The 25 Best Car Insurance Companies in Ontario For 2023

Car insurance is something that every driver needs. And while every company provides the same mandatory coverage, not all car insurance companies are created equal. The average Ontarian spends $1,634 a year or $137 a month on car insurance. When you’re spending that much, you want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money and that you’re taking advantage of all the discounts available to you.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best car insurance company, including their customer service, how premiums are calculated, and what discounts and additional coverage options they offer. In this article, we’ll break down the top 25 best car insurance companies in Ontario.

If you’re looking to compare the best car insurance companies, our car insurance comparison tool can help you find a policy that fits your needs.

Refresh: Car insurance in Ontario

Before we begin to compare insurance companies, it’s important to understand how car insurance in Ontario works. Firstly, car insurance is mandatory. In Ontario, there are four types of mandatory coverage. They are: third-party liability coverage, accident benefits (also known as statutory accident benefits schedule), uninsured automobile coverage, and direct compensation property damage (DCPD).

The four types of mandatory coverage form the most basic protection. In addition to these four, most drivers will choose to add optional coverages and add-ons to fill in the gaps. Other types of coverage include collision coverage, which pays for repairing or replacing your vehicle after a collision, regardless of who is at fault, and comprehensive coverage, which covers damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events. Common add-ons include rental car coverage, roadside assistance, and extended coverage.

Calculating your monthly car insurance payment

Your monthly car insurance payment is also known as a premium. When you choose more coverage and add-ons, your premium goes up. Your premium also increases if you have a higher chance of making a claim. To predict the likelihood of you making a claim, insurance companies analyze all kinds of data. The biggest factors that contribute to your premium are the type of vehicle you drive, your driving record, your neighbourhood, and personal details such as age and gender.

For example, sports cars and luxury cars are more expensive to repair and replace in the event of a collision or other damage. As a result, your premium will be higher than that of a typical family sedan. As for your neighbourhood, the more densely populated an area, the higher the odds of theft, vandalism, and collisions on busy roads. If you’re a driver under 25, insurance companies will likely view you as a higher risk due to your lack of experience and raise your premium. Similarly, men are statistically more likely to get into accidents than women, so they usually end up paying more for car insurance.

Hearing all this, you’re probably wondering how you can lower your insurance premium. That’s where company-specific discounts can come in handy. Often, insurance companies will offer great discounts when you bundle home and car insurance with the same provider. You can also qualify for discounts by increasing your safety rating. This can be achieved by adding features like alarms and anti-theft devices to your car. Lastly, be sure to shop around! Don’t just settle for the first insurance company you find. The following list of the best car insurance companies in Ontario is a great place to begin your search. You may also consider using an insurance broker or contacting companies directly.

Here are the best car insurance companies in Ontario:

1. Belairdirect

Belairdirect is an Ontario and Quebec-based home and car insurance company. Since the company’s establishment in 1955, they have spread across Canada. In 1977, Belairdirect became the first insurance company in North America to offer online quotes. Since then, they have continued to strive for technical innovation and boundary-pushing products.

The company prides themselves on their first-rate customer service and has been awarded prizes for best call centre management. Some of Belairdirect’s service features include an online chat with certified insurance agents, free online quotes, and a 30-minute claims guarantee. The company also offers various discounts to suit different drivers. Multi-vehicle customers can save up to 15% on their car insurance, and customers can access major savings when they bundle home and auto insurance.

2. YouSet (Brokerage)

YouSet is an insurance broker that compares car and home insurance for customers in Quebec and Ontario. YouSet’s technology manages thousands of algorithms to find the best insurance quote for you. Their automated platform screens the market for all potential quotes that apply to you. After answering a few questions, YouSet’s search technology does the rest. The company promises a personalized auto insurance quote in less than 4 minutes. In addition to their online tool, YouSet has readily available customer service representatives who can be reached through online chat, email, and phone. 

