Auto insurance Recent Posts

Since 2017, individuals who do not identify as male or female may list themselves as gender X on Ontario identification.  This has stirred up some serious conversation on potential impacts in changing one’s gender marker – including how car insurance and insurance rating may be impacted.  

Auto insurance rates are influenced by a lot of things, but your gender is a major influence. How does that change if you’re a gender X driver? 

Gender X is an option for individuals to put as their gender marker on Ontario ID, including driver’s licenses. This was done as an effort to support Ontario citizens’ gender identity, inclusivity, and diversity. Changing your gender marker can be done for free. To change your sex designation on a driver’s license, visit a ServiceOntario center. There is no fee or additional requirements to doing so.  

Your gender is just one of several factors which can influence your auto insurance rate. Insurers set rates based off a driver’s risk profile, which is calculated using a database of claim statistics. The more claims associated with a specific demographic, the higher the rates will be for that group. 

Rates fluctuate with time as insurers observe changes in claim frequency with different demographics. Where one demographic may be historically higher regarding claims, another might exceed them in a couple of years. Insurance prices are always changing to reflect this. 

Male drivers are statistically likelier to file claims than female drivers. This has been observed by virtually all insurance companies, and is also reflected in our list of best car insurance companies for young drivers, which examines how different the ratings are between men and women aged 25 and under. 

The gap is much larger between younger men and women, as men 25 and under are statistically the most at risk of making a claim. They have less experience and tend to partake in riskier behaviours that could result in an accident or collision. 

Currently, there are no guidelines in Canada for how insurance companies are to set rates for gender X drivers. Some insurers may offer rates like what female drivers would see, where other carriers will use an average between male/female rates. 

Each insurance company handles ratings for different demographics in their own way. To find the best auto insurance rates as a gender X driver, work with a broker and consider multiple providers to get the best bang for your buck. 

Pretending to be the opposite gender for lower car insurance rates isn’t an unheard-of practice, and drivers may feel tempted to lie to cut costs. But this counts as auto insurance fraud and insurers have the right to cancel a policy if someone has made fraudulent claims or misrepresented themselves.  

Using gender to determine car insurance rates is not a new concept, but it is starting to be contested more and more. Why? Because good drivers can find themselves paying inflated costs simply because they’re male, even if they’ve never filed a claim.  

Regulators permit insurers to use gender as a rating factor, and that data shows that there are gender differences with respect to risk. However, as technology evolves, insurance companies are discovering new ways to evaluate driver habits that are not based solely on non-behavioural data. Telematics is an example of this.  
 
Although this hasn’t happened in Canada, many states in the U.S. are banning the use of gender as an underwriting factor altogether. California, for example, banned gender as a rating factor after a state law introduced a “nonbinary” option, deeming it unfair to assign those individuals a gender rating. 

Regardless of the gender marker on your driver’s license, it’s imperative for drivers of any background, gender identity, experience, age, etc., to find affordable car insurance. Mitch is an insurance brokerage in Ontario that helps all drivers shop around and compare coverages from the top insurance carriers in Canada, searching for the best policy for their individual needs. Give us a call and get a free no-obligation car insurance quote today. 

Getting ready for your next summer adventure? 

Before you hit the road, make sure your plan includes all the necessities – including insurance! Insurance requirements can differ for vacation trailers and motorhomes, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specifics based on the type of trailer you own. 

If a trailer is towed behind another vehicle, usually a car or truck, and cannot propel itself via a motorized engine, it isn’t required to have its own insurance. The keyword here is required – we usually recommend all trailers be insured since they’re typically quite costly (the average trailer costs around $24,000 in Canada). They can be insured through an existing auto or home policy, or standalone coverage is also available.  

Since motorhomes can propel themselves without being towed behind another vehicle, they need to be insured with an auto policy that meets Ontario’s mandatory auto insurance requirements.  

Most vacation trailers are towable and can’t be driven, so they do not require a special license classification or insurance.  

Here are some of the different types of vacation trailers: 

A travel trailer, a favoured type of RV, is typically towed behind a car or truck. It provides living quarters for sleeping, dining, and unwinding, often equipped with essential amenities like a bathroom, kitchenette, and storage. There are several varieties, ranging from compact, space-efficient models to larger ones tailored for families or larger groups. 

