How to Save Money on Your Car Insurance in 2025
Are you already thinking about your car insurance renewal in 2025? As you look ahead to the new year, start thinking about how to save money on your car insurance.
Car insurance premiums are expected to go up again in 2025 due to such factors as higher claims costs, technology that makes car repairs more expensive, severe weather causing vehicle damage, and labour and parts shortages.
Did you know? You can better control your car insurance rate by using a “how to save strategy” and having a clean driving record.
Do you know how your car insurance premium is calculated?
Car insurance is mandatory for Canadian drivers, but do you know how your car insurance premium is calculated?
These factors typically help determine how much you will pay for car insurance:
Driving history: Do you have a clean driving record? Insurers will look at your driving history, including how long you have been driving, any insurance claims, any driving convictions under the Criminal Code or a province’s Highway Traffic Act, and whether you've taken driving training.
Your vehicle: The make, model, year, and safety features of your car are looked at.
Location: Where you live. Different locations have different risk levels, which insurance providers look at when setting your car insurance rate. Car insurance may be more expensive in an urban neighborhood where car theft is more common or in remote areas where flooding is more likely.
How often do you drive: How many kilometers do you drive yearly? Driving fewer kilometres usually means a lower rate.
Deductible: The amount you pay out-of-pocket if you make a claim. A higher deductible usually results in a lower premium, but make sure you can financially manage it.
Coverage: Choosing numerous coverage options increases your car insurance. Choose what you need to protect you and your passengers on the road.
Personal information: Age, gender, and marital status. Being married can sometimes lead to lower car insurance rates.
Market conditions: How is the market being affected, for example, by wildfires, flooding, car theft?
Which provinces have the highest car insurance in Canada?
Car insurance rates vary by province, but Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta typically have the highest premiums with Quebec having the lowest.
What is a ‘how to save’ strategy for your car insurance?
A "how to save strategy" for your car insurance includes comparing car insurance prices, creating a budget for monthly payments or an annual payment, setting a deductible that you can financially manage, and asking for discounts to help decrease your costs.
How to save money on your car insurance in 2025
Here’s how to put your “how to save” strategy to work for car insurance:
- Never be satisfied with one car insurance quote. Shop around and compare rates from multiple insurance providers.
- Increase your deductible to lower your premium.
- Pay annually instead of monthly.
- Drive safely and keep your driving record clean.
- Bundle your car insurance with your home insurance to qualify for a discount
- You can qualify for a multi-vehicle discount on your car insurance policy if you insure two or more vehicles from the same residence or household.
- Consider usage-based insurance: Programs that track your driving habits can lead to lower rates for safe drivers.
- Improve your credit score: Many insurers use credit-based insurance scores to determine help premiums.
- Invest in anti-theft devices
- Review your coverage to make sure that you're not paying for insurance you don’t need, especially if you are driving an old vehicle.
- Choose a car with high safety ratings and lower theft rates because these factors can influence the cost of your car insurance.
- Ask about loyalty discounts if you've been with the same insurer for several years
- Take a defensive driving course, which may qualify you for discounts with certain insurers.
Using these “how to save” strategies can potentially offset the expected increase in car insurance premiums for 2025.
What are some affordable cars to insure?
When you are choosing a car with a lower insurance rate, you should consider the vehicle's replacement cost. Car insurers may offer lower rates for vehicles with lower replacement costs.
Some cars that may be more affordable to insure include:
2024 Toyota Corolla: Kelley Blue Book lists the Corolla as a good choice for college students, noting its low cost-to-own and reliability. It may be good for you, too.
What is the Kelley Blue Book? The Kelley Blue Book is a guidebook and website that provides information about the value of new and used vehicles.
2024 Nissan Versa: The Versa is one of the least expensive Nissan models to insure and is generally cheaper than other cars in its class.
The Toyota Prius is a hybrid that has often been ranked as one of the cheapest cars to insure.
Consider a used car. In general, older vehicles are usually cheaper to insure than new vehicles because they are worth less. Compact SUVs with high safety ratings and low MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) also tend to have lower insurance rates.
Switching your car insurance is easy. You can save when you switch your car insurance to Western Financial Group.