3. Aviva

Aviva Canada is a long-standing Canadian insurance company with roots dating back to the early 19th century. They provide home, auto, and business insurance to 2.4 million customers. Aviva provides 24/7 claims service, aiming to make the reporting process as smooth as possible. Aviva also offers a service guarantee. If they are unable to remedy your situation, or if you are not satisfied with the service you receive, Aviva will pay you “an amount equal to the annual premium of your policy at the time of loss, in addition to the settlement amount you receive for your claim.”

For car insurance, Aviva offers various discounts, including home and auto insurance bundles, discounts for retirees, savings when you insure more than one vehicle, and discounts for maintaining a clean driving record.

4. CAA Insurance

Canadian Auto Association (CAA) are well known for their emergency roadside assistance and membership program, but the association also provides auto insurance to customers across Canada. For existing members, CAA offers an array of discounts and perks. Some of CAA’s discount programs include CAA MyPace, a usage-based program for people who drive less than 12,000 kilometres a year; CAA Connect, a program that uses your personalized driving habits to calculate unique insurance discounts; and Forgive and Forget, a plan that forgives your first at-fault accident. CAA has a mobile app that stores your insurance information. On the CAA app, members can also request roadside assistance, access membership cards, and find nearby gas stations and repair shops.

5. Allstate

Originating in Illinois in 1931, Allstate expanded to Canada in 1953. Allstate’s Canadian headquarters are located in Markham, Ontario. Allstate offers auto and property insurance, with options to bundle and save. The company offers free, personalized quotes online, in person at one of their 90 community locations, or over the phone. Customers have the option to download the myAllstate app to make payments, access proof of insurance, and manage policy details from their phones.

Allstate offers a wide range of discounts for all types of drivers, including a Good Student Driver Discount for those under 25 and a Retiree discount for those over 65. Additionally, safe divers can save up to $100 for every year they go without making a claim.

6. Surex (Brokerage)

Surex is a Canadian insurance broker. Their aim is to help customers compare auto insurance from leading providers and find the best quote within minutes, saving potentially hundreds of dollars a year. Surex’s process starts with a personalized online quote. The company also matches you with a Licenced Insurance Advisor who can help you make the final purchase through Surex’s site. The broker describes their service as “no generic call centres, just real people helping you with all of your insurance needs.”

7. Desjardins Insurance

Desjardins is a Quebec-based banking institution that offers a variety of services for Canadians, including car insurance. Desjardins offers good discounts, such as up to 35% off your home insurance when you bundle your auto and home insurance policies. They also offer various loyalty discounts and savings for those with multiple vehicles.

You have the option to file a claim online, via 24/7 phone service, or through the Desjardins Insurance app. On the app, you can also view your insurance documents, update your personal information, and more. Desjardins is the second-largest insurer and Canada and the most-reviewed insurance agency in Ontario.

8. Onlia Insurance

Onlia is a Toronto-based insurance company that offers premium auto and home insurance at affordable prices through their completely digital platform. With Onlia, you can get a quote, buy, and manage your policy online without any phone calls or paperwork. Onlia automatically applies any eligible discounts at checkout. Available savings from Onlia include car and home bundles, multi-car discounts, new car discounts for cars from 2020 or above, and discounts for customers of 3-plus years, among many others.

9. The Personal

The Personal is a Canadian home and auto insurance provider that provides coverage to members and employees of partner organizations. They have partnered with over 700 organizations to offer competitive rates to members. Rates for members of participating organizations are typically lower than those available to the general public. The Personal is highly rated for customer service, ranking as a leader in client experience for home and auto insurance. Consult their website to find out if you belong to a partner organization.

10. Echelon Insurance

Echelon Insurance is a specialty insurer and member of the CAA Club Group family. They provide property and auto insurance for both individuals and businesses. One thing that makes Echelon stand out is their ability to insure drivers who cannot get insurance from other providers due to a poor driving record. For example, someone with high claims frequency, multiple driving infractions, or license suspensions. Echelon also offers personalized service and a sophisticated pricing analysis.