As they are towed behind a car or truck, travel trailers aren’t required to have their own insurance. They can have some coverage when added to your auto policy, but keep in mind that this will increase your premiums.

A fifth wheel trailer, like a travel trailer, is towable and doesn’t require separate coverage. It can be insured through your auto policy or sometimes can be added to a home policy. Fifth wheel trailers get their name from their protruding section at the front which extends over the bed of a towing pickup truck, therefore creating the “fifth wheel” connection point.  

The benefit of the fifth wheel trailer’s design is that it allows for increased maneuverability and towing, while also providing additional interior space and amenities beyond that of conventional travel trailers.  

Folding tent trailers, also referred to as tent trailers or pop-up campers, are compact recreational vehicle options that are designed for camping and travel. They’re easily towed behind a vehicle and can be compactly stored when not in use. They’re a lot smaller than other travel trailers and are typically quite affordable. Their main feature is the tent-like fabric roof and walls, which can be lowered or raised to offer shelter and defense against the elements. 

Same as with the two example trailers above, folding tent trailers do not require insurance and can have some coverage through your auto or home policy. 

Because of their motorized engines, motorhomes need their own insurance, just like any other vehicle driven on the road. For insurance purposes, motorhomes are classed as vehicles combining living quarters and transportation. If the vehicle you own exceeds the weight of 11,000 kg, you’ll need to acquire a special class of driver’s license. 

An insurance policy for motorhomes usually includes the following: 

Like an auto policy, you’ll also have the option of including coverages like collision and comprehensive. Another optional coverage for motorhomes is something called emergency vacation expenses, which can cover unexpected costs if your road trip is delayed or cancelled due to an insured loss. 

Adding another insurance policy to your bills sounds like it could be expensive, but don’t worry – RVs, motorhomes, and other types of motorized trailers can be bundled with your home and auto coverage to help you save money.  

When it comes to insuring towable trailers, you have three different options. Ask your insurance broker about which is best for you. 

Have questions about how to insure your vacation trailer? Our brokers at Mitch Insurance have answers for you. Give us a call to discuss your trailer or, if you already have a policy, let us know and we can look for a better price.  

Having your child go away for school is an exciting yet daunting venture. To make getting around easier, you may have decided to provide them with one of your cars, or they might be taking their own. 

If your child is heading off to university or college in the U.S., it’s important to understand the following details about their car insurance. 

Ontario auto insurance doesn’t account for people who live abroad but still maintain their Canadian citizenship/residency. Despite this, having an Ontario auto insurance policy means you’re still covered while travelling anywhere in Canada and the U.S. – for a certain period. 

See, while auto insurance you buy in the province is valid anywhere in Canada and the continental U.S., meaning you can drive wherever and still be insured, there are limits. Being away for six or more months implies a change of residency, so you would need to prove that you’re still a resident of Ontario and therefore qualify for Ontario auto insurance. To do this, you should  bring the car back periodically – ideally once every six months. For a student, this can be during their reading weeks or breaks. 

With most insurance companies, having the car out-of-province for longer than six consecutive months will void the terms of your policy. You may be required to find a new insurance company, such as one that allows more than six months of consecutive travel. Ask your broker about which companies offer this. 

Having your child driver on your policy will increase your rates, as insurers will consider their inexperience and driving history (or record, if they’ve had any scrapes or violations.) But when that student takes the car and goes off to school, will premiums rise as well? 

Not usually, because the rates would still be based on the home address. It technically doesn’t matter where you drive or where your typical “spots” are, but commute distance/annual mileage can be a factor in pricing. If those change, you may need to ask your broker about the recent shift and how your insurance could be impacted. Also, if your kid picks up a part-time gig, like driving for Uber or Lyft, there will need to be a chat with your broker as well as this has altered the usage of the car.  

Car insurance can be a tricky subject if your student child is taking their own vehicle or one of the family cars away to school, so it’s important that you’re aware of your policy’s limitations. Here are some of our recommendations to ensure you’re avoiding voiding the terms of your policy while saving money: 

To maintain an Ontario auto insurance policy and save your student driver from having to purchase a policy for whatever state or other province they’re in, the insured car will need to be brought back to Ontario once every six months. 

