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Article Contents
By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated on March 19, 2024

Visit author page
By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated March 19, 2024

Visit author page

12 minute read

Article Contents

How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Sault Ste. Marie?

You can get cheap Sault Ste. Marie car insurance by finding the best deals. Here are several tips to help you do so:

Compare Rates Between Insurers

Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie.

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.

Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Sault Ste. Marie?

Insurance brokers, agents, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Sault Ste. Marie. 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 Sault Ste. Marie 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.

How Does Car Insurance Work in Sault Ste. Marie?

Car insurance in Sault Ste. Marie works by providing financial coverage in case something bad happens to you or your car, depending on the protection you choose. Auto insurance in Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie.

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of your auto insurance policy:

The mandatory car insurance requirement for Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie. 

Once you meet the minimum car insurance coverage requirements, you can legally drive in Sault Ste. Marie. 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 Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie. 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:

Many insurers also offer comprehensive auto insurance in Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie

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 Sault Ste. Marie car insurance quotes:

Age, Gender, and Marital Status

Your personal demographics influence auto insurance premiums in Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie

With an annual average of $1,350, Sault Ste. Marie’s insurance rate is $141 lower than Ontario’s provincial average of $1,385. In some areas of the city, the P6A and P6B postal codes have higher auto insurance premiums than the city average. Higher average premiums usually happen because the area has more accident risk, perhaps due to higher traffic density or other factors.

Here’s a breakdown of the most expensive postal codes for auto insurance in Sault Ste. Marie:

Postal CodeAverage Annual Car Insurance Rate
P6A$1,377
P6B$1,365

Least Expensive Postal Codes in Sault Ste. Marie

Meanwhile, the postal code P6C has lower-than-average car insurance rates.

Postal CodeAverage Annual Car Insurance Rate
P6C$1,341

Car Insurance Cost in Sault Ste. Marie by Age

Age is a major driving factor in whether you can expect higher insurance premiums. Generally, the idea is that older drivers have more experience and are thus more likely to be responsible and capable of avoiding accidents. 

Drivers under the age of 25 can expect higher insurance premiums, while those in their 50s and 60s can expect the lowest insurance rates. However, once you reach a certain age, your premium rates start to rise again – usually when you reach the age of 65 or become a senior citizen

Based on studies, 75-year-old male drivers pay 21% more for auto insurance than 55-year-old male drivers. This is because as people get older, they go through physical changes that can affect their driving ability, such as changes in vision, attention, fitness, and reaction time. 

Take a look at how much car insurance costs can vary by age in Sault Ste. Marie:

AgeAverage Annual Car Insurance RateAnnual Savings with MyChoice
18 – 20$4,820$959
21 – 24$2,754$548
25 – 34$1,836$365
35 – 44$1,350$269
45 – 54$1,107$220
55 – 64$941$187
65+$1,073$213

Car Insurance Cost in Sault Ste. Marie by Driving History

Take a look below at how car insurance quotes vary by violation in Sault Ste. Marie:

Driving ViolationAverage Annual Car Insurance Rate
Clean Record$1,350
Insurance Cancellation (Non-Payment)$2,214
License Suspension (DUI)$1,620
One accident$2,970
Speeding ticket$1,755

All estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old female driving a 2018 Honda Civic four-door.

Your driving record plays a major role in determining the cost of your insurance premiums. Insurance companies will usually request the following:

  • Demerit point total
  • Any convictions, suspensions, and reinstatements under the Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code of Canada
  • Records of collisions
  • Any driver’s license replacements/renewals

A clean driving record will help you get lower premiums, while a record laden with violations will get you tagged as a high-risk driver and cause insurance companies to charge you more.

In Ontario, driving violations remain on your record for two years, but they can affect your premium rates for far longer. 

Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Sault Ste. Marie

We’ve covered several factors that influence car insurance rates in Sault Ste. Marie. Aside from those, several extra factors play a part in determining your Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie

Car insurance brokers help you choose the right auto insurance policy by answering your questions and comparing policy offers.

Here are several brokers in Sault Ste. Marie that you can contact for extra assistance when seeking car insurance:

BrokerageAddressPhone number
All Risks Insurance
Brokers Limited
111 Great Northern Rd Suite A,
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Y9, Canada
+17055754400
Northern Insurance Brokers855 Queen St E #200,
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2B3, Canada
+17059496555
Ensurco Insurance Group116 March St,
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2Z3, Canada
+17059498424
Dawson & Keenan
Insurance Ltd.
432 Great Northern Rd #201,
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Z7, Canada
+17059493740

Driving in Sault Ste. Marie

Planning to move to or visit Sault Ste. Marie? It helps to know more about driving in the area. Here are some key facts about driving in Sault Ste. Marie you should know:

  • Major highways in Sault Ste. Marie: 17
  • Public transit options: Sault Transit Services (bus)
  • Ridesharing services: EZ Ride, Uber
  • Parking space providers: The City of Sault Ste. Marie, private lots
  • Top tourist attractions: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Sault Ste. Marie Boardwalk, Bellevue Park, Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site
  • Busy intersections: Great Northern Load and Second Line
  • Airports: Sault Ste. Marie Airport

