Compare quotes for high-risk car insurance in Ontario for free in a couple of minutes. We help high-risk drivers get insured for less even with tickets, accidents, or a licence issue.
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High-risk auto insurance in Ontario costs more than standard coverage, but the rate one insurer quotes you is rarely the best available. ThinkInsure is a leading high-risk insurance broker that shops all of Ontario's high-risk car insurance companies to find you the lowest rate, often saving high-risk drivers thousands of dollars per year.
If you need high-risk insurance after tickets, at-fault accidents, a DUI, a licence suspension, or a policy cancellation, our licenced brokers can help. We find the lowest monthly payment, high-risk coverage, and help you get back in standard insurance. Call 1-855-550-5515 or compare high-risk insurance quotes online. Get your free quote today in a couple of minutes.
Current rate data reflects a rolling 12-month average of ThinkInsure quote submissions as of May 2026.*** See our methodology.
average time you're considered high-risk before moving back to standard
compares rates from every high-risk insurer in Ontario
more for high-risk auto insurance vs. standard rates
is the average difference between the highest and lowest quote for the same driver
Tell us about your driving history honestly, including tickets, accidents, claims, and any prior cancellations.
We compare rates from every high-risk insurer in Ontario, including Coachman, Echelon, Jevco, Pafco, Economical and more.
Choose the lowest rate and confirm the details with to get your policy, often the same day.
Helping high-risk drivers save on auto insurance!
High-risk car insurance is specialized auto coverage for drivers who are considered a greater risk of filing a claim. It's also called non-standard, substandard, or specialty insurance. Only a small group of insurers offer it, and premiums are significantly higher than standard rates. The coverage itself protects you the same way standard car insurance does.
Drivers are placed in the high-risk category based on their driving record, claims history, and insurance payment history. The status is temporary. Most drivers move back to regular insurance within 3 to 5 years.
Life happens. Anyone can become a high-risk driver, and most of the time, it's the result of a small number of incidents that compound on your record. In Ontario, here are the most common reasons drivers end up in the high-risk category:
If you've been quoted a high-risk auto insurance rate in Ontario, the number can feel overwhelming, but it's rarely the lowest rate available to you. High-risk insurance companies price the same driver very differently, and the gap between the highest and lowest quote can be thousands of dollars per year. ThinkInsure checks them all and finds you the rate at the bottom of that range.
In Ontario, the average annual high-risk auto insurance premium runs around $8,154, or about $680 per month. That's the average across the high-risk customer base. Individual rates vary significantly based on driving record, age, gender, location, vehicle, and which insurer is quoting you.
Current rate data reflects a rolling 12-month average of ThinkInsure quote submissions as of May 2026.*** See our methodology.
High-risk car insurance in Ontario costs about $680 per month on average ($8,154 per year), and monthly payments typically range from roughly $470 to nearly $900 depending on your driving record, where you live, your vehicle, and which insurer you choose. Most high-risk insurers offer monthly, quarterly, or annual plans. Rates also vary widely depending on where you live in Ontario.
Even as a high-risk driver in Ontario, you can take steps that meaningfully reduce your premium, and shorten the time you spend in the high-risk category. Here are the most effective ways to get the cheapest high-risk auto insurance:
No, you will not always be in this category. High-risk status is temporary. Most drivers return to standard insurance within 3 to 5 years. The exact timeline depends on why you were classified as high-risk in the first place.
Tickets, accidents, and claims come off your insurance record over time. The fastest path back to lower rates is a clean record from this point forward and comparing rates on renewal.
The path off high-risk takes time and a clean record. Here's what to focus on:
Your advisor can re-quote your policy at every renewal to check whether you've moved back into standard-rate territory.
Your driving record is the single biggest factor that impacts high-risk car insurance premiums. A single ticket raises an Ontario driver's rate to about $7,769 a year, roughly 216% above the standard average, and it climbs with each added incident. At-fault collisions, policy cancellations, and licence suspensions carry similar penalties. The table below breaks down the cost of each.