You will need to provide proof of having returned the vehicle to Ontario, however. Our recommendation is to get a service job done while you’re visiting Ontario, such as having an oil change or getting your tires swapped. Make sure to keep a receipt of the service you received to show to your insurer as proof of the car being in the province!  

If you’re still financially responsible for your child, a good way to cut costs on car insurance is to have your child insured under your policy and the vehicle (regardless of if it’s technically one they’re borrowing from you or theirs) registered under your name. This way, you can qualify for a multi-vehicle policy, which can save you up to 25% simply by bundling the vehicles into a single policy. 

Of course, the amount saved varies by insurer, so be sure to ask your broker about this option. 

Car insurance is just one piece of the bigger picture that is protecting your student while away at school. While insurance won’t prevent things from happening, it can act as a safety net for your child (and you) if they do. 

A misconception that often arises when students go away to school is tenant insurance. Children whose parents are still financially responsible for them need not necessarily buy their own tenant policy; instead, they can be covered under a parents’ policy. Home policies do cover children away at school, even if they’re in the U.S. (although check with your broker as some limitations may apply.) Most policies include between 5,000-25,000 contents coverage for children away from home. If necessary for a lease, you can ask your provider for a certificate of this inclusion and show it to the landlord of whoever your child is leasing from. 

An umbrella policy is essentially a kind of “catch-all” policy that exists to extend the limits of home and auto coverage. It isn’t a standalone policy and generally a minimum level of home and/or auto insurance is required before umbrella insurance can be purchased. For a student attending college or university away from home, an umbrella policy is recommended. 

Why? Because anything can happen when kids are away at school. Parties, accidental injuries, parking lot collisions – to name a few. Kids often let loose a little when they’re away from home, so it’s a good idea to have some of the extra peace-of-mind that an umbrella policy provides. If something happens and a home’s policy limits end up being exhausted, the umbrella policy kicks in to cover the additional costs. It can keep a family from going bankrupt over something as small as a frat party gone wrong. 

Keep in mind that adding any coverage will increase your premiums. However, it’s always better to be prepared for unforeseen situations when your child is going away to school and living on their own for the first time. 

Having a child go away for school can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. Working with a Mitch Insurance broker can alleviate some of your stress, plus they’ll be able to recommend some insurance coverage that might be of help to you in your situation. Our brokers are happy to help whenever you need us.

Once you hit the age of 55, 65, or even 70, you usually qualify for some kind of “senior” discount with most businesses. The same is true of car insurance companies! Some of the best car insurance companies in Ontario for older drivers offer great discounts to help you save money as a senior. 

Looking for the perfect insurance company as an older driver? With many excellent choices available, it’s helpful to compare them. While factors like reviews, reputation, and history matter, we’ll focus on price comparisons here. Check out our side-by-side comparison of Ontario’s top car insurance companies for older drivers based on their prices. Don’t forget to see our 2025 list of the best car insurance companies in Ontario for a broader overview! 

In the two lists below, you can see our rankings for the best standard market and high-risk car insurers based on the affordability of their rates for older drivers. 

We couldn’t put these two lists together because high-risk insurers, aka insurers who cover drivers with spotty payment histories, a history of at-fault claims, or numerous convictions, tend to charge twice or three times as much as standard insurers. To give a better sense of how these insurers fare, we separated them into different lists. 

Below, we’ve created a list of eight fictious drivers over the age of 65. We put these individuals into the system we use to pull quotes and recorded prices we got from several of our partners. To make things fair, we used the same coverages, deductibles, driving distance and annual mileage, parking location, policy limits, etc.  

Overall, CAA ended up having the most affordable rates for our fictious drivers, with Commonwell the runner-up, and JEVCO had the best rates for our high-risk drivers. Keep in mind that just because CAA was the best on average for our drivers, another insurance company might be optimal for you and your budget. Give us a call.

Because age tends to equal experience, which usually means a better driver. The more time you spend on the road, the likelier you are to not file a claim, as you’ve had plenty of years’ worth of driving to learn what to/what not to do. 20- to 25-year-olds tend to pay the most for their insurance since they’re usually new drivers, often fresh off their parents’ insurance policies, and are often associated with the highest claims’ frequency.  

