How Does Car Insurance Work in Guelph?
Car insurance is mandatory in Ontario, but it’s important to understand the factors that influence your insurance premium and the types of coverage you should consider.
Below is a breakdown of what’s included in your car insurance package in Guelph when you get a quote with MyChoice, categorized by mandatory and highly recommended coverages. Together, the mandatory and recommended coverage premiums reflect the average car insurance cost in Guelph referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $757 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $972 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,729 |
Mandatory Coverages:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Liability | Protects you if you injure someone or damage property while driving, and covers legal costs if you’re sued. | $227 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $517 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $13 |
| Coverage Total: | $757 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Guelph and will always be included in a standard car insurance quote.
Highly Recommended Coverages:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Compensation: Property Damage | Covers damage to your own vehicle if you’re not at fault in an accident with another insured driver in Ontario. | $424 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $259 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $186 |
| OPCF 20: Loss of Use | Pays for rental or other transportation if your car is out of service after an at-fault accident or comprehensive claim. | $22 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $22 |
| OPCF 44R: Family Protection | Covers you and your family if you’re hit by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver and their coverage isn’t enough. | $17 |
| OPCF 39: Accident Forgiveness | Prevents your insurance premiums from increasing after your first at-fault accident, as long as you stay with the same insurer. | $25 |
| OPCF 43: Waiver of Depreciacion | Ensures you get the full purchase price back—not a depreciated value—if your new vehicle is written off. | $2 |
| Coverage Total: | $972 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Guelph may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Guelph
Guelph, Ontario has an annual average auto insurance premium of $1,729, slightly less than the Ontario average of $1,874 with N1C (South Guelph) seeing the highest average auto insurance rates in the city.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N1C | $1,750 |
| N1E | $1,744 |
| N1G | $1,737 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Guelph
Three postal codes in Guelph boast below-average annual auto insurance rates, with N1L (East Guelph) being the cheapest.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N1H | $1,687 |
| N1K | $1,694 |
| N1L | $1,703 |
How Guelph Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Guelph drivers enjoy relatively affordable rates compared to other parts of Ontario. Here’s how premiums stack up:
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Guelph, ON | $1,729 |
| Kitchener, ON | $1,748 |
| Cambridge, ON | $1,894 |
| Waterloo, ON | $1,737 |
| Hamilton, ON | $1,735 |
| Burlington, ON | $1,704 |
Car Insurance Cost in Guelph by Age
Car insurance rates in Guelph change depending on your age. Younger people pay higher premiums due to inexperience, but rates lower as they age. Once you hit 65, your premiums will rise again due to senior citizens having an increased accident risk.
Here’s a look at car insurance costs in Guelph, categorized by age:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $4,962 | $987 |
| 21–24 | $2,559 | $509 |
| 25–34 | $1,971 | $392 |
| 35–44 | $1,729 | $344 |
| 45–54 | $1,470 | $292 |
| 55–64 | $1,366 | $272 |
| 65+ | $1,400 | $279 |
Car Insurance Cost in Guelph by Driving History
Your driving history determines your auto insurance premiums in Guelph because insurers use it to gauge your overall driving risk. You’ll get lower premiums with a clean driving record because insurers think you’re a safe driver. Conversely, having lots of violations on your record marks you as a high-risk driver, raising your premiums.
Driving violations in Ontario stay on your record for two years, but they’ll influence your premiums for longer. Here’s a look at how traffic violations can influence your insurance rates based on MyChoice’s price quote data:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,729 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,403 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,815 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,389 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,092 |
Car Insurance Cost in Guelph by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Guelph. This should give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for car insurance based on the vehicle model you drive.
| Car Model | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Honda | $1,587 |
| Toyota | $1,820 |
| Hyundai | $1,744 |
| Mazda | $1,612 |
| Ford | $1,583 |
| BMW | $2,012 |
| Mercedes | $1,455 |
| Nissan | $1,752 |
| Volkswagen | $1,591 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Guelph
Shopping for insurance alone can be frustrating, especially when you don’t know much about it. Fortunately, car insurance brokers can make the process easier. Auto insurance brokers can compare deals from several companies and answer your questions to ensure you get the best policy offer.
You can work with insurance brokers to find you the best-rated policies. Here are some great car insurance brokerage options in Guelph:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffery & Spence Insurance Brokers | 130 Paisley St, Guelph ON N1H 2P1, Canada | +12262425217 |
| National General | 150 Research Ln #104, Guelph ON N1G 4T2, Canada | +15198243630 |
| Kemper | 86 Woodlawn Rd W, Guelph ON N1H 1B2, Canada | +15198366100 |
| Clearcover | 7-3 Watson Rd S, Guelph ON N1L 1E3, Canada | +12267800802 |
Driving in Guelph
Guelph is a medium-sized city where many people live near their workplaces, so long commutes are relatively rare. Here are some key facts about driving in Guelph you should know:
- Major highways in Guelph: 401, Hanlon Expressway
- Public transit options: Guelph Transit (bus), GO Transit (bus and trains), Via Rail (trains)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: The City of Guelph, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Church of Our Lady Immaculate, Riverside Park, University of Guelph Arboretum, Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, Guelph Civic Museum
- Busy intersections: Speedvale Ave. West and Silvercreek Parkway, Stone Road West and Edinburgh Rd. South, Edinburgh Rd. South and Gordon Street, Wellington St. West and Edinburgh Rd. South
- Airports: Guelph Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Guelph
Most Guelphites ride personal vehicles to work, making up about 87% of commuters. The two other most common ways to commute in Guelph are public transit and walking, making up 4.5% and 5.1% of commuters respectively. Here’s a detailed look at how people commute in Guelph:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 52,230 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 45,645 | 87.4% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 41,495 | 79.4% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 4,150 | 7.9% |
| Public transit | 2,335 | 4.5% |
| Walked | 2,685 | 5.1% |
| Bicycle | 585 | 1.1% |
| Other method | 975 | 1.9% |
Commuting Duration in Guelph
Guelph’s commute times are relatively short. Over 20,000 Guelphites take less than 15 minutes to get to work. In fact, over 70% of them spend less than 30 minutes on their commutes. Here’s a detailed look at commuting times in Guelph:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 52,230 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 21,215 | 40.6% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 16,520 | 31.6% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 7,335 | 14.0% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3,455 | 6.6% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3,700 | 7.1% |
Driving Conditions in Guelph
Your insurance premiums may fluctuate depending on Guelph’s driving conditions. Here’s a quick look at the driving conditions in Guelph:
- Average daily commute time: 46 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 36.56 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 703 mm
- Rainy days per year: 49
- Rainiest month in Guelph: September
- Driest month in Guelph: February
- Snow days per year: 92
- Snowfall months in Guelph: December to March
Traffic in Guelph
Guelph has around 140,000 residents, a very small number compared to the 2.7 million people living in the City of Toronto. This means traffic in Guelph won’t be as heavy or intense as in Toronto. However, it’s still a good idea to learn the key facts about traffic in Guelph to help regulate risk and avoid overpaying for insurance.
Here’s a quick look at what driving in Guelph is like:
- Population: Guelph has 143,740 residents within its city limits.
- City area: Guelph’s urban area spans 87.22 km2.
- Average commute distance: Most Guelphites travel 11.8 km to their workplace or school.
- Time spent in traffic annually: Most Guelphites spend roughly 280 hours in traffic every year or 46 minutes every day.
- Busiest highways: Guelph is one of the stops on Highway 401, the busiest highway in North America. Traffic data shows over 400,000 vehicles pass through Highway 401 daily.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Guelph
How much is car insurance in Guelph?
On average, car insurance in Guelph costs $1,729 annually.
Which city has cheaper car insurance: Guelph or Mississauga?
Guelph has cheaper car insurance than Mississauga, Guelph drivers pay an average of $1,729/year for their auto insurance, while Mississauga drivers pay $2,258/year.
How do Guelph’s car insurance rates compare to other cities in Ontario?
Among other cities in Ontario, Guelph’s car insurance is more or less on par.
How can you get cheap car insurance in Guelph?
Compare car insurance rates in Guelph with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.