Scarborough has some of the most congested roads in the city of Toronto, such as Highway 401, Markham Road, Kennedy Road and Kingston Road. There is also a high rate of vehicle theft in certain areas, so your choice of car, and how it is insured, matters when getting quotes.
On this page you will see how much Scarborough drivers are paying for their car insurance, how premiums vary based on postal code, age, driving history and vehicle, and how much of a policy’s price tag is made up of various expenses. In order to provide all of the rates cited below, we analyzed over 750 auto insurance quotes from Scarborough collected through MyChoice since January 2026.
Quick Guide to Scarborough Car Insurance Costs
According to our records, the median rate of auto insurance in Scarborough is $2,920 per year, or $243 per month. This figure is 24.5% higher than the provincial median.
| Median annual premium | $2,920 |
| Median monthly premium | $243 |
| Scarborough premium vs. Ontario Median | 24.5% more expensive |
| Cheapest Postal Code | M1G ($2,742) |
| Most Expensive Postal Code | M1L ($3,203) |
Scarborough Car Insurance Rates by Postal Code Area
There’s a difference between Scarborough postal codes, too. Median car insurance premiums vary from $2,742 (M1G) to $3,203 (M1L), $461 per year, which is about 17%.
| Postal Code | Median Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| M1L | $3,203 |
| M1H | $3,136 |
| M1B | $3,092 |
| M1R | $2,961 |
| M1M | $2,946 |
| M1V | $2,926 |
| M1W | $2,923 |
| M1E | $2,891 |
| M1S | $2,885 |
| M1T | $2,847 |
| M1C | $2,835 |
| M1P | $2,829 |
| M1J | $2,800 |
| M1K | $2,777 |
| M1G | $2,742 |
Accident Rates by Postal Code in Scarborough
Not every area of Scarborough is equal in terms of accident frequency, which is why your postal code plays a big role in how much you pay for insurance. The following chart represents the proportion of accidents that took place in each of Scarborough’s postal areas, based on 50,000+ quotes analyzed by MyChoice.
Source: MyChoice Quote Database
The average percentage of Scarborough drivers with an accident on their record is 9.4%. That can vary from area to area, however, ranging from as little as 6.8% to as high as 13.5%.
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%
Upper Rouge (M1X) drivers are 2x as likely to have an accident on their driving record as Tam O’Shanter (M1T) drivers, which can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars in premiums.
Highway Traffic and Busy Arterials in Scarborough
Drivers in Scarborough frequently contend with 401 highway delays, congested multi-lane streets, public transit, pedestrians, and ongoing construction. The constant stop-and-go movement makes collisions more likely. So does making a sudden change of lanes towards the end. Staying further back and planning turns and exits in advance can help lower your chance of being involved in a fender-bender.
Don’t overlook vehicle theft either. M1V, M1B, and M1P are among the higher-theft postal areas in Scarborough. If your car is a common target for thieves, ask insurers whether installing an approved tracker or immobilizer affects your premium before choosing a policy.
Read More: How Auto Insurance Fraud Raises Costs Across the GTA
Car Insurance Costs Around Scarborough
In fact, Scarborough’s median car insurance premium isn’t that far off from the premiums in other higher-priced GTA markets. Vaughan is just 2% higher; Oshawa is 3.3% lower; while Markham and Etobicoke are each about 4%-5% higher.
| City | Median Annual Car Insurance Premium | Difference from Scarborough Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Scarborough, ON | $2,920 | — |
| Toronto, ON | $2,456 | -15.9% |
| Markham, ON | $3,046 | +4.3% |
| Oshawa, ON | $2,823 | -3.3% |
| Etobicoke, ON | $3,055 | +4.6% |
| Vaughan, ON | $2,977 | +2.0% |
Breaking Down a Scarborough Auto Insurance Premium
About 46% of your premium in Scarborough pays for vehicle damage protection, and about 41% covers what is required by law. About 12% covers optional Accident Benefits. Endorsements make up the remaining 1% or less.
