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Car insurance in Ottawa

Ottawa vehicle owners or lessees must get mandatory auto insurance as it’s required by law in Ontario. Automobile insurance in the province is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), a regulatory arm of the Ministry of Finance.

Even though the price of a premium may vary depending on the insurance provider, all auto insurance policies will include the following mandatory coverages:

Optional auto insurance coverage in Ottawa

Ottawa roads are considered among the safest in the country despite a huge increase of drivers in the city over the past 30 years.

But to ensure you are extra protected, you can opt for additional car insurance beyond the mandatory requirements under Ontario’s automobile insurance law.

You can add different kinds of coverages that protect you from other types of risks. Here are some of the optional coverages you may choose to purchase:

Auto insurance providers offer other optional coverage types as well. If you have questions about your coverage, request a car insurance quote using LowestRates.ca's free online quote tool. We make it easy to find the cheapest car insurance that meets your needs, and a licensed broker will connect with you to answer any questions you have and secure your rate.

How much does the average car insurance cost in Ottawa?

According to our user database, the price of car insurance in Ottawa is about 20% higher than what the Insurance Bureau of Canada places the provincial average at. This number represents the average of all Ottawa quotes completed on our site, excluding drivers deemed high-risk due to previous traffic convictions.

Ottawa has some of the most affordable auto insurance rates in Ontario, a province where affordability — for insurance, housing, and transportation — is notoriously bad. Here are the cities in Ontario with the lowest car insurance premiums, from cheapest to highest.

The Ontario cities with the cheapest car insurance are:

Many Ontario residents pay far more than Ottawa residents for auto insurance. Brampton residents pay the highest car insurance premiums in the province, followed closely by North York, Mississauga, Scarborough and Toronto.

Just because Ottawa’s average price is among the lowest in the province, that doesn’t mean cheap car insurance is easy to find. Car insurance buyers in Ottawa should keep in mind that where you live is just one factor in determining how much you’ll pay in premiums. Other factors your auto insurance provider will consider include your personal driving habits, your insurance history and how much you drive every day. If you have driving convictions and a spotty insurance history, you can expect to pay higher rates.

There are things you can do to avoid paying high auto insurance rates in Ottawa, like practicing defensive driving on the roads and comparing auto insurance quotes. The best way to get a personal estimate for car insurance in Ottawa is to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies.

Ottawa car insurance rates by postal code:

The Ottawa postal code with the highest average car insurance premiums is the K1T area. This postal code is located in the Nepean region, which is situated between Kanata and Gloucester. The area encompasses Blossom Park, Greenboro, Leitrim and Findlay Creek.

The Ottawa postal code with the lowest average premiums is the K1B region, located inside the suburb of Gloucester and situated along the Trans-Canada Highway. The region encompasses the Blackburn Hamlet, Pine View and Sheffield Glen districts.

Factors that determine car insurance rates in Ottawa

There are several factors that can impact the cost of car insurance in Ottawa. Here are some things your insurance company might factor in when determining your rate:

Your mileage: If you’re using your vehicle to run a few errands (between 6 km and 9 km per day), your mileage won’t influence your insurance premium. On the other hand, if you use your car frequently and your daily mileage is over 25-30 km per day, your premium will likely be higher than someone who drives less.

Your driving record: If you have an accident or a string of traffic tickets on your driving record when you sign up for car insurance, your car insurance premiums will be higher than someone with no incidents in their history. Having a clear record, on the other hand, will likely get you a lower rate. And don’t fret — parking tickets won’t directly impact your insurance.

Your age: Car insurance companies will give you higher insurance rates until you’ve built up enough of a track record as a safe driver. The good news is you’re not alone. Young people all over Ottawa, and Canada, pay higher rates for auto insurance than their older, more experienced peers on the road. Like many things in life, your premium gets better with age.

We can help you find cheap car insurance quotes in Ottawa.

Car insurance rates in Ontario historically rank among the highest in Canada, and finding cheap auto insurance in Ottawa can be an uphill battle. That’s where we come in.

LowestRates.ca shops the auto insurance market in Ottawa for you. We’ve helped some Ottawa drivers save up to hundreds of dollars per year by comparing quotes with us.

In just 3 minutes, you can compare auto insurance quotes from multiple car insurance companies serving Ottawa.

All you have to do is type in your postal code and a bit of information about the vehicle you’d like to insure. We’ll find the cheapest available quote and connect you with the Ottawa car insurance broker that can secure your new rate.

We’ve got your car insurance needs covered, whether you’re taking a quiet drive through Rockcliffe Park or you’re right in the middle of Central Ottawa.

Front view of a car. Illustration.

See how our customers in Ottawa save big on auto insurance.

