How Does Car Insurance Work in Sarnia?
Car insurance is mandatory in Ontario, but it’s important to understand the factors that influence your insurance premium and the types of coverage you should consider.
Below is a breakdown of what’s included in your car insurance package in Sarnia when you get a quote with MyChoice, categorized by mandatory and highly recommended coverages. Together, the mandatory and recommended coverage premiums reflect the average car insurance cost in Sarnia referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $703 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $900 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,603 |
Mandatory Coverages:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Liability | Protects you if you injure someone or damage property while driving, and covers legal costs if you’re sued. | $211 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $479 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $13 |
| Coverage Total: | $703 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Sarnia and will always be included in a standard car insurance quote.
Highly Recommended Coverages:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Compensation: Property Damage | Covers damage to your own vehicle if you’re not at fault in an accident with another insured driver in Ontario. | $394 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $240 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $173 |
| OPCF 20: Loss of Use | Pays for rental or other transportation if your car is out of service after an at-fault accident or comprehensive claim. | $20 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $21 |
| OPCF 44R: Family Protection | Covers you and your family if you’re hit by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver and their coverage isn’t enough. | $16 |
| OPCF 39: Accident Forgiveness | Prevents your insurance premiums from increasing after your first at-fault accident, as long as you stay with the same insurer. | $23 |
| OPCF 43: Waiver of Depreciacion | Ensures you get the full purchase price back—not a depreciated value—if your new vehicle is written off. | $2 |
| Coverage Total: | $900 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Sarnia may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Sarnia
On average, annual car insurance in Sarnia costs $1,603, making it less than Ontario’s provincial average of $1,874/year. Here are the most expensive postal codes for auto insurance in Sarnia:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N7S | $1,647 |
| N7T | $1,638 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Sarnia
There are some areas in Sarnia with rates lower than the city average, like N7W and N7X.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N7X | $1,559 |
| N7W | $1,568 |
How Sarnia Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Drivers in Sarnia typically see some of the most affordable insurance premiums in Southwestern Ontario. Here’s how it compares:
| City | Average Annual Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Sarnia, ON | $1,603 |
| Chatham, ON | $1,913 |
| Windsor, ON | $1,891 |
| London, ON | $1,987 |
| Cambridge, ON | $1,894 |
Car Insurance Cost in Sarnia by Age
Your age influences car insurance rates because it impacts your driving risk. Insurance rates usually start high when you’re young due to inexperience, but will start to lower once you hit adulthood. However, rates will rise again beyond 65 since you’re more likely to get hurt or killed in accidents.
Here’s how your age influences your auto insurance rates:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $4,601 | $915 |
| 21–24 | $2,372 | $472 |
| 25–34 | $1,827 | $363 |
| 35–44 | $1,603 | $319 |
| 45–54 | $1,363 | $271 |
| 55–64 | $1,266 | $252 |
| 65+ | $1,298 | $258 |
Car Insurance Cost in Sarnia by Driving History
Driving history directly affects your car insurance premiums because it’s used to measure accident risk. Insurers charge more for high-risk drivers because they’re more likely to get in car accidents, while the reverse happens to safe drivers because they’re less likely to get in an accident.
According to Ontario laws, driving violations and demerits disappear from your record after two years. However, insurers can check your record as far back as 10 years for their risk assessment.
Here’s how different traffic offences impact your car insurance rates:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,603 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,228 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,683 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,142 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $1,940 |
Car Insurance Cost in Sarnia by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Sarnia. This should give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for car insurance based on the vehicle model you drive.
