How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Sudbury?
You can get cheap Sudbury car insurance by finding the best deals. Here are several tips to help you do so:
Compare Rates Between Insurers
Sudbury has a highly competitive auto insurance market, so insurers are constantly vying for your business. When insurers try to give you the best deals, it’s you who wins. Compare rates and shop around to see which insurance provider fits your auto protection needs affordably.
Take Bundled Policies
One of the best ways to save money while shopping is to buy a package deal, and insurance is no different. If you bundle home and auto insurance from the same company, you’re much more likely to get lower rates.
Ask For A Higher Deductible
You must pay a deductible on insurance claims before your carrier covers the remaining expenses. A higher deductible means paying extra if something happens to your car, but it also means you’ll get lower insurance premiums.
Request Group Discounts
Many insurance companies deal in group discounts for companies and other organizations. If you’re shopping for auto insurance in Sudbury for work, ask your agent about group deals and discounts.
Pay Annual Premiums
Paying annual insurance premiums might look expensive initially, but it’s generally cheaper than paying them monthly. Ask your insurers about half-year premiums if you can’t afford annual premiums.
Drive Safely
Motor vehicle offences and accidents stay on your record for years. Unfortunately, any driving violation on your record will considerably increase your insurance rates. However, this also means you’ll get lower auto insurance rates if you have no offences on record.
Consider Taking Usage-Based Insurance
Usage-based insurance (UBI) or pay-as-you-go insurance tracks your driving behaviour to determine how much you must pay for insurance. Taking UBI lets you save up to 30% on your annual premiums, so it’s a good option if you consider yourself a safe driver.
Take Driving Courses
Accredited driving lessons make you a safer driver and let you earn discounts on auto insurance in Sudbury.
Choose the Coverage You Need
Naturally, more insurance protection leads to higher rates. While some auto insurance coverage is mandatory, you have optional insurance coverage like at-fault accident and theft protection. Review your policy and skip unnecessary optional coverage to save on insurance premiums.
Buy Affordable Cars
Cars that are expensive and hard to replace tend to get hit with higher premiums. If possible, buy affordable and reliable cars that are more common and easy to repair or replace if you want lower insurance rates.
Quick Facts About Auto Insurance in Sudbury
- Sudbury car insurance is LESS expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual car insurance cost in Sudbury for a driver with comprehensive/collision coverage and a clean record is around $1,406.
- Comparing Sudbury auto insurance quotes with MyChoice can save you up to $998 annually.
Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Sudbury?
Insurance brokers, agents, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Sudbury. Here’s an overview of these four insurance quote providers:
Insurance Brokers
Insurance brokers are independent professionals who help you shop for the best rates by comparing deals from multiple insurers. Because they have a bird’s-eye view of the current Sudbury insurance landscape, they can show you which companies offer the best insurance deals and answer any questions you may have.
Brokers take a commission from insurance companies, which could increase your rates. You might spend more money than if you had found an insurer yourself.
Direct Writers
Like insurance agents, direct writers only sell insurance products from one company. Direct writers are typically found online and are cheaper because they don’t have physical offices.
Insurance Agents
Insurance agents work for a certain insurer, so they can only offer their employer’s insurance products. However, they know their insurer like the back of their hands and might even give you discounts that brokers don’t have access to.
Additionally, insurance agents can close insurance sales independently, meaning you can purchase insurance from them right then and there.
Insurance Aggregators
An insurance aggregator website like MyChoice compiles rates from various insurance brokers, companies, and direct writers in one place. You can browse aggregator websites to find the best deals from the top insurance companies and get quotes instantly.
Better yet, insurance aggregators are accessible online and entirely free for customers, so you can look up insurance rates without spending a single penny or leaving the house.
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Sudbury
Car insurance brokers can help you find the best car insurance for your needs and budget by comparing offers based on your vehicle, driving habits, and driving record.
You can contact these brokerages in Sudbury if you have any questions:
Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
---|---|---|
Sudbury Insurance Brokers | 860 Lasalle Blvd 2nd Floor Greater Sudbury, ON P3A 1X5, Canada | +17056752241 |
United Link Insurance Brokers Sudbury | 1390 Kingsway #1 Greater Sudbury, ON P3B 0A3, Canada | +17052225465 |
BrokerLink | 1400 Marcus Dr Greater Sudbury, ON P3B 4K5, Canada | +17056751307 |
Gifford Carr Insurance Group | 1361 Paris St Unit 202 Greater Sudbury, ON P3E 3B6, Canada | +17054192888 |
How Does Car Insurance Work in Sudbury?
