Car insurance Oshawa, ON
Part of a series on car insurance rates in Ontario.
Car Insurance Oshawa FAQ
What type of auto insurance do I need in Oshawa?
When it comes to getting the right auto insurance in Oshawa, it’s crucial to understand the different coverage options available to suit your specific needs and circumstances. Auto insurance requirements can vary, and knowing what type of coverage you need in Oshawa can make all the difference in ensuring your peace of mind while on the roads. The following car insurance coverage is required in Oshawa.
Third-Party Liability Coverage
This coverage protects you if you are found at fault in an accident and are responsible for causing injury or property damage to others. It is mandatory by law and has a minimum coverage limit.
Accident Benefits Coverage
This coverage provides medical and rehabilitation benefits to you and your passengers in case of injuries sustained in an accident, regardless of fault.
Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DCPD) Coverage
This coverage applies when your vehicle is damaged in an accident caused by another party. Instead of pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver, you can receive compensation directly from your insurance provider.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
This coverage safeguards you in the event of an accident with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.
What are the main things affecting my auto insurance premiums in Oshawa?
Several factors can impact your auto insurance premiums in Oshawa. Your driving record plays a significant role, with a clean history leading to lower rates and a history of accidents or violations resulting in higher premiums. Age and driving experience also influence costs, with young and inexperienced drivers facing higher rates due to perceived higher risk. The type of vehicle you own can affect premiums, especially for high-value or luxury cars.
Location is another crucial factor, as residing in areas with higher traffic density or accident rates can lead to increased premiums. Annual mileage also plays a role, with higher mileage exposing you to more risks and potentially higher costs. Coverage options, deductible amounts, and insurance history can further impact your premiums.
What type of car insurance does aha insurance offer in Oshawa?
At aha insurance, we offer a comprehensive selection of car insurance choices in Oshawa tailored to meet the unique needs of drivers in the region. Whether you are a new driver seeking basic coverage or an experienced motorist needing extensive protection, our array of policies is designed to cater to your specific requirements. With a strong dedication to delivering personalized and affordable solutions, we strive to provide the residents of Oshawa with the appropriate car insurance coverage to ensure their safety and protect their vehicles while on the roads.
Mandatory coverage
In Oshawa, car insurance requirements consist of mandatory obligations like third-party liability coverage, DC-PD coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Third-party liability coverage provides financial protection if you are found responsible for an accident resulting in injury or property damage to others. DC-PD coverage ensures compensation for damages to your vehicle caused by another party’s accident. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you in the event of an accident with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.
Additionally, accident benefits coverage is vital in Oshawa, offering support to individuals injured in car accidents by covering medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, income replacement, and related expenses. This coverage guarantees that those affected by accidents in Oshawa receive the essential financial assistance and resources to aid in their recovery and manage the costs associated with their injuries. With these comprehensive insurance options, residents of Oshawa can drive with confidence, knowing they are adequately protected on the roads.
Optional coverage
Furthermore, there are several coverage choices available for optional car insurance, including:
Comprehensive coverage
In Oshawa, comprehensive coverage is an optional component of car insurance that offers extensive protection for your vehicle against non-collision incidents. This coverage includes damages caused by theft, vandalism, weather-related events, and other perils unrelated to collisions. With comprehensive coverage, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is safeguarded from a wide range of risks, helping you handle unexpected expenses in case of such incidents.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage is another optional part of car insurance that provides financial protection for your vehicle in the event of a collision, regardless of who is at fault. With collision coverage, you can receive compensation for the repair or replacement of your car up to its current market value minus the deductible you’ve chosen. This coverage is particularly valuable for valuable vehicles or those with ongoing car loans. However, for older vehicles with lower market values, it may be worth considering whether the cost of collision coverage outweighs the potential benefits. Consulting with an Oshawa insurance agent can help you determine the most suitable coverage based on your vehicle’s value, driving habits, and budget.
Specified Perils Coverage
In Oshawa, specified perils coverage is yet another optional type of car insurance that provides targeted protection against specific risks explicitly listed in your policy. These risks typically include perils such as fire, theft, hail, lightning, and other incidents specified in the policy. With specified perils coverage, you are insured against damages resulting from the hazards explicitly mentioned in the policy; however, coverage for damages caused by other perils may not be included. This coverage is ideal for those who want protection against particular risks that are relevant to their location and circumstances.
