London Car Insurance at a Glance
| Average annual premium: | $2,037 |
| YoY city rate change: | +2.5% |
| Average monthly premium: | $170 |
| London premium vs. Ontario average: | -4.5% less expensive |
| Cheapest postal code: | N5W ($1,919) |
| Most expensive postal code: | N6J ($2,122) |
| Maximum savings with MyChoice: | $1,163 |
How Does Car Insurance Work in London?
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 London 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 London referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $909 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $1,128 |
| Coverage Total: | $2,037 |
Mandatory Coverages:
The coverages below are mandatory in London and will always be included in a standard car insurance quote.
| 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. | $284 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $609 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $16 |
| Coverage Total: | $909 |
Highly Recommended Coverages:
Any of the highly recommended coverages listed below for London may be removed from your quote. However, we strongly recommend keeping them to ensure adequate protection.
| 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. | $499 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $305 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $220 |
| 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. | $25 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $27 |
| 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. | $20 |
| 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. | $30 |
| OPCF 43: Waiver of Depreciation | Ensures you get the full purchase price back—not a depreciated value—if your new vehicle is written off. | $2 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,128 |
How London Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
London’s car insurance rates are mid-range compared to other Southwestern Ontario cities. Here’s how they compare to nearby communities:
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Difference from London Premium |
|---|---|---|
| London, ON | $2,037 | – |
| Kitchener, ON | $1,810 | -11.1% |
| Cambridge, ON | $1,979 | -2.8% |
| Brantford, ON | $1,902 | -6.6% |
| Chatham, ON | $1,969 | -3.3% |
| Stratford, ON | $1,773 | -13.0% |
Cheapest Postal Codes to Insure a Car in London
The N5W region in London has the cheapest auto insurance rates. This region includes Argyle and Hamilton Road. Below is a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for car insurance in the cheapest areas for auto insurance in London:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N5W | $1,919 |
| N6A | $1,932 |
| N6C | $1,955 |
Most Expensive Postal Codes to Insure a Car in London
The average cost of car insurance in London, Ontario, is roughly $2,037, which is slightly less than the Ontario average of $2,132 yearly.
London’s most expensive postal code for car insurance is the N6J region, encompassing Carling and the northeastern part of the city. While your quotes may differ, below are the expected premium rates in this area:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N6J | $2,122 |
| N6L | $2,094 |
| N6K | $2,077 |
Accident Rates by Postal Code in London
Not all parts of London have the same accident risk, and your postal code is one of the main factors insurers use to set your premium. The map below shows the percentage of drivers who have been in an accident across London’s postal codes, based on over 50,000 quotes analyzed by MyChoice.
Source: MyChoice Quote Database
On average, 12.3% of London drivers have an accident on their record, but that varies by area, from as low as 8.2% in some areas to 15.9% in others.
Areas with the highest accident rates:
- N6L — East Tempo: 15.9%
- N6J — Southcrest / East Westmount: 14.3%
- N6K — Byron / Riverbend: 14.0%
- N6H — Hyde Park / Oakridge: 13.7%
- N6C — East Highland / North White Oaks: 13.6%
Areas with the lowest accident rates:
- N5W — Argyle / Hamilton Road: 8.2%
- N5Z — Glen Cairn: 10.1%
- N6A — Downtown / Western University: 10.7%
- N6G — Masonville / Sunningdale: 10.8%
- N6E — White Oaks / Westminster: 11.2%
Drivers in East Tempo (N6L) are 2x more likely to have an accident on their record than drivers in Argyle / Hamilton Road (N5W).
If you live in a postal code with more accidents, you can still lower your rate by keeping a clean driving record, taking a defensive driving course, or installing a dashcam. Some insurers offer discounts for all three.
Car Insurance Cost in London by Age
As with any city in Ontario, car insurance rates can rise and fall according to your age. Generally, drivers under 30 pay the highest premiums because they are perceived to lack experience. Similarly, drivers over 65 can expect higher premiums, as senior citizens are more likely to sustain injury or death during an accident.
Below are the average car insurance rates by age in London, Ontario:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Annual Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $5,846 | $1,162 |
| 21-24 | $3,015 | $600 |
| 25-34 | $2,322 | $462 |
| 35-44 | $2,037 | $405 |
| 45-54 | $1,732 | $344 |
| 55-64 | $1,609 | $320 |
| 65+ | $1,650 | $328 |
Car Insurance Cost in London by Driving History
Insurance companies are likely to charge higher premiums if:
- You have a shorter driving history
- You don’t have a full licence
- You have a driving conviction
While driving demerits typically only remain on your record for about two years, some insurance providers will review your driving history up to ten years prior.
Below are general estimations of how your driving record can impact insurance premiums:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $2,037 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,832 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $2,139 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,992 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,465 |
Car Insurance Cost in London by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in London. 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 Civic | $2,172 |
| Toyota Corolla | $1,998 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $2,248 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $2,230 |
| Honda CR-V | $2,368 |
| Tesla Model 3/Y | $2,388 |
| Nissan Rogue | $1,963 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | $2,039 |
| Toyota Camry | $1,904 |
| Mazda CX-5 | $2,164 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $2,150 |
| Ford EScape | $1,622 |
| Honda Accord | $2,250 |
| Lexus RX 350 | $2,924 |
| Ford F-150 | $2,040 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in London
Auto insurance brokers can negotiate premiums with a company on your behalf. With the help of a car insurance broker, you can save valuable time and money and get the insurance rates you want. Plus, you can ask them questions about the process so you can make more informed decisions.
Below is a list of brokerages you can visit in London, Ontario:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| McConville Omni Insurance Brokers Ltd. | 685 Richmond St #300 London, ON N6A 5M1, Canada | +15196730880 |
| My Insurance Broker | 1255 Commissioners Rd W #227 London, ON N6K 3N5, Canada | +15194737000 |
| Kenny Insurance Brokers | 360 Springbank Dr London, ON N6J 1G5, Canada | +15196338448 |
| BrokerLink | 69 Wellington St Unit A London, ON N6B 2K4, Canada | +15194341955 |
Driving in London
London has the 11th largest population in Canada, so expect it to be a melting pot of diverse drivers. In addition, ever-changing driving conditions make it imperative to have the best possible insurance. Below are some key facts you should know about driving in London:
- Major highways in London: None (connected to junctions of Highway 401 and 402)
- Public transit options: London Transit Commission (bus)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: City of London, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Springbank Park, Banting House, Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Museum London, Storybook Gardens, Boler Mountain
- Busy intersections: Richmond Street and Fanshawe Park Road
- Airports: London International Airport
Commuting Duration in London
London is one of the busier cities in Ontario, so traffic can get congested. Fortunately, for a busy city, commute durations are still reasonable. Almost 80% of London’s commuters spend under 30 minutes during their commutes. Here’s an in-depth look at commuting duration in London:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 138,155 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 47,460 | 34.4% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 59,460 | 43.0% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 18,880 | 13.7% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 6,005 | 4.3% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6,345 | 4.6% |
Driving Conditions in London
Driving conditions in London are often prone to change. These conditions can directly impact your insurance premiums. Here are some key facts about driving conditions in London:
- Average daily commute time: 44 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 946 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 1,943 mm
- Rainy days per year: 106 days
- Rainiest month in London: June
- Driest months in London: November – March
- Snow days per year: 60 days
- Snowfall months in London: November – April
Traffic in London
London has a population of roughly 422,324, making it one of the busier cities in Ontario. As such, you can expect traffic conditions to fluctuate constantly. Here is a quick overview of traffic conditions in London:
- City area: London’s city limits span 420.6 km2.
- Time spent in traffic annually: London drivers spend 89 hours in traffic per year.
- Busiest highways: Highways 401 and 402 are the busiest in London.
- Average motor vehicle thefts: There are roughly 1,175 auto thefts a year in London.
- Average instances of distracted driving: There are 418 instances of distracted driving a year in London.
- Average number of speeding tickets: Roughly 2,108 people receive speeding tickets every year in London.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in London
Why should you compare car insurance rates in London?
You should compare car insurance rates in London because not all policies have the same coverage requirements. In addition, you’ll want to pick a policy best suited to your driving habits.
What information do you need for an auto insurance quote in London?
The information you’ll need to provide for an auto insurance quote in London includes your basic information, driver’s licence, vehicle identification number (VIN), marital status, and accident prevention course completion date, if applicable.
Can I use my London car insurance to drive in the United States?
Yes, you can use your London car insurance to drive in the United States. However, most insurance providers recommend carrying additional cash in case of an accident. If you pay more upfront, you won’t risk an increase on your future premiums.
How do you find affordable car insurance for students in London, Ontario?
You can get affordable car insurance for students in London by taking a driver’s education course. Earning a certificate lets insurers know you are a safe and dependable driver. In addition, you can apply with an insurer that offers student discounts or get listed as a secondary driver on your parents’ insurance policy.