| Car Model | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Toyota | $1,688 |
| Mazda | $1,495 |
| Hyundai | $1,617 |
| Volkswagen | $1,475 |
| Honda | $1,471 |
| Ford | $1,467 |
| Chevrolet | $1,507 |
| BMW | $1,866 |
| Mercedes | $1,654 |
| Nissan | $1,573 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Sarnia
Auto insurance brokers help your search for insurance by comparing policies and answering questions. We provide this list of insurance brokers in Sarnia, so visit them if you need assistance when looking for insurance:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| BrokerLink | 774 London Rd, Sarnia ON N7T 4Y1, Canada | +15193364620 |
| Cam-Ron Insurance Brokers Ltd | 560 Exmouth St, Sarnia ON N7T 5P5, Canada | +15193373713 |
| McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers | 1315 Michigan Ave, Sarnia ON N7S 4M6, Canada | +15196795440 |
Driving in Sarnia
Sarnia is widely known for its affinity for industrial pursuits. The first commercial oil drill operation in North America happened near Sarnia. Nowadays, the city is known for its chemical refineries in a complex called the Chemical Valley, south of downtown Sarnia.
Despite its prevalence of industry, Sarnia is still a beautiful place to live, thanks to its lakeside location and surrounding agricultural areas.
What’s driving in Sarnia like? Here are some key facts about driving in the city:
- Major highways in Sarnia: 402, I-94, I-69
- Public transit options: Sarnia Transit (bus), Via Rail (train)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: The City of Sarnia, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Canatara Park, Stones N’ Bones Museum, Bayshore Park, Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, Germain Park
- Busy intersections: Errol Road and Indian Road
- Airports: Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Sarnia
Fitting its industrial affinity, most commuters in Sarnia prefer taking cars to work. Public transit isn’t nearly as popular, numbering only 2.1% out of 24,110 commuters. Here’s a closer look at how Sarnia’s commuters travel:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 24,110 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 22,055 | 91.5% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 20,305 | 84.2% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 1,745 | 7.2% |
| Public transit | 510 | 2.1% |
| Walked | 1,000 | 4.1% |
| Bicycle | 185 | 0.8% |
| Other method | 355 | 1.5% |
Commuting Duration in Sarnia
While Sarnia is a border crossing to the United States, it’s surprisingly not as much of a commuting nightmare as you might think. Over half of Sarnia’s commuters spend under 15 minutes getting to work, and a third of them spend 15 to 29 minutes on their commute. That means only around 12% of Sarnia’s commuters spend over half an hour on the road. Here’s a detailed look at commuting times in the city:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 24,110 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 13,385 | 55.5% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 7,975 | 31.1% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 1,665 | 6.9% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 440 | 1.8% |
| 60 minutes and over | 645 | 2.7% |
Driving Conditions in Sarnia
Weather and traffic affect your auto insurance premiums because they can raise or lower your driving risk. Here’s a look at driving conditions in Sarnia:
- Average daily commute time: 30 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 41.08 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 26 mm
- Rainy days per year: 141 days
- Rainiest month in Sarnia: May
- Driest month in Sarnia: February
- Snow days per year: 114 days
- Snowfall months in Sarnia: October – May
Traffic in Sarnia
Sarnia is a small city of just over 72,000 people. However, its location as one of the border crossings to the US makes it a little busier than other small towns.
How is traffic in Sarnia? Here’s an overview:
- Population: 52,662 people live within Sarnia’s city limits.
- City area: Sarnia’s city area spans 164.85 km2.
- Average commute distance: The average Sarnia resident travels x km to their workplace or school.
- Time spent in traffic annually: The average Sarnia resident spends 30 minutes in traffic daily, totalling roughly 183 hours per year.
- Busiest highways: Sarnia’s Blue Water Bridge is part of the NAFTA Superhighway. One of the most important gateways in the three countries’ truck routes, this highway spans Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Sarnia
How much does Sarnia car insurance cost?
The average car insurance cost in Sarnia is $1,603/year.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Sarnia?
You should compare car insurance rates in Sarnia because insurance companies offer different coverage at different prices. Comparing rates ensures you get the most value out of your insurance deals.
Does my Sarnia car insurance work in the US?
Your Sarnia car insurance will likely work in the US because both countries share similar legal systems. However, we recommend checking with your insurer first before travelling.
How can you get cheaper auto insurance in Sarnia?
Compare car insurance rates in Sarnia with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.