Auto Insurance In Pickering
Located just east of the city of Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario is the city of Pickering, Ontario. Part of the Durham Region in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Pickering has a population of about 100,000 residents and is a diverse, multicultural community made up largely of young professionals and established families.
Pickering is a thriving urban centre with many attractions and highlights. From Frenchman’s Bay Marina to the Pickering Museum Village and Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, there’s something for everyone in every season. Pickering is also picturesque and is known for being a safe and friendly place to call home.
Life in Pickering is more affordable and a little slower-paced than in the big city, but it’s still within easy reach of Toronto, and a large percentage of the population makes the commute daily for work. The 401 is infamous for its rush hour congestion, and if you’re a vehicle owner, you know that driving is pretty central to the Pickering lifestyle. Whether you’re headed to the GO station, the grocery store, or out to the cottage for a much-needed getaway, you want to feel comfortable in the knowledge that your vehicle is properly insured.
At Westland Insurance, we understand that insuring your vehicle is about more than just following the law. It’s about protecting the people and things that matter most. That’s why our professional and experienced team is here to smooth the way and painlessly guide you through the process of finding the best auto insurance for your needs.
The friendly and helpful brokers at Westland’s Pickering location at 1029 Brock Rd. are available online, over the phone, or in person. We look forward to assisting you soon!
How Car Insurance in Pickering Works
In every province across Canada, car insurance is regulated by the provincial government. In the province of Ontario, car insurance is mandatory, and you’re breaking the law if you drive an uninsured vehicle.
Unlike some provinces, Ontario has privatized auto insurance. This means that Pickering residents have the opportunity to compare quotes and find the insurance coverage that suits them best. Despite having many options, however, Ontarians can rest assured that whatever policy they decide to purchase will meet certain criteria. The FSRAO (Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario) regulates insurance in the province, ensuring that auto insurance companies offer plans that comply with specific standards and that pricing remains fair.
Ontario auto insurance operates on a no-fault model. This does not mean that you’ll be found at fault in a collision. Rather, it means that drivers deal with claims directly through their own insurance provider, no matter who was at fault in a collision.
The four types of coverage listed below must be included in every Ontario auto insurance policy:
- Third-Party Liability
- Third-party liability coverage covers medical expenses, legal fees, repairs, and more in the event that you injure another person or damage their property while driving. In Pickering, drivers must carry a minimum of $200,000 of third-party liability insurance.
- Accident Benefits
- This type of coverage covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and more in case you are in a collision. For accident benefits insurance, it doesn’t matter who was at fault.
- Uninsured Automobile Insurance
- If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run or are deemed not at fault in an accident with a driver who is illegally driving uninsured or doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover your damages, uninsured automobile insurance will protect you.
- Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD)
- DCPD covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle after a collision, but only if you’re not found to be at fault.
Many drivers choose to purchase auto insurance that goes beyond the minimum coverage. Four of the most common enhanced insurance options are listed below:
- Collision Coverage
- This type of coverage covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle after a collision, even if you were at fault in the collision.
- Specified Perils Coverage
- Specified perils coverage provides coverage for non-driving-related damage that may occur to your vehicle. A list of specified risks often includes theft, fire, riots, flooding, and more.
- Comprehensive Auto Insurance
- Comprehensive auto insurance is similar to specified perils coverage but more extensive. Instead of covering only listed perils, it covers any circumstance except those documented on a short list of exclusions.
- All Perils
- All perils coverage combines specified perils and comprehensive coverage plus also protects you in the event that a family member or employee steals your vehicle. All perils coverage is the broadest form of auto insurance available.
Pickering Auto Insurance FAQ
That depends on a variety of factors (see below). But, in general, Pickering insurance rates average around $2000 per year.
Pickering is one of the more expensive Ontario cities to insure an automobile in. The average annual cost of auto insurance for Ontarians is around $1500. Rates in cities like Vaughan and Ajax are a little more expensive than Pickering (as much as roughly $2200 annually), but many cities are less expensive. Kingston and Elizabethtown, for example, are closer to $1100 per year.
Pickering’s higher auto insurance rates are largely influenced by the amount of drivers and accidents in and around the Pickering area.
Finding the cheapest car insurance quotes isn’t about visiting a specific brokerage. It’s about working with a broker who knows how to effectively access and compare a range of policies that will meet your needs. Westland Insurance can help.
Many factors impact the cost of car insurance. Some of the most common include your age, gender, the amount and type of driving you do, your driving record, the age, make, and model of your vehicle, and your postal code.
In Pickering, insurance rates for students are often higher than for more experienced drivers because young students lack a driving record. As a student, you can try decreasing your auto insurance premium by enrolling in additional driver training or being added to the already existing policy of a parent or guardian.
As for anyone, auto insurance rates for new immigrants are based on a variety of factors. If you can provide evidence of a clean driving record in your country of origin, this will likely help you decrease your auto insurance rates right away.
Not surprisingly, drivers who have been deemed high risk generally face higher auto insurance rates than the general population. Speak directly with a Westland representative or seek out a dedicated high-risk insurance agency for more information.
There are many ways you can reduce your insurance premiums. Try bundling your insurance plans through one provider, increasing your deductible, or adding safety features to your vehicle, like winter tires. Above all, maintain a consistently clean driving record.
Are you ready to purchase a new vehicle or re-evaluate your current auto insurance policy? Contact Westland Insurance in Pickering today!
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