How Does Car Insurance Work in Sault Ste. Marie?
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 Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $762 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $985 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,747 |
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. | $230 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $522 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $14 |
| Coverage Total: | $762 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Sault Ste. Marie 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. | $429 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $262 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $188 |
| 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. | $22 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $23 |
| 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. | $17 |
| 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. | $25 |
| 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: | $985 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Sault Ste. Marie may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Sault Ste. Marie
With an annual average of $1,743, Sault Ste. Marie’s insurance rate is roughly $100 lower than Ontario’s provincial average of $1,874. In some areas of the city like the P6A and P6B postal codes, there are higher auto insurance premiums than the city average.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| P6A | $1,766 |
| P6B | $1,754 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Sault Ste. Marie
Meanwhile, the postal code P6C has lower-than-average car insurance rates.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| P6C | $1,720 |
How Sault Ste. Marie Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Sault Ste. Marie’s auto insurance rates are generally lower than Southern Ontario but higher than some other Northern cities. Here’s how they compare:
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Sault Ste. Marie, ON | $1,747 |
| Sudbury, ON | $1,698 |
| Timmins, ON | $1,607 |
| North Bay, ON | $1,672 |
| Thunder Bay, ON | $1,926 |
| Barrie, ON | $1,915 |
Car Insurance Cost in Sault Ste. Marie by Age
Age is a major driving factor in whether you can expect higher insurance premiums. Generally, the idea is that older drivers have more experience and are thus more likely to be responsible and capable of avoiding accidents.
Drivers under the age of 25 can expect higher insurance premiums, while those in their 50s and 60s can expect the lowest insurance rates. However, once you reach a certain age, your premium rates start to rise again – usually when you reach the age of 65 or become a senior citizen.
Based on studies, 75-year-old male drivers pay 21% more for auto insurance than 55-year-old male drivers. This is because as people get older, they go through physical changes that can affect their driving ability, such as changes in vision, attention, fitness, and reaction time.
Take a look at how much car insurance costs can vary by age in Sault Ste. Marie:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $5,014 | $997 |
| 21–24 | $2,586 | $514 |
| 25–34 | $1,992 | $396 |
| 35–44 | $1,747 | $347 |
| 45–54 | $1,485 | $295 |
| 55–64 | $1,380 | $275 |
| 65+ | $1,415 | $281 |
Car Insurance Cost in Sault Ste. Marie by Driving History
Take a look below at how car insurance quotes vary by violation in Sault Ste. Marie:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,747 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,428 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,834 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,424 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,114 |
All estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old female driving a 2018 Honda Civic four-door.
Your driving record plays a major role in determining the cost of your insurance premiums. Insurance companies will usually request the following:
- Demerit point total
- Any convictions, suspensions, and reinstatements under the Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code of Canada
- Records of collisions
- Any driver’s license replacements/renewals
A clean driving record will help you get lower premiums, while a record laden with violations will get you tagged as a high-risk driver and cause insurance companies to charge you more.
In Ontario, driving violations remain on your record for two years, but they can affect your premium rates for far longer.
Car Insurance Cost in Sault Ste. Marie by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Sault Ste. Marie. 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 | $1,839 |
| Mazda | $1,629 |
| Ford | $1,599 |
| Hyundai | $1,762 |
| Chevrolet | $1,642 |
| BMW | $2,033 |
| Audi | $2,172 |
| Volkswagen | $1,607 |
| Nissan | $1,770 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Sault Ste. Marie
Car insurance brokers help you choose the right auto insurance policy by answering your questions and comparing policy offers.
Here are several brokers in Sault Ste. Marie that you can contact for extra assistance when seeking car insurance:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| All Risks Insurance Brokers Limited | 111 Great Northern Rd Suite A, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Y9, Canada | +17055754400 |
| Northern Insurance Brokers | 855 Queen St E #200, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2B3, Canada | +17059496555 |
| Ensurco Insurance Group | 116 March St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2Z3, Canada | +17059498424 |
| Dawson & Keenan Insurance Ltd. | 432 Great Northern Rd #201, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Z7, Canada | +17059493740 |
Driving in Sault Ste. Marie
Planning to move to or visit Sault Ste. Marie? It helps to know more about driving in the area. Here are some key facts about driving in Sault Ste. Marie you should know:
- Major highways in Sault Ste. Marie: 17
- Public transit options: Sault Transit Services (bus)
- Ridesharing services: EZ Ride, Uber
- Parking space providers: The City of Sault Ste. Marie, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Sault Ste. Marie Boardwalk, Bellevue Park, Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site
- Busy intersections: Great Northern Load and Second Line
- Airports: Sault Ste. Marie Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Sault Ste. Marie
Knowing more about the commuting statistics in a city or town helps you get to work on time. Here’s a detailed look at the commuter data in Sault Ste. Marie:
- Average commute distance: The average Sault Ste. Marie resident travels x km to their workplace or school.
- Commute duration: Nearly two-thirds (65.5%) of Sault Ste. Marie households only spend 15 minutes getting to work, which shows that traffic is relatively sparse there. In fact, only 6.7% of the city’s households spend over half an hour on their commutes.
- Main mode of commuting: 90.7% of the city’s households use personal vehicles to get around. The second-most popular mode of commuting in the city is walking, with a 4.1% share of households.
Driving Conditions in Sault Ste. Marie
Various weather and driving conditions like snow and rain can affect your auto insurance premiums. Here’s an overview of driving conditions in Sault Ste. Marie:
- Average annual rainfall: 83 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 103 mm
- Rainy days per year: 109
- Rainiest month in Sault Ste. Marie: October
- Driest months in Sault Ste. Marie: February
- Snow days per year: 109
- Snowfall months in Sault Ste. Marie: October-May
Traffic in Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is one of Ontario’s premier adventure tourism destinations due to having some of the province’s best skiing and snowboarding places. It’s also well-known as an essential port of entry to the United States.
Here’s a quick look at the key traffic statistics in Sault Ste. Marie:
- Population: 72,051 people live within Sault Ste. Marie’s city limits.
- City area: Sault Ste. Marie’s city area spans 223.24 km2.
- Busiest highways: Highway 17, a segment of the Trans-Canada Highway, connects Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay and Sudbury.
Sault Ste. Marie Car Insurance FAQs
How much does Sault Ste. Marie car insurance cost?
Sault Ste. Marie car insurance costs $1,743/year.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Sault Ste. Marie?
You should compare car insurance rates in Sault Ste. Marie because different insurers provide different coverage at different prices. Comparing rates help you choose which policy has the best value.
What information do you need for an auto insurance quote in Sault Ste. Marie?
You need to provide basic personal details and vehicle information like production year, make, and model to get a basic auto insurance quote. You can get more accurate quotes by disclosing extra information, like your driving record and past traffic violations.
How can you get cheaper car insurance in Sault Ste. Marie?
Compare car insurance rates in Sault Ste. Marie with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.