How Does Car Insurance Work in Scarborough?
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 Scarborough 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 Scarborough referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $1,285 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $1,596 |
| Coverage Total: | $2,881 |
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. | $402 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $861 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $22 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,285 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Scarborough 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. | $707 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $431 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $310 |
| 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. | $36 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $38 |
| 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. | $29 |
| 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. | $42 |
| OPCF 43: Waiver of Depreciacion | Ensures you get the full purchase price back—not a depreciated value—if your new vehicle is written off. | $3 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,596 |
*Some of the above recommended coverages in Scarborough may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Scarborough
While the city’s average is $2,881, you can expect car insurance rates to vary depending on where in Scarborough you’re located, the most expensive postal codes in the area are M1B and M4C.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| M1B, M4C | $2,996 |
| M1N | $2,981 |
| M4E, M1C | $2,968 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Scarborough
Some of the cheapest postal codes in Scarborough for auto insurance are M1H and M1T.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| M1H, M1T | $2,765 |
| M1J | $2,783 |
| M1V | $2,815 |
How Scarborough Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Scarborough’s car insurance rates are some of the highest 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 |
|---|---|
| Scarborough, ON | $2,881 |
| Toronto, ON | $2,231 |
| Markham, ON | $2,163 |
| Vaughan, ON | $2,451 |
| Etobicoke, ON | $2,255 |
| Oshawa, ON | $1,974 |
Car Insurance Cost in Scarborough by Age
As with any region in Canada, younger drivers in Scarborough can expect to pay higher insurance rates because of their lack of experience on the road. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your premiums low as a student driver. For instance, you can attend regular driving school, apply for a student discount, or list yourself as a secondary driver on a parent’s existing plan.
On the other end of the spectrum are senior drivers, who also pay higher insurance rates because of their likelihood of being critically injured in an accident.
Take a closer look below at how age can impact your insurance rates:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $8,268 | $1,645 |
| 21-24 | $4,264 | $848 |
| 25-34 | $3,284 | $653 |
| 35-44 | $2,881 | $573 |
| 45-54 | $2,449 | $487 |
| 55-64 | $2,276 | $453 |
| 65+ | $2,334 | $464 |
Car Insurance Cost in Scarborough by Driving History
Like age, a history of claims and traffic tickets can affect your insurance rates. Drivers with a poor driving record can expect to pay higher rates, as insurers consider them high-risk drivers.
Not all driving violations have the same effect on your premiums. More severe accidents will increase your rates more than minor convictions, such as speeding tickets.
How long a conviction stays on your record also depends on where you’re from. Generally, minor violations like speeding tickets stay on your record for three years.
Below is a general estimate of how certain driving violations can affect your insurance rates:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $2,881 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $4,005 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $3,025 |
| One at-fault accident | $5,647 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $3,486 |
Car Insurance Cost in Scarborough by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Scarborough. 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 | $2,644 |
| Nissan | $2,919 |
| Tesla | $2,830 |
| Toyota | $3,033 |
| Mazda | $2,686 |
| Hyundai | $2,906 |
| Kia | $2,635 |
| Audi | $3,582 |
| BMW | $3,353 |
| Mercedes | $2,854 |
| Subaru | $2,500 |
| Volkswagen | $2,650 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Scarborough
If you find shopping for car insurance overwhelming, working with a brokerage in Scarborough can take some of the weight off your shoulders.
With their help, you can get your fair share of coverage options without having to do the heavy lifting. Below are some of the best brokerages in Scarborough:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Youngs Insurance Brokers Scarborough | 55 Crockford Blvd Unit 1 Scarborough, ON M1R 3B7, Canada | +14162849470 |
| All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited | 4465 Sheppard Ave E #201 Scarborough, ON M1S 5H9, Canada | +12898594688 |
| William G. Waters Insurance Brokers Limited | 2596 Midland Ave Scarborough, ON M1S 1R5, Canada | +14162911097 |
| All Seasons Insurance | 4865 Sheppard Ave E #8 Scarborough, ON M1S 3V8, Canada | +14166287754 |
Driving in Scarborough
Driving in Scarborough can be challenging, thanks to frequent storms and traffic within the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, the city attracts many immigrants and students, so expect to see many new drivers on the road. Make sure you drive extra carefully around campuses, and be patient with learning drivers!
Keep these other vital facts in mind when driving in Scarborough:
- Major highways: Highway 401
- Public transit options: Scarborough Centre Station, Scarborough Rapid Transit
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft, Ola, Didi
- Parking space providers: City of Scarborough, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Toronto Zoo, Scarborough Bluffs Park, CN Tower, Casa Loma, Rouge Park, Guild Park, Scarborough Museum
- Busy intersections: Lawrence Avenue East to Scarborough Golf Club Road, Steeles Avenue East and Pharmacy Avenue to Esna Park Drive
- Airports: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Scarborough
Scarborough has a sizable public transit user base, being used by a quarter of the city’s commuters. While a lion’s share of commuters still use cars, the percentage is much lower at 69.5%. Here’s a closer look at the main modes of commuting in Scarborough:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 188,895 | 100 |
| Car, truck or van | 131,320 | 69.5% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 114,550 | 60.6% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 16,765 | 8.9% |
| Public transit | 46,770 | 24.8% |
| Walked | 5,465 | 2.9% |
| Bicycle | 745 | 0.4% |
| Other method | 4595 | 2.4% |
Commuting Duration in Scarborough
Scarborough is located in the busy Greater Toronto Area, so commute times can be rough at times. About a quarter of Scarborough’s commuters spend 30 to 44 minutes getting to work, while another quarter spend 15 to 29 minutes. Here’s a detailed look at Scarborough’s commuting duration:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 188,895 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 29,865 | 15.8% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 54,750 | 29.0% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 50,955 | 27.0% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 23,195 | 12.3% |
| 60 minutes and over | 30,125 | 15.9% |
Driving Conditions in Scarborough
Scarborough tends to experience long and cold winters that can make driving tricky without winter tires. In addition, Scarborough gets its fair share of storms, so you’ll want to be prepared year-round.
Here are a few other facts about driving conditions in Scarborough that you should know:
- Average daily commute time: 90 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 33.25 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 790 mm
- Rainy days per year: 46 days
- Rainiest month in Scarborough: June
- Driest months in Scarborough: February
- Snow days per year: 61 days
- Snowfall months in Scarborough: January – May, November – December
Traffic in Scarborough
While commute times in the Greater Toronto Area have decreased over the years, getting around Scarborough still takes significant time. Traffic within the area can get extreme, especially around Highway 401.
Here are a few other facts about traffic conditions in Scarborough:
- Population: Roughly 629,941 people live in Scarborough.
- City area: The Scarborough city limits span 187.7 km2.
- Busiest highways: The busiest highway in the Scarborough area is Highway 401.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Scarborough
How much does Scarborough car insurance cost?
Scarborough car insurance costs $2,881/year on average.
Is car insurance cheaper in Scarborough than in Toronto?
No, car insurance isn’t cheaper in Scarborough than in Toronto. By comparison, the average car insurance rate in Toronto is $2,231.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Scarborough?
You should compare car insurance rates in Scarborough to avoid paying more than you can afford. Rates are generally higher in this area, so you should shop for a plan with the best value.
How can you get cheaper auto insurance in Scarborough?
Compare car insurance rates in Scarborough with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.