Compare Ottawa Car Insurance Quotes

Q: How much does Ottawa car insurance cost?

The average cost of car insurance in Ottawa is roughly $1,200 per year, or $100 per month.

In under 5 minutes, you can compare the Ottawa car insurance market and potentially save hundreds of dollars on your next policy - for free.

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How car insurance in Ottawa, Ontario works

Matt Hands, VP, Insurance and MoneySense

October 5, 2023

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and the largest city in the nation with both English and French as co-official languages. The average annual car insurance premium in Ottawa is just over $1,200.

Despite a huge increase in population, and consequently drivers, Ottawa is still relatively safe for driving.

According to a 2013 report, Ottawa has the most educated population among Canadian cities. We know smart people shop for the best car insurance rates in just minutes and at Ratehub.ca, we can help you do that.

Car insurance in Ottawa, and across Ontario is a requirement for all drivers. To operate a vehicle in Ottawa, you must have insurance. To get the best car insurance in Ottawa, it's vital to understand how it works.

Ottawa operates in a no-fault insurance system. No-fault means drivers use their own insurance company regardless of who is at-fault in an accident. In other words, you only ever deal with your own insurance company for a claim or following an accident.

Ontario auto insurance is provided by private insurance carriers and is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRAO). FSRAO ensures rate increases are substantiated. Simply put, an insurer can't raise rates without prior approval from the regulatory body and is based on their financial records.

Available Ottawa car insurance coverage is broken down into two categories - mandatory and optional.

Mandatory Ottawa auto insurance coverage includes:

Third-party liability
Accident benefits
Uninsured automobile insurance
Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD)

Optional Ottawa car insurance coverage includes:

Collision insurance
Comprehensive car insurance
Specified perils
All perils

Also available in any city in Ontario are Optional Policy Change Forms (OPCF) which are coverage enhancements. Here are 4 common Ontario endorsements.

OPCF 20 - covers the cost of a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired or replaced
OPCF 27 - Ports your existing insurance to a rental car or car you borrow
OPCF 39 - Your insurer forgives your first accident claim so it doesn't impact your insurance rate
OPCF 43 - Removes depreciation in calculating the value of your car when settling a claim

Mandatory coverage for auto insurance in Ottawa

Mandatory insurance is mostly about protecting you from damage you may cause to others and their property. Protecting you personal car is available with optional coverages.

Third-party liability

Accident benefits

Uninsured motorist

Direct compensation property damage

Optional coverage for auto insurance in Ottawa

The below coverages are optional, unless you lease your car and your lessor requires them. Typically, new cars will get the optional coverages.

Collision insurance

Comprehensive

Emergency roadside assistance

Specified perils

All perils

Compare Ottawa car insurance quotes for free.

In less than 5 minutes, you can compare multiple insurance quotes from Ottawa's top personal auto insurers. See how much you can save on your next policy today.

Car insurance companies in Ottawa

Company	Address	Phone
Intact Insurance	1200 St. Laurent Blvd. Unit 004A, Ottawa, ON K1K 3B8	1-800-267-1836
Co-operators	1910 St. Laurent Blvd. Unit 34C, Ottawa, ON K1G 1A4	1-844-333-3265
Allstate	2950 Bank St. Unit 8, Gloucester, ON K1T 1N8	1-343-700-4341

Looking for direct car insurance companies in Ottawa? Direct insurers may be experts on car insurance products, but they don’t always give you the best market price possible. By providing us with a few details, we can compare car insurance quotes from various car insurance companies in Ottawa, so you can select the cheapest option available. We’ll also connect you with a licensed insurance broker to guide you through the process of purchasing the coverage you need.