CustomerLocationVehicleLowest rateAverage rateSaved
Quote from December 10, 2024
Customer
Male, 31 years old
Location
ottawa
Vehicle
2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO 4DR 4WD
Lowest Rate
$89/mth
$1,072/yr
Average Rate
$144/mth
$1,731/yr
Saved
$55/mth
38.07%
Quote from December 10, 2024
Customer
Female, 24 years old
Location
ottawa
Vehicle
2010 JEEP PATRIOT NORTH 4DR 2WD
Lowest Rate
$199/mth
$2,383/yr
Average Rate
$342/mth
$4,107/yr
Saved
$144/mth
41.98%
Quote from December 10, 2024
Customer
Male, 50 years old
Location
ottawa
Vehicle
2023 KIA SPORTAGE LX 4DR AWD
Lowest Rate
$162/mth
$1,941/yr
Average Rate
$217/mth
$2,602/yr
Saved
$55/mth
25.40%

Auto insurance quotes are compared from CAA, Coachman Insurance Company, Economical Insurance, Gore Mutual, Pafco, Pembridge, SGI, Travelers, Zenith Insurance Company

Ottawa car insurance rates: how they compare to other Ontario cities

Ottawa has some of the most affordable auto insurance rates in Ontario, which is notorious for having some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country. Here are the cities in Ontario with the lowest car insurance premiums, from cheapest to highest.

The Ontario cities with the cheapest car insurance are:

Many Ontario residents pay far more than Ottawa residents for auto insurance. Brampton residents pay the highest car insurance premiums in the province, followed closely by North York, Mississauga, Scarborough and Toronto.

Just because Ottawa’s average price is among the lowest in the province, it doesn’t mean cheap car insurance is easy to find.

Car insurance buyers in Ottawa should keep in mind that where you live is just one factor in determining how much you’ll pay in premiums. Other factors your auto insurance provider will consider include your personal driving habits, your insurance history and how much you drive every day. If you have driving convictions and a spotty insurance history, you can expect to pay higher rates.

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When you find the best quote, secure your Ottawa auto insurance rate by talking to a licensed broker or agent.

Focus on

Driving in Ottawa.

Most popular cars in Ottawa.

As one of Canada’s largest cities, Ottawa has its fair share of vehicle congestion to deal with. See below for the kinds of cars Ottawa car insurance shoppers are driving, based on the thousands of auto insurance quotes completed on LowestRates.ca.

Popular Brands

  1. Honda
  2. Toyota
  3. Hyundai
  4. Mazda
  5. Nissan

Who shops for auto insurance in Ottawa?

As Canada’s capital city, Ottawa is naturally one of the country’s largest political and economic hubs. The city of Ottawa is the second largest in Ontario and the fourth largest in Canada by population with a growing GDP. That means millions of people hit the road every day. Keep reading to learn more about the Ottawa residents who have compared car insurance quotes on LowestRates.ca.

Gender of our users

Male
66%
Female
34%

Average age

33

years old

Tickets & Accidents

Have Tickets
12.05%
Have Had Accidents
11.29%

What can I do to get cheap car insurance in Ottawa?

It's easy — if you know how. Here are some of the best ways to lower your auto insurance premiums:

Shop around

We'll show you the most competitive rates from all the top insurers. Now you can compare quotes all in one place.

Buy the right coverage

Avoiding extra frills in your policy and paying for only the coverage you need will lower your premiums.

Drive responsibly

Your driving record impacts your rate. Fewer infractions and fines equals cheaper insurance.

Pay on time

Prompt payments can save you money on late fees and lower your premiums. Insurers love a good customer.

Bundle up

Adding a house, motorcycle, RV, or other type of insurance policy to your car insurance plan can lower your rates.

Be safe, not sorry

Safety features like winter tires and alarm systems can help reduce your insurance premium.

Stick with one insurer

Most auto insurance companies give special discounts to customers who stay with them for a number of years.

Take a course

A defensive driving course makes you a better driver and can significantly reduce your car insurance premiums.

Keep driving

The math is clear: more experience on the road equals lower car insurance premiums. Young drivers almost universally pay higher rates for car insurance. While it’s difficult for new drivers to secure cheap car insurance rates, you may be able to lower your rates by maintaining good grades and attending driving school.

Look at location

Where you drive affects your premiums. Some areas are associated with higher rates of car accidents and theft.

Choose the right car

Cars with high crash-test scores, low theft ratings, and less powerful engines tend to have cheaper insurance rates.

Track your driving

With a usage-based car insurance policy, you can turn your low-risk driving habits into lower premiums.

Ottawa car insurance for seniors

Adults between the ages of 50 and 70 get some of the lowest car insurance rates in Ottawa. If you belong to this demographic, you probably have a long history of being insured and you might even have bundled your home insurance policy with the same provider of your auto insurance.

After age 70, you might see your rate begin to climb. People in this age group require more resources to recover from injuries. They maybe even drive a nice car. Both lead to inflated claim settlements. If you do see your rates begin to rise, it may be time to shop around for new automobile insurance in Ottawa.

