How Does Car Insurance Work in Thunder Bay?
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 Thunder Bay 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 Thunder Bay referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $858 |
| Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $1,066 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,926 |
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. | $268 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $575 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $15 |
| Coverage Total: | $858 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Thunder Bay 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. | $473 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $288 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $207 |
| 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. | $24 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $25 |
| 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. | $19 |
| 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. | $28 |
| 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: | $1,066 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Thunder Bay may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Thunder Bay
Car insurance costs an average of $1,926 in Thunder Bay, meaning prices are above the provincial average of $1,874 and P7A is the Thunder Bay postal code with the most expensive car insurance rates.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| P7A | $2,005 |
| P7C | $1,997 |
| P7B | $1,987 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Thunder Bay
P7G is the cheapest postal code for car insurance in Thunder Bay – here’s a more detailed look:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| P7G | $1,847 |
| P7J | $1,852 |
| P7K | $1,866 |
How Thunder Bay Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Thunder Bay’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 |
|---|---|
| Thunder Bay, ON | $1,926 |
| Sault Ste. Marie, ON | $1,743 |
| Sudbury, ON | $1,698 |
| North Bay, ON | $1,672 |
| Timmins, ON | $1,607 |
| Barrie, ON | $1,915 |
Car Insurance Cost in Thunder Bay by Age
Your age can play a significant role in how much you pay for car insurance.
Generally, younger drivers pay higher premiums because they lack experience on the road. Fortunately, there are ways for student drivers to keep these rates low, including enrolling in driving school, applying for student discounts, or getting listed as a secondary driver on a parent’s existing policy.
Senior drivers also tend to pay higher insurance rates because of an increased likelihood of severe injury after an accident.
Take a closer look below at how your age can affect car insurance premiums:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $5,528 | $1,099 |
| 21–24 | $2,850 | $567 |
| 25–34 | $2,196 | $437 |
| 35–44 | $1,926 | $383 |
| 45–54 | $1,637 | $326 |
| 55–64 | $1,522 | $303 |
| 65+ | $1,560 | $310 |
Car Insurance Cost in Thunder Bay by Driving History
A bad driving record can significantly increase your insurance premiums. In fact, an at-fault accident can result in higher premiums for up to 10 years.
On average, Ontario speeding tickets remain on your record for up to three years. After they get expunged, insurers can no longer penalize you for them. In comparison, more severe convictions, such as distracted driving or collisions involving injury, can lead to the cancellation of your policy.
Check out how various driving violations can affect your insurance rates:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,926 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,677 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $2,022 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,775 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,330 |
Car Insurance Cost in Thunder Bay by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Thunder Bay. 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 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes | $1,908 |
| Honda | $1,767 |
| Tesla | $1,892 |
| Toyota | $2,028 |
| Hyundai | $1,942 |
| BMW | $2,242 |
| Audi | $2,394 |
| Mazda | $1,796 |
| Volkswagen | $1,772 |
| Nissan | $1,951 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Thunder Bay
Working with an insurance broker can make getting cheaper insurance rates easier. Brokers can directly negotiate with insurers to get a quote that suits your budget.
Below are some of the best car insurance brokerages in Thunder Bay:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Westland Insurance | 214 Red River Rd Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1A6, Canada | +18073453611 |
| BrokerLink | 1139 Alloy Dr Suite 110 Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M8, Canada | +18076226155 |
| Jones & Associates Insurance | 521 Memorial Ave Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Y6, Canada | +18073439444 |
| Youngs Insurance Brokers Inc | 905 Tungsten St Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z3, Canada | +18073449999 |
Driving in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay is situated in the upper North Western parts of Ontario and is a geographical crossroad for travellers. While public transportation is adequate, most people must get around by car. Here are a few things you should know about driving in Thunder Bay:
- Major highways: Thunder Bay Expressway, Harbour Expressway
- Public transit options: Thunder Bay Transit (bus)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: City of Thunder Bay, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Fort William Historical Park, Hillcrest Park, Terry Fox Monument, Mount McKay, Blue Point Amethyst Mine, Marina Park
- Busy intersections: Arthur Street to James Street South, Central Avenue to Memorial Avenue, Balmoral Street, Golf Links Road
- Airports: Thunder Bay International Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Thunder Bay
88.5% of Thunder Bay commuters choose to travel by car, truck, or van. Despite the city’s adequate public transit, it’s just the third-most popular mode of commuting with 1,500 users. Pedestrian commuters edged out public transit users for the second spot by around 300 people. Learn more about Thunder Bay’s mode of commuting from the table below:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 39,345 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 34,820 | 88.5% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 32,030 | 81.4% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 2,785 | 7.1% |
| Public transit | 1,500 | 3.8% |
| Walked | 1,860 | 4.7% |
| Bicycle | 455 | 1.2% |
| Other method | 715 | 1.8% |
Commuting Duration in Thunder Bay
More than half of Thunder Bay’s commuters get to work within 15 minutes. In fact, over 90% of the city’s commuters spend less than 29 minutes on the road, which makes commute times in the city relatively fast. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the commuting duration in Thunder Bay:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 54,965 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 20,910 | 53.1% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 14,660 | 37.3% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 2,195 | 5.6% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 540 | 1.4% |
| 60 minutes and over | 1,040 | 2.6% |
Driving Conditions in Thunder Bay
The Thunder Bay area is occasionally prone to dangerous driving conditions because of flash flooding and an abundance of wildlife. In addition, Thunder Bay experiences a lot of off-road traffic, so you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings.
Here’s some more information about the driving conditions in Thunder Bay:
- Average daily commute time: 17.5 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 21.33 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 1,631 mm
- Rainy days per year: 33 days
- Rainiest month in Thunder Bay: June
- Driest months in Thunder Bay: December – March
- Snow days per year: 63 days
- Snowfall months in Thunder Bay: October – May
Traffic in Thunder Bay
Because Thunder Bay is susceptible to volatile weather, expect to run into traffic or dangerous driving conditions occasionally.
Keep these other critical facts about traffic in Thunder Bay in mind:
- Population: Roughly 110,172 people live in Thunder Bay.
- City area: The Thunder Bay city limits span 447.5 km2.
- Busiest highways: The busiest highways in Thunder Bay are the Harbour Expressway and the Thunder Bay Expressway.
- Average number of collisions: Roughly 2,012 collisions occur in Thunder Bay each year.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Thunder Bay
How much does Thunder Bay insurance cost?
Thunder Bay insurance costs an average of $1,926 a year.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Thunder Bay?
You should compare car insurance rates in Thunder Bay because quotes constantly change. You might find that another insurance provider can offer a lower insurance premium than your current carrier.
Does my Thunder Bay insurance work in the US?
Yes, your Thunder Bay insurance will work in the US. However, most insurers recommend getting additional coverage in case of an accident, as costs may vary.
How can you get cheaper car insurance in Thunder Bay?
Compare car insurance rates in Thunder Bay with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.