Scarborough Car Insurance at a Glance
| Average annual premium: | $3,047 |
| YoY city rate change: | +5.8% |
| Average monthly premium: | $254 |
| Scarborough premium vs. Ontario average: | +42.9% more expensive |
| Cheapest postal code: | M1T ($2,885) |
| Most expensive postal code: | M1H ($3,152) |
| Maximum savings with MyChoice: | $1,739 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
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 | $1,360 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $1,687 |
| Coverage Total: | $3,047 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
*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 Scarborough 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. | $426 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $911 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $23 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,360 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
Highly Recommended Coverages:
Any of the highly recommended coverages listed below for Scarborough 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. | $747 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $455 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $330 |
| 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. | $38 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $40 |
| 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. | $30 |
| 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. | $44 |
| OPCF 43: Waiver of Depreciation | Ensures you get the full purchase price back—not a depreciated value—if your new vehicle is written off. | $3 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,687 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
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 | Difference from Scarborough Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Scarborough, ON | $3,047 | – |
| Toronto, ON | $2,348 | -22.9% |
| Markham, ON | $2,364 | -22.4% |
| Oshawa, ON | $2,116 | -30.6% |
| Etobicoke, ON | $2,431 | -20.2% |
| Vaughan, ON | $2,705 | -11.2% |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Scarborough
Some of the cheapest postal codes in Scarborough for auto insurance are M1T and M1J.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| M1T | $2,885 |
| M1J | $2,933 |
| M1V | $2,945 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Scarborough
While the city’s average is $3,047 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 M1H and M1N.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| M1H | $3,152 |
| M1N | $3,117 |
| M1C | $3,102 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
Accident Rates by Postal Code in Scarborough
Not all parts of Scarborough 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 Scarborough’s postal codes, based on over 50,000 quotes analyzed by MyChoice.
Source: MyChoice Quote Database
On average, 9.4% of Scarborough drivers have an accident on their record, but that varies by area, from as low as 6.8% in some areas to 13.5% in others.
Areas with the highest accident rates:
- M1X — Upper Rouge: 13.5% of drivers have an accident on record
- M1H — Cedarbrae: 11.9%
- M1E — Guildwood / West Hill: 10.4%
- M1S — Agincourt: 10.3%
- M1W — Steeles West / L’Amoreaux: 10.0%
Areas with the lowest accident rates:
- M1T — Tam O’Shanter / Sullivan: 6.8%
- M1R — Wexford / Maryvale: 7.0%
- M1J — Scarborough Village: 7.2%
- M1C — Rouge Hill / Highland Creek: 7.6%
- M1M — Cliffside / Cliffcrest: 8.7%
Drivers in Upper Rouge (M1X) are 2x more likely to have an accident on their record than drivers in Tam O’Shanter (M1T) — a gap that directly translates to hundreds of dollars in premium difference.
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 | Annual Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $8,745 | $1,739 |
| 21-24 | $4,510 | $897 |
| 25-34 | $3,474 | $691 |
| 35-44 | $3,047 | $606 |
| 45-54 | $2,590 | $515 |
| 55-64 | $2,407 | $479 |
| 65+ | $2,468 | $491 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
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 | $3,047 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $4,236 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $3,199 |
| One at-fault accident | $5,972 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $3,687 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
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 Civic | $3,252 |
| Honda CR-V | $3,542 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $3,389 |
| Toyota Corolla | $2,975 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $3,339 |
| Mazda 3 | $2,449 |
| Tesla Model 3/Y | $3,552 |
| Honda Accord | $3,387 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $3,206 |
| Toyota Camry | $2,856 |
| Nissan Rogue | $2,932 |
| Mazda CX-5 | $3,233 |
| Hyundai Sonata | $3,269 |
| Toyota Highlander | $3,963 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | $3,176 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, May 2026
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
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft, Ola, Didi
- Parking space providers: City of Scarborough, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Toronto Zoo, Scarborough Bluffs Park, 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
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.