However, some (not all) insurance companies will rate older folks’ higher after they reach a certain age, with rates increasing by as much as 20% around the ages of 75 to 85. We’ve taken one of our fictious drivers from above, Jae, and re-run quotes for her for ages 99, 85, 75, 65, 60, and 55, to show the difference. See below. 

With theft numbers rising, an increasing number of Canadians are having their vehicles stolen multiple times. While there are national and provincial lists highlighting the most stolen automobiles, the reality is that any car can be targeted and stolen. Even if a vehicle is recovered, often drivers find themselves still having to make a claim for the damages.

Unfortunately for those who have had their cars stolen numerous times, the more auto insurance claims you make, the more your coverage and future premiums may be impacted.

Comprehensive auto insurance provides protection if your car gets stolen or if it’s damaged during a theft attempt. It provides coverage for any damage to your vehicle that isn’t caused by a collision and in addition to theft, includes vandalism, fire, severe weather, natural disasters and falling objects.

Although comprehensive insurance is optional, if you’re leasing or financing a vehicle, you’ll likely need it as part of your agreement. This contractual requirement is causing problems for drivers who have had to submit several comprehensive claims because their vehicle has been stolen multiple times or damaged during repeated theft attempts.

“Most insurance companies will no longer offer comprehensive coverage if you’ve had multiple claims within a set number of years,” said Mitch Insurance CEO, Adam Mitchell. “The amount of claims and time period varies by insurer, but every company has a specific threshold as part of their coverage rules.”

If you reach the limit for comprehensive claims – for example, some carriers will only allow three comprehensive claims in three years – your insurance company will no longer make this coverage available to you. If comprehensive insurance is a necessity because of your leasing or financing agreement, you’ll need to find it elsewhere, most likely from a high-risk insurer.

“If you have to go this route, the cost for the coverage will be significantly more expensive,” said Mitchell. “It could be two or three times as much as you’re currently paying for your insurance.”

It’s important to note that because auto insurance is a regulated product, all coverage rules must be approved by the provincial regulator, which in Ontario is the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). Insurance companies’ rules regarding comprehensive coverage apply to all drivers – not just victims of car theft. Anyone who surpasses an insurer’s threshold for comprehensive claims within a specified timeframe would be in a similar situation.

Through no fault of their own, a growing number of Canadians are finding themselves in the scenario above because of Canada’s auto theft issue.

A driver’s car gets stolen, so they file a claim. They replace their vehicle and then a few months later it gets stolen again. It’s recovered a second time, but now the person must file another comprehensive claim because the thieves broke their window and damaged the dashboard and interior.

If any additional comprehensive claims are submitted, they may be forced to either go without comprehensive coverage or having to find it through a high-risk (and more expensive) insurer. Here are some recommendations to help you avoid this from happening.

When buying a new vehicle, it’s definitely worthwhile to spend some time researching which vehicles are more and less popular with thieves.

“Everyone’s seen the most stolen vehicles list, start investigating the least stolen list,” said Mitchell. “Look into which cars are less desirable to thieves. This can help reduce your risk and may even save you on your insurance premiums too.”

It’s also beneficial to reach out to an insurance broker and ask them about any cars you’re considering. They can provide insurance quotes for the different models to give a clearer understanding of what the full vehicle cost will be. They can also let you know if of the cars are on any insurers’ high-theft lists, and if you’ll be subject to a surcharge or be required to install a tracking or disabling device on your vehicle because of this.

If you experience minor damages to your vehicle due to a theft attempt, it might be better to pay for the repairs yourself instead of filing a claim.

“You may want to think twice about putting that claim on your insurance record, especially if you’ve already had a comprehensive claim or two,” said Mitchell. “If you need comprehensive coverage for your lease or financing agreement, you could see your insurance skyrocket over a couple of smaller claims.”

Speak with your insurance broker to see how many comprehensive claims you can make before jeopardizing your coverage and to get advice about whether its worthwhile to submit a claim or if paying out of pocket will be the more cost-efficient option.

Your broker won’t report the claim to your insurance company unless there’s an injury or you ask them to, and leveraging their expertise can help you avoid unwanted insurance surprises.

There are many different tools out there to help make your car more difficult to steal. There are tracking devices, immobilizers, alarms, on-board diagnostic port locks, steering and brake locks and more.

