What is the average cost of Ottawa car insurance?
![Downtown Ottawa]()
You’d think that Ottawa would have some of the highest auto insurance rates in Ontario, right? It’s the nation's capital and it's one of the biggest in the province. But this isn’t the case. It's quite the opposite. It's actually one of cheapest compared to other big cities.
Many drivers pay less than the provincial average of $1,634. Some pay between $900 and $1,100 annually. This is hundreds of dollars less than the Greater Toronto Area.
Living in a region with lower auto insurance rates is great. But, even though rates are cheaper, it's still up to you as a driver to maintain a clean driving record. You’ll still need to shop around to find the lowest premium.
How much is monthly car insurance in Ottawa?
Some drivers in Ottawa can pay just under $100 per month for insurance. Using the average cost of $1,150 from IBC, your monthly premium would be just under $96 per month.
Ottawa auto insurance rates from 2019-2022
Insurance rates are fluid. They change based on data collected by insurers about claims, repair costs, accidents, and many other considerations. They also change based on your driving record and if you qualify for additional discounts.
In general, auto insurance rates in Ottawa are on up upward swing. By how much is the question. So, we compared quotes we’ve received from our customers to see how Ottawa auto insurance premiums change over time. As you can see in the chart below, rates have increase by over $130 per year since 2019. Below you’ll see how rates fluctuate each year:
| Year |
Average premium |
| 2022 |
$1,794 |
| 2021 |
$1,710 |
| 2020 |
$1,704 |
| 2019 |
$1,663 |
*We compared ThinkInsure quote data for drivers with a clean driving record living in Ottawa.
Ottawa auto insurance rates by driver type – see how you compare to others
Your driver classification affects how much you pay for auto insurance in Ottawa. Things like your age, demographics, driver classification and driving record factor into how your premiums are set by insurance companies.
We decided to look at our customer quote data to see how these things affect your payments. Here’s what we found:
- Ottawa drivers who are younger (under 25) pay more than more experienced drivers.
- Being in the high risk category will more than double your payments.
- Mature drivers over 50 have the lowest rates.
- Men pay more than women and single people pay more than married couples.
- Tickets, accident, suspensions, and policy cancellations will significantly increase your insurance costs.
*We compared ThinkInsure customer quote data from 2019-2022 to determine how rates differ based on driver type, demographics, and driving record.
Ottawa auto insurance rates vs. other big cities
Ottawa is known for its safe roads and car insurance rates reflect this fact. Insurance premiums are generally less than in other regions in the province. In some instances, you will pay hundreds of dollars less per year than in the GTA, for example.
Below is a comparison of Ottawa auto insurance with rates in other large cities in the province:
Auto insurance rates in Ottawa compared to local cities nearby
Even though Ottawa is one of the most affordable big cities for auto insurance, it still has higher rates compared to smaller towns and cities in the region. As you can see in the chart below, where you live within Eastern Ontario can affect how much you pay by hundreds of dollars per year.
| City |
Average premium |
| Ottawa |
$1,740 |
| Brockville |
$1,555 |
| Kingston |
$1,515 |
| Smith Falls |
$1,459 |
| Cornwall |
$1,349 |
| Bancroft |
$1,237 |
| Hawkesbury |
$1,208 |
| Perth |
$1,144 |
| Pembroke |
$1,113 |
*We compared ThinkInsure quote data from drivers from January 1, 2021, to October 1 2022.
What neighbourhoods and postal codes have the cheapest car insurance in Ottawa?
Where you live within a city matters. It can affect how much you pay for insurance. The difference between postal codes in Ottawa could be hundreds of dollars per year. It's something to consider if you are planning on moving.
Car insurance premiums typically are cheaper if you live in Napean and the surrounding area with average cost of $1,646 per year. This includes Blossom Park, Greenboro, Leitrim and Findlay Creek.
The most expensive neighbourhood is the Gloucester area (Blackburn Hamlet, Pine View and Sheffield Glen) with premiums of around $1,829 per years.
In Ottawa, your car insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars per year based on your postal code. Below are the neighbourhoods and postal codes on Ottawa that have the cheapest car insurance rates.
| Area |
Postal codes |
Average rate |
| Gloucester |
K1B, K1T, K1X |
$1,829 |
| Ottawa |
K1G, K1K, K1S, K2C, K1J, K1H, K1V, K1A, K1N, K1P, K1R, K1Y, K1Z, K2A, K2B, K2P |
$1,657 |
| Manotick |
K4M |
1,646 |
| Napean |
K0A, K2G, K2H, K2J, K2R, K2E |
$1,634 |
| Vanier |
K1L |
$1,623 |
| Barrhaven |
K2J |
$1,616 |
| Kanata |
K2K, K2L, K2M, K2T, K2V, K2W |
$1,555 |
| Orleans |
K4A, K1W, K1E, K1C |
$1,458 |
| Stittsville |
K2S |
$1,370 |
| Rockcliffe |
K1M |
$1,351 |
| Cumberland |
K4C |
$1,320 |
| Greenly |
K4P |
$1,048 |