| Violation | Average high-risk premium | Premium increase vs average | % increase vs average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tickets | |||
| 1 ticket within the past 3 years | $7,769 | $5,308 | 216% |
| 2 tickets in 3 years | $8,442 | $5,981 | 243% |
| 3 tickets in 3 years | $8,684 | $6,223 | 254% |
| Accidents | |||
| 1 collision in past 3 years | $7,758 | $5,297 | 215% |
| 2 collisions in past 3 years | $7,949 | $5,488 | 223% |
| 3 collisions in past 3 years | $8,242 | $5,781 | 235% |
| Cancellations | |||
| 1 cancellation in past 3 years | $7,374 | $4,913 | 200% |
| 2 cancellations in past 3 years | $8,611 | $6,150 | 250% |
| Suspensions | |||
| 1 suspension in past 3 years | $7,508 | $5,047 | 205% |
| 2 suspensions in past 3 years | $8,451 | $5,990 | 243% |
High-risk auto insurance in Ontario averages around $8,154 per year, or roughly $680 per month. Individual rates vary significantly based on driving record, age, location, vehicle, and which insurer is quoting.
The spread between the lowest and highest quote on the same driver can be over $1,800 per year. Comparing rates across every high-risk insurance company typically saves high-risk drivers hundreds to thousands annually.
The leading high-risk auto insurance companies in Ontario include Coachman Insurance, Echelon Insurance, Jevco Insurance, Pafco Insurance, and Economical Insurance. Each prices high-risk policies differently, and the lowest quote for one driver isn't necessarily the lowest for another.
ThinkInsure accesses all of them through a single comparison, so you get the lowest available rate without calling each one individually.
Most drivers in Ontario remain in the high-risk category for 3 to 5 years, depending on the severity of the reason. Tickets and at-fault accidents can stay on your insurance record for 3 to 6 years.
DUI convictions and serious offences can extend the timeline. The fastest path back to regular rates is a clean record and checking rates at every renewal to catch the moment you cross back to cheaper premiums.
A high-risk driver in Ontario isn't a specific type of person, it's anyone with recent tickets, at-fault accidents, a DUI, a licence suspension, or a policy cancellation. In ThinkInsure's customer data, most high-risk drivers are men aged 26 to 35 with a full G licence living in the GTA, though the wrong mix of circumstances can place any driver in the category.
Premiums vary significantly by age. Drivers over 50 pay roughly $1,500 less per year than drivers in their 20s.
In rare cases, drivers with very serious driving histories can't find coverage from any standard or high-risk insurance company. The Facility Association is the insurer of last resort. It's required to provide basic coverage to any licenced driver in Ontario who can't get insurance elsewhere. Facility premiums are the highest in the market, sometimes more than double the average high-risk rate.
Most high-risk drivers don't need the Facility Association. A ThinkInsure advisor will exhaust every high-risk insurance company first. Facility is genuinely a last resort.
Yes. Even with a DUI conviction or a recent licence suspension in Ontario, you can coverage with a high-risk car insurance company, not a standard one. Premiums will be higher, and the category typically lasts several years.
ThinkInsure brokers specialize in these cases and work with the insurers most likely to cover hig-risk drivers in your situation. The earlier you start the process, the smoother the transition back to normal rates when the time comes.
The types of coverage you receive under high-risk auto insurance are essentially the same as standard insurance. The difference is the rate, not the protection. You still get:
What is different:
Most high-risk insurers in Ontario offer monthly, quarterly, and annual payment plans, though terms vary by insurer. Monthly is the most common, though some insurers require a larger first payment or down payment. Quarterly reduces administrative fees versus monthly, and paying annually upfront avoids them entirely (often a 5% to 10% saving). Most insurers require pre-authorized debit for monthly plans. Your advisor can confirm which options each insurer offers.
Where you live is one of the biggest factors in your high-risk premium. The table below shows average high-risk car insurance rates across Ontario cities, from highest to lowest.
