Are you looking for high risk auto insurance? Have you had some bad luck with tickets, accidents, traffic convictions or payment issues and need high risk insurance? Did your insurance company cancel your policy? Have you been denied coverage? Thousands of motorists experience these issues and require high risk insurance. If you've been labelled as a high risk driver we can help you!
ThinkInsure is a leading high risk insurance broker. We are experts in high risk coverage. Everyday we help drivers get insured and back on the road. We'll compare rates from the largest selection of high risk insurance companies to find you the lowest rates. If you are having trouble getting insured we can help. Get started by comparing free quotes online or give us a call. We'll do the shopping, find the best rate, and get you insured!
What's on this page:
High risk auto insurance is a category for drivers who are more likely to file a claim, get in an accident, or default on payment.
High risk auto insurance is also referred to as non-standard insurance. There are a variety of reasons why you may be labelled a high risk. Most have to do with having too many tickets, license suspensions, DUI charges, claims or cancellations.
A mistake, oversight, or accident could result in you becoming a high risk driver. Dangerous driving habits can also put you in this category. For example, getting caught excessively speeding, driving carelessly, or driving while distracted.
Some providers are reluctant to offer a policy to high risk drivers because of the increased chance of a claim. Many are either not willing to insure them or will provide it at a much higher premium. There are a few providers that specialize in high risk auto insurance.
Many people have heard about high risk insurance but most are unclear about how it works. You will be considered high risk after you’ve received a serious driving conviction, have payment issues, or have other issues. You are high risk if you have a poor driving or insurance record.
When you get a car insurance quote, you’ll have difficulty getting a policy from most companies. There are some specialize in offering high risk auto insurance. These are the ones that will issue you a policy but at a higher premium.
If high risk providers are not willing to insure you, can still get a policy through Facility Association. This is the last resort for drivers who cannot find coverage. Since you are considered a significant risk, your premiums will reflect this. Depending on your situation you could have to pay anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 or more for Facility insurance.
The following coverage is required by law and it is the minimum amount you can have:
This is additional protection you can add to your policy to customize it. Options include:
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Just follow these quick and easy steps to see the lowest quotes and get a policy.
Enter your postal code and some basic information.
Provide your driving and vehicle information.
See rates from the leading high risk providers.
Choose the lowest rate and confirm the details with us to get insured.
Get StartedHigh risk insurance is so expensive because it’s a greater risk for insurers to give certain types of drivers a policy.
If a driver has multiple tickets, convictions, claims, or even payment issues, the chances are they are more likely to exhibit this same type of behaviour again. This increases the likelihood that an insurer would have to pay out a claim. The more severe and costly the driving offence, the higher you can expect your premiums.
This logic is the same for someone with a clean record. If a person has been driving for 15 years and has never had a ticket, accident, or claim, they would be at a much lower risk of filing a claim and pay less.
The cost of high risk car insurance is considerably more expensive than a regular policy. You can expect to see a 20% increase at a minimum. In some cases, you will see your rates increase by as much as 300% or more. This means many can expect premiums to be double or triple compared to regular car insurance in Ontario and other provinces. We’re talking about an increase of thousands of dollars.
The average car insurance premium in the province is $1,655. So, if your rates were to double you would have to pay $3,310 per year. If they tripled, you would have to pay $4,965.
The average cost of high risk auto insurance ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 or more per year depending on the provider and the reasons why you are considered high risk. Costs could climb up to $20,000 per year.
For example, a person with an impaired or reckless driving charge will pay much more than someone who has multiple minor convictions in a short period of time.
There are a lot of reasons why you could fall into the high risk category. The most common are tickets, accidents, licence suspensions and cancellations. As you can see in the chart below, high risk auto insurance is significantly more expensive than regular coverage in province.
Accidents have the biggest effect on costs, followed by suspensions and then cancellations. They can increase by as little as 20% to as much as 300% or more depending on the severity of your driving issues.