Ottawa car insurance for students

Car insurance for new drivers in Ottawa is expensive. Teenagers pay the highest insurance premiums of any demographic (adults with driving convictions notwithstanding). For drivers insured since the age of 16, rates start declining in the mid-twenties. The downward trend accelerates the closer they get to their thirtieth birthday.

It is possible for new drivers to find cheaper car insurance in Ottawa. Here are some ways young drivers can trim their car insurance premium:

It can be challenging for new drivers to find affordable car insurance in Ottawa. However, we’ve found that the demographic that finds the most savings on LowestRates.ca are young drivers — the more you’re expected to pay, the more dramatic the savings you can find when you compare Ottawa car insurance quotes.

Ottawa car insurance for new immigrants

If you’ve recently immigrated to Ottawa, you cannot drive without proper licencing and insurance.

You must trade in your licence from the country you've emigrated from within 60 days for an Ontario driver's license. The provincial government recognizes licences from several countries as equivalent to an Ontario license, making your transition smoother and preventing you from going through Ontario's graduated licensing system. Ask your old insurance company to provide a reference for your new Ontario insurer. Having proof of your insurance and driving history will go a long way to securing a lower car insurance rate.

Ottawa car insurance for high-risk drivers

Having several traffic convictions will put you in the high-risk category with most car insurance companies. Having your licence revoked will push you even further into the category.

Being high-risk means that insurance companies think you are likely to file an expensive claim. Since insurance companies are betting that they will need to provide you with financial assistance, they will charge you more.

It’s very hard to find cheap auto insurance rates in Ottawa as a high-risk driver. There are, however, insurance companies that cater to high-risk drivers. Failing that, you can purchase facility insurance, which is a pool that is funded by Canadian insurance companies to offer coverage to high-risk drivers.

Frequently asked questions about Ottawa car insurance

Where do I get the cheapest car insurance quotes in Ottawa?

No Ottawa auto insurance company can guarantee low rates to every driver that applies for a policy. Every insurance company underwrites risk differently, so it’s difficult to estimate where you’ll be able to get the cheapest car insurance premiums in Ottawa.

There are several factors that insurance companies consider that are out of your control. Among these factors is the company's loss ratios, which are informed by the driving records of all its customers.

Don't worry. There are still factors under your control that can effectively help you lower your car insurance rates in Ottawa. These include your driving record, the number of kilometres you drive each year, the type of car you drive, your eligibility for discounts and — ultimately — the car insurance policy you choose.

Utilitarian cars that have high safety ratings and aren’t historically targeted by thieves are generally considered to be a low risk by insurance companies, which might lower your car insurance rates. In addition, you can also practice defensive driving and limiting your mileage to try for a lower car insurance rate.

By comparing Ottawa car insurance quotes on LowestRates.ca, you may find that one insurance company’s tolerance for risk is a bit different than your current auto insurance provider and they may be willing to offer you a lower rate.

What are some tips for driving in Ottawa?

Beware of potholes: Ottawa roads have become known for being speckled with potholes. In the early months of 2020, City of Ottawa officials filled more than 13,000 potholes. Depending on the weather, potholes can go from being a literal bump in the road and a full-on car accident so be alert and stay safe while driving.

Limited downtown parking: The topic of finding parking in downtown Ottawa has been up for debate for years. If you’re travelling downtown via car, keep this in mind as it’s not unheard of for parking enforcement authorities to surprise residents with tickets of $75 or more.

Don’t skip the winter tires: Much like the rest of Canada, Ottawa is known for its harsh winters. If you’re regularly driving through harsh winter weather, winter tires can mean all the difference between getting home safely or winding up in an accident. Furthermore, some insurance companies will offer you a discount on your car insurance if you have winter tires.

Speaking of which, watch out for those snowbanks: If there are snowbanks on your lawn, you need to be careful when you're pulling out of the driveway. It's easy to get clipped by a passing vehicle if piled-up snow blocks your view.

Look out for deer or other wildlife on the road: There are 1,000 collisions between wildlife and vehicles each year in Ottawa — that's more than in any other area in Ontario. Look for yellow wildlife warning signs or light reflections from animals' eyes. The best way to stay safe is to reduce your speed so you have time to react appropriately.

Alexandra Bosanac

Alexandra Bosanac

About the Author

Alexandra Bosanac is the Core Content Manager for LowestRates.ca. Her reporting has appeared in Canadian Business, the Toronto Star, the National Post, and the CBC.

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*Represents the average saved by shoppers who obtained a Ottawa auto insurance quote on LowestRates.ca and transacted via our contact centre between January and December 2023. The average savings amount represents the difference between the shoppers’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third lowest quoted premiums generated by LowestRates.ca.