Investing in aftermarket anti-theft devices can make your vehicle less appealing to thieves and may also earn you discounts on your insurance coverage.

If thieves do break into your car, your anti-theft tools can be a good way to ensure your vehicle isn’t stolen and minimize the damage, making it easier to pay for any needed repairs yourself if you’re getting close to your insurer’s comprehensive claims limit.

When it comes to your auto insurance, it’s important to shop around to make sure you’re getting the coverage that’s right for you at the best price possible. This is even more vital when you need to get coverage from a high-risk market.

“Make sure you’re shopping the entire marketplace,” advised Mitchell. “Find a broker that works with a large number of insurance companies. The broader their network, the greater your choices will be. Even if you need to go to a high-risk insurer, there may be more affordable coverage options out there.”

Our brokerage recently spoke with someone who had submitted three comprehensive claims since 2023 due to auto theft. Because of this, their insurance company stopped offering comprehensive coverage. However, the driver needed it for their lease, so they had to find a new policy. Their previous insurance was around $2,600, but they were now being quoted $11,500 for a policy that included comprehensive insurance.

We were able to find a policy for less than $9,400 and that rate could be lowered to under $8,500 if the driver chose to enroll in the insurer’s telematics program.

“With the multiple claims, you’re going to be paying more and may have less coverage,” said Mitchell. “You’re now statistically considered a higher risk and your premiums are going to come with a heftier price tag attached to reflect that. Still, it’s beneficial to shop around and see all the options that are available. This will allow you to make the best choice possible, and could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your insurance.”

Have questions about Canada’s auto theft crisis and whether you have the right insurance in place to protect your car if it’s stolen? Curious about whether the new ride you’re considering is a high-theft vehicle? Looking for needed coverages and more affordable rates after making several auto theft claims? Our team of insurance brokers is always happy to help and provide you with free advice and no-obligation quotes. Give us a call today.

According to a poll commissioned by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), nearly 75% of respondents who had an auto policy believed that auto fraud is a prevalent issue in Ontario. 40% of those same respondents were worried they might become a victim. 

Unfortunately, not everyone understands fraud as well as they should. Here’s some common insurance fraud scams and how they could be impacting you.  

When someone lies or gives false information when applying for coverage to get a lower premium, that counts as insurance fraud.  

This can happen in different ways. One of the most prevalent is people lying about their primary address.  

Because insurance prices are rated by postal code, drivers living in areas such as Brampton, Vaughn, or elsewhere in the GTA may be faced with higher car insurance rates because traffic collisions and auto theft tend to be higher in those regions. Some citizens in these areas might state on their policy documents that they live at different address, perhaps in a more rural area, to qualify for lower insurance premiums.  

The premiums that you pay contribute to a “pool” of money that insurance companies use to pay out claims. When policyholders lie about critical information, such as their primary address, they may pay less for their premiums, which is less money overall that goes into that pool. Insurers, by law, always need to have a certain level of funds to ensure they can pay for claims, which may be harder to do when not everyone’s paying the amount they should. As a result, they may raise premiums for everyone – even those that have been honest about their living situation, address, car usage, etc.  

Always ensure your primary address is correct and up to date on your insurance policy. Some brokers and insurance companies will use the term “garage address” over home address, which can be a little more helpful for individuals or families who might be between homes or who may live in multiple different locations at any point. Your policy should reflect the address where your vehicle resides more than 50% of the time. If you change provinces, it’s a government rule that you have 14 days (two weeks) to update your new address.  

Due to rising fraud cases, insurers have been more diligent about investigating claims, and claims made far away from your primary address may signal adjusters to do a more thorough investigation. To hasten the claims process, try to be as cooperative as possible and provide your insurance company with whatever documentation they need to proceed. The sooner you comply, the likelier you are to get your settlement more quickly.  

Not all perpetrators of insurance fraud are policyholders. In fact, some of them are third-party service providers, like contractors, autobody shops, and medical clinics. 

These companies and individuals will take legitimate claims and inflate the costs they bill to insurance companies, alleging services that were never provided, repairs that were never done, etc. Some autobody shops may even intentionally delay service to increase the labour hours, costing the insurance company money and making you wait longer for your vehicle.  