Based on our data, here's a sample of how much you can expect to pay depending on the reason:
| Violation | Average high risk premium | Premium increase compared to average | % increase compared to average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tickets | |||
| 1 ticket within the past 3 years | $4,720 | $3,065 | 185% |
| 2 tickets in 3 years | $5,285 | $3,630 | 219% |
| 3 tickets in 3 years | $6,113 | $4,458 | 269% |
| Accidents | |||
| 1 collision in past 3 years | $4,670 | $3,015 | 182% |
| 2 collisions in past 3 years | $5,432 | $3,777 | 228% |
| 3 collisions in past 3 years | $6,314 | $4,659 | 281% |
| Cancellations | |||
| 1 cancellation in past 3 years | $4,249 | $2,594 | 156% |
| 2 cancellations in past 3 years | $4,900 | $3,245 | 196% |
| Suspensions | |||
| 1 suspension in past 3 years | $4,909 | $3,254 | 196% |
| 2 suspensions in past 3 years | $5,951 | $4,296 | 259% |
*
We compiled data from some of the biggest cities in the province to see which ones have the most and least expensive rates.
Cities in the GTA occupy the 5 most expensive cities for high risk insurance. Brampton has the most expensive prices at $7,676 per year. Our data also suggests Ottawa is the lowest at $3,460 annually.
Based on our data the average cost for high risk car insurance in the province is $5,340. Premiums range from as low as $1,757 up to $28,361.
See below for costs in your city:
| City | Minimum premium | Maximum premium | Average annual premium | Average monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brampton | $2,971 | $18,747 | $7,676 | $640 |
| Mississauga | $3,068 | $28,361 | $7,519 | $627 |
| Richmond Hill | $3,409 | $14,019 | $7,318 | $610 |
| Markham | $3,448 | $16,915 | $6,940 | $578 |
| Toronto | $2,472 | $17,526 | $6,359 | $530 |
| London | $2,183 | $16,153 | $6,077 | $506 |
| Oakville | $1,875 | $12,048 | $5,825 | $485 |
| Hamilton | $2,335 | $13,879 | $5,777 | $$481 |
| Milton | $2,335 | $$13,879 | $5,708 | $476 |
| Burlington | $1,915 | $13,880 | $5,387 | $449 |
| Newmarket | $3,159 | $9,818 | $5,297 | $441 |
| Cambridge | $2,001 | $13,019 | $5,251 | $438 |
| Windsor | $1,863 | $10,724 | $5,248 | $437 |
| Kitchener | $2,295 | $13,283 | $5,217 | $435 |
| Oshawa | $1,875 | $11,009 | $4,264 | $355 |
| Ottawa | $1,795 | $8,143 | $3,460 | $288 |
*
Find the lowest high risk car insurance in Ontario. Get a free quote and save more!
Get StartedWondering if you need high risk car insurance? The rules are different in every province. There are many driving and non-driving factors that could land you in the category:
With our large selection of providers we can get you insured for the most affordable price. We have the largest selection of high risk insurers in the province. Here are some of them:
Speak with a ThinkInsure advisor today to find out which one is a good choice for you.
It's frustrating when you require high risk car insurance. You may be paying more but there are still ways to get savings. Here are some tips and advice to help you save as much as possible:
One-stop shopping for comparing and finding the lowest high risk insurance prices.
Choose from the largest selection of high risk providers.
Start with a free estimate and then get insured quickly, often on the same day.
We understand that you've had some driving challenges. We don't judge and will help you get a policy when others won't.
Our team of high risk insurance brokers are experts in non-standard coverage.
We'll assist in getting you back into regular insurance as soon as possible.
A high risk driver is a person who has a poor insurance record. This can be due to driving violations, a bad payment history, fraud, and other situations. These drivers do not qualify for standard insurance. They are required to get insured through a high risk insurance company.
Even though you may be labelled high risk, it doesn’t mean you always will. Over time, with an improved driving record, you can move back into regular insurance.
Yes, high risk car insurance is more expensive than regular coverage. It is one of the most expensive types of auto insurance you can purchase. Premiums can be 2 or 3 times more expensive and range anywhere from $3,000 to $4,500 or more.
If you have recently had several tickets or accidents, there is a good chance you will need high risk auto insurance. But the only way to know for sure is to speak with your insurer. One sure-fire way to know for sure is if your current insurer chooses to not renew your policy. If this is the case, you will need to get insured with a high risk provider.
Working with an insurance broker is the easiest way for high risk drivers to get insured at the lowest rate. That is, if you choose the right one. When considering your options, look for one who has partnerships with multiple providers, to give you a greater opportunity to find a better price.
Other things should factor into your decision. They include:
Being considered a high risk driver for insurance is not permanent. The amount of time depends on the reasons you are considered high risk. It can take three years or more to get out of the category. Here are some things to do to get back into regular coverage as quickly as possible:
Sources
* Based on data from quotes completed on ThinkInsure.ca between January 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022 for drivers considered high risk. Results can vary based on your specific situation.
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