There are a number of things that you can do to help keep or lower your auto insurance:

• Insure both your home and auto are with the same insurance company and take advantage of the "Multi-Line Discounts" that can range for 5% to 15% in savings.
• Increase your policy deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage, the higher the deductible the lower the overall premium.
• Consider removing collision and/ or comprehensive coverage for an older vehicle.
• Drive carefully. Your driving record is one of the most important factors when it comes to how the insurance company calculates your auto rate.

There are many factors that can affect your auto insurance rates such as how far you drive your vehicle to work.  If you have changed jobs, moved closer, or retired, these may affect the premium you pay.  Another factor that can affect your preium is if your children started driving and have progressed from their G1 to G2.  They may be entitled to a discount.

As soon as they pass their test you should contact your insurance broker.  Many companies will start accumulating their insurance history from their G1 license date.  There is no charge for placing them on your policy until they pass their G2 license.  Having them take an approved driver training course will not only make them better drivers, but it will also help lower their insurance premium.

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There is more than just the vehicle involved in determining the insurance premium.  Your age, driving record, claim and convictions and other factors come into play.
As for the vehicle, do your homework.  Vehicles that have a higher instance of being stolen or having the passengers injured in an accident relates directly to the cost of insurance.  Go to www.ibc.ca to see how your car measures up!

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Contact our office as soon as you have purchased your new vehicle to make sure that the proper coverage limits are in place before you take delivery.  You should carry the OPCF43 (Waiver of Depreciation) endorsement that protects the value of the vehicle for the first two years that you own the vehicle.   You must be the first owner and the new vehicle cannot have more than 5,000 km on it when purchased.   If the vehicle is stolen and not recovered or has been totalled in an accident, the insurance company will pay the least of:

• The actual price
• The manufacturer's suggested retail list price on the original day of purchase
• The cost of replacing the vehicle with a new vehicle of the same make, model and similarly equipped

Simply put, the Claims Protection Endorsement will protect your good driving record in the event that you are involved in a claim that is your fault or partially your fault.  Your insurance rates will not be affected by the accident on renewal.  Insurance companies have different eligability criteria to have this additional coverage added to your policy.  Contact one of our insurance brokers for more details.

Yes and no.  In Ontario the insurance companies use Fault Determination Rules to assign fault to a vehicle in an accident.   They go by the moment of impact to see which rule applies.  The No Fault in Ontario applies to the Accident Benefits only.   Though you may have caused your own injuries, the insurance company will still pay for medical expenses, rehabilitation or funeral expenses.

The police use the Highway Traffic Act to determine if charges are warranted.  Insurance companies use the Fault Determination Rules to determine fault. i.e. Private Property accidents such as shopping mall parking lots do not fall under the Highway Traffic Act, hence no police involvement, but fault determination rules still apply.

If your vehicle were damaged in an accident, you may still need a vehicle to drive.   The OPCF20 (loss of use) provides you with a rental vehicle if your vehicle is stolen or damaged in an accident that you are at fault in.

No, but OPCF27 (legal liability to a non owned automobile) extends the insurance from your vehicle to the rental vehicle.  You do not need to purchase the insurance from the car rental agency.

You should have drivers' abstracts for each driver showing the length of time driving and if there are any convictions plus a letter from your previous insurance company showing the length of time all drivers have been listed on the policy and if there have been any claims.

Your property insurance should reflect changes in your life.  Updating your property insurance should include such things as:

• Renovation - have you added a bathroom or finished your basement? Let us know!
• Updates - new heating, roof, plumbing or electrical services.
  Some companies offer better rates on homes with updates.
• Renting out part of your home for additional income?
  Your property insurance coverage will have to be changed to reflect this.

Insure your home and auto with the same insurance company and take advantage of the "Multi-Line Discounts" that can range for 5% to 15% savings

• Increase your policy deductibles to lower the overall premium
• Install a monitored alarm system

A poor payment history can cause your rates to increase just like having a claim.

Most insurance companies will extend coverage from your property insurance to cover their belongings.

Property insurance policies have limits on items such as jewelry, furs, and boats.  If you have purchased an engagement ring you can add this separately to your existing policy.  You will need a current appraisal noting the value with your name on it.

Yes, older homes or unique homes can sometimes have special needs or conditions.  Older homes may have issues with updated wiring, plumbing and the roof, which may make getting insurance difficult.  Call and talk to one of our insurance brokers before you make your offer to purchase.

Yes, a letter from your current insurer outlining the length of time with them and claims history is very helpful when purchasing new insurance.

A boarding house consists of multiple tenants (non-student) residing in the same premises sharing common areas of the house e.g. kitchen, living room, bathroom.  Student housing is occupied by multiple tenants, (students attending college or university) residing in the same premises sharing common areas of the house e.g. kitchen, living room, bathroom.  Each is insured differently. Some markets will write a boarding house where others will not.  We do have insurance companies that specialize in student housing.

In most instances yes.  The surcharge premium is based on whether the driver is an occasional or principle driver.

Most of our standard markets offer a monthly payment plan the same as a personal lines carrier.  If a payment plan is not offered, we have access to premium finance companies where a monthly payment plan can be set up.

Yes. Most companies now offer a multi-line discount for the business and individually rated automobiles if placed with the same insurer.  Fleets do not qualify for the discount.