Car Insurance Hamilton

How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Hamilton Car Insurance Premiums?

When they need to determine premiums for car insurance, Hamilton insurance companies consider a wide range of factors to assess your risk exposures and the statistical probability that you'll need to file a claim on your car insurance in the future. Those factors include:

• Driver's age
• Driving history
• How often and how far you drive
• Previous car insurance
• Type of car you drive
• Who else will be driving the car and their driving record
• Your insurance claims history
• Age of your vehicle
• And more

Our brokers can get you car insurance quickly. We will get details about you and your car, and get to work on several insurance quotes for you to choose from.

As with any kind of insurance, it is important to know what coverages, limitations and exclusions are in the policy you choose. Do you have enough legal liability insurance? Is the deductible right for you? Our insurance brokers are trained and provincially licenced professionals who know car insurance in Hamilton and all of Ontario. We will provide you with advice and choice when it comes to selecting car insurance.

How Do I Choose Auto Insurance in Hamilton?

With the support of our qualified brokers, it's easy to choose car insurance. Hamilton professionals at Morison Insurance are committed to make getting insurance simple and stress-free, and that means we will do your car insurance shopping for you.  

You will get quick, personalized quotes to allow you to compare prices and coverages with confidence. We will also do everything we can to maximize your savings on car insurance. Hamilton customers at Morison Insurance will receive our award-winning service throughout the policy term. If you need to change your insurance—maybe you sell your car and get a new one or you want to add a new or additional driver to the policy—we provide personal, quick and professional service.

Can I Get Same-Day Car Insurance in Hamilton?

Absolutely. Our team can arrange same-day car insurance. Hamilton drivers need only contact our brokers online, by phone or in person by visiting our office, and we work on your quote immediately.

If you are buying a new vehicle, we can get your new car insured quickly. The car dealership will require proof of insurance before you take possession of the car. We know life is busy and we know your time is important. Count on us to get you Hamilton car insurance quickly and with ease.

How Do I Get The Best Rates For Car Insurance In Hamilton?

Working with an insurance broker who will shop for you at several insurance companies will help you to get the best rates for car insurance. Hamilton brokers at Morison Insurance shop at companies across Canada to get several quotes for you. As brokers we represent many different insurance companies. We do not work for these companies so we do not promote any one insurance company. We are independent. We work for our customers and our goal is to get drivers