List of Car Insurance Companies in Ontario: Compare Your Options
Auto Insurance
Published by BrokerUnion Insurance Editorial Team | RIBO-Licensed Ontario Insurance Broker | October 30, 2026
Reviewed by Muqit Aziz, Principal Broker
Car insurance in Ontario is sold by dozens of licensed insurance companies, including national insurers such as Aviva, Intact, Travelers, Wawanesa, Economical, CAA Insurance and TD Insurance, and specialty insurers such as Coachman, Echelon, Jevco and Pafco that focus on drivers outside standard guidelines. The complete, current list of licensed insurers is published by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). Which of them will actually quote you depends on your driving record, vehicle, postal code and the coverage you want.
This guide lists major car insurance companies in Ontario, shows the markets BrokerUnion works with, and explains how to compare insurers without relying on a "best" or "cheapest" ranking that won't apply to you.
How many car insurance companies are there in Ontario?
The number changes as insurers enter, merge and exit the market, and many brands share a parent company, so any fixed count goes out of date. The authoritative source is FSRA's list of licensed insurance companies. Only licensed companies may sell auto insurance in Ontario; FSRA licenses insurers but doesn't rate or recommend them.
Keep in mind that not every licensed insurer writes personal auto insurance, and not every auto insurer sells through every channel.
Insurance company, broker, direct insurer, MGA: what's the difference?
| Term | What it is | How you buy from it |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance company (carrier) | Underwrites the policy, sets rates (approved by FSRA for auto) and pays claims | Through brokers, agents or directly, depending on the insurer |
| Insurance brokerage | A RIBO-licensed firm that acts for the client and places coverage with insurers it has agreements with | Directly with the brokerage |
| Direct insurer | An insurer, or an insurer's brand, that sells to consumers itself by phone or online | Only from that insurer |
| Managing general agent (MGA) | A firm authorized to underwrite certain specialty products on behalf of insurers | Usually through brokers |
| Specialty insurance market | An insurer or MGA focused on risks outside standard guidelines, such as non-standard auto | Usually through brokers |
Some insurers distribute mainly through brokers, others mainly direct, and some insurance groups do both under different brands. Always check the legal insurer name on your quote, not just the brand.
Car insurance companies BrokerUnion works with
BrokerUnion's published market directory lists 49 named insurance companies, specialty insurers and MGAs across personal, commercial, specialty, life, group benefits and travel insurance. For personal and commercial property and auto, the directory names the markets below. The table is alphabetical and is not a ranking.
| Company or market | General market type | Potential auto relevance | Availability notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviva | National property and casualty insurer | Standard personal and commercial auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
| CAA Insurance | Auto club-affiliated insurer | Standard personal auto | Subject to eligibility rules |
| Chubb | Global insurer, often associated with high-value personal insurance | Higher-value vehicles within broader personal programs | Typically for higher-value clients |
| Coachman | Ontario non-standard auto insurer, part of SGI CANADA | Drivers outside standard guidelines | For non-standard risks |
| Echelon | Specialty insurer known for non-standard auto | Drivers outside standard guidelines | For non-standard risks |
| Economical | Property and casualty insurer | Standard personal and commercial auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
| Gore Mutual | Ontario-based property and casualty insurer | Standard personal auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
| Intact | Large national property and casualty insurer | Standard personal and commercial auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
| Jevco | Non-standard personal auto insurer, part of Intact since 2012 | Drivers outside standard guidelines | For non-standard risks |
| MAX Insurance | Insurer used by BrokerUnion for online condo and renters quotes | Check auto availability with your broker | Product-specific |
| Pafco | Non-standard auto insurer | Drivers outside standard guidelines | For non-standard risks |
| Pembridge | Property and casualty insurer | Standard personal auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
| SGI (SGI CANADA) | Canadian insurer operating in Ontario through brokers | Standard personal auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
| Travelers | Property and casualty insurer | Standard personal and commercial auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
| Wawanesa | Mutual property and casualty insurer | Standard personal auto | Subject to underwriting and location |
The same directory also lists USLI, April and Burns & Wilcox in this group, plus specialty and commercial MGAs used for higher-hazard or hard-to-place business risks. Those aren't typical Ontario personal auto options for most drivers.
