Car Insurance in Hamilton, Ontario

What do I need to know about car insurance in Hamilton, Ontario?

As a resident of Ontario, you need mandatory car insurance coverage that protects you, your passengers, and other drivers.

Under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act of Ontario, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle that is not insured.

There are four types of car insurance that are legally required in Ontario:

• Third-party Liability Coverage: You must have a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability coverage as part of your mandatory car insurance. It’s highly recommended that you purchase a higher limit. It protects you if someone is killed or injured, or their property is damaged, and you are found to be legally liable.

• Statutory Accidents Benefits Coverage: It provides you with benefits if you are injured in an accident, no matter who is found to be responsible. It includes supplementary medical, rehabilitation and attendant care, caregiver, non-earner and income replacement benefits, and there are options to increase most of these coverages.

• Direct Compensation- Property Damage (DCPD) Coverage:       It covers damage to your car or its contents, and for the loss of use of your car or its contents, if another person was at fault for the accident. It is called direct compensation because even though someone else causes the damage, you collect directly from your own insurer.

Insurance coverage under the DCPD section only applies if the following conditions are met: The accident took place in Ontario and there was at least one other vehicle involved in the accident. At least one of the other vehicles is insured by an insurance company licensed in Ontario.

• Uninsured Automobile Coverage: It protects you and your family if you are injured or killed by a hit-and-run driver or by an uninsured motorist. It covers damage to your car caused by an identified uninsured driver.

5 Questions about mandatory car insurance in Ontario