| City | Annual premium | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| Brampton | $10,720 | $893 |
| Richmond Hill | $10,592 | $883 |
| North York | $10,546 | $879 |
| Mississauga | $9,823 | $819 |
| Toronto | $9,790 | $816 |
| Markham | $9,737 | $811 |
| Hamilton | $8,469 | $706 |
| Pickering | $8,404 | $700 |
| Newmarket | $8,351 | $696 |
| Whitby | $8,236 | $686 |
| Milton | $8,228 | $686 |
| Oakville | $8,154 | $680 |
| London | $7,798 | $650 |
| Windsor | $7,794 | $650 |
| Kitchener | $7,742 | $645 |
| Aurora | $7,577 | $631 |
| Oshawa | $7,437 | $620 |
| Ajax | $7,413 | $618 |
| Brantford | $7,322 | $610 |
| Barrie | $7,210 | $601 |
| Peterborough | $7,207 | $601 |
| Burlington | $7,199 | $600 |
| Cambridge | $7,148 | $596 |
| Waterloo | $6,823 | $569 |
| Guelph | $6,697 | $558 |
| Thunder Bay | $6,535 | $545 |
| St. Catharines | $6,338 | $528 |
| Belleville | $6,122 | $510 |
| Sault Ste. Marie | $6,106 | $509 |
| Cornwall | $6,054 | $505 |
| Ottawa | $6,006 | $501 |
| Kingston | $5,968 | $497 |
| Sudbury | $5,906 | $492 |
| North Bay | $5,841 | $487 |
| Chatham | $5,694 | $475 |
| Stratford | $5,591 | $466 |
Celeste Raymond
2026-08-04 09:10:34
★★★★★
The insurance broker who supported me was Dylan Smith. Dylan was very knowledgeable, patient, friendly and professional. He took his time walking me through several different options, answered all my questions and made sure that I left the conversation feeling supported and that I left with the right insurance plan to meet my needs. This was truly one of the best customer service experiences I’ve had!
Paula Souza Realtor
2026-07-29 15:53:22
★★★★★
Working with Betsy Bannon was a great experience. She made the process of getting our commercial auto insurance simple and stress-free. She kept us informed every step of the way, responded promptly, and was always friendly and professional. I really appreciated how smoothly everything went and would definitely recommend her.
Nate Smith
2026-07-29 15:45:25
★★★★★
Had a great experience working with Betsy Bannon. She was easy to deal with, answered my questions, and got our commercial auto insurance set up much faster than I expected.
Nate Smith
2026-07-29 15:44:40
★★★★★
Betsy Bannon made the whole process of getting our commercial auto insurance set up really easy. She was friendly, quick to respond, and got everything taken care of without any hassle. Really appreciated all the help.
Accounting Infinite Mechanical Solutions
2026-07-29 15:43:38
★★★★★
Betsy Bannon was a huge help in getting our commercial auto insurance set up! she was super pleasant to deal with, and she was very fast
Michele Jaques
2026-07-22 22:22:43
★★★★★
Patrick worked diligently in insuring that our businness is sufficiently covered given changes to tenants, tyope of business and up grades. He is very conscientious and work collaboratively to build good a good working relationship. Thank you agaib Patrick for all your efforts.
Stephen Johnston
2026-07-09 02:00:38
★★★★★
I contacted ThinkInsure sure for last minute insurance for my house while I was renovating. My sales broker was Dylan Smith, and he was excellent. He was extremely communicative and proactive and talked me through all the steps of applying for my insurance policy. Because it was somewhat last minute, he also bent over backwards and communicated with the insurance company to make sure I got my insurance effective on the day I needed it. I couldn’t have experienced better service.
Steven Liao
2026-07-08 03:49:25
★★★★★
I have been getting parent super visa insurance from Think Insurance for past 2 years. Parminder helped us in getting the coverage needed and everything had been smooth.
ThinkInsure specialize in high-risk insurance. We work with every high-risk insurance company in Ontario, to find you the lowest available rate, and to help you return to normal coverage and lower rates.
Whatever brought you here, including tickets, accidents, a DUI, or a lapse, we work to get you covered at the lowest rate available.
We compare quotes from every high-risk insurance company in Ontario. By comparing all of them, we help high-risk drivers find the lowest rate available, often saving thousands per year.
Choose the provider that offers the best coverage and rate for your situation. We often can get you insured with a new high-risk policy on the same day.
At renewal, we can re-quote your policy across every insurer to find a better rate or move you back to standard auto insurance in Ontario. The sooner we know your record has improved, the sooner you save.
Don't accept the first high-risk quote you get. The price difference between insurers can be more than $1,800 per year. Be sure to check rates from every Ontario high-risk insurance company, and re-quote your policy at every renewal.
Neel Khan
Insurance Broker (RIBO)
Monday–Friday: 8am–6pm
Disclaimer:
*** Estimated premiums are based on data entered by high-risk drivers on ThinkInsure.ca from May 31, 2025, to May 31, 2026.
Content Marketing Manager
Nolan is a content marketing manager and writer at ThinkInsure. He has 15+ years of experience in the insurance industry, working with brokerages and direct insurers to create compelling insurance content, specializing in auto, home, and commercial.
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