For Scarborough motorists, auto insurance can be an area worth some thought, especially if your car has a high theft rate. You might save on premiums by increasing your deductibles, but you could also sacrifice comprehensive coverage and be left with a big problem if your vehicle is stolen.
| Part of the policy | What is included | Median Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Legally required coverage | Third-Party Liability; mandatory medical, rehabilitation and attendant care; Uninsured Automobile | $1,207.63 |
| Vehicle damage protection | DCPD; Collision; Comprehensive | $1,346.16 |
| Optional Accident Benefits | Selected optional benefits shown below | $356.59 |
| Optional endorsements | OPCF 44R – Family Protection | $9.62 |
| Coverage Total: | $2,920 |
On July 1, 2026, Ontario’s auto insurance changes made many Accident Benefits optional. Before you remove any benefits from your policy in order to reduce your insurance rate, be sure you know what coverage you’re removing.
Scarborough Auto Insurance Rates by Age Group
The median auto insurance rate for 18-to-20-year-olds is $5,470. For comparison, the median rate for a driver aged 35 to 44 is just $2,920.
It costs $3,859 for those aged 21 to 24 years, and $3,265 for those aged 25 to 34 years. If you’re buying your first car in Scarborough, get an insurance quote first. The last thing you want is a car that is expensive to insure on top of the higher premium for young drivers.
| Age | Median Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| 18-20 | $5,470 |
| 21-24 | $3,859 |
| 25-34 | $3,265 |
| 35-44 | $2,920 |
| 45-54 | $2,768 |
| 55-64 | $2,920 |
| 65+ | $2,460 |
Car Insurance in Scarborough: Clean Record vs. Violations
One minor speeding ticket would bump up Scarborough’s median car insurance rate from $2,920 to $4,438, a jump of roughly 52%. A single at-fault accident would take it to $5,329, or about 83% over the no-accident median rate.
If you’re a Scarborough driver with an above-average premium, a clean record could save you significantly more than almost any discount.
| Driving record | Median Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean | $2,920 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $4,438 |
| One at-fault accident | $5,329 |
| Insurance cancellation (non-payment) | $3,669 |
| Licence suspension | $5,970 |
| Impaired driving conviction | $14,577 |
| Stunt driving conviction | $4,503 |
Comparing Vehicle Premiums in Scarborough
Looking at the table itself, the best comparison is between the two Honda Civics.
The 2008 Civic LX-SR Coupe had the lowest median car insurance premium at $1,691, with the 2017 Civic EX being $2,552. With purchase prices that are almost the same, insurance premiums for these cars are more than $860 apart.
| Make | Model | Model year | Vehicle price | Median premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bmw | 328Xi 4Dr Awd | 2007 | $46,216 | $3,271 |
| Honda | Accord Touring 2.0 4Dr | 2020 | $42,200 | $3,748 |
| Honda | Civic Ex 4Dr | 2017 | $24,980 | $2,552 |
| Honda | Civic Lx-Sr 2Dr Coupe | 2008 | $24,147 | $1,691 |
| Nissan | Kicks Sv 4Dr 2Wd | 2021 | $24,042 | $2,568 |
Read More: How Car Theft Influences Insurance Rates in Scarborough
How Do I Find a Good Car Insurance Company or Broker in Scarborough?
First things first, you need to start with your exact postal code and vehicle in Scarborough, since either of those two things can have a major impact on your premium. We found that premiums range anywhere from $2,742 in M1G to $3,203 in M1L. In addition, M1V, M1B and M1P were found to be high vehicle-theft areas.
Ask the broker to quote several insurers based on the same coverage and deductibles. Ask them:
Which insurers are offering the best rates for my postal code?
Is my vehicle getting a theft-related surcharge?
Also, if your car is one of the most common cars to be stolen, ask if getting an approved tracker or immobiliser will reduce the cost of insurance.
Don’t just take the cheapest quote, though. A good broker will be able to explain why one quote is cheaper rather than just handing you the lowest number. You might also want to get some quotes directly from insurers or online, as brokers do not always have access to all insurers.
