How Does Car Insurance Work in Waterloo?
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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $759 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $978 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,737 |
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. | $228 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $519 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $12 |
| Coverage Total: | $759 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Waterloo 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. | $426 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $260 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $187 |
| 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. | $22 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $23 |
| 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. | $17 |
| 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. | $25 |
| 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: | $978 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Waterloo may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Waterloo
The average car insurance rate in Waterloo, ON is $1,737/year, which is slightly lower compared to Ontario’s provincial average of $1,874/year.
The N2L area has the highest car insurance premium rate in Waterloo.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N2L | $1,800 |
| N2K | $1,788 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Waterloo
The N2J area in Waterloo has the least expensive auto insurance rates in the city, as detailed in the table below:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N2J | $1,673 |
How Waterloo Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Waterloo drivers tend to pay moderate rates compared to neighbouring communities. Here’s how average premiums compare:
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Waterloo, ON | $1,737 |
| Kitchener, ON | $1,748 |
| Cambridge, ON | $1,894 |
| Guelph, ON | $1,729 |
| Hamilton, ON | $1,735 |
| London, ON | $1,987 |
Car Insurance Cost in Waterloo by Age
Generally, your age will affect the cost of a car insurance policy in any Canadian city, including Waterloo.
If you’re a younger driver below the age of 25, you will typically be charged a higher auto insurance premium. Younger drivers are seen as less experienced on the road, meaning they’re perceived as more likely to get into an accident or get demerit points. These factors make it pricier for auto insurers to cover younger drivers, hence their higher car insurance premiums.
Your car insurance premiums will go down once you reach the age of 25, but they’ll start to rise again once you turn 65. Senior citizens are seen as likelier to get injured or killed in a car accident. Because of this increased risk of death and injury, car insurance companies charge senior citizen drivers a higher premium.
We’ve broken down how your age can affect your car insurance cost below:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $4,985 | $992 |
| 21–24 | $2,571 | $511 |
| 25–34 | $1,980 | $394 |
| 35–44 | $1,737 | $345 |
| 45–54 | $1,476 | $294 |
| 55–64 | $1,372 | $273 |
| 65+ | $1,407 | $280 |
Car Insurance Cost in Waterloo by Driving History
Your driving history also affects the cost of your car insurance in Waterloo.
Generally, drivers with a clean record enjoy the lowest car insurance premiums, as they’re seen to be less risky to insure. But if you have a lot of traffic citations on your driving record, an auto insurer will consider you a high-risk driver who’s more likely to earn more demerits or get into car accidents. This increases the cost of your car insurance.
While your demerit points and violations only stay on your Ontario driving record for two years, auto insurers may look back as far as 10 years into your driving history. This means even old violations or incidents can drive your car insurance premiums up.
Here’s a simple overview of how your driving history can affect the cost of your car insurance in Waterloo, based on our research:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,737 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,414 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,824 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,405 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,102 |
Car Insurance Cost in Waterloo by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Waterloo. 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 | $1,594 |
| Toyota | $1,829 |
| Hyundai | $1,752 |
| Mazda | $1,620 |
| Ford | $1,590 |
| BMW | $2,022 |
| Mercedes | $1,721 |
| Nissan | $1,760 |
| Volkswagen | $1,598 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Waterloo
Car insurance brokerages can help you find the best one based on your driving record, driving needs, vehicle, and budget. They can compare car insurance policies from different companies and answer all your questions.
MyChoice works with several established insurance brokerages in Waterloo. Contact them if you have any queries or need help looking for auto insurance:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Donovan Insurance | 72 Regina St N Waterloo, ON N2J 3A5, Canada | +15198863150 |
| Zehr Insurance Brokers Ltd | 279 Weber St N Waterloo, ON N2J 3H8, Canada | +15197465900 |
| Jeff Weadick Desjardins Insurance Agent | 69 Bridgeport Rd E Waterloo, ON N2J 2K1, Canada | +15197255885 |
| Cane and Co. Insurance | 375 University Ave E Unit 105 Waterloo, ON N2K 3M7, Canada | +15195701117 |
Driving in Waterloo
Waterloo is one of the Twin Cities, with the other being Kitchener, ON. Because of their close proximity to each other, they’re often referred to as a singular area known as Kitchener-Waterloo. The Grand River flows just south of Waterloo’s east side.