You can be involved in third-party fraud without even being aware of it. Your car could be involved in a scheme where a body shop charges your insurance company an inflated amount for repairs, some of which may not even have taken place. The same could be said of a fraudster medical clinics, who provides you with a legitimate service but charges the insurance company for services you didn’t even receive. 

The more fraud that gets committed and the more falsified or inflated claims that are paid out, the more everyone pays. Year-over-year increases in premiums are a result of many things, but fraud is a huge contributor – whether you’re a perpetrator or not. 

Always use reputable stores, medical clinics, or any services that are “approved” by your insurance company. These companies have an agreement with your insurance company and are often more reputable when it comes to potential insurance fraud. They’re less likely to be involved in schemes when they have the favour of your insurance company potentially at stake. Reputable body shops may also have a faster turnaround time, be quicker with repairs, and you can get back on the road sooner.  

There are sometimes benefits to using your insurance company’s preferred vendors, like a satisfaction guarantee, lifetime guarantee on repairs, etc. Be wary of shops that advertise the opportunity to waive your deductible in exchange for choosing their business. This is usually a red flag that the shop is going to pad their estimate that they later send to the insurance company. 

Staged collisions are an example of premeditated fraud, which is fraud committed with the intention of receiving an insurance payout. Staged collisions generally involve multiple vehicles, often with all drivers being aware of the scam and consenting, but they can sometimes involve unwitting victims.  

For example, a fraudster in their vehicle is driving through a parking lot as if they’re looking for a spot to park. You’re pulling out of a spot, and the fraudster waves you on. When you go to pull out, they quickly drive into you, making it seem like you didn’t look when pulling out. 

Other examples of staged collisions include scenarios involving multiple fraudster vehicles where several participants file claims for exaggerated or non-existent injuries, or who use lemon vehicles (defective vehicles) to write off in accidents for settlement payouts.  

As with any insurance fraud, all policyholders end up paying more for their premiums when fraudsters receive unwarranted claim payments. Unfortunately, though, staged collisions can cause victims more than just money. In scenarios where fraudsters hit unsuspecting third-parties, victims can suffer very real injuries. Plus, victims will have to go through the claims process themselves, may have to pay their deductible (in certain situations), or could even have to pay for the damages out-of-pocket if no coverage is available.  

Dash cams are your friend and can be a great asset when trying to prove that you weren’t at-fault for an accident, which can save you from having that on your insurance record and potentially later inflating your rates. 

If you suspect you’re the victim of a staged collision, and assuming the accident didn’t take place in a totally remote area, try to flag down other vehicles and make use of witness statements. If you are the witness to another possible staged collision, don’t be a bystander. Be willing to step up for someone else. The more fraudsters we catch, the better off we all are. 

For more questions about insurance fraud and how it may be impacting you, or general inquiries about auto insurance, please give us a call at Mitch Insurance.  

Interested in learning who the best car insurance company is for younger drivers in Ontario?

Saving money where possible is crucial in today’s economic landscape, where a week of groceries for a person in their young twenties and living alone costs twice or three times as much as it used to. Car insurance, though a mandatory purchase, can be costly for young drivers, so it helps to save money where possible!

Here’s our list of the best car insurance companies for young drivers in 2024.

Before we get into the individual findings and examples, we’ve compiled our key findings below for those who want to cut to the chase.

Keep in mind that the “best” car insurance company is more than just price. While we highlight some companies based on the lower price profile they offer, there’s so much more that goes into an insurer than their premiums. Check out our list of best Ontario auto insurers of 2025 for pointers on what makes a good insurance company and Google and J.D. Power reviews.

Based purely on price, here is how our top insurance companies stack up against each other:

Creating a list and comparing based on rates without separating between men and women and high-risk markets might not give as clear an indication of how insurance companies price each demographic differently. Most insurance companies price their rates for men higher because men 25 and under are statistically worse drivers.  

High-risk is also a separate category because these drivers have a certain history that makes them statistically likelier to make claims again in the future (usually because they’ve been in multiple at-fault accidents, had speeding tickets, distracted driving convictions, etc.) and so they’ll pay more for their insurance than the regular market. 

