How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Brantford?
You can get cheap Brantford car insurance by finding the best deals. Here are several tips to help you do so:
Compare Rates Between Insurers
Brantford 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 Brantford 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 Brantford.
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 Brantford
- Brantford car insurance is more expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual car insurance cost in Brantford for a driver with a clean record is around $1,478.
- Drivers without a clean record in Brantford can pay up to $3,258 annually, depending on factors like driving and claim history.
- Comparing Brantford auto insurance quotes with MyChoice can save you up to $1,049 annually.
How Does Car Insurance Work in Brantford?
Car insurance in Brantford works by providing financial coverage in case something bad happens to you or your car, depending on the protection you choose. Auto insurance in Brantford 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 Brantford.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of your auto insurance policy:
The mandatory car insurance requirement for Brantford 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 Brantford.
Once you meet the minimum car insurance coverage requirements, you can legally drive in Brantford. 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 Brantford 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 Brantford. 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 Brantford 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 Brantford
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 Brantford car insurance quotes:
Age, Gender, and Marital Status
Your personal demographics influence auto insurance premiums in Brantford 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 Brantford 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 Brantford
Brantford, Ontario’s annual average auto insurance premium is $1,478, around $100 more than Ontario’s provincial average of $1,385. The N3P area in Northeast Brantford has the highest car insurance premiums, detailed in the table below:
Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
---|---|
N3P | $1,486 |
N3R | $1,481 |
N3S, N3T | $1,478 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Brantford
The N3V region in Northwest Brantford boasts the lowest car insurance premiums. You can check the details below:
Postal Code | Average annual car insurance premium |
---|---|
N3V | $1,467 |
Car Insurance Cost in Brantford by Age
Like most of Canada, car insurance rates in Brantford rise and fall based on your age.
Younger people pay higher premiums due to their perceived inexperience on the road, but their rates will lower with age. Once you reach 65 years of age, premiums will rise again because senior citizens are more likely to be hurt or killed in an accident.
Here’s a look at car insurance costs in Brantford, categorized by age:
Age Group | Average annual insurance cost | Average savings with MyChoice |
---|---|---|
18-20 | $5,276 | $1,049 |
21-24 | $3,015 | $600 |
25-34 | $2,010 | $400 |
35-44 | $1,478 | $294 |
45-54 | $1,212 | $241 |
55-64 | $1,030 | $205 |
65+ | $1,174 | $234 |
Car Insurance Cost in Brantford by Driving History
Your driving history influences Brantford auto insurance premiums because insurers use it to gauge your driving risk. Ontario laws state driving violations and demerit points stay on your record for two years, but many insurers check your driving record as far as 10 years back.
Clean drivers get lower premiums because insurers think you’re less likely to get into an accident. Conversely, a record full of violations means you’re a high-risk driver – this saddles you with higher premiums.
Here’s how various traffic violations can influence your insurance rates based on our research:
Driving violation | Average annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Clean driving record | $1,478 |
Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,424 |
Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,771 |
One accident | $3,258 |
Speeding ticket | $1,924 |
Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Brantford
We’ve covered several factors that influence car insurance rates in Brantford. Aside from those, several extra factors play a part in determining your Brantford 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.
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Brantford
Car insurance brokers make shopping for insurance easier thanks to their extensive knowledge of auto insurance. They can answer your questions and compare deals from multiple companies to ensure you get the best auto insurance deal.