All Perils Coverage
Finally, all perils coverage is a comprehensive and inclusive form of car insurance that combines both collision and comprehensive coverage. When you opt for all perils coverage, you are protected against a wide range of risks, including collisions, theft, fire, vandalism, and various other perils, unless specifically excluded in the policy. This coverage offers extensive protection for your vehicle, giving you added peace of mind on the roads. By having all perils coverage in Oshawa, you can rest assured that you have a comprehensive level of insurance to handle various unexpected situations and potential hazards.
What is the most affordable area for car insurance in Oshawa?
The most affordable area for car insurance in Oshawa is the L1N region. This region, characterized by specific postal code boundaries, is recognized for having comparatively lower insurance premiums compared to other areas in Oshawa. Insurance rates can vary significantly based on factors such as traffic patterns, crime rates, and the frequency of accidents in different regions. In the L1N area, the combination of these factors likely contributes to the more affordable car insurance options available to residents.
How does mileage impact my auto insurance rate?
Mileage can have a substantial effect on your auto insurance rate, particularly if you are among the numerous residents who commute daily from Oshawa to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Insurance companies take into account the annual mileage you drive as a crucial aspect in evaluating risk and establishing insurance premiums. Here’s how mileage impacts your auto insurance rate in Oshawa:
Increased Exposure to Risks
The more miles you drive, the more time you spend on the road, increasing your exposure to potential accidents and hazards. Insurance companies view higher mileage as a higher risk, which can lead to higher insurance premiums.
Accident Frequency
The more you drive, the greater the likelihood of encountering traffic, adverse weather conditions, and other drivers, which can increase the chances of accidents.
Mileage Bands
Insurance companies often categorize drivers into mileage bands, such as low-mileage, average-mileage, and high-mileage drivers. Low-mileage drivers may receive more favourable rates as they present a lower risk on the road.
Usage-Based Insurance
Some insurers offer usage-based insurance programs, which use telematics devices or smartphone apps to track your driving behaviour, including mileage. Low mileage and safe driving habits can potentially lead to personalized discounts through this approach.
Vehicle Wear and Tear
Driving more miles can lead to increased wear and tear on your vehicle, potentially affecting its overall condition and, consequently, insurance rates.
Fast facts about auto insurance in Oshawa
Average annual car insurance rate
Regular drivers in the city
Collisions per year (approximately)
%
Collision rate for the city
Average age
Average household income
%
Unemployment rate
Population
Understanding car insurance in Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa sits on the eastern edge of the GTA’s borders, relying on its own ecosystem for employment instead of its residents driving into Toronto every day.
That pays off for car insurance because it drastically reduces residents’ exposure to risk on the road, contributing to the low annual car insurance rate for the city.
The city has also made noticeable comeback since the years before 2,000. While still tied heavily to the manufacturing industry, it has grown into a more diverse economy.
It has also become an important halfway point between Toronto and Ottawa, making it lucrative for those looking to get away from Toronto’s property market.
Get your bundle on & save!
Want even cheaper insurance? Save up to 50% on home and up to 18% on car insurance when you bundle them.
Get your bundle on & save!
Want even cheaper insurance? Save up to 50% on home and up to 18% on car insurance when you bundle them.
Busting myths about driving and insurance in Oshawa
Myth: Living in Oshawa means you’ll need commute outside of town.
Not exactly true. While Oshawa does have a very high unemployment rate, those who do work have an incredibly short commute to work (according to Statistics Canada).
Specifically, 38.4% of the city’s workforce work within the city. The next 33% works outside of Oshawa but still within Durham Region. With all that in mind, there is a good chance that you’ll be able to work close to home.
Myth: Oshawa isn’t a safe place to live or raise children.
Wrong. According to Statistics Canada, the crime severity index for all of Durham Region sat just above 41 for 2019 (but there’s no specific number for Oshawa). While that has risen from 38.58 since 2014, it’s still an impressive number.
London’s CSI score was 78. Calgary’s was 81. The top 10 most dangerous places in Canada scored between 175 and 372, so we’d say 41 represents a pretty safe number.
Myth: Southern Oshawa is polluted and unhealthy to live in.
False. Southern Oshawa did grow as an industrial hub for south-eastern Ontario, when Canada didn’t have the same kind of policies in the late 1800s and early 1900s that it does today to protect public health and the environment. Obviously, things have changed significantly during the last century.