Car insurance in Sudbury works by providing financial coverage in case something bad happens to you or your car, depending on the protection you choose. Auto insurance in Sudbury is mandatory by local laws, which means you need car insurance to avoid fines or driver’s licence suspensions.
Worse still, if you get convicted of driving without insurance, you’ll get higher premiums from carriers. This makes driving again prohibitively expensive or even nearly impossible after being caught driving without insurance. That’s why getting auto insurance is essential before buying a car or driving in Sudbury.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of your auto insurance policy:
The mandatory car insurance requirement for Sudbury drivers are:
Third-Party Liability (TPL) Coverage
This insurance component provides financial compensation if you cause an accident that results in car damage or somebody getting hurt or killed. Per Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) regulations, you need at least $200,000 in TPL coverage.
Statutory Accident Benefits Coverage
This insurance component pays for your medical bills, rehabilitation, and possible funeral expenses if you get hurt or killed in a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault. Accident benefits coverage also offers income replacement worth 70% of your gross income, capped at $400 per week.
Uninsured Automobile Insurance
Uninsured automobile insurance covers your medical bills and funeral expenses if you’re struck by uninsured vehicles or hit-and-run drivers. Additionally, it compensates for vehicular damage caused by uninsured drivers.
Direct Compensation – Property Damage (DC-PD) Insurance
DC-PD insurance compensates you for the damage other drivers cause in an accident. However, DC-PD only kicks in if the other person is at fault, they’re also insured, and the accident takes place in Sudbury.
Once you meet the minimum car insurance coverage requirements, you can legally drive in Sudbury. However, it pays to have extra protection beyond the basics in case you get in an accident.
Since minimum car insurance only goes so far, we’ve got some extra Sudbury car insurance recommendations for you:
Extra TPL Coverage
The mandatory $200,000 insurance minimum can be too small, so many drivers choose to get coverage up to $2 million if they cause property damage or hurt somebody in an accident.
Additional Statutory Accident Benefits
Many people get additional coverage for medical bills and funeral expenses in their statutory accident coverage. You can also get extra income replacement protection if 70% income capped at $400 a week seems too limited.
More Comprehensive Property Damage Protection
DC-PD coverage has very specific coverage terms like the other driver also needs to be insured, and the accident must occur in Sudbury. To cover their bases, many people purchase extra insurance that still protects them even when the other driver is uninsured, and the accident happens in other provinces.
In addition to mandatory insurance coverage outlined by the FSCO, you can take optional insurance coverage like:
Specified Perils Protection
Specified perils insurance coverage protects you from loss or damage due to a specific cause. The most common perils insured are:
- Car theft
- Fire, earthquake, and explosion
- Weather, which includes windstorms, hail, and lightning
Many insurers also offer comprehensive auto insurance in Sudbury if you want protection from all these perils.
Accident Forgiveness
Insurers usually raise your premiums if you’re at fault for causing an accident. If you’ve been a safe driver for several years, you can take extra accident forgiveness coverage so you won’t get higher premiums if you cause an accident. Note that accident forgiveness only works on your first accident, and subsequent violations will still raise your rates.
Limited Depreciation Waiver
If you take a limited waiver of depreciation, you can receive your car’s purchase price as compensation if it’s been stolen or deemed a total loss after an accident.
How Your Car Insurance Quotes Are Calculated in Sudbury
Your car insurance rates are calculated based on how risky you are to insure. Naturally, drivers more likely to get into accidents will have higher premiums than those less likely to be in an accident.
Here are seven factors that influence your Sudbury car insurance quotes:
Age, Gender, and Marital Status
Your personal demographics influence auto insurance premiums in Sudbury because different people have varying accident risks.
Younger people tend to get higher premiums because insurance companies see them as more accident-prone than older people. Generally, your car insurance rates start decreasing when you hit 25 years old as long as you keep a safe driving record. However, insurance premiums increase again for people aged 65 and older because they’re more likely to be injured or killed in traffic accidents.
Women often get lower insurance rates because they’re seen as more careful drivers and don’t take as many risks as men.
Marital status also determines your rates because most insurance companies see married people as more financially stable and less-risky drivers. Married couples also tend to bundle home and auto insurance, saving more on premiums.
Location
People who live in urban areas often see higher insurance premiums because they’re more prone to car accidents and theft.
Car Make and Model
Expensive cars are more costly to repair or replace, so insurance premiums are usually higher than more common vehicles. You can install security features like anti-theft devices if you have an expensive car and want to save on insurance premiums.
