How Does Car Insurance Work in Windsor?
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 Windsor 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 Windsor referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $829 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $1,062 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,891 |
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. | $249 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $565 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $15 |
| Coverage Total: | $829 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Windsor 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. | $464 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $283 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $204 |
| 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. | $27 |
| 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: | $1,062 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Windsor may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Windsor
At $1,891/year, Windsor has a slightly higher auto insurance premium than Ontario’s provincial average. Some areas of the city like West Forest Glade/East Fontainebleau, South Central Windsor, and East Windsor have even higher average premiums, with several places reaching $1,955/year.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N8T, N8X, N8Y, N9A, N9B, N9C | $1,955 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Windsor
Fortunately, some areas in Windsor have considerably lower auto insurance rates. Areas like Outskirts Tecumseh, YQG Windsor, and South Windsor have lower auto insurance rates than the rest of the city.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N8N, N8V, N9E, N9J, N9K | $1,827 |
How Windsor Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Windsor’s car insurance rates are among the more affordable in Southern Ontario. Here’s how they compare to other nearby cities:
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Windsor, ON | $1,891 |
| Chatham, ON | $1,913 |
| Sarnia, ON | $1,603 |
| London, ON | $1,987 |
| Brantford, ON | $1,769 |
| Hamilton, ON | $1,735 |
Car Insurance Cost in Windsor by Age
Your age influences car insurance rates because it’s related to your driving experience and accident risk.
Young drivers pay more for car insurance because their lack of experience raises their accident risk. Meanwhile, senior citizens get higher rates because they’re more likely to be hurt or killed in an accident.
Here’s a look at how your age influences auto insurance rates in Windsor:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $5,427 | $1,079 |
| 21-24 | $2,799 | $557 |
| 25-34 | $2,156 | $429 |
| 35-44 | $1,891 | $376 |
| 45-54 | $1,607 | $320 |
| 55-64 | $1,494 | $297 |
| 65+ | $1,532 | $305 |
Car Insurance Cost in Windsor by Driving History
Your driving history affects car insurance premiums because insurers use it to gauge your accident risk. Drivers with many demerits and driving violations usually get higher rates because they’re more likely to get into an accident. Conversely, drivers with clean records tend to be safer, leading to lower rates.
In Ontario, your traffic violations and demerit points “reset” after two years. However, insurance companies often check your driving record further back than two years when assessing your risk.
Here’s how different traffic violations can affect your car insurance rates:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,891 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,628 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,986 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,706 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,288 |
Car Insurance Cost in Windsor by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Windsor. 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 |
|---|---|
| Toyota | $1,991 |
| Hyundai | $1,907 |
| Audi | $2,351 |
| BMW | $2,201 |
| Mazda | $1,763 |
| Kia | $1,729 |
| Subaru | $1,641 |
| Volkswagen | $1,740 |
| Infiniti | $1,847 |
| Porsche | $1,916 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Windsor
Car insurance brokers help you choose the right auto insurance policy by answering your questions and comparing policy offers.
Here are several brokers in Windsor that you can contact for extra assistance when seeking car insurance:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Kafka Insurance Brokers Ltd | 2785 Howard Ave, Windsor, ON N8X 3X8, Canada | +15199660714 |
| Jim Christie Desjardins Insurance Agent | 280 Edinborough St #1a, Windsor, ON N8X 3C4, Canada | +15199727110 |
| SurNet Insurance Group Inc. | 2557 Dougall Ave #6, Windsor, ON N8X 1T5, Canada | +15199159507 |
| Grant & Mingay Insurance Ltd | 1369 Ouellette Ave, Windsor, ON N8X 1J6, Canada | +15192584740 |
Driving in Windsor
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada. It’s located just north of the Detroit River, which means you can easily commute to and from Detroit for work and pleasure. Windsor is also well-known for its great climate, with relatively mild winters and warm falls.
Here are some key facts about driving in Windsor you should know:
- Major highways in Windsor: 401, E.C. Row Expressway
- Public transit options: Transit Windsor (bus)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: The City of Windsor, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Caesars Windsor Casino, Windsor Riverfront, Canadian Aviation Museum, Willistead Manor, Dieppe Gardens, Jackson Park, Ojibway Nature Centre
- Busy intersections: Wyandotte Street E and Drouillard Road, Tecumseh Road E and Howard Ave, Tecumseh Road E and Lauzon Parkway, Dougall Avenue and West Grand Boulevard, Provincial Road and Walker Road
- Airports: Windsor International Airport
Commuting in Windsor
Statistics Canada found that Windsor has the lowest population of commuters using sustainable transportation (bus, bicycle, or walking) out of over 40 Canadian cities. This likely means Windsor is a very car-centric city. Here’s a look at some commuting statistics in Windsor:
- Average commute distance: The average Windsor resident travels x km to their workplace or school.
- Commute duration: Most (44.8%) Windsor residents spend 15 to 29 minutes on their commute, meaning they spend about 30 to 58 minutes in traffic per day. Therefore, they roughly spend 182 to 353 hours annually in traffic.
- Main mode of commuting: The most popular mode of transport in Windsor is a personal vehicle, whether it’s cars, trucks, or vans. 90.8% of Windsor’s households use personal vehicles in their commute, while the second-most popular mode of transport is public transit with a 3.5% share.
Driving Conditions in Windsor
Various weather and driving conditions like snow and rain can affect your auto insurance premiums. Here’s an overview of driving conditions in Windsor:
- Average daily commute time: 100 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 27.5 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 129 mm
- Rainy days per year: 40
- Rainiest month in Windsor: July
- Driest months in Windsor: February
- Snow days per year: 53
Snowfall months in Windsor: November – March
Traffic in Windsor
With nearly 230,000 residents, Windsor is the third-most populous city in Southern Ontario, just under London and Kitchener. With its closeness to Detroit and its status as the busiest commercial crossing on the border between Canada and the United States, traffic in Windsor can get very busy.
Here’s a quick look at the key traffic statistics in Windsor:
- Population: 229,660 people live within Windsor’s city limits.
- City area: Windsor’s city area spans 146.32 km2.
- Busiest highways: Windsor is the western terminus of Highway 401, North America’s busiest highway, which boasts over 500,000 vehicles driving through it daily.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Windsor
How much does Windsor car insurance cost?
Windsor car insurance costs $1,891/year.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Windsor?
You should compare car insurance rates in Windsor 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 Windsor?
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 cheaper car insurance in Windsor?
Compare car insurance rates in Windsor with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.