Ontario added gender X as an option for driver’s licence applications in 2017. Some insurers charge the same rate for gender X drivers as they do for female drivers, while others use an average of rates for males and females, says the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
In June 2024, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario reported that fewer than a third of insurance companies offer the option of selecting gender X when applying for insurance. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRAO) has set guidance that all insurers in the province must account for gender X in their practices before Jan. 1, 2026.
Driving record
Your driving record includes how long you’ve had a licence, the amount of driver education you have, and whether you’ve had any speeding tickets, accidents or driving convictions. A good driving record means lower premiums, says the FSRAO.
Marital status
Whether or not you’re married can also affect how much you’re charged for vehicle insurance. Canadian insurers will ask about your marital status when you apply. Why? Insurers view married people as less risky drivers, in part because they may have kids in the car. In Ontario, they take this into consideration when determining your insurance premium, according to Ratehub.ca. (MoneySense and Ratehub.ca are both owned by Ratehub Inc.)
How much you drive can affect your insurance cost
Are you a daily commuter? Do you drive kids to school every day? Do you take many road trips? Your insurance rates will likely be higher, thanks to the kilometres you rack up. Low-mileage drivers—typically, those who drive less than 10,000 kilometres per year—may be offered a discount.
How vehicle type affects insurance premiums
Claims rankings for different vehicles—which are organized by make, model, body style and model year—play a role in insurance rates, says the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). Those rankings are calculated using factors like theft rates, vehicle design (some are safer or less susceptible to collision damage), repair costs and replacement value (which goes down as your car ages).
How much is auto insurance in Toronto?
Car insurance in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is more expensive than in other parts of Ontario. There’s no getting around that fact.
Here’s why it’s more expensive in the city. If you live somewhere where motor vehicle accidents and auto theft are more common, your vehicle insurance premiums will likely be higher. Toronto is one of those places, especially if you live in certain neighbourhoods. The Wellesley Institute, a non-profit research organization, notes: “In Toronto, the highest premiums impact residents with postal codes based in Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough.”