Auto insurance
How to Compare Auto Insurance Quotes in Ontario
Short answer
Ontario drivers compare auto insurance quotes by giving every insurer identical information, driver history, vehicle, annual kilometres, and identical coverage choices, then comparing the total premium. Because Ontario auto rates are filed with and approved by FSRA, each insurer's price for the same driver is fixed but different. An independent broker submits one application to several insurers at once.
Written by BrokerUnion Insurance Editorial Team · Reviewed by Muqit Aziz, Principal Broker, BrokerUnion Insurance Inc. (RIBO licensed) · Last reviewed
Key takeaways
- Ontario auto insurance rates are filed with and approved by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), so insurers cannot invent a price on the spot.
- The same driver can still receive materially different premiums because each insurer files its own rating rules.
- Quotes are only comparable when liability limit, deductibles and optional coverages match.
- Your driver's licence number, pink slip and vehicle information number produce a far more accurate quote than estimates.
- Accident and conviction history is verified against provincial records, so estimates that leave items out are not real savings.
What you need before you start
- Driver's licence numbers for every licensed driver in the household
- Date each driver was first licensed in Canada or abroad
- Vehicle year, make, model, trim and VIN
- Annual kilometres and whether the vehicle is used for commuting or business
- Accidents, claims and convictions in the last six years
- Your current declaration page, which shows the coverage you are trying to match
Hold these coverages constant across every quote
- Third-party liability limit, commonly $1 million or $2 million
- Collision deductible and comprehensive deductible
- Accident benefits options, which changed for policies issued or renewing after July 1, 2026
- Direct compensation property damage deductible
- Endorsements such as OPCF 20 (loss of use), OPCF 27 (damage to non-owned vehicles) and OPCF 43 (waiver of depreciation)
Why the cheapest quote is not always the right one
A lower premium often reflects a higher deductible, a reduced liability limit, or an accident benefits option that has been removed. Two quotes that look $400 apart can be identical once the coverage is levelled. Read the coverage column before the price column.
Ontario's accident benefits changed on July 1, 2026, with several previously mandatory benefits moving to the optional menu. Compare quotes on the same accident benefits selections, otherwise the difference is coverage, not savings.
Auto insurance quote comparison checklist
| Item | Why it changes the price | Keep it identical? |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party liability limit | Higher limits cost more but protect more | Yes |
| Collision deductible | A common lever used to lower a quote | Yes |
| Comprehensive deductible | Affects theft, hail and glass losses | Yes |
| Accident benefits options | Optional since July 1, 2026 in Ontario | Yes |
| Annual kilometres | Under-reporting can affect a claim | Yes, and accurate |
| Winter tire discount | Available from most Ontario insurers | Ask each insurer |
| Telematics / usage-based | Discount size and rules vary by insurer | Compare separately |
What to consider
- Never omit an accident, claim or conviction to lower a quote. Ontario insurers verify driving records, and a corrected quote is not the price you were shown.
- List every licensed driver in the household. Undisclosed drivers are a common cause of claim disputes.
- Coverage wording and eligibility differ by insurer, and the policy wording governs.
Authoritative sources
Where this information comes from
- Auto insurance for consumers — Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). Reviewed August 7, 2026.
- Car insurance in Ontario — Government of Ontario. Reviewed August 7, 2026.
- Auto insurance basics — Insurance Bureau of Canada. Reviewed August 7, 2026.
This page is educational and general in nature. Coverage, eligibility and pricing vary by insurer and by policy. The policy wording governs in all cases.
How BrokerUnion helps
- One application is submitted to multiple Ontario auto insurers, with coverage held constant across every quote.
- A live online quoting tool returns real rates for auto and property, and a licensed broker reviews the result with you.
- Your broker explains the July 1, 2026 accident benefits options before you choose them, not after a claim.
- There is no broker fee. BrokerUnion is compensated by the insurer you select.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does getting multiple auto quotes hurt my record?
No. Requesting quotes does not create a claim or conviction record, and Ontario auto insurance pricing does not use a credit score.
Can a broker get a lower rate than going direct?
A broker cannot discount a filed rate. A broker can find the insurer whose filed rate is lowest for your profile, which is a different and usually more effective route.
How long does an Ontario auto quote take?
An online live quote takes a few minutes with your licence and vehicle details ready. A broker-reviewed comparison across several insurers is normally completed within one business day.
Do I have to cancel my current policy myself?
Your new broker can prepare the cancellation, but the request must come from you as the named insured. Do not cancel until the new policy is bound.