Every driver we created on our list of quotes is fictional, so no real people were used to generate these price points. As we’ve mentioned previously, insurance companies have many different qualities to judge beyond simply price, but because we’re comparing between (fictitious) driver profiles that only differ slightly we figured the best way to rank them was on price, since that’s really the only thing that’s changing when comparing companies. 

To determine precisely how insurers compare against one another regarding pricing, we crafted 12 different fictious driving profiles (6 male and 6 female) and pulled quotes for all of them. These drivers are not real; however, their rates do reflect what someone of similar characteristics may expect to pay for their auto insurance.  

We used the same coverages, policy limits, discounts and deductibles for our quotes, used the following guidelines: 

To create this list, we ran quotes for the following (fictional!) profiles for young male drivers: 

For the individuals above, here are our auto insurance quotes: 

To create this list, we ran quotes for the following (fictional!) profiles for young female drivers: 

For the individuals above, here are our auto insurance quotes: 

Yes, as drivers age and gain more experience behind the wheel, their insurance will typically become more affordable. At the times these quotes were run, they’re accurate, but given a few years – or even just a few months- they can vary. Most insurers adjust their rates quarterly, and every insurance company must justify their rate changes by providing evidence with how much they’ve paid out in claims. The rates we’ve used in this article are based on the rates that the companies file per quarter with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, or FSRA. 

Rates can fluctuate if a particular market segment, such as young drivers, has lower claim costs for a certain quarter. In response to this, companies may lower their costs, but keep in mind that the opposite of this is also true.  

Given the ever-changing nature of the market and all the possible ups and downs, it’s unlikely that one auto insurance company will always remain the cheapest option for a specific demographic, and even if one company is cheaper for that demographic for an extended period, oftentimes other companies will reduce their rates to remain competitive.  

Decent drivers, even young drivers, can prove that they’re safety-oriented by opting into their insurance company’s telematics programs. Most insurance companies offer incentives for enrolling in telematics, where good driving can increase those potential savings even more. Telematics are plug-in programs or phone apps that you can install, which then track certain driving behaviours and reward the driver by lowering their insurance premiums. 

This goes without saying, but practicing safe driving behaviours, avoiding tickets and convictions, and generally being an all-around good driver can save you huge. As a young driver, your rates are already high enough, and being high-risk could double or even triple those already expensive rates. A single speeding ticket at a young age could be detrimental for your auto insurance rates. Play it safe – drive responsibly!  

While all the quotes that we pulled in our tables above were standalone policies, we often recommend young drivers, particularly those under the age of 20, gain experience whilst being listed as an occasional driver on their parent’s insurance policy. 

Even a driver with a speeding conviction whose best option is $3k+/year could benefit from being listed on their parent’s policy, which might only increase the cost of their parent’s insurance by $500-$1,000/year – a much more affordable alternative to being insured standalone. This is also highly recommended for those in the GTA.  

Driver’s education courses are imperative to any new driver as it helps to teach critical skills. Taking a course again later in life can also help to refresh these skills. But beyond the skills that these courses teach, many of them qualify drivers for insurance discounts. Talk with a broker about which driver’s education courses may qualify you for a discount.  

Helping drivers in Ontario find the insurance company that’s most suited to their individual needs is our game here at Mitch Insurance. Depending on where you live, who you are, your age and driving record, your “ideal” insurance company could be any one of 6+ companies. 

Working with a licensed brokerage like Mitch is a surefire way to find great coverage. We work with over 70 insurance companies in Canada, meaning we’re sure to find one that’s right for you and offers great prices, unparalleled service, and excellent support. Give us a call and get a free, no-obligation quote today.  

The first question you’ll be faced with when purchasing a car is whether to buy used or new. There are benefits to both, and either can be a good choice depending on your situation. 

There are also the insurance implications to be considered. Here’s how buying new versus used can affect the cost of your auto insurance.  

Buying a new vehicle will often cost several thousand dollars more than a used car of similar make/model. Upfront, this can be daunting and may put off many prospective new car buyers since they may not have the finances to cover the initial price (although leasing or financing can be a good solution).  

That said, new cars come with a range of features, which you can often select and customize at the right dealership. Here’s some pros to buying new:

Here are some downsides: 

Purchasing a used car has its merits as well, and for several Canadian drivers buying used is a “no-brainer” decision. You’d save money on a lot of different fees, but used cars may also come with their own issues. 

