Compare high-risk auto insurance quotes
In under five minutes, get personalized high-risk car insurance quotes from Canada's top providers. Find out if you can save on your next insurance policy.
How to get high-risk car insurance quotes with Ratehub.ca
Share information
Tell us a little about yourself and your auto coverage needs.
Compare quotes
We instantly show you auto insurance quotes for high-risk drivers in Canada.
Save money
Choose your quote and secure your car insurance rate online.
Why you should choose to compare with Ratehub.ca
960,000
monthly active users
16 years
experience in the Canadian market
5-star rated
quality and respected service
Proudly Canadian
partnering and serving Canadians
What is high-risk auto insurance?
High-risk auto insurance, also called non-standard insurance, is a category of car insurance for drivers deemed more likely to file a claim or be involved in an accident. This type of insurance is designed to cover drivers who have either been denied by standard insurers or who pose greater risks. There are many reasons why a driver may be considered high risk, including:
- Being convicted of serious offences, such as impaired driving.
- Receiving multiple speeding tickets.
- Being in more than one recent at-fault collision.
- Filing multiple at-fault insurance claims.
- Having a policy cancelled for non-payment.
In an ideal world, there would be no collisions or traffic tickets, and all drivers would qualify for the best car insurance rates. But accidents happen, and, correspondingly, insurance premiums rise. If you find yourself in this situation, we're here to help you find affordable car insurance.
How do you get auto insurance as a high-risk driver in Canada?
In Canada, auto insurance companies in the standard market may choose not to insure drivers they deem high risk, either by not issuing a new policy or by not renewing an existing one. When this happens, drivers can usually obtain insurance coverage from non-standard insurers that specialize in high-risk drivers. However, these companies can also deny coverage.
If you find yourself in this situation, you will need the services of the Facility Association. The Facility Association guarantees coverage for eligible drivers and is often a last-resort option.
To purchase insurance from the Facility Association, you must work with a licensed broker or agent who will shop the market for you and place you with the Facility Association if no other options are available.
How much does high-risk auto insurance cost?
High-risk auto insurance is generally much more expensive than the average car insurance rate. Whether through the Facility Association or a specific insurance company, high-risk coverage can cost $5,000 to $20,000 more.
As with standard car insurance, the more risk you bring as a policyholder, the greater your premiums will be. The table below shows how premiums increase with the severity of violations on a driving record.
| Scenario | Annual premium | % Increase |
| Clean driving record | $2,761 | - |
| Policy cancellation for non-payment | $4,183 | +52% |
| At-fault accident | $5,122 | +86% |
| Careless driving | $9,588 | +247% |
The quotes are based on a 30-year-old male in Toronto, Ontario, driving a 2023 Toyota Corolla, with $1,000 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage, $1,000,000 in liability coverage, and no telematics or bundling discounts.
The sample quotes above reveal how expensive auto insurance can become with just one conviction on your driving record. The driver profile saw over a 50% increase in rates with a policy cancellation on their record. An at-fault accident pushed rates above 85%, while a careless driving conviction skyrocketed them to nearly $10,000 per year.
Also read: What is the total cost of getting a traffic ticket in Ontario?
The actual cost you will pay for high-risk auto insurance depends on several factors, including your age, location, vehicle make and model and your driving history. Compare personalized high-risk insurance quotes today on Ratehub.ca to learn what you could be paying for coverage.
Compare high-risk car insurance quotes.
In as little as five minutes, you can compare personalized quotes from multiple Canadian providers, for free.
How do I lower my insurance premium as a high-risk driver?
If you find yourself in the high-risk insurance category, the best way to lower your premium is to drive safely. After several years with a clean driving record, insurance companies may consider you a lower risk and decrease your premiums accordingly.
Other ways to get cheap high-risk car insurance include taking advantage of discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts that allow you to save, such as
- Bundling your home and auto policies.
- Insuring multiple vehicles under one insurer.
- Installing anti-theft devices on your vehicle can reduce your risk of theft.
- Taking advantage of usage-based car insurance.
- Increasing your deductible can lower your auto insurance rate.
The deductible is the amount you must pay to make a claim. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and make a claim for $5,000 due to a collision, the insurance company would only be responsible for paying you up to $4,000 (assuming they agree it's a valid claim). Increasing your deductible lessens the insurance company's risks and, therefore, makes you a somewhat more attractive candidate to insure.
Frequently asked high-risk auto insurance questions
What are the best high risk insurance companies?
The best high-risk insurance companies are Pafco, Jevco, and Coachman. These are considered non-standard market carriers. Other companies, such as Intact, Aviva, Economical, Desjardins, and Cooperators Insurance, are viewed as standard market carriers but may also insure higher-risk drivers. It all depends on how high a risk you've been identified as. If you're too high a risk, you will end up on the facility insurance market. This will be the most expensive car insurance you will ever pay for.
How can I stop being labelled as a high-risk driver?
In some cases, it can take 20 years to stop being labelled a high-risk driver, but depending on your accident and claim history, you can see significant improvement in your auto insurance rates in 3 to 6 years. Typically, a driving infraction or ticket will stay on your record for 3 years, and any demerit points may remain for 6 years. Be sure to follow the rules of the road, avoid risky behaviours, such as stunt driving or driving under the influence, and pay your premiums on time. It's a long road, but well worth the savings.
How can I get cheap high-risk car insurance in Canada?
If you are looking for ways to save on car insurance as a high-risk driver, your options are somewhat limited, but there are steps you can take to help reduce the overall cost. These include comparing car insurance quotes to find the best rate on the market, bundling home and auto insurance policies to save, leveraging usage-based insurance programs to track your driving behaviour, and taking advantage of available discounts, such as alumni or union discounts.