There are various insurance brokers in Brantford to help you find the best policy deals. Here are some Brantford brokers you can visit:
Brokerage | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Westland Insurance | 195 Henry St unit 1, Brantford ON N3S 5C9, Canada | +15197562200 |
BrokerLink | 53 Charing Cross St, Brantford ON N3R 7K9, Canada | +15197592110 |
Billyard Insurance Group – Brantford | 155 Lynden Rd #4, Brantford ON N3R 8A7, Canada | +15197594128 |
Allstate Insurance: Brantford Commons Agency | 300 King George Rd Unit H5, Brantford ON N3R 5L8, Canada | +12264007178 |
Driving in Brantford
Known as the residence of Alexander Graham Bell and the birthplace of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, Brantford is a medium-sized city with many growing families. Here are some key facts about driving in Brantford:
- Major highways in Brantford: 403, 24
- Public transit options: Brantford Transit (bus)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: The City of Brantford, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Bell Homestead, Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, Glenhyrst Art Gallery and Gardens, Canadian Military Heritage Museum, Woodland Cultural Centre
- Busy intersections: Dalhousie and Clarence, St. Paul Avenue and Dundas Street
- Airports: Brantford Municipal Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Brantford
Brantford is a small town, so there are only around 38,000 commuters, most of which commute with a personal vehicle. Interestingly, there are more people who choose to walk to work instead of using public transportation. Here’s a detailed look at the commuting modes in Brantford:
Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% Sample Size | 38,205 | 100.0 |
Car, truck or van | 34,890 | 91.3% |
Car, truck or van – as a driver | 31,580 | 82.7% |
Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 3,310 | 8.7% |
Public transit | 1,210 | 3.2% |
Walked | 1,335 | 3.5% |
Bicycle | 170 | 0.4% |
Other method | 605 | 1.6% |
Commuting Duration in Brantford
Nearly half of Brantford commuters take less than 15 minutes to get to work, which is understandable for a small city. In fact, almost two-thirds of the city takes under half an hour to arrive at work. Here’s a closer look at the commuting duration in Brantford:
Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% Sample Size | 38,205 | 100.0 |
Less than 15 minutes | 15,815 | 41.4% |
15 to 29 minutes | 10,315 | 27.0% |
30 to 44 minutes | 6,310 | 16.5% |
45 to 59 minutes | 2,980 | 7.8% |
60 minutes and over | 2,785 | 7.3% |
Driving Conditions in Brantford
Local driving conditions may also influence insurance premiums. Here’s a quick overview of Brantford’s driving conditions:
- Average daily commute time: 46 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 34.39 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 495 mm
- Rainy days per year: 46
- Rainiest month in Brantford: July
- Driest month in Brantford: September
- Snow days per year: 65
Snowfall months in Brantford: January – May, October – December
Traffic in Brantford
Brantford boasts around 100,000 residents, making it a very small city compared to Toronto’s population of 2.7 million. While traffic in Brantford won’t be as heavy or intense as in Toronto, it’s still a good idea to learn the key facts about traffic in the city to regulate your risk.
Here’s a quick look at what driving in Brantford is like:
- Population: 104,688 people live within Brantford’s city limits.
- City area: Brantford’s city area spans 98.65 km2.
- Average commute distance: The average Brantford resident travels 5.3 km to their workplace or school.
- Time spent in traffic annually: Most Brantford residents spend 46 minutes in traffic daily, totalling roughly 280 hours per year.
- Busiest highways: The main access to Brantford is Highway 403, which reunites with Highway 401, the busiest highway in North America. Over 400,000 vehicles pass through Highway 401 daily.
Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Brantford?
Insurance brokers, agents, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Brantford. 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 Brantford 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 Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Brantford
How much is car insurance in Brantford?
On average, car insurance in Brantford costs $1,478 annually or around $123 monthly.
What are the best car insurance companies in Brantford?
The best car insurance company in Brantford depends on the kind of protection you need and your risk profile. Use MyChoice to compare insurers to see which one is right for you.
Who has the cheapest auto insurance in Brantford?
As rates depend on your protection needs, risk profile, and other factors, who provides the cheapest auto insurance in Brantford varies from case to case. Use MyChoice to compare rates for you!
Is car insurance cheaper in Brantford than Hamilton?
At $1,478, Brantford’s average annual car insurance is almost $60 more expensive than Hamilton’s $1,419.
Which cars get the lowest car insurance premiums in Brantford?
According to our research, Fiats have the lowest car insurance premiums in Brantford at $126/month.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Brantford?
You should compare car insurance rates in Brantford to see whether your first choice provides you with the best-valued deal.
What information do you need for an auto insurance quote in Brantford?
To get an auto insurance quote in Brantford, you need to provide basic information like your personal details alongside your car’s make, model, and production year. Your quote might be even more accurate if you provide additional details like your driving history and vehicle identification number.