Main Mode of Commuting in Sault Ste. Marie

Knowing more about the commuting statistics in a city or town helps you get to work on time. Here’s a detailed look at the commuter data in Sault Ste. Marie:

  • Average commute distance: The average Sault Ste. Marie resident travels x km to their workplace or school. 
  • Commute duration: Nearly two-thirds (65.5%) of Sault Ste. Marie households only spend 15 minutes getting to work, which shows that traffic is relatively sparse there. In fact, only 6.7% of the city’s households spend over half an hour on their commutes.
  • Main mode of commuting: 90.7% of the city’s households use personal vehicles to get around. The second-most popular mode of commuting in the city is walking, with a 4.1% share of households.

Driving Conditions in Sault Ste. Marie

Various weather and driving conditions like snow and rain can affect your auto insurance premiums. Here’s an overview of driving conditions in Sault Ste. Marie: 

  • Average annual rainfall: 83 mm
  • Average annual snowfall: 103 mm
  • Rainy days per year: 109
  • Rainiest month in Sault Ste. Marie: October
  • Driest months in Sault Ste. Marie: February
  • Snow days per year: 109
  • Snowfall months in Sault Ste. Marie: October-May

Traffic in Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie is one of Ontario’s premier adventure tourism destinations due to having some of the province’s best skiing and snowboarding places. It’s also well-known as an essential port of entry to the United States.

Here’s a quick look at the key traffic statistics in Sault Ste. Marie:

  • Population: 72,051 people live within Sault Ste. Marie’s city limits.
  • City area: Sault Ste. Marie’s city area spans 223.24 km2.
  • Busiest highways: Highway 17, a segment of the Trans-Canada Highway, connects Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay and Sudbury.

Sault Ste. Marie Car Insurance FAQs

Is ridesharing insurance available in Sault Ste. Marie?

Ridesharing insurance for Uber and Lyft drivers is available in Sault Ste. Marie. Ask your insurer for more details.

How much does Sault Ste. Marie car insurance cost?

Sault Ste. Marie car insurance costs $1,350/year.

Why should you compare car insurance rates in Sault Ste. Marie?

You should compare car insurance rates in Sault Ste. Marie because different insurers provide different coverage at different prices. Comparing rates help you choose which policy has the best value.

What information do you need for an auto insurance quote in Sault Ste. Marie?

You need to provide basic personal details and vehicle information like production year, make, and model to get a basic auto insurance quote. You can get more accurate quotes by disclosing extra information, like your driving record and past traffic violations.

How do you find affordable car insurance for students in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario?

There’s no affordable car insurance for students in Sault Ste. Marie, but students can be listed as a driver in their parent’s insurance policy. This way, they don’t have to spend money paying for their own policy.

Which auto insurance is the best for young drivers in Sault Ste. Marie?

The best auto insurance for young drivers in Sault Ste. Marie should be the one that gives ample protection at a reasonable cost.

Methodology

Sample Size

We analyzed over 50,000 auto insurance quotes across Canada.

Profiles

Average rates were calculated using a standard profile and incident profiles. All personal details pertaining to the quotes and policies have been kept confidential.

Standard Profile

Single driver, one car, currently insured, and a pristine driving record. Our base profile is a 35-year-old individual (both male and female) with a spotless driving record.

Incident Profiles

We examined how rates change by evaluating profiles with a clean record (standard), one at-fault accident, a single speeding ticket, license suspension for alcohol related offenses and insurance cancellation due to non-payment.

Vehicle Details

These individuals own a 2018 Honda Civic, commute five days a week, and cover a distance of 15,000 kilometres annually.

Vehicle Models

Costs were also analyzed for different vehicles: Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Equinox, and the base 2018 Honda Civic.

Age and Homeownership

Profiles from age 18-65 (standard: 35 years) were considered. Depending on age, individuals might rent or own their homes. Age-related regulations may vary across provinces.

Team

MyChoice data science, MyChoice research.

Sources

1. Mychoice.ca Internal Data, Most Expensive Postal Codes, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Car Insurance Quotes Collected, 2023.

2. Mychoice.ca Internal Data, Least Expensive Postal Codes, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Car Insurance Quotes Collected, 2023.

3. Mychoice.ca Internal Data, Rate Cost By Age, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Car Insurance Quotes Collected, 2023.

4. Mychoice.ca Internal Data, Rate Cost By Driving History, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Car Insurance Quotes Collected, 2023.

5. City of Sault Ste. Marie Website, Driving & Transit Information. Data Collected, 2023.

6. Statistics Canada, 2021, Census of Population, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Main Mode of Commuting. Data Published March 29, 2023.

7. Weather Network Canada, Historical Averages, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie.

8. 511 Ontario Traveller Information, Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie.

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