How Does Car Insurance Work in Niagara Falls?
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 Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $774 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $993 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,767 |
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. | $232 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $528 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $14 |
| Coverage Total: | $774 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Niagara Falls 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. | $434 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $265 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $190 |
| 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. | $23 |
| 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. | $18 |
| 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. | $26 |
| 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: | $993 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Niagara Falls may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Niagara Falls
Auto insurance rates in Niagara Falls, ON cost an average of $1,767 – roughly $100 cheaper than the provincial average.
The most expensive postal code in Niagara Falls is the L2G region.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L2G | $1,799 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Niagara Falls
Like other mid-sized cities in Ontario, Niagara Falls is neither the most expensive nor the cheapest place to get auto insurance. L2H and L2J are the cheapest postal codes in Niagara Falls, as seen below:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L2H | $1,735 |
| L2J | $1,744 |
How Niagara Falls Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Niagara Falls drivers generally pay less for car insurance than many cities in the GTA, though rates are still above the provincial average. Here’s how it compares:
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Niagara Falls, ON | $1,767 |
| Welland, ON | $1,660 |
| St Catharines, ON | $1,741 |
| Hamilton, ON | $1,735 |
| Burlington, ON | $1,704 |
| Oakville, ON | $1,809 |
Car Insurance Cost in Niagara Falls by Age
Age is a major element in determining your car insurance rate, especially when you are young. Insurance providers often charge drivers under 25 high rates because of young drivers’ inexperience and higher likelihood of being involved in a traffic accident.
Young drivers aren’t the only ones who pay higher premiums, either. Those over 60 tend to get higher rates as they are more likely to be seriously injured in the event of an accident.
Check out how car insurance varies by age in Niagara Falls:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $5,071 | $1,009 |
| 21-24 | $2,615 | $520 |
| 25-34 | $2,014 | $401 |
| 35-44 | $1,767 | $351 |
| 45-54 | $1,502 | $299 |
| 55-64 | $1,396 | $278 |
| 65+ | $1,431 | $285 |
Car Insurance Cost in Niagara Falls by Driving History
Want to save on insurance premiums? Having a history as a safe, responsible driver can get you lower rates.
Insurers are all about assessing risk. The more tickets and violations you have on your record, the more likely you are to get involved in a traffic accident – and, thus, the more you will end up costing the insurance company.
Here’s how different driving violations can affect the cost of your insurance premiums:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,767 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,456 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,855 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,463 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,138 |
Car Insurance Cost in Niagara Falls by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Niagara Falls. 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 |
|---|---|
| Toyota | $1,860 |
| Mazda | $1,941 |
| Audi | $2,197 |
| Ford | $1,617 |
| Volkswagen | $1,626 |
| Hyundai | $1,782 |
| MINI | $1,502 |
| Porsche | $1,790 |
| Chevrolet | $1,661 |
| Land Rover | $1,602 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Niagara Falls
Insurance brokers help drivers navigate the process of purchasing auto insurance. They help you find a car insurance plan that meets all your driving needs and fits your budget.
If you don’t want to get lost in all the jargon and numbers, consider reaching out to any one of these experienced brokerages in Niagara Falls:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited | 7-8279 Lundy’s Ln, Niagara Falls ON L2H 1H5, Canada | +12899321222 |
| Olsen-Sottile Insurance Brokers Inc | 4307 Queen St, Niagara Falls ON L2E 2K9, Canada | +19053572140 |
| Youngs Insurance Brokers | 5681 Regional Rd 57, Niagara Falls ON L2J 1A1, Canada | +19053747000 |
Driving in Niagara Falls
The “Honeymoon Capital of the World”, Niagara Falls is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Canada. While its population remains at a modest 88,071, each year, the city plays host to over 12 million visitors.
Niagara Falls is a border town, connecting Ontario to the state of New York via the Rainbow Bridge. Located just over an hour from Toronto, Niagara Falls is also a popular day-trip destination for those living in and visiting Toronto.
Here are some fast facts about driving in Niagara Falls:
- Major highways: Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), Highway 420, Highway 20
- Public transit options: WeGo (buses), Niagara Region Transit (buses), GO Train
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Zoom Zoom
- Parking space providers: The City of Niagara Falls, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Skylon Tower, Niagara Skywheel, Clifton Hill, Niagara Power Station, Whitewater Walk, Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Botanical Gardens, Bird Kingdom
- Busy intersections: Welland Avenue and 4th Street
- Airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Niagara Falls
Most commuters in Niagara Falls travel with their cars, making up 92.1% of all commuters. Walking is the second-most preferred method, clocking in at 2.9%. Here’s a detailed look at how people in Niagara Falls commute:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 29,290 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 26,985 | 92.1% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 24,510 | 83.7% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 2,480 | 8.5% |
| Public transit | 605 | 2.1% |
| Walked | 855 | 2.9% |
| Bicycle | 190 | 0.6% |
| Other method | 645 | 2.2% |
Commuting Duration in Niagara Falls
Almost 80% of Niagara Falls’ commuters spend under 30 minutes getting to work. People who spend over half an hour on their commute are relatively rare, only making up 20% of the city’s commuters. Check out the commute times in Niagara Falls on the table below:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 29,290 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 11,985 | 40.9% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 11,395 | 38.9% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3,220 | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1,010 | 3.4% |
| 60 minutes and over | 1,675 | 5.7% |
Driving Conditions in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a beautiful place to visit in the summer months. Unfortunately, wintertime driving conditions make travel to the area quite treacherous. Drivers must prepare thoroughly for their trip, as unexpected snowfall and ice can lead to dangerous roadways.
Learn more about what driving conditions are like in Niagara Falls:
- Average daily commute time: 52 minutes roundtrip
- Average annual rainfall: 770 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 574 mm
- Rainy days per year: 169.3 days
- Rainiest month in Niagara Falls: July
- Driest months in Niagara Falls: September
- Snow days per year: 65.6 days
- Snowfall months in Niagara Falls: January – May, October – December
Traffic in Niagara Falls
Despite being a popular tourist destination, traffic density in Niagara Falls is not as bad as its neighbours. In fact, Niagara has the least amount of traffic congestion among all large cities in Canada. Minimal congestion means that drivers can expect lower insurance premiums, as insurers often charge more in places where traffic accidents are more likely to happen.
Here is a brief overview of traffic in Niagara Falls:
- Population: 88,071 live within Niagara Falls’ city limits.
- City area: Niagara Falls’ city limits span 209.73 km2.
- Busiest highways: Queen Elizabeth Way is the busiest highway in Niagara Falls.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Niagara Falls
How much does Niagara Falls car insurance cost?
Car insurance in Niagara Falls costs $1,767.
Is car insurance cheaper in Niagara Falls than in Toronto?
Car insurance is cheaper in Niagara Falls than in Toronto, where it costs an average of $2,231.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Niagara Falls?
You should compare car insurance rates because many companies offer the same coverage but at drastically different prices. Rates often vary depending on what part of Niagara Falls you live in, the car you drive, your age, your driving history, and other similar factors.
Does my Niagara Falls car insurance work in the US?
Most Niagara Falls auto insurers cover their clients when driving in the US for a limited time.
How can you get cheaper auto insurance in Niagara Falls?
Compare car insurance rates in Niagara Falls with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.