What’s it like to drive and commute in Waterloo? Here are some key facts about driving and commuting in this city:
- Major highways in Waterloo: Conestoga Parkway (a.k.a. the Kitchener–Waterloo Expressway), 7, 8
- Public transit options: Grand River Transit (bus), ION Rapid Transit
- Ridesharing services: Uber, RideON Canada
- Parking space providers: The City of Waterloo, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: The City of Waterloo Museum, Waterloo Park, West Montrose Covered Bridge (a.k.a. Kissing Bridge), Conestoga Mall, Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Earth Science Museum
- Busy intersections: Homer Watson Boulevard and Block Line Road, Fairway Road and Wilson Avenue, King Street and Bishop Street, Homer Watson Boulevard and Manitou Drive
- Airports: Region of Waterloo International Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Waterloo
Personal vehicles are by far the most popular commuting method in Waterloo, with 83.9% commuters preferring them. Public transit is at a distant second, with 6.5% of commuters who regularly use it. Check the table below for more information on how Waterloo’s commuters prefer to travel:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 34,345 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 28,810 | 83.9% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 26,245 | 76.4% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 2,565 | 7.5% |
| Public transit | 2,245 | 6.5% |
| Walked | 1,910 | 5.6% |
| Bicycle | 460 | 1.3% |
| Other method | 920 | 2.7% |
Commuting Duration in Waterloo
Most commuters in Waterloo spend 15 to 29 minutes getting to work, about par for the course for a city that’s experiencing urban growth. However, over a third of Waterloo’s commuters still enjoy a short commute of under 15 minutes, meaning traffic is still relatively reasonable in the city. Take a look at the table below to learn more about the commute times in Waterloo:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 34,345 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 12,645 | 36.8% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 14,215 | 41.4% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 4,420 | 12.9% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1,155 | 3.4% |
| 60 minutes and over | 1,915 | 5.6% |
Driving Conditions in Waterloo
Driving conditions like rain, snowfall, and dry months can affect road safety. As a result, the typical weather and traffic in a city can make your car insurance rates higher or lower.
Here’s a guide to the average driving conditions in Waterloo:
- Average daily commute time: 43 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 776.8 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 159.7 cm
- Rainy days per year: 118.7 days
- Rainiest month in Waterloo: June
- Driest month in Waterloo: February
- Snow days per year: 62.2 days
- Snowfall months in Waterloo: December – March
Traffic in Waterloo
Waterloo is part of Canada’s Technology Triangle (CTT), an initiative for the economic development of Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge. It’s also known for having a strong technology, insurance, and service-based economy, with job opportunities booming due to the hundreds of tech firms in the city.
Urban growth is still increasing in Waterloo, which can affect traffic and commuting in the city. Here’s a quick overview of the key traffic statistics in Waterloo:
- Population: 121,436 people live within Waterloo’s city limits.
- City area: Waterloo’s city limits span 64.06 km2.
- Average commute distance: The average Waterloo resident travels 13.68 km every day to their school or workplace.
- Time spent in traffic annually: The average Waterloo resident spends 43 minutes in traffic daily, totalling roughly 262 hours per year.
- Busiest highway: Waterloo’s busiest highway is Highway 401
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Waterloo
How much is car insurance in Waterloo?
Car insurance in Waterloo costs an average of $1,737/year.
Is ridesharing insurance available in Waterloo?
Yes, ridesharing insurance is available in Waterloo. If you’re interested in getting this type of policy, ask your insurance provider if they have ridesharing insurance and what rates they offer.
How can you get cheap car insurance in Waterloo?
Compare car insurance rates in Waterloo with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.