How Does Car Insurance Work in Stratford?
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 Stratford 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 Stratford referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $716 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $888 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,604 |
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 | $224 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault | $479 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage | $13 |
| Coverage Total: | $716 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Stratford 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. | $394 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $240 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $173 |
| 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. | $20 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $21 |
| 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. | $16 |
| 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. | $22 |
| 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: | $888 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Stratford may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Stratford
Stratford’s average auto insurance comes in at $1,604/year, making it roughly $250 lower than Ontario’s provincial average.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N5A | $1,628 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Stratford
Meanwhile, the postal code N4Z has a below-average annual car insurance rate.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N4Z | $1,580 |
How Stratford Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Stratford’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 |
|---|---|
| Stratford, ON | $1,604 |
| London, ON | $1,987 |
| Kitchener, ON | $1,748 |
| Cambridge, ON | $1,894 |
| Guelph, ON | $1,729 |
| Brantford, ON | $1,769 |
Car Insurance Cost in Stratford 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 Stratford:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $4,603 | $916 |
| 21-24 | $2,374 | $472 |
| 25-34 | $1,829 | $364 |
| 35-44 | $1,604 | $319 |
| 45-54 | $1,363 | $271 |
| 55-64 | $1,267 | $252 |
| 65+ | $1,299 | $258 |
Car Insurance Cost in Stratford by Driving History
Take a look below at how car insurance quotes vary by violation in Stratford:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,604 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,230 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,684 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,144 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $1,941 |
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.
Car Insurance Cost in Stratford by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Stratford. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ford | $1,468 |
| Honda | $1,472 |
| Toyota | $1,689 |
| Tesla | $1,575 |
| Hyundai | $1,618 |
| Audi | $1,994 |
| BMW | $1,867 |
| Mazda | $1,496 |
| Mercedes | $1,589 |
| Subaru | $1,392 |
| Volkswagen | $1,476 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Stratford
Car insurance brokers help you choose the right auto insurance policy by answering your questions and comparing policy offers.
Here are several brokers in Stratford that you can contact for extra assistance when seeking car insurance:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Co-operators – Peter Maranger & Associates Inc | 204 Huron St, Stratford, ON N5A 5S8, Canada | +15192722667 |
| Corey Goebel Desjardins Insurance Agent | 169 Erie St, Stratford, ON N5A 2M6, Canada | +15193054555 |
| BrokerLink | 603 Huron St, Stratford, ON N5A 5T8, Canada | +15192711840 |
Driving in Stratford
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 Stratford: 401
- Public transit options: Stratford Transit (bus)
- Ridesharing services: SuperShuttle
- Parking space providers: The City of Stratford, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Avon Theater, The Stratford Perth Museum, Shakespearean Gardens, Upper Queen’s Park
- Busy intersections: Church and Cambria, Erie and West Gore
- Airports: Stratford Municipal Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Stratford
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 Stratford:
- Average commute distance: The average Stratford resident travels x km to their workplace or school.
- Commute duration: Commutes in Stratford are generally short, with 62.6% of households spending under 15 minutes on their commutes. On the other end of the scale, only 4.3% of households spend over an hour commuting.
- Main mode of commuting: Personal vehicles are by far the most popular mode of commuting in Stratford, with an 87% share of households. Walking comes in second with a 7.2% share or 890 households.
Driving Conditions in Stratford
Various weather and driving conditions like snow and rain can affect your auto insurance premiums. Here’s an overview of driving conditions in Stratford:
- Average annual rainfall: 86 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 76 mm
- Rainy days per year: 113
- Rainiest month in Stratford: June
- Driest months in Stratford: January
- Snow days per year: 113
Snowfall months in Stratford: November-April
Traffic in Stratford
Stratford is best known as a farming and dairying community. However, it’s also known for the annual Stratford Festival, where many Shakespearean plays are performed between April and October. During these periods, there may be more people driving in Stratford due to people attending the festival.
Here’s a quick look at the key traffic statistics in Stratford:
- Population: 33,232 people live within Stratford’s city limits.
- City area: Stratford’s city area spans 30.02 km2.
- Busiest highways: Stratford is connected to London and Windsor to the west and Toronto to the east by Highway 401.
Stratford Car Insurance FAQs
How much does Stratford car insurance cost?
Stratford car insurance costs $1,604/year.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Stratford?
You should compare car insurance rates in Stratford 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 Stratford?
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 can you get cheap car insurance in Stratford?
Compare car insurance rates in Stratford with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.