Other major car insurance companies in Ontario
Many Ontario drivers also see these insurers and brands, several of which sell mainly direct to consumers or through their own agents. This list is alphabetical, not a ranking, and not complete.
| Company or brand | General distribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | Own agents | Captive distribution |
| belairdirect | Direct | Direct brand within the Intact group |
| Co-operators | Own advisors | Captive distribution |
| Desjardins | Direct | Sells Ontario auto under its own and Certas brands |
| RBC Insurance | Direct | Check the underwriting insurer named on the policy |
| Sonnet | Direct, online | Digital direct brand |
| TD Insurance | Direct | Bank-affiliated direct insurer |
Direct insurers and captive agents can be a good fit if you already know which company you want. A broker can't place you with an insurer it doesn't have a market agreement with, so if you want a quote from a direct-only insurer, contact it yourself and compare on the same coverage.
Why an insurer may not appear in your quote
The list of insurers a broker can access is not the same as the list available to you. An insurer may not quote, or may decline, because of:
- Driver profile: age, licence class and years licensed
- Vehicle: make, model, value, modifications or theft risk
- Postal code: some insurers limit how much business they write in certain areas
- Driving record: tickets, suspensions or serious convictions
- Claims history: frequency and size of past claims
- Coverage requirements: limits, endorsements or uses an insurer doesn't offer
- Underwriting rules: each insurer's own guidelines for acceptable risks
- Market eligibility: the brokerage's agreement with that insurer for that product
That's normal, and it's why the right question isn't "how many insurers does this broker have?" but "which insurers suit my profile, and which were approached?"
How many insurance companies can a broker compare?
As many as it has market agreements with for that product, but a good broker doesn't send every application to every insurer. Brokers approach the markets whose rules fit the driver and vehicle, because submitting to markets that will decline wastes time and can complicate your file. BrokerUnion's guide on how many insurance companies a broker can compare explains this in detail.
More insurers doesn't automatically mean better coverage or a lower premium. A broker with the right two or three markets for your profile can serve you better than one with dozens that don't fit.
Why do car insurance rates vary between companies?
Every Ontario auto insurer needs FSRA's approval to change its rates, but each files its own rating system, discounts and underwriting rules. One insurer may weigh age heavily; another may focus on claims or vehicle type. FSRA notes that auto insurance quotes can vary widely among insurers and encourages consumers to shop around.
Do all insurance companies offer the same car insurance coverage?
The core Ontario auto policy is standardized, including mandatory liability and accident benefits. Insurers differ in optional coverages, endorsements, discounts, claims service and who they'll insure.
Which car insurance companies cover high-risk drivers?
In Ontario, drivers with multiple tickets, serious convictions, claims or lapses are often placed with non-standard insurers. Coachman, Echelon, Jevco and Pafco are among the insurers in BrokerUnion's published directory known for non-standard auto. If no voluntary insurer will accept a licensed driver, the Facility Association provides coverage as a last resort. See BrokerUnion's high-risk auto insurance page.
Which companies offer insurance for new drivers in Ontario?
Most standard Ontario auto insurers write new drivers, often as occasional drivers on a parent's policy or as principal drivers on their own. Pricing and eligibility vary widely, which makes comparison especially important. See BrokerUnion's new driver insurance page for options.
