Usage-Based Insurance Ontario

What Is Usage-Based Insurance?

Usage-based car insurance is a plug-in device that uses technology-driven auto insurance that assesses safe driving behaviours such as speed patterns, distance travelled, acceleration rates, hard-braking habits, as well as the time of day you drive. Your premium is evaluated based on this data allowing you to save money for safe and responsible driving.

Who Needs Usage-Based Insurance?

Ontario drivers interested in saving money should consider usage-based insurance especially if you are a safe driver or you drive a limited number of kilometres. Factors, such as distance driven, and other verified data can help insurance carriers better understand your vehicle usage and reward you with better car insurance premiums.

An insurance broker can help you determine if usage-based insurance is the best option for your specific needs.

How Does Usage-Based Insurance Work?

Through a small plug-in device in your vehicle or an app on your phone, usage-based auto insurance will assess your driving habits including speed, distance travelled, acceleration rates, the time of day you drive, hard-braking habits, and more to determine your insurance premium and reward your good driving behaviours. Usage-based insurance also provides mandatory auto coverages such as liability coverage, direct compensation property damage coverage, accident benefits coverage, and uninsured automobile coverage.

Important to know: While information collected on your driving habits can result in savings on your auto insurance, most programs will not increase your auto insurance premium. Usage-based insurance programs are voluntary, and drivers can opt out at any time.

What Are The Benefits of Usage-Based Insurance?

The benefits of usage-based insurance include saving money and learning how safely you drive.

Drivers can control their savings with usage-based insurance. Drivers can enjoy savings, increase savings, and maintain savings. Usage-based insurance allows insurance companies to identify responsible drivers and their driving skills, and reward them with lower auto insurance rates.

Insurers provide drivers with regular reports on their driving behaviour. The driver will know information such as the number of rapid accelerations, hard braking, speeding and other habits. This permits drivers to monitor their habits, know how safely they are driving, and where they can improve to drive more safely.

How Much Does Usage-Based Insurance Cost?

The cost of your auto insurance premium with usage-based insurance will vary. This is because insurance companies base your premiums on your driving habits and how safely you drive. The safer you drive, the greater the additional savings you will receive, to a set limit. There is no cost to use usage-based insurance. Enrolment and monitoring devices are free.

How Much Can You Save With Usage-Based Insurance?

Usage-based insurance savings differ depending on the insurance company. In many cases drivers will save 5% to 10% immediately when signing up, save even more after a period determined by the insurer, and up to 30% when your auto insurance renews.

Your best bet is to speak with an insurance provider who will help determine how much you can save on your insurance premium with usage-based insurance.

What Does Usage-Based Insurance Cover?

Usage-based insurance provides the same mandatory insurance coverage as any auto insurance policy in Ontario. Usage-based insurance provides mandatory coverages such as liability coverage, direct compensation property damage coverage, accident benefits coverage, and uninsured automobile coverage. You can also purchase optional coverages such as rental vehicle coverage, all perils, collision and comprehensive coverage, and more.

An insurance broker will shop the insurance market to get you several competitive quotes to help you find the auto insurance and usage-based insurance program that best meets your needs and budget.

What Insurance Companies Offer Usage-Based Insurance?

Insurance companies, such as CAA Insurance, Pembridge Insurance, Intact Insurance and Travelers Insurance, all of which are available through Morison Insurance, offer usage-based insurance. Programs are broadly the same, but some details do differ. It is best to contact an insurance broker who works with these auto insurance companies to receive assistance and discuss the different usage-based insurance programs.

• Intact Insurance has a usage-based insurance program called my Drive . Participant drivers can save up to 25% on car insurance and receive a one-time 10% discount upon signup. An insurance broker can help you to enroll in this program.
• CAA Insurance, which is provided through insurance brokers, has a usage-based program called CAA Connect. If you drive safely and less than 12,000 kilometres per year, this program can be a good fit for you to reduce your auto insurance costs. You could save up to 15% on your auto insurance after one year. Drivers receive a 5% enrolment discount.
• Travelers Insurance’s usage-based insurance, known as Travelers Intellidrive, offers new customers a 10% enrolment discount. Safe driving habits can lead to savings of up to 30%. Riskier drivers could see a higher premium. Travelers’ usage-based insurance program is available through insurance brokers that represent Travelers Insurance.
• Pembridge Insurance offers drivers an opportunity to save up to 30% for safe driving through its Pembridge My Bridge usage-based insurance program. Get 10 to 15% off for signing up, plus download the app and get an additional 5% discount. An insurance broker can assist you with My Bridge. Note that usage-based insurance programs have eligibility criteria. Discounts may be subject to change. Speak to an insurance broker for more details.

Is Usage-Based Insurance the Same as Telematics Insurance?

While the names are often used interchangeably, they’re not quite the same. UBI is a type of telematics insurance. The word “telematics” refers to the information collection method via the plug-in device or the smartphone app. Telematics can be used for purposes, such as pay-as-you-drive insurance.

Does Usage-Based Insurance Offer the Same Coverage as Regular Car Insurance?

All the same types of coverage you would expect from regular car insurance are available through usage-based programs—the only difference is you may be able to get a discount on your premiums. That includes mandatory coverages such as liability insurance, accident benefits coverage, direct compensation property damage coverage, and uninsured automobile coverage. You also have the same options to purchase additional insurance coverages such as comprehensive auto insurance, all perils insurance, collision coverage, accident forgiveness coverage and more.

Where Can I Buy Usage-Based Insurance?

You can buy usage-based insurance from Morison Insurance. We will shop Ontario’s leading insurance companies to compare usage-based insurance options to ensure you have the best insurance coverage for your vehicle and help you determine if usage-based insurance is a good fit for you. Get started today by filling out the form on our website, or by calling 1-800-463-8074.