Factors that impact your Ottawa car insurance rates

It pays to shop around to find cheap car insurance in Ottawa. Even though an insurance application is fairly standard you will find that different insurance companies offer different rates based on their existing users, the number of active claims on their fiscal books, and overall risk tolerance calculations. Furthermore, there are several factors beyond your control that impact a risk tolerance calculation, like if you live in an area with higher than average levels of insurance fraud. Here are seven factors auto insurance companies consider before offering personal car insurance in Ottawa:

Driver demographics

Where you live

Vehicle type

Driving history

Driving activity

Type of insurance coverage

Applicable discounts

How to get cheap car insurance in Ottawa

Shop and compare
Research which company provides cheap car insurance in Ottawa, and also the best value for you and your vehicle. Rates may change up to four times a year, but lucky for you comparing Ottawa car insurance quotes with us is free.
Stay with your current insurer
Some Ottawa car insurance companies will give loyalty discounts to drivers who remain active with them for years. Especially if they add family members or multiple vehicles to their policy.
Bundle your policies
If you use the same insurance company for both your home and auto insurance needs, your insurer will often thank you with a dip in premiums.
Get a multi car discount
If you have multiple drivers and vehicles in the same household, by putting them all on one policy can save you money.
Increase your deductible
Your deductible is the portion you pay when settling a claim before your insurer will pay the rest. If you’re willing to double your deductible, it could save you money.

Ask about discounts
If you’re a member of a large corporation, union, or a school alumnus, it could help you get cheaper Ottawa car insurance.
Pay premiums annually, instead of monthly
Paying monthly adds administrative costs to your insurer, so if you’re able to pay in full annually you can lower your premiums.
Maintain a good driving record
If you’re a safe driver, obey the rules of the road and drive according to road conditions you can reduce your chances of an accident. Car crashes stay on your insurance record for up to ten years and can result in higher premiums.
Install winter tires
You can save up to 3-5% simply by adding winter tires to your car.

Ready to get a free Ottawa car insurance quote today?

By comparing quotes from Canada's top insurance companies to find your best rate can potentially save you hundreds of dollars annually.

Frequently asked Ottawa auto insurance questions

How much does Ottawa car insurance cost?

Which car has the cheapest insurance in Ottawa?

The car you drive is one of many factors that go into your Ottawa auto insurance quote. That said, inexpensive, used cars with good safety ratings and low rates of theft generally yield cheaper insurance costs. Minivans and SUVs can be cheaper than sedans because of their risk profile based on the typical drivers. In other words, experienced drivers who may have a family tend to drive more cautiously. Here is our list of the cheapest cars to insure.

Do you need insurance to rent a car in Ottawa?

Without insurance, you'll pay for rental car insurance from the rental car agency. To avoid paying those high fees, you can use an endorsement (OPCF27) on your auto insurance coverage to port your existing insurance for use with the rental car. Be sure to check your credit card as it could cover a portion of the insurance. The most valuable of the 4 types of rental car coverage is liability (if you damage someone else's property) and personal accident insurance (if you're injured in a collision). Personal effects coverage is covered by your home insurance.

What are the best insurance companies in Ottawa?

The best car insurance companies are typically reserved for big players like Aviva, Co-operators, and Intact. However, the real question is what is the best insurance company for you, and so it's helpful to compare insurance quotes and then review the company values and potential discounts.

For instance, Onlia is a new player (backed by worldwide underwriters) with some cool perks like usage-based insurance that rewards you for safe driving.

Every quarter, a car insurance company can change their rates. If their client list is seen as too risky, they'll raise rates to avoid signing that driver to a policy. It's why we recommend always comparing quotes. If a particular company needs clients they'll reduce their rates.

Who is the best car insurance broker in Ottawa?

Finding the best insurance broker is a personal choice, but a good broker can help you always get the best insurance and walk you through any questions you may have. Any Registered Insurance Broker in Ontario (RIBO) can sell car insurance in Ottawa. After you compare quotes online with us, we'll connect you to one of our licensed insurance brokers who can help answer any questions you may have before finalizing the deal.

Matt Hands, Business Director of Insurance

With 6+ years of experience at Ratehub.ca, Matt’s focus has been on growing its newest business unit, Insurance. He is a thought leader and a valuable resource to respected publications across Canada. read full bio

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