Auto insurance – we all need it, but do we fully understand it? Full coverage auto insurance, optional coverage auto insurance, comprehensive, cost, what does it all mean?! While it can quickly become overwhelming to ensure you’ve got the right coverage and the right price, the team at VLG Insurance is here to help you learn a little more and stress a little less.
Auto Insurance in Canada – The Basics
In Canada, auto insurance is mandatory, and driving without insurance can land you serious fines. In Ontario, both mandatory and optional coverages change annually, which means your insurance policy is now more customizable than ever, but may you leave wondering “what is full coverage car insurance?”.
A typically full-coverage auto policy includes your vehicle, and you. In the case of an accident your auto insurance policy will cover your vehicle, the driver and passengers, as well as any pedestrians and property involved. Here is what your typical insurance policy can do for you:
- Cover the cost of vehicle repairs or replacement.
- Cover medical expenses related to an accident.
- Protects you against legal damages.
- Protects you against uninsured or underinsured drivers.
- May cover expenses due to unexpected things like windshield damage, theft, vandalism or other disasters.
Mandatory VS Optional Auto Insurance Coverages
In Ontario, mandatory insurance coverage protects an insured driver and/or car owner if a person suffers property damage or is injured or killed because of the driver’s negligence.
Ontario drivers can add additional optional insurance coverage to cover their vehicle in the event of an accident. The four optional auto insurance coverages are collision, specified perils, comprehensive and all perils.
How Much Does Auto Insurance Coverage Cost?
As with all insurance, the cost of each policy will vary with each policyholder. In order to calculate your policy rate, the following are taken into consideration:
- The make, model, year, and modifications of your vehicle
- Your driving records, and those of others in your home who may drive the vehicle
- Your average distance to work or estimated annual total driven km
- Where you live
While these are standard questions, there are also many additional discounts you may be eligible for such as if you have winter tires or park your car in a covered garage.
Your Auto Insurance Brokers
As your insurance broker, we put our expertise to work for you, we compare options from our insurance partners to select the coverage and plans that are right for you. Best of all, you can take advantage of all our industry knowledge and never pay us any fees. Get your free quote 24/7 or give us a call at the VLG office nearest you to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions:
In Canada, auto insurance is mandatory to drive a vehicle. All Ontario drivers must have at least $200,000 in third party liability coverage. Comprehensive and collision insurance are the only optional coverages.
