage under your personal auto policy. Let Haldimand Insurance Brokers take care of your commercial vehicle insurance to ensure you have the right coverage. This includes any vehicles used for business purposes including cars, vans, trucks, and trailers.

Common business uses we insure include construction and contracting, transporting goods, equipment and supplies, sales visits and calls, driving people around (e.g., Uber), or consultants who frequently visit clients.

The mandatory coverages in Ontario are third party liability coverage, accident benefits, direct compensation property damage, and uninsured automobile coverage.

There are optional coverages you may want to add to your commercial auto policy. Among the most common are Collision, Comprehensive, Optional Accident Benefits, Employers’ Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability.

If your business has five or more commercially rated vehicles, you may qualify for fleet insurance rates.

The Garage policy provides insurance during the time that a customer’s vehicle is in your care, custody and control.

If you operate a commercial vehicle in Ontario, you may need a valid Commercial Vehicle Operators’ registration (CVOR).

Learn more and apply here

Farm vehicles are used for the transportation of farm products, commodities, supplies, equipment, and building and maintenance items owned by the farmer.

Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act regulates everything from vehicle licensing and classifications to load restrictions and transportation issues. There are many regulations within the Highway Traffic Act that can affect the business of farming as they relate to travelling roadways with tractors, equipment and trucks. It’s the farm owner and equipment operator’s responsibility to know the rules of the road that apply to farm equipment, self-propelled vehicles, load restrictions, licensing and towing requirements.

You can register a vehicle with a farm plate in Ontario if you:
•   register a commercial vehicle that weighs over 3,000 kg
•   are a farmer
•   earn $7000 or more gross income annually from a farming business
•   have registered with the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act (unless you have been granted an exemption)

Learn more here

Every farm is unique and requires individual insurance coverage. Haldimand Insurance Brokers will get you the right protection at a competitive price.

The Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA) defines a motorcycle as a self-propelled vehicle with a seat or saddle for the driver, designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.

In Ontario, you are legally required to have insurance for any motorcycle you ride on roadways.

Mandatory Coverages in Ontario include Third Party Liability Coverage, Accident Benefits, Direct Compensation Property Damage, and Uninsured Automobile coverage.

There are optional coverages you may want to add to your motorcycle policy. Among the most common are Collision, Comprehensive and Optional Accident Benefits.

Whether you own a cruiser, touring, grand touring or trail bike, there are many things to consider when choosing the right motorcycle insurance. Contact Haldimand Insurance Brokers and let an experienced professional help

We like to say a new classic car is born. Owning or collecting classic vehicles can be a very rewarding experience.

Haldimand Insurance has multiple classic car markets to provide you with the best options. Whether you use your classic vehicle for shows, light leisure or to simply drive to the local ice cream parlor, Haldimand Insurance Brokers has the expertise to protect your investment and passion.

Typical qualifications for Classic Car Insurance are:

Over 20 years of age
Vehicle is expected to appreciate
Limited Mileage per year
Appraisals

*Some exceptions apply.
 *Can be insured Standalone.

Rates can range from as low as $22 per month.

Looking to travel this summer and want to protect your investment? Haldimand Insurance has multiple options to insure your Motorhome or Trailer.

Motorhomes require their own auto insurance policy, since they can be driven independently. The rate you pay will depend on the class, how much you use the motorhome and the value. Let one of our motorhome experts here at Haldimand Insurance help you find the proper motorhome insurance to protect you, your vehicle and the contents within.

Motorhomes are split into 3 typical categories:

Class A Motorhomes – Can be typically the largest of the RV’s and the most expensive
Class B Motorhomes – Often called Camper Vans, they are smaller than Class A and can be driven around like a vehicle
Class C Motorhomes – Are moderate size in nature and have many of the amenities of the Class A

A travel trailer is not a motor vehicle and does not require its own auto insurance policy.

The liability insurance coverage from the towing vehicle is extended to the trailer while it is being towed.
Collision and comprehensive coverage that you would typically see on an auto policy are not extended to the trailer. This is why we recommend a specialized travel trailer package that serves as its own policy. Coverages often included in a trailer package are damages to the trailer itself, contents of your travel trailer, liability coverage and emergency vacation expenses.

The most common types of trailers that would fall into this category could be Travel Trailers, Tent Trailers, Truck Campers, toy hauler or fifth wheel.

Premiums in this category can vary greatly, as often the purchase price of Trailers and Motorhomes can vary from $1,000 to over $200,000.

Recreational vehicles are all unique. When it comes to insuring your motorhome or travel trailer, why not have a broker on your side, so you can enjoy all the benefits of travelling.

In This Section

Types of Auto Insurance

Cost of Insurance

What to Do in a Collision or Mishap

Private Passenger Vehicles

Commercial Vehicles

Farm Vehicles

Motorcycles

Classic Cars

Trailer & Mobile Homes

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