Car Insurance in Hamilton

A Complete Guide to Hamilton Car Insurance

Lower the cost of your auto insurance in Hamilton. Compare car insurance rates in minutes and save an average of $750*.

Are you looking for the lowest cost for car insurance in Hamilton? At Kanetix.ca,we help you get the best insurance rate available. Using the best comparison tool in the insurance industry, we ensure you get the lowest insurance premium from the widest selection of car insurance companies available. Compare Hamilton auto insurance quotes today for the lowest price. It's quick, simple, and free to use.

• Enter your driving and vehicle details once
• Make sure you review all your quotes to select the best price and lowest rate
• Connect with us (online or on the phone) to lock in the best auto insurance rate

Car Insurance in Hamilton

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) reviews and approves the latest rate changes on a quarterly basis. Because the rates change often, it is important to shop around to ensure you're getting the best rate possible. You may have gotten the best rate last year from one company, but that doesn't necessarily mean that same company will give you the best rate this year. Keep track of your auto insurance rates with the Kanetix.ca Car Insurance Rate Tracker.

Hamilton car insurance policy 101

Like everywhere else in Ontario, a Hamilton car insurance policy has mandatory coverage and optional coverage that can be purchased according to your needs.

The following are some of the mandatory coverages that your Hamilton car insurance policy will include:

• Accident Benefits:: Accident Benefits covers the people in a vehicle in the event of injury. Coverage can include medical and rehabilitation costs, funeral expenses, death benefits, as well as income replacement. As of June, 2016 there are some changes to your Accident Benefits. Learn more about the changes.
• Third Party Liability: Third Party Liability coverage pays for a legal claim against the policyholder in the event that they are responsible (whether wholly or partially) for a collision that causes injury or damage to a third party. The minimum limit requirement is $200,000 although most drivers go with at least $1 million.
• Direct Compensation - Property Damage: Commonly referred to as DCPD, this provides coverage for damage to your car and any property inside the car as a result of an automobile accident in which you are not-at-fault.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This component of the standard Ontario auto insurance policy provides coverage for you and your family if you are in an accident and injured or killed by hit-and-run driver or by a driver who is not insured.

As of June, 2016 there are changes to your standard Accident Benefits coverage. Learn more about what's different and read, Ontario Car Insurance Is Changing. What You Need to Know

There are optional coverages as well, that can be added to your Hamilton car insurance policy to ensure you're protected in the way you expect to be covered. Two of the most common coverages are:

• Collision: This covers damage to your vehicle as a result of an impact or collision with another vehicle or object.
• Comprehensive:This insures your car against damage caused by events like theft and vandalism.

Both of these optional coverages typically come with a deductible. A deductible is the portion of an insurance claim you agree to pay. Your deductibles will factor into how your auto insurance rates are calculated. The higher the deductible the lower your rates.

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What goes into your Hamilton car insurance rate?

Hamilton, which now has a population exceeding 520,000 people, sits on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) and connects the major metropolitan centres of Toronto and Niagara Falls and Buffalo, New York. The average age of Hamilton drivers shopping for car insurance at Kanetix.ca is 37 and male drivers (66%) outnumber females (34%) by a large margin.

Experienced drivers residing in Hamilton, know when they have to shop for new car insurance or to simply renew existing policies, insurance providers will examine a list of different criteria before issuing the insurance rate. Among the common factors to be considered are where you reside in Hamilton, your commute, the model of car you drive, and your driving record.

Where you live in Hamilton

In determining the cost of auto insurance for drivers in the city, expect insurance brokers and agents to pay close attention to statistics and other historical data to get a clear picture of what roads, intersections and neighborhoods pose the greatest risk of accidents and collisions. Where you reside in Hamilton will have an impact on the cost of your insurance.

Your commute

Insurance providers will likely provide customers who work close to home with a better rate than those with a lengthy commute. Customers who choose to use public transportation to get to work may also enjoy a cost benefit while those driving greater distances should expect to pay more in insurance premiums.

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The car you drive in Hamilton

The vehicle you own or lease will impact the cost of insurance you pay, as you know. While purchasing or shopping for new or used automobiles, drivers often discover that car insurance companies have access to a great deal of information about all the different car models that they consult before setting rates. The likelihood of the vehicle being stolen, safety rankings, cost of repair and replacement parts are important considerations.

Drivers in London list the Honda Civic as the most popular car, as they filled out information to find the lowest insurance rates on Kanetix.ca. The Toyota Corolla was the second most listed, followed by the Mazda3. The Ford Focus and Escape were the fourth and fifth most popular.

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Your driving record

Driving history will also have a strong bearing on auto insurance rates. Insurance companies have always considered a person`s past driving behaviour as good predictor of future behaviour. Therefore, a track record of previous accidents, tickets or infractions will be collected and reviewed. However, good driving behaviour and safe handling of your vehicle counts too, so look for that to be reflected on the insurance rate you receive.

More than half (54%) of drivers in Hamilton indicate they have had at least one car accident. Slightly less (49%) report they have had just one ticket. Looking at differences by gender, more male drivers (52%) report having one ticket than female (43%).

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Driving Safely in Hamilton

Using snow tires to help you drive in tough winter conditions is a good way to avoid accidents. Drivers in Hamilton understand this benefit, as 84 per cent show on their rate shopping information that they use snow tires to help out in inclement weather during the snowy season.

Kanetix.ca customers throughout the province know there is now a discount being offered by car insurance companies in Ontario to any driver who buys and installs four winter tires in November and keeps them on until April. The Ontario government made this effective on January 1, 2016 and since that time, many drivers have saved up to 5 per cent on auto insurance rates by choosing to install snow tires.

• Ontario Drivers Get Winter Tire Insurance Discount

Since nearly 34 per cent of Hamilton drivers indicate that they use a roadside assistance program, it is worth checking if a discount is available from your insurance firm for being enrolled.

Are Further Discounts Available?

Car insurance customers may also have other insurance needs. Auto insurance firms realize this and are often prepared to offer significant discounts to customers who hold multiple policies. Half (50%) of car insurance customers in Hamilton indicate that they want to participate in multi-line discounts from their current car insurance provider.

There may be other savings and discounts available for insurance customers. When shopping for a new insurance firm or comparing quotes, just ask if discounts are available for taking driver training courses, for belonging to certain groups or getting additional security features or alarms for your car or home.

Shop around to see if you can save on your auto insurance

The best way to make sure you're getting the best car insurance rate out there is to shop around. Compare what your provider charges you to the market. Compare your Hamilton rates at renewal, or when lifestyle changes affect your coverage like when you get married, move, or buy a new car. Compare quotes for a lower auto insurance ratetoday.

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*60% of Kanetix customers in Ontario who participated in the survey said Kanetix helped them identify an average savings amount of $776.58 (December 1, 2015 - February 29, 2016) on their car insurance. The cited amount represents the average difference between the best quote obtained at www.kanetix.ca and the current premium amount of participants in the survey. The savings amount varies by individual and does not constitute a guarantee; in each individual case, the difference may be smaller or greater than the savings amount cited.

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