How to choose the right car insurance company in Ontario
There's no single best car insurance company in Ontario for everyone. The right insurer is one that will accept your profile and offers the coverage you need at a competitive total cost. Compare insurers on:
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Premium | Include installment or financing charges |
| Coverage limits | Liability limits should match across quotes |
| Deductibles | A lower premium may come from a higher deductible |
| Optional coverage | Endorsements such as rental car, depreciation waiver or accident forgiveness |
| Accident benefits | Since July 1, 2026, many accident benefits are optional; check which are included |
| Claims service | How you report claims, and how the insurer handles them |
| Discounts | Bundling, multi-vehicle, winter tires, telematics, and the conditions attached |
| Driver eligibility | Whether every household driver is accepted |
| Vehicle eligibility | Whether the insurer will cover your specific vehicle and use |
| Policy conditions | Cancellation terms, payment rules and exclusions |
BrokerUnion's guide to how to compare auto insurance quotes in Ontario walks through a like-for-like comparison step by step.
Car insurance company comparison checklist
- Compare quotes from more than one insurer
- Review coverage, not just price
- Ask about discounts and the conditions to keep them
- Check deductibles on collision and comprehensive
- Review optional coverage and optional accident benefits
- Ask which insurers were approached, and which declined
- Confirm the legal insurer name, drivers, vehicles and coverage before binding
Insurance company vs insurance broker: what's the difference?
An insurance company underwrites your policy and pays claims. An insurance broker works on your behalf, compares the insurers it has agreements with, and helps you through renewals and claims. A direct insurer sells only its own policies.
Is it better to use an insurance broker or go directly to an insurance company?
It depends on what you value. Going direct can work well if you already know which insurer you want and are comfortable comparing companies yourself. A broker is useful if you want several insurers compared at once, have an unusual profile, or want one licensed professional to help with coverage questions, renewals and claims. Either way, compare on the same coverage.
BrokerUnion is a RIBO-licensed independent brokerage that acts on behalf of clients and compares available markets rather than representing one insurer. 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 published on its mandatory disclosures page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best car insurance companies in Ontario?
There's no objective ranking that applies to every driver. The best company for you is one that accepts your profile, offers the coverage you need, prices it competitively and handles claims well. Compare several on the same coverage.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Ontario?
No insurer is cheapest for everyone. Each uses its own FSRA-approved rating system, so the cheapest insurer depends on your driving record, vehicle, postal code and coverage.
What are the major auto insurance companies in Ontario?
Well-known names include Aviva, Intact, Travelers, Wawanesa, Economical, CAA Insurance, TD Insurance, Desjardins and others. FSRA publishes the full list of licensed insurers.
Can I compare car insurance companies in Ontario?
Yes. You can request quotes from direct insurers yourself, or have a broker compare the insurers it works with on your behalf. Either way, use identical coverage details.
Which car insurance companies are available through brokers?
It depends on each brokerage's market agreements. BrokerUnion publishes its list; for personal and commercial auto and property, it includes Aviva, Intact, Travelers, Wawanesa, Economical, Gore Mutual, Coachman, Echelon, Jevco, Pafco, Pembridge, SGI, MAX Insurance, CAA Insurance and Chubb, among others.
Can a broker access more than one car insurance company?
Yes. That's the main difference between an independent broker and a direct insurer or captive agent.
What should I compare when choosing an auto insurance company?
Premium, liability limits, deductibles, optional coverage and accident benefits, discounts, claims service, eligibility and policy conditions.
How can I get cheaper car insurance in Ontario?
Compare several insurers, keep a clean record, ask about discounts such as bundling and winter tires, review deductibles and update your kilometres and drivers. FSRA's shopping tips add more.
Compare car insurance companies with BrokerUnion
Ready to compare car insurance options in Ontario? Get a quote from BrokerUnion and let a licensed broker review the markets available for your specific driver profile and vehicle.
- Get a quote: request an auto insurance quote
- Speak with a licensed broker: (905) 492-7070
- Learn more: BrokerUnion auto insurance in Ontario, all insurance products and how BrokerUnion handles claims
A list of car insurance companies in Ontario is a starting point. The insurers that matter are the ones that fit your profile, compared on the same coverage.