Kanata Car insurance
Leading Car and Auto Insurance Brokers in Kanata
Is Car Insurance Mandatory in Kanata?
Car insurance in the suburban town of Kanata is required by law, as in all cities and towns in Ontario. Without proper insurance coverage, you could face major penalties that could keep you off the road for good.
Mandatory Car Insurance Includes:
- Accident Benefits Coverage: This coverage helps to pay for rehabilitation, medical, and income replacement for all people involved in the accident.
- Third-Party Liability: If you’re sued by a third-party injured or who has damage to their car, this coverage helps pay for legal fees.
- Uninsured Automobile Coverage: This protection covers you or a family member if there is an injury or death caused by an uninsured driver.
- Property Damage Coverage: You’re covered for loss of use and damage to your car and its contents, If you’re not at-fault in an accident.
We highly recommend you have third-party liability coverage of $2 million to cover medical expenses, physical car damage, and if you’re sued.
What Happens if you Don’t Have Third-party Liability Coverage?
Some people risk it all and drive without insurance. We can’t predict your future, but we can help you find adequate car insurance that fits your life. Here is a snapshot of what could happen if you don’t carry the minimum insurance coverage:
Without insurance, you risk:
- A 1 year license suspension
- Fines: $5,000 to $50,000
- Car impoundment
If you’re a driver who stops their insurance coverage, even for a short period of time, you could have a problem finding an insurance company that will support you when you do decide to get a policy. Without a decent insurance policy, you’re more likely to have hefty bills if you have an accident. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll be denied an insurance policy. Our Auto insurance brokers help you figure out what policy and rate suits you, based on your habits and driving history.
What are the Optional Car Insurance Coverages in Kanata
You have a standard car insurance policy set up, content with your premium. One day you discover that your policy doesn’t cover you for damage to your car from a smash and grab. That day, you’ll sign up for comprehensive coverage, so it doesn’t happen again. You could have saved yourself a mound of insurance bills if you’d known. Get educated on what you need so you don’t end up in debt over a small, or large, claim.
Here are 4 optional car insurance policies to give you peace of mind:
Did You Know?
If your car is an older model, your deductible may be higher than the repair costs after an accident. In this situation, it may be better to leave out collision coverage from your policy.
How Much does it Cost for Car Insurance in Kanata?
Situated 22 km southwest of Downtown Ottawa, it’s not a surprise Kanata shares similar to Ottawa car insurance rates. On average, it will cost you $1,097 a year, or $91 a month, to insure your car. Kanata’s rates are one of the lowest yearly rates in Ontario , the Average Car insurance rates in Ontario is $1,260. For more info about Ontario Insurance rates we recommend you to call our Insurance Brokers in Ontario.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Car Insurance in Kanata?
A population of 90,000 residents, Kanata is growing, which leads to more traffic and accidents. Located only a 20-minute drive to the nation’s capital and the lower cost of housing means people are commuting from Ottawa to Kanata daily.
But there are many elements that can impact your insurance rates. Here are 10 elements:
- Your claim details
- Discount options (e.g. age, claim-free)
- Coverage level, policy limits, loss settlement, deductibles
- Your traffic ticket history
- Personal details, including age, sex, marital status
- Car’s make, model and age
- Where you live (claim/crime rates)
- Your daily commute – transit, car, walk
- The insurance company you choose
- Driving experience (newbie to seasoned)
- Credit report
Did you know?
The annual cost of car insurance for men is $1,076 and $1,122 for women.
How Can I Get Cheap Auto Insurance Rates in Kanata?
Some say the success of high-tech firms in Kanata is to blame for the city’s traffic woes. Tech companies in nearby Kanata have hired about 25,000 workers from Ottawa over the years. This draws in more people to the area, and traffic rises with it. It’s handy to learn how to get cheap car insurance rates. Here are a few.
11 tricks to get a low car insurance rate:
- A defensive driving course
- Drive an older car
- Choose a higher deductible
- Your driving history
- If you pay for small claims out-of-pocket
- How often you drive (daily, weekly)
- Your mode of transportation (e.g. bus, car, bike)
- Pay your insurance bills on time
- Winter tire use in the Winter
- Drive safe equals less accidents
- Shop around for a competitive rate
If tricks aren’t enough to help you, or you need more details, call or email one of our skilled Kanata insurance brokers. We’re happy to help you through your insurance journey.
What is No-Fault Car Insurance?
It’s a misnomer that no-fault insurance means no one is at-fault in an accident. If you live in Kanata, you’re living under a no-fault insurance system.
Ontario’s no-fault system means all people involved in an accident are required to go through their own insurer to collect money. One benefit of the no-fault system is that the claims process tends to be faster.
Did you know?
A claims adjuster will evaluate the scene of the accident. If you’re 25 % or more at-fault for an accident, your insurance rates will often increase.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for a New Driver in Kanata?
