Markham Car Insurance at a Glance
| Average annual premium: | $2,364 |
| YoY city rate change: | +8.1% |
| Average monthly premium: | $197 |
| Markham premium vs. Ontario average: | +10.9% more expensive |
| Cheapest postal code: | L6C ($2,136) |
| Most expensive postal code: | L3S ($2,485) |
| Maximum savings with MyChoice: | $1,349 |
How Does Car Insurance Work in Markham?
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 Markham 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 Markham referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $1,055 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $1,309 |
| Coverage Total: | $2,364 |
*Starting July 1st, 2026, Ontario is splitting Accident Benefits into mandatory and optional components. Income replacement, caregiver benefits, and death benefits are no longer automatically included. Your policy will auto-renew with your current coverage, but if you’re buying a new policy after July 1, you’ll need to actively choose these add-ons.
Mandatory Coverages:
The coverages below are mandatory in Markham 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 | $330 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault | $707 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage | $18 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,055 |
Highly Recommended Coverages:
Any of the highly recommended coverages listed below for Markham 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. | $581 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $353 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $256 |
| 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. | $29 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $31 |
| 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. | $23 |
| 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. | $34 |
| 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: | $1,309 |
How Markham Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Markham’s car insurance rates are some of the lowest in the region. You can see how they compare to some of the neighbouring cities in the table below.
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Difference from Markham Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Markham, ON | $2,364 | – |
| Richmond Hill, ON | $2,422 | +2.5% |
| Scarborough, ON | $3,047 | +28.9% |
| Vaughan, ON | $2,705 | +14.4% |
| Toronto, ON | $2,348 | -0.7% |
| Newmarket, ON | $2,140 | -9.5% |
Cheapest Postal Codes to Insure a Car in Markham
The Markham postal code with the most affordable auto insurance rates is L6C, which includes Downtown Markham and Highways 7 and 8.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L6C | $2,136 |
| L6E | $2,145 |
| L6G | $2,203 |
Most Expensive Postal Codes to Insure a Car in Markham
Markham’s average auto insurance rate is $2,364, roughly 10.9% above the Ontario average.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L3S | $2,485 |
| L3R | $2,432 |
| L3P | $2,401 |
Accident Rates by Postal Code in Markham
Not all parts of Markham 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 Markham’s postal codes, based on over 50,000 quotes analyzed by MyChoice.
Source: MyChoice Quote Database
On average, 9.1% of Markham drivers have an accident on their record. But that varies by area — from as low as 7.4% in some areas to 9.7% in others.
Areas with the highest accident rates:
- L3R — Markham Central: 9.7% of drivers have an accident on record
- L6G — Markham South / Milliken East: 9.2%
- L6B — Markham East: 9.2%
- L6E — Markham North: 8.6%
- L3S — Markham East / Cornell: 8.4%
Areas with the lowest accident rates:
- L6C — Milliken: 7.4%
- L3P — Markham Village: 7.7%
- L3S — Markham East / Cornell: 8.4%
- L6E — Markham North: 8.6%
Drivers in Markham Central (L3R) are 31% more likely to have an accident on their record than drivers in Milliken (L6C).
Car Insurance Cost in Markham by Age
Younger drivers are more likely to receive higher insurance premiums because their lack of experience makes them more likely to get into an accident. The good news is that younger drivers can lower insurance premiums by taking certified driving lessons, applying for student discounts, or riding on their parents’ insurance policies as secondary drivers.
While insurance rates tend to drop for drivers by the time they hit 35, they rise after 65 as older drivers are more likely to sustain significant injuries in an accident.
Take a closer look below at how age can directly impact your insurance premiums:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Annual Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $6,785 | $1,349 |
| 21-24 | $3,499 | $696 |
| 25–34 | $2,695 | $536 |
| 35-44 | $2,364 | $470 |
| 45-54 | $2,010 | $400 |
| 55-64 | $1,868 | $371 |
| 65+ | $1,915 | $381 |
Car Insurance Cost in Markham by Driving History
While you can qualify for auto insurance even with a bad driving history, a record of accidents and collisions can significantly increase your rates. One speeding ticket isn’t going to increase your premiums drastically, but repeated offences can.