11. Beneva

Beneva is a new Canadian insurance company. They formed as the result of a 2020 merger between La Capital and SSQ. Beneva’s mission is to offer the best insurance experience in Canada while keeping the process very simple. Their car insurance offerings include exclusive advantages for young adults (ages 20 to 30), young families, public service employees, and retirees.

12. Economical

Economical insurance has been providing insurance to Canadians since 1871. They are one of the country’s leading and most trusted car and property insurance providers. Economical’s team of over 600 specialized claims professionals offers 24/7 service. Economical offers several types of discounts, including savings for accident-free drivers, home and auto bundles, renewal discounts, and more. They are also a leading special risk provider, offering insurance for those with a not-so-perfect driving record, such as multiple tickets or accidents.

13. Gore Mutual

Gore Mutual is one of Canada’s oldest insurance companies. The company has been in business for over 180 years and continues to operate as an auto and property insurer. Gore Mutual offers a comprehensive list of optional add-ons for increased coverage, as well as options to bundle home and auto insurance. They promote 24/7 expert claims service with dedicated ClaimCare Advisors.

Gore Mutual offers several payment plans to suit your needs. For example, you have the option to pay your insurance premium in three monthly installments or set up an automatic monthly withdrawal from your chequing or savings account.

14. Intact

Intact Insurance is the largest auto, home, and business insurance company in Canada. With over 4 million customers, Intact is also the most trusted auto and home insurance brand in Canada. You can get an online quote by providing your basic information, or you can take advantage of Intact’s 24/7 phone service. Intact offers many discount options, including a home and car bundle with the potential to save up to 18% on your car insurance. The Intact Insurance app has a feature called myDrive. When you turn on myDrive, Intact can personalize your premium based on how you drive.

15. Wawanesa

Wawanesa Insurance was founded in 1896 in the town of Wawanesa, Manitoba. They have since grown into a multi-national insurance company with over 3,000 employees. The company is one of the largest auto insurers in Canada, but they still aim to operate with “small town values” of exceptional service and empathy. They offer customized policies and optional coverages to fit the needs of every driver.

16. The Co-operators

The Co-operators was founded by a group of Canadian farmers in 1945. They are now a Canada-wide home, auto, travel, and life insurance provider with hundreds of agents in Ontario alone. On the Co-perators’ website, you can get an insurance quote and make your purchase or save and retrieve your quote for later. They also offer Online Services to help you manage your insurance from anywhere.

Co-operators offer several incentives, including perks for new drivers who demonstrate safe driving behaviours, home and auto bundles, discounts for electric car drivers, and accident forgiveness for divers who have been collision-free for six years.

17. Jevco

The Mississauga-based Jevco Insurance was founded in 1980. In 2012, Jevco became part of the Intact Financial Corporation. The company specializes in non-standard personal auto insurance. So, if you’ve had a hard time getting insured through other companies, Jevco is well worth a try. For example, Jevco insures drivers with multiple insurance claims, high frequencies of traffic convictions, and driver’s license suspensions. Due to their specialization of discounted rates for high-risk drivers, Jevco does not offer other types of discounts.

18. Pembridge

Pembridge Insurance was established in 1999, with headquarters in Markham, Ontario. The company provides a range of insurance products to Canadians at competitive prices. They also provide specialty coverage for products such as boats, ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. Pembridge is backed by Allstate Canada, giving it the financial stability of one of North America’s largest insurance companies.

Pembridge has a strong list of additional coverage options and a range of discounts for different drivers. Some of Prembridge’s discount options include multi-vehicle, mature driver, retiree, and renewal discounts. Pembridge’s claims assistance is available 24 hours a day.

19. RBC Insurance

RBC Insurance provides a long list of insurance products, including auto, home, life, and travel insurance. They are one of Canada’s largest bank-owned insurance organizations, with approximately 5 million clients globally and 2,800 employees. RBC has many channels for customers to access insurance solutions, advice, and information. By signing up for an online RBC Insurance account, you can manage your policy and make payments from your computer or cell phone. RBC Insurance offers a home and auto insurance bundle, which gives you to potential to save up to 10%.

