High Risk Auto Insurance Average Cost in Ontario: What Drivers Should Expect

Written by the BrokerUnion Insurance Editorial Team. Reviewed by Muqit Aziz, Principal Broker, BrokerUnion Insurance Inc. Last updated November 2026.

There's no single reliable average cost for high-risk auto insurance in Ontario. High-risk premiums are almost always higher than standard-market rates, but how much higher depends on your specific driving record, convictions, at-fault accidents, claims, insurance history, licence status, vehicle, postal code, usage, coverage, deductible and each insurer's underwriting rules. Two drivers both labelled "high risk" can receive very different quotes, and the same driver can receive very different quotes from different insurers.

This guide explains why averages mislead, what drives high-risk premiums, how the Facility Association fits in, and what you can do to lower your costs over time.

Why there is no single high-risk auto insurance average in Ontario

Published "average" figures for high-risk auto insurance in Ontario vary so widely that they can't all be right for you. One comparison site says high-risk coverage can cost $5,000 to $20,000 more than average, while an Ottawa brokerage suggests some high-risk drivers pay $8,000 to $10,000 a year at renewal. Each figure reflects that source's own clients, cities and time period.

The reason is structural. Every Ontario auto insurer uses its own FSRA-approved rating rules and underwriting criteria, so the same driver can receive materially different premiums from different insurers. BrokerUnion's guide to comparing auto insurance quotes in Ontario explains why. For a high-risk driver, the differences between insurers are often even larger, because some won't quote at all.

Risk factors and how they can affect your premium

How much more does high-risk insurance cost?

We won't publish a percentage, because it would be misleading. What's consistent:

• High-risk coverage generally costs more than standard-market coverage. FSRA puts it plainly: high-risk also means high auto insurance rates, because insurers see a higher probability of a claim.
• The difference depends on the type, severity and number of incidents, and how recent they are.
• Facility Association coverage is the most expensive tier. FSRA states that Facility insurance costs a lot more than regular auto insurance.
• Specialty insurers may offer an alternative to the Facility Association, depending on the driver's profile.

What makes you a high-risk driver in Ontario?

FSRA describes high-risk drivers as people who have had many convictions or at-fault accidents, had policies cancelled because they have not paid their premiums or have other risk-related characteristics. In practice, insurers look at:

• Multiple speeding tickets or other traffic convictions in a short period
• At-fault accidents, especially more than one
• Serious convictions, such as impaired, stunt or careless driving
• Licence suspension, whatever the reason
• Insurance cancellation, including for non-payment
• An insurance lapse or gap in coverage
• Multiple claims, including some not-at-fault claims
• Other risk-related circumstances, such as limited Canadian insurance history for newcomers, depending on the insurer

Each insurer weighs these differently, and timing matters. A ticket from last year usually counts more than one from five years ago.

Can high-risk drivers get insurance in Ontario?

Yes. FSRA notes that while an individual insurer may decline you, the insurance industry as a whole cannot refuse to sell you basic insurance. There are also insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers, and the Facility Association acts as the last resort.

Is high-risk auto insurance mandatory in Ontario?

There's no separate "high-risk insurance" requirement. Every driver, high-risk or not, must carry the same mandatory Ontario auto coverage, including at least $200,000 in third-party liability. High-risk drivers simply buy it from a different part of the market, at a higher price.

Facility Association insurance in Ontario

The Facility Association isn't a regular insurance company. FSRA describes it as an insurance pool that all auto insurance companies belong to, acting as an insurer of last resort for high-risk drivers who can't find coverage in the regular market.

Key points:

• All Ontario auto insurers participate in it.
• It exists so basic auto insurance stays available to licensed drivers who can't get it elsewhere.
• It's generally much more expensive than regular-market insurance.
• It's usually accessed through a broker or agent after other markets have been tried.

For many high-risk drivers, a specialty or non-standard insurer may be a better fit than the Facility Association. A broker can check those markets first.

High-risk insurance vs standard auto insurance

Situations and potential insurance paths

General illustration only, not a guaranteed eligibility chart. Each insurer applies its own rules.

What companies insure high-risk drivers in Ontario?

Standard insurers may accept some higher-risk drivers, non-standard insurers specialize in them, and the Facility Association is the last resort. BrokerUnion publishes the insurance companies and markets it works with; which apply to you depends on your profile and each market's rules.

How to lower high-risk auto insurance costs

No single step guarantees a lower premium, but these improve your options over time:

• Maintain a clean driving record. Time without incidents is the most important factor.
• Avoid additional convictions. A new ticket can reset progress.
• Keep continuous insurance coverage. A new lapse or cancellation makes things harder.
• Pay premiums on time. Non-payment cancellations are a major red flag.
• Compare multiple insurers, especially at renewal, since eligibility changes.
• Review deductibles, choosing one you could actually pay.
• Review optional coverage with your broker, without dropping protection you need.
• Consider telematics where eligible. Some insurers offer usage-based programs that reward safe driving.
• Ask about available discounts, such as winter tires, which all Ontario insurers must offer.
• Bundle policies where appropriate, if your insurer offers it.
• Choose an appropriate vehicle. Lower-value, lower-theft vehicles are usually cheaper to insure.
• Review coverage at renewal, and work with a broker who can re-market your policy.