Here’s some pros to purchasing used: 

Buying used may also have its negatives. Here are some: 

To start, new cars will usually cost more to replace than used ones. The value of your vehicle is a huge factor in what you’d pay for your insurance costs. In a total loss, the value of your car (minus its depreciation) is how much your insurer would need to pay out for your final settlement.  

Newer cars also tend to have more advanced technology, which can increase insurance costs by up to 30% in some cases. Newer cars can also be more appealing to thieves as their higher-value components might be more intriguing to sell on the black market.  

The following chart compares annual insurance premiums for different makes/models of newly purchased and used vehicles. The same driver profile was used for all quotes. The new cars are all 2023 models, and the used ones are from 2015.   

Driver profile was 35-year-old male, from Whitby, married, clean record.

Note that these figures are not exactly what you’d pay when insuring this make/model of vehicle as premiums will fluctuate based on additional demographics, such as your age and gender, where you live, your driving record, and more.  

In the examples above, you can see that insurance can cost as much as 30% more for new vehicles compared to similar used makes/models. That increase varies depending on the characteristics of the vehicle including its value, safety ratings, theft frequency, and more.  

While we know that insurance costs generally run higher for new cars versus used ones, that increase is only slight in some cases and is just one part of a much larger picture. Used cars also have their flaws and can eat into your savings with maintenance and repairs costs, especially since they are often past their warranty. Used cars may even be more expensive in terms of gas charges as new cars tend to be more fuel efficient.  

As insurance brokers, we’re not inclined to tell you what to do when purchasing a new vehicle – we’re only here to give you the facts. Many people will go “middle of the road” when it comes to purchasing vehicles and will opt for slightly used vehicles that are 2-3 years old with a little bit of warranty. From an insurance standpoint, as well as considering factors like fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and overall reliability, this option could be an all-around smart choice. Ultimately though, it’s up to you!

Regardless of whether your next car will be bought new or used, we’ll help you find the right insurance coverage at the best price possible. Give us a call for a free quote today.  

Shopping for car insurance as a male driver living in Ontario? Your search ends here. You might have wondered who the best insurance company is for male drivers, and we’re here to tell you that the answer really depends!

Mitch crafts a list of the best insurance companies for specific demographics each year to help give our customers an idea of how the different companies we partner with “square up.” Although we only looked at cost comparisons in our list, note that there’s much more that goes into an insurance company besides its price. Check out our post on the 2025 best auto insurance companies in Ontario for additional information.

Auto insurance is divided into two different markets: standard and high-risk. Standard is pretty much anyone with a decent/semi-clean insurance record, and high-risk is for those who have spotty driving records or have a history of cancellation due to non-payment. The latter often sells their plans for higher premiums, so we’ve divided our comparisons into regular and high-risk to make things fairer.  

Table 1. Best regular market insurers for male drivers in 2024 

Table 2. Best high-risk market insurers for male drivers in 2024 

To give you an idea of the kind of rates that men in the province might expect from the various insurance companies that exist, we’ve created our own list of eight fictional male driver profiles. Each driver varies by their driving record, age, location, vehicle, etc., with the only constant being that they’re all male. We also kept coverage, policy limits, discounts, and deductibles the same to ensure that our final prices wouldn’t be influenced by these.  

Here are our drivers: 

If you’ve checked out our list of last year’s best insurance companies for male drivers, you might have noticed our rankings are somewhat different. This is partly because we’ve used different driver profiles than previously (and therefore produced different results), but it’s also because rates change over time. No one insurance company will remain the best option for any one demographic permanently. As time goes on, claim costs will fluctuate and insurers will have to either lower or heighten their premiums to keep their pool of payout money adequate.

If one insurer is “top dog” for a specific demographic and winning a lot of new customers, chances are another company will follow suit to attract more business. This can also result in insurance companies having a different place on the ranking year-over-year.  

While we can’t tell you who exactly is the best insurance company for male drivers, we can work with you personally to understand your needs and the kind of coverage you need. Plus, with our access, we’ll help to find you the best price. We work with over 70 of the leading insurance companies in Canada, meaning there’s plenty of options for us to search from to find you a great solution.