A new driver is at a disadvantage when it comes to low cost car insurance. If you’re a newbie, your rates are high, no doubt, but it takes more than patience to get a great price. But how much will it cost me to drive?
Here are a few helpful points:
- The average cost to insure your car in the first year of driving in Kanata is, on average, $2,044.50 per year.
- After 10 years, your annual rate will be close to $1,394.50.
- After 15 years, you’ll be closer to the average annual of $1,235.
Did you know?
In Kanata, the average cost to insure a 2019 car is $1,332. A 2010 car will cost you closer to $998 per year.
How do I get Cheap Car Insurance Rates for New Drivers in Kanata
So, now that you know the average price of car insurance in Kanata, here are a few pointers on how to get cheaper rates.
5 ways to save on car insurance rates:
- Shop around with insurers for competitive rates
- Drive an older car model
- Find out how you can apply discounts to your policy
- Buy a separate insurance policy for the new driver in your household
- Enroll in a driver’s training course
At Sharp Insurance, our award-winning brokers will help you get from the complex insurance lingo in your policy document to a rate that suits your life and your budget.
What Information Do I Need to Get an Auto Insurance Quote in Kanata?
To get a competitive quote from your auto insurance company, you’ll need the below information on hand:
- Name of the driver, birth date, phone number, address
- Driving record
- Make, model and year of your vehicle (or VIN)
- Registration info
- Purchase price of the car
- Name of your insurance company, policy number, coverage, limits
Do your homework on what insurance company to work with or ask our Car insurance brokers for some guidance. We make insurance work for you on your own terms.
Do Tickets Affect My Car Insurance Rates?
Most tickets, or traffic violations, will affect your car insurance rates. Besides a parking ticket, traffic infractions are nothing to cast aside. If you don’t pay them, you run the risk of being a high-risk driver; if you involuntarily collect them, you’ll pay sky-high rates.
Here are some examples for each level of traffic offense:
Minor Offenses
- Following too close
- Improper turn
- Speeding 1-49km/h over the speed limit
- Failure to signal
- Wrong way on a one-way street
- Improper passing
- Failure to share the roadway
- Incorrect lane change
- Traffic light violation
Major Offenses
- Driving without insurance
- Failure to report an accident
- Incorrect passing of a school bus
- Speeding in a school zone
- Failure to report highway property damage
Serious Offenses
- Driving while license is under suspension
- Speeding 50km/h or more over the speed limit
- Racing
- Careless driving
- Stunting
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
How does distracted driving affect my Kanata car insurance rates?
Driving rules in Kanata, and all of Ontario, have become stricter; not a surprise as distracted driving causes more accidents than any other offense.
Ontario passed new legislation on January 1, 2019. Below are a few violations and the consequences for a first-time distracted driver offender:
- Distracted driving charge (e.g. GPS use, using smartphone): max. $1,000 fine, 3 demerit points and a 3-day license suspension.
- A second or third distracted offense carries a penalty of up to $3,000, and a 3-day license suspension.
To get a copy of your driving report, contact the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Details of the report include your driving record, traffic violations, the date you were first licensed, and any convictions.
Did you know? A speeding ticket can stay on your driving record for 3 years and may hike your insurance rates by up to 30 percent.
Why Should I Pick Sharp Insurance for my Kanata Insurance Brokerage?
At Sharp, we help you with your insurance needs: from finding competitive rates in less time and with little effort. Our brokers’ award-winning status allows us to offer you benefits beyond your expectations. We detail a few reasons why you should choose us:
How Do you File a Car Insurance Claim in Kanata?
The last thing you want to do after an accident or find your car is stolen is to call a stranger and tell them what happened. To reduce the stress, have a list of information in your car, home, or on your phone to help you when you make a claim.
To process your car insurance claim with your insurer, you need:
- Your policy number and name of your insurance company
- License plate
- Make, model, and year of the vehicle (the VIN works, too)
- Driver’s license number
- Name
- Phone number
You should provide details of the loss, including:
- Date of loss
- The name, phone number, policy number of the other driver(s), insurance co, policy number
- VIN and license number of other driver(s)
- Time of day
- How the damage occurred
- Details of the incident
- Weather conditions
- Any witnesses
As Ontario has a no-fault insurance system, you’re responsible for collecting the other driver(s) information to provide it to your insurance company. When you make a call to your insurance company, they’ll connect you to a claims adjuster who’ll take care of the complete claims process for you.
An insurance claims adjuster will:
- Assess the damage
- Detail your insurance coverage, as per your policy
- Negotiate the settlement
- Keep you abreast of all the developments
Things to consider before calling your car insurance company after an accident to file a claim:
- Find out what your new insurance premium will be after the claim
- You will be able to pay for your small claim from your own funds
- Your deductible may rise substantially after your claim is submitted
- You can call your insurance broker for help to find a competitive rate
- Multiple claims and tickets on your record is detrimental to your driver’s abstract