How long will I be considered high risk?

There's no universal number of years. How long a conviction, accident or claim affects your premium depends on the type and severity of the incident, when it happened, and each insurer's rating and underwriting rules. A minor ticket typically ages out faster than a serious criminal driving conviction.

What consistently helps is time: a clean record and continuous insurance history improve your eligibility as incidents age. Your broker can tell you when specific incidents may stop affecting your rates with the insurers available to you.

When will my rate go down after a ticket or accident?

It depends on the insurer and the incident. Many insurers look back over a set number of years for convictions and at-fault claims, but the period varies. Ask your broker at each renewal.

Can you move back to standard auto insurance?

Yes, potentially. Many drivers who start in the non-standard market move back to standard insurers as their record improves. What helps:

• a clean driving record since the last incident
• continuous insurance with no lapses or cancellations
• on-time payments
• time passing since the most serious incident

Eligibility depends on each insurer's underwriting rules. A broker can review the market at renewal and tell you when standard insurers may consider you again.

Does my credit score affect auto insurance in Ontario?

No, not for rating. Ontario's unfair or deceptive practices regulation treats using credit information in connection with automobile insurance as an unfair practice, except in limited circumstances, and insurers can't require your consent to use credit information as a condition of giving you a quote or renewal offer.

Does my postal code affect high-risk insurance rates?

Yes. Where you live affects rates for every driver, high-risk or not. Drivers in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Scarborough and elsewhere are rated on their own postal code, and areas with higher collision, theft or claims frequency generally see higher premiums. Combined with a high-risk record, location can push premiums significantly higher. We don't publish city-specific prices because they vary too much by driver and insurer.

A note on Ontario's 2026 auto insurance changes

How to get high-risk auto insurance in Ontario

1. Gather your driver's licence information.
2. Obtain a current driver's abstract if your broker or insurer asks for it.
3. Gather your insurance history, including previous insurers and dates.
4. List tickets and convictions, with dates.
5. Provide accident and claims history.
6. Provide vehicle details, including VIN, year, make and model.
7. Provide your postal code where the vehicle is kept.
8. Explain how the vehicle is used and how far you drive.
9. Disclose any licence suspensions and their reasons.
10. Disclose policy cancellations and lapses.
11. Compare available markets through a broker.
12. Review coverage and deductible on each option.
13. Bind appropriate coverage before you drive.

What documents do I need for high-risk auto insurance?

• Driver's licence
• Driver abstract
• Vehicle VIN
• Vehicle year, make and model
• Current odometer reading
• Postal code
• Annual kilometres
• Previous insurer details
• Current policy, if any
• Claims history
• Convictions and tickets
• Licence suspension details
• Insurance lapse information
• Policy cancellation information
• Desired liability limit
• Desired deductible

Common high-risk auto insurance mistakes

• Hiding tickets or not disclosing convictions
• Failing to disclose accidents
• Providing incorrect driver information
• Allowing coverage to lapse
• Choosing the lowest liability limit without understanding the risk
• Comparing quotes with different coverage limits
• Assuming the cheapest quote has identical coverage
• Ignoring renewal notices
• Assuming that a declined application from a standard insurer means no insurance is available

How BrokerUnion helps high-risk drivers

BrokerUnion works with drivers who have tickets, lapses and other non-standard situations. Our licensed brokers:

• review your driving and insurance history before approaching any market
• compare standard and specialty markets that may accept your profile
• explain coverage and the trade-offs between price, limits and deductibles
• tell you which markets were approached and which declined, if you ask
• review your policy at renewal to look for better markets as your record improves
• support you through claims

We can't guarantee approval or a specific price, because each insurer sets its own rules. Learn more about Ontario high-risk car insurance options at BrokerUnion.

Why choose a RIBO-licensed broker?

A RIBO-licensed broker represents you, not one insurer. That matters more for high-risk drivers than almost anyone:

• a broker can compare the markets it has agreements with, rather than offering one insurer's answer
• a broker understands how underwriting differs between standard, non-standard and residual markets
• a broker can explain coverage, exclusions and payment terms before you bind
• a broker helps with renewals and policy changes
• a broker can support you through the claims process

Our guides on how to choose an insurance broker in Ontario and how to compare insurance brokers in Ontario explain what to ask. BrokerUnion's compensation and market disclosures are on its mandatory disclosures page.

Frequently asked questions

About BrokerUnion

BrokerUnion Insurance Inc. is an independent, RIBO-licensed insurance brokerage headquartered in Pickering, Ontario, with offices in Pickering, Barrie, Mississauga, Whitby, Sudbury and Kitchener. This guide was written by the BrokerUnion Insurance Editorial Team and reviewed by Muqit Aziz, Principal Broker.