20. Sonnet

Sonnet was established in 2016 as Canada’s first fully online home and auto insurance company. The company uses data and analytics to offer specialized coverage at a competitive price. Sonnet pride themselves on their innovation and customer service, with a 91% customer satisfaction score. You can contact Sonnet’s Insurance Advisors via email, phone, or online chat.

Sonnet’s online quotes take only 5 minutes to generate, and you have the option to buy online immediately. On their website, you can also report a claim and log in to manage your policy. If you drive a Nissan or Infiniti, you’re in luck because Sonnet offers an exclusive discount. They also offer multi-vehicle discounts, home and auto bundles with up to 20% savings, and discounts for divers who have been claims-free for the last six years.

21. SGI Canada

SGI Canada is based in Regina, Saskatchewan and operates in five Canadian provinces, including Ontario. The company has over 2,000 employees and prides themselves on exemplary customer service and competitive pricing. SGI Canada offers numerous customized coverage options and good loyalty discounts. They also offer home and auto bundles, multi-vehicle discounts, and discounts for retirees and those with good driving records.

22. TD Insurance

TD Insurance is part of the TD Bank Group, one of the largest financial organizations in Canada. TD Insurance offers a range of products, including auto, home, life, and travel insurance. They are also one of the top three personal home and auto insurance groups in Canada. You can answer a few questions on TD’s website to get a car insurance quote and buy online. When you do buy online, TD Insurance offers a 10% discount. There are also discounts available for multi-vehicle and electric or hybrid vehicle drivers. In TD Insurance’s mobile app, you can make a claim and track its status, as well as manage your policies and download your pink card.

23. Travelers

Travelers Canada provides car and home insurance to individuals and businesses across the country. With approximately 1,400 employees, Travelers strives to provide the best insurance coverage and customer support. Travelers covers a range of vehicles, including motorcycles, motor homes, and recreational vehicles. You can use Travelers Canada’s online tool to get a quote or call their customer service team. Travelers Canada also has a 24/7 claims service.

There are numerous discounts available to Travelers Canada customers. For example, you can save when you bundle home and car insurance and when you insure multiple vehicles. Travelers also has discounts for retirees and drivers with clean records. Plus, they offer a discount if you have a child who lives away from home and has limited access to an insured vehicle while attending school.

24. Unica Insurance

Unica Insurance is an Ontario-based insurance company founded in 1955. Their headquarters are located in Mississauga, Ontario. They provide niche insurance solutions for VIP commercial and personal clients. Unica is a subsidy of Beneva Insurance company. They work with a select network of Ontarian insurance brokers to deliver their products.

Unica specializes in coverage for luxury vehicles and collector cars, but they also insure all types of personal vehicles. Unica’s partner brokers can provide personalized advice and guidance for home, auto, and high-value asset insurance.

25. South Easthope Mutual Insurance

South Easthope Mutual Insurance provides personalized home, auto, farm, and business insurance services to its members in Southwestern Ontario. South Easthope Mutual was founded by local farmers in 1871. The company’s agents and brokers are available to help you design a coverage package that fits your needs. Their website does not have an online quote tool, but you can call to receive a quote. South Easthope Mutual provides coverage for personal, commercial, farm, and recreational vehicles. Customers have the option to report a claim online or over the phone at any time of day.

Everything you need to know about the best car insurance companies in Ontario

There you have it. A comprehensive list of the 25 best car insurance companies in Ontario. Hopefully, this list will help you narrow down your options and identify the insurance providers that fit your needs. Of course, we can’t cover everything on a list like this, so if you’re interested in more information about coverage, discounts, and service offerings, be sure to consult the company’s website or reach out to them directly.

At the end of the day, every driver will have a different rate, and some factors are simply out of your control. But thankfully, there are insurance options out there for everyone. From new drivers with a clean history to experienced drivers with multiple claims, different insurance providers cater to different needs.

FAQs about Car Insurance Companies in Ontario