Ontario Insurance FAQs

The most effective way is to compare rates from multiple carriers simultaneously — the same driver can receive quotes varying by hundreds of dollars. BrokerUnion shops 50+ carriers at once to find the lowest available rate. Start a free live quote at brokerunion.ca in under 5 minutes, at no cost.

Ontario's auto insurance reform made several previously mandatory accident benefits — including income replacement, medical rehabilitation, and attendant care — into optional add-ons. Drivers who renewed after July 1, 2026 without reviewing their coverage may be significantly underinsured. Contact BrokerUnion for a free coverage review. Details at fsrao.ca.

Ontario law requires Third-Party Liability (minimum $200,000), Statutory Accident Benefits (SAB), Uninsured Automobile Coverage, and Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DCPD). Collision and comprehensive are optional but commonly added. As of July 2026, many accident benefit add-ons are now optional — drivers should review with a RIBO-licensed broker.

Ontario insurers use postal code as a rating factor because local traffic density, accident frequency, and fraud rates vary significantly by area. Urban postal codes in parts of Brampton, Toronto, and Mississauga typically carry higher premiums than suburban or rural codes. This is regulated by FSRA under Ontario Regulation 664.

No. BrokerUnion is paid a commission by the carrier you choose — not by the client. The comparison service is completely free.

The “pink slip” is the Certificate of Automobile Insurance (OPCF 1) — required to register a vehicle and as proof of insurance during a traffic stop. BrokerUnion's mobile app allows clients to access their digital pink slip at any time.

Yes. BrokerUnion accesses both standard market carriers and non-standard specialty markets, including the Facility Association. Our brokers find the best available rate for high-risk drivers and explain the path back to the standard market.

DCPD (Direct Compensation-Property Damage) is mandatory in Ontario. If another driver is at fault for damaging your vehicle, you claim through your own insurer rather than the at-fault driver's insurer. Your insurer then settles with the at-fault insurer in the background.

Home insurance is not legally required in Ontario, but most mortgage lenders require it as a condition of financing. Even without a mortgage, home insurance protects your most valuable asset from fire, theft, water damage, and liability claims.

Yes. BrokerUnion offers a fully online live quoting tool for homeowners, condo, and tenant insurance. Real rates from 50+ carriers in under 5 minutes, no broker fee, no obligation — start at brokerunion.ca.

Standard policies do NOT include overland flood coverage — it must be added as an optional endorsement. Most policies cover sudden water damage (burst pipe) but exclude gradual damage and overland flooding without the endorsement. Ask your BrokerUnion broker about overland flood protection.

Standard home insurance policies exclude short-term rental activities without prior disclosure. Renting on Airbnb without notifying your insurer can void your entire policy. You need a short-term rental endorsement or a separate landlord policy before listing your property.

Not by law, but many landlords require it as a lease condition. Tenant insurance covers your personal belongings, personal liability, and additional living expenses if displaced. It typically costs $20–$40/month — one of the best-value insurance products available.

The condo corporation's master policy covers the building and common elements. Your personal condo insurance covers your unit improvements, personal belongings, personal liability, and loss assessment charges from the condo board.

Ontario premiums increased approximately 7.15% on average in 2025-2026, driven by severe weather events, rising construction costs, and increased water damage claims. BrokerUnion shops renewals across 50+ carriers to ensure you always receive the most competitive rate.

Typically: CGL for bodily injury and property damage claims, professional liability (E&O) if you provide advice, commercial auto for business vehicles, and commercial property for your assets. Regulated professions must carry professional liability by law. Businesses with employees must register with WSIB.

A $2M CGL policy starts at $500–$1,500/year for low-risk businesses. Most Ontario small businesses pay $2,000–$8,000/year for a basic package. BrokerUnion compares 50+ carriers to find the most competitive rate for your business.

A COI is a document summarizing your coverage for a third party (a client, landlord, or contractor). Contact your BrokerUnion broker with the coverage requirements from your contract — we typically issue COIs within one business day at no charge.

Any business storing customer data faces cyber risk. Canada's PIPEDA requires mandatory breach reporting. Cyber insurance covers breach response costs, legal fees, and fines. BrokerUnion compares cyber coverage from multiple carriers for Ontario small businesses.

It covers lost income and ongoing fixed expenses if your business must temporarily close due to an insured event (fire, water damage). It is typically added as an endorsement to a commercial property policy and is strongly recommended for businesses dependent on a physical location.

Most carriers offer plans for 2+ enrolled employees. BrokerUnion works with carriers specializing in small groups — coverage is accessible for Ontario businesses with as few as 2 employees, including the owner.

Basic health and dental for a single employee: approximately $80–$180/month. Family coverage: $250–$450/month per family. A 5-person group with single coverage and basic health and dental: $400–$900/month. BrokerUnion compares multiple carriers to find the most competitive plan.

Employer-paid health and dental premiums are generally tax-deductible as a business expense. Employees typically don't pay income tax on most employer-paid health and dental benefits. Confirm specifics with your accountant.

Under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000, if benefits were in place before a pregnancy or parental leave, the employer must continue paying their share of premiums during the leave — provided the employee continues paying their share. Discontinuing benefits during an ESA-protected leave is a violation of the ESA.

Yes. Options include a sole proprietor group plan (available from select carriers), a Health Spending Account (HSA) to claim health expenses as a business expense, or individual health and dental insurance. BrokerUnion compares all options for self-employed clients.

An independent brokerage that shops the whole market gives you the widest view of available pricing. BrokerUnion Insurance compares auto, home, condo, tenant, business, and group benefits coverage across 50+ major Canadian carriers, including CAA, Intact, Aviva, Economical, and Wawanesa, to find the lowest available rate for your specific situation. The service is free: brokers are paid a commission by the carrier you choose, and BrokerUnion charges no broker fee.

Start a live online quote at brokerunion.ca for auto, home, condo, or tenant insurance. It is the same quoting platform BrokerUnion's RIBO-licensed brokers use, it returns real rates from 50+ carriers in under 5 minutes, and there is no cost and no obligation. Prefer to talk it through? Call a BrokerUnion broker and quote together over the phone.