Driving History
People who drive safely are rewarded with lower premiums because they’re usually less likely to get into a traffic accident. Conversely, people who have gotten into multiple accidents get higher premiums because they’re more likely to be involved in another accident down the line.
Driving Activity
Logic dictates that people who drive frequently are more likely to get in an accident. Therefore, kilometres driven is one of the determining factors that set your Sudbury auto insurance rates.
Insurance Coverage Chosen
Your coverage options influence your insurance rates because taking more coverage gives you more protection. Naturally, the more coverage you choose, the higher your rates.
Policy Discounts
Getting discounts can lower your auto insurance rates and make them more affordable. You can typically get discounts by bundling home and auto insurance or asking for a group discount for your workplace or organization.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Sudbury
The average car insurance rate in Sudbury is $1,406, which is cheaper than Ontario’s provincial average of $1,673/year. The P3C area in Sudbury has the highest car insurance premium rates, detailed in the table below:
Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
---|---|
P3C | $1,480 |
P3G | $1,475 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Sudbury
The P3B area in Sudbury has the lowest car insurance premium rates in the city.
Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
---|---|
P3B | $1,361 |
P3E | $1,371 |
Car Insurance Cost in Sudbury by Age
As in most of Canada, your age can make your car insurance rates higher or lower in Sudbury and the rest of Ontario.
Generally, younger drivers pay higher car insurance premiums because they’re seen as less experienced on the road. Because of this inexperience, younger drivers are perceived to be more likely to get into accidents. However, your auto insurance rates will lower as you get older.
That said, when you reach the age of 65, your car insurance premiums will start to increase again. This is because auto insurers see senior citizens as more likely to get injured or killed in a car accident.
Here’s a look at how your age can affect your auto insurance rates in Sudbury, ON:
Age | Average Annual Rates | Average Savings with MyChoice |
---|---|---|
18-20 | $5,019 | $998 |
21-24 | $2,868 | $570 |
25-34 | $1,912 | $380 |
35-44 | $1,406 | $280 |
45-54 | $1,153 | $230 |
55-64 | $980 | $195 |
65+ | $1,118 | $222 |
Car Insurance Cost in Sudbury by Driving History
Your driving history affects your Sudbury car insurance rates because insurers use it to gauge your accident risk. Drivers with a clean record usually get lower car insurance rates because they’re perceived as less likely to violate traffic laws or get into an accident.
Meanwhile, high-risk drivers who have plenty of violations on their records consistently have higher car insurance premiums. Numerous violations and demerits are seen as an increased risk of re-offending, and, consequently, of getting into an accident.
Ontario laws state that violations and demerit points are “reset” after two years. However, some insurers might check as far back as 10 years into your driving record.
Here’s how different traffic offences affect the cost of your car insurance in Sudbury, based on our research:
Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
---|---|
Clean driving record | $1,406 |
Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,306 |
Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,687 |
One accident | $3,093 |
Speeding ticket | $1,828 |
Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Sudbury
We’ve covered several factors that influence car insurance rates in Sudbury. Aside from those, several extra factors play a part in determining your Sudbury auto insurance premiums:
Vehicle Model Accident Rates
Some cars are just more accident-prone than others. Even if you have a spotless driving record, owning a car model infamous for having high accident rates will increase your insurance premiums.
Vehicle Age
Naturally, older cars are more expensive to insure because they may not have all the safety features of newer vehicles. If you insist on driving a vintage car everywhere, make sure you can pay the insurance premiums.
Vehicle Repair Costs
The harder it is to repair a car, the more expensive it is to insure. You can expect high insurance premiums on luxury cars and foreign cars that don’t have a large dealership or service centre presence in Canada.
Vehicle Primary Usage and Annual Mileage
You may spend more or less time on the road depending on what you use the car for. Car usage influences insurance rates – generally, the more you use it, the higher your premiums. For instance, insurance premiums on a car you use as an Uber will be higher than on a car you almost exclusively take on weekend cruises.
A good way to measure how much somebody uses a car is by its annual mileage. If your car has low annual mileage, insurers may determine that this car is low-risk and thus grant you more affordable insurance rates.
Local Crime Rates
Living in high-crime areas means your car is at higher risk of being stolen or vandalized. If you live in an area where theft or vandalism often occurs, you may get higher car insurance rates.
Past Insurance Claims
Any auto insurance claims will drive your premiums up, regardless of who’s at fault. If you make many insurance claims, the insurer will see you as a high-risk policyholder and give you higher rates.
Loyalty Bonuses
Many insurance companies reward long-term customers with discounted rates. If you’ve been a policyholder at the same insurance company for several years, ask for a rate reduction or discount when you renew your policy.
Driving in Sudbury
Sudbury, a.k.a. the City of Greater Sudbury or the “Nickel Capital”, is Ontario’s largest city by land area and Canada’s fifth-largest city. Located inland, Sudbury consists of an urban core with smaller communities sprawling across 330 lakes and numerous hills.
Formerly a top nickel mining area and lumber producer, Sudbury is now Northeastern Ontario’s major retail and economic centre. While mining remains Sudbury’s top employer, Sudbury has since diversified and become a provider of major employment opportunities in finance, tourism, and business.
What’s it like to drive in Sudbury? Here are some important facts about driving in this city:
- Major highways in Sudbury: 69 South, 17 (Trans-Canada Highway)
- Public transit options: Greater Sudbury Transit (bus)
- Ridesharing services: URide
- Parking space providers: The City of Greater Sudbury, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Science North, Dynamic Earth, the Big Nickel, Bell Park, Onaping Falls, Northern Ontario Railway Museum, Lake Laurentian Conservation Area
- Busy intersections: Paris Street and Cedar Street, Regent Street and Loach’s Road/Algonquin Road, Lasalle Boulevard at Montrose Avenue.
- Airports: Greater Sudbury Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Sudbury
Almost 90% of Sudbury’s commuters travel to work by car or other personal vehicle, so you can expect lots of traffic during peak hours. Only a very small percentage of Sudbury commuters use public transit or walk to work, at 4.1% and 3.4% respectively. Here’s a closer look at how commuters in Sudbury get to work:
Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% sample data | 60,840 | 100.0 |
Car, truck or van | 54,715 | 89.9% |
Car, truck or van – as a driver | 50,895 | 83.7% |
Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 3,820 | 6.3% |
Public transit | 2,515 | 4.1% |
Walked | 2,075 | 3.4% |
Bicycle | 245 | 0.4% |
Other method | 1,290 | 2.1% |
Commuting Duration in Sudbury
Sudbury is a major city in Northern Ontario, but commute times there are relatively fast. 75% of the city takes under 30 minutes to get to work, while less than 5% take over an hour. Here’s a closer look at commute times in Sudbury:
Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% sample data | 60,840 | 100.0 |
Less than 15 minutes | 21,855 | 35.9% |
15 to 29 minutes | 24,710 | 40.6% |
30 to 44 minutes | 9,165 | 15.1% |
45 to 59 minutes | 2,770 | 4.6% |
60 minutes and over | 2,345 | 3.9% |
Driving Conditions in Sudbury
Local driving conditions like snow and rain can affect your car insurance premiums because they affect your driving risk. Here’s a look at driving conditions in Sudbury:
- Average daily commute time: 42 minutes round-trip
- Average annual rainfall: 675.7 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 263.4 cm
- Rainy days per year: 107.6 days
- Rainiest month in Sudbury: October
- Driest months in Sudbury: February, December
- Snow days per year: 74.9 days
- Snowfall months in Sudbury: January – May, October – December
Traffic in Sudbury
Sudbury is Northern Ontario’s most populous city with a population of 166,004. Most of its population is clustered around the city’s urban centre. Commuting can get hectic in Sudbury during peak hours, especially when compared to smaller or less populated cities in the province.
Here’s a quick overview of the key traffic statistics in Sudbury:
- Population: 166,004 people live within Sudbury’s city limits.
- City area: Sudbury’s city limits span 3,228.35 km2.
- Average commute distance: The average Sudbury resident travels 11 km every day to their workplace or school.
- Time spent in traffic annually: The average Sudbury resident spends 42 minutes in traffic daily, totalling roughly 256 hours per year.
- Busiest highways: Sudbury’s busiest highways are Highway 17, Highway 144, and Highway 69 located north of Highway 400, Ontario’s second-largest freeway.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Sudbury
Is ridesharing insurance available in Sudbury?
Yes, ridesharing insurance is available in Sudbury. Contact your insurer to see if they offer ridesharing insurance and get more information about this type of policy.
How much does Sudbury car insurance cost?
On average, Sudbury car insurance costs $1,406/year.
Is car insurance cheaper in Sudbury than in North Bay?
Yes, car insurance is cheaper in Sudbury than in North Bay by roughly $50 per year.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Sudbury?
You should compare car insurance rates in Sudbury because different policy providers provide similar coverage at different rates. Comparing rates will help you find an insurance policy with the best value.