Here’s a closer look at how driving violations can impact your insurance rates:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $2,364 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $3,286 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $2,482 |
| One at-fault accident | $4,633 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,860 |
Car Insurance Cost in Markham by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Markham. 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 |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3/Y | $2,759 |
| Honda Civic | $2,540 |
| Toyota Corolla | $2,309 |
| Honda CR-V | $2,754 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $2,596 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $2,635 |
| Mazda CX-5 | $2,499 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $2,478 |
| Mazda 3 | $1,890 |
| BMW X5 | $2,366 |
| Toyota Camry | $2,224 |
| Honda Odyssey | $2,038 |
| Kia Seltos | $2,373 |
| Toyota Sienna | $2,378 |
| Honda Accord | $2,611 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Markham
Car insurance brokers help you shop for the appropriate rates. By providing them with the necessary information, you can review different insurance levels suitable for your vehicle, history, and driving habits.
Below are a few of the best brokerages in the region:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Guthrie Insurance Brokers & INSUREPLUS | 1151 Denison St Unit 19 Markham, ON L3R 3Y4, Canada | +14164875200 |
| ThinkInsure | 11 Allstate Pkwy unit 206 Markham, ON L3R 9T8, Canada | +18555505515 |
| Sukhu Insurance Brokers | 22-7595 Markham Rd Markham, ON L3S 0B6, Canada | +19055542020 |
| Billyard Insurance Group – Markham North | 9889 Markham Rd Unit 202 Markham, ON L6E 0B7, Canada | +18885086118 |
Driving in Markham
Markham is prone to long construction hours, so expect road congestion and a lot of time stuck in traffic. When driving around the city, you’ll want to keep these key facts in mind:
- Major highways: Highway 404, Highway 7
- Public transit options: York Regional Transit, Go Transit
- Ridesharing services: Uber
- Parking space providers: City of Markham, Impark
- Top tourist attractions: Pacific Mall, Toogood Park, Rouge National Urban Park, Milne Dam Conservation Park, Reesor Farm Market
- Busy intersections: Woodbine Ave to Highway 7, Woodbine Ave to Steelcase Road, Highway 7 to Warden Ave, Highway 7 to McCowan Road, Kennedy Road to 14th Avenue
- Airports: Buttonville Municipal Airport
Commuting Duration in Markham
Markham is one of the most congested municipalities in York, and you can see it in its commuting duration. Around 60% of Markham’s commuters spend 15 to 44 minutes on the road each day. Only roughly 15,000 people out of 89,280 commuters spend under 15 minutes commuting. Here’s a closer look at the commuting duration in Markham:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 89,280 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 15,220 | 17.0% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 30,635 | 34.3% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 24,575 | 27.5% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 9,200 | 10.3% |
| 60 minutes and over | 9,650 | 10.8% |
Driving Conditions in Markham
While Markham summers are warm, winters can be snowy and windy, factors that can make it challenging to drive carefully. Keep these facts about driving conditions in Markham in mind when behind the wheel:
- Average daily commute time: 60 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 82 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 96.52 mm
- Rainy days per year: 45 days
- Rainiest month in Markham: June
- Driest month in Markham: March
- Snow days per year: 51 days
- Snowfall months in Markham: November – April
Traffic in Markham
Markham is the largest and most congested municipality in the York Region, so expect traffic to be bad year-round. The best way to avoid potential accidents is to keep from driving during congestion hours and to track construction using an app.
Here are a few other things you should know about traffic in Markham.
- Population: Markham has a population of 360,000 people.
- City area: The Markham city limits span 210.9km2.
- Busiest highways: The busiest highways in Markham include Highway 7 and Highway 404.
- Average number of distracted driving: Roughly 333 drivers receive charges for impaired driving per year.