Local historian Amanda Robinson has done the research to identify that period in history as the root of this myth.
Myth: Oshawa’s roads will damage your car and raise your claims rate.
Oshawa has cleaned up its roads considerably in the last 10-20 years, but it certainly earned a reputation for poor road maintenance in the past.
Ritson Road and Harmony Road are frequent offenders. That matters, because filing a claim for car repairs can still raise your rates even if it had nothing to do with a collision or traffic violation.
How Oshawa’s rates compare to other cities in Ontario
- North York: $4,261
- Etobicoke: $4,199
- Brampton: $4,071
- Scarborough: $3,825
- East York: $3,605
- Woodbridge: $3,603
- Richmond Hill: $3,579
- Mississauga: $3,473
- Markham: $3,389
- Niagara Falls: $3,321
- Bowmanville: $3,308
- Peterborough: $3,259
- Pickering: $ 3,245
- Newmarket: $ 3,216
- Hamilton: $3,201
- Brantford: $ 3,158
- Maple: $3,150
- Whitby: $3,087
- Ajax: $3,053
- York: $2,999
- Toronto: $2,983
- Barrie: $2,924
- Thornhill: $2,871
- Waterloo: $2,867
- Caledon: $2,780
- London: $2,765
- Fort Erie: $2,720
- Oakville: $2,720
- Sault Ste Marie: $ 2,713
- Kitchener: $2,705
- Milton: $2,680
- St Catharines: $ 2,550
- Windsor: $2,536
- Woodstock: $2,513
- Innisfil: $2,505
- Burlington: $2,476
- Kingston: $ 2,360
- Cambridge: $2,297
- Oshawa: $2,295
- Guelph: $2,268
- Gloucester: $2,256
- Stoney Creek: $2,222
- Nepean: $2,196
- Ottawa: $2,195
- Sudbury: $2,005
- Kanata: $2,002
- Thunder Bay: $1,973
- Wasaga Beach: $1,958
Quick tips on insurance and driving in Oshawa
Avoid Oshawa’s most dangerous intersections to protect your auto rates.
Dangerous intersections with low visibility increase your chances of beiing in a collision. That’s bad for your safety and your car insurance rates. Avoid these ones in Oshawa:
- Ritson Road and Bond Street
- Park Road and Bloor Street
- Harmony Road and Taunton Road
- King Street East and Ritson Road
- Mary Street and Rossland Road
Move where claims and reported crimes are lower.
According to the Durham Regional Police’s community crime map, there are noticeably more reported crimes south of Adelaide Avenue, especially along Simcoe Street South.
Move away from that area, opting for these areas with lower reported crime rates instead:
- Stevenson
- O’Neil
- East Central
- Northglen
Oshawa gets plenty of precipitation. Invest in winter tires.
Everyone knows that you’re supposed to slow down while driving in winter conditions, but not everyone puts that knowledge into practice.
That goes double for Oshawa, which can get pretty harsh winters. It’s also home to a busy section of the 401 between Toronto and Ottawa, making it all the more important.
You can buy winter tires to give yourself more traction on the road, both for snow and for ice. They work better than summer or all-season tires below 7 degrees celsius even if there’s no snow or ice on the ground.
The best part? You get an insurance discount for using them.
Don’t be like the drivers in the video, here (watch it to the very end).
Sources for facts about Oshawa:
- Statistics Canada, Oshawa 2016 Census Profile
- Ministry of Transportation, 2016 Road Safety Report
- Oshawa Police Crime Map
- Maclean’s, “Canada’s Most Dangerous Places 2019”
- Statistics Canada, “Crime severity index and weighted clearance rates, police services in Ontario”
- DurhamRegion.com, “Durham’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections”
- DurhamRegion.com, “The best and worst roads in Oshawa”
- DurhamRegion.com, “Ritson Road in Oshawa ranks second worst road in Ontario”
- Ottawa Citizen, “Video of Highway 401 pileup shows why you need to slow down in winter conditions”
- DurhamRegion.com, “Local historian explores myth of ‘dirty south Oshawa’”
Source for average insurance rates by city:
- Survey of 2,800 auto insurance policy holders in Ontario
Google Rating: 4.8
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Ashley was extremely helpful and a pleasure to deal with. Besides the competitive premiums and great customer service I like how aha is up to date with the times - both technically and their business processes. An easy and pleasant experience, even during these challenging times with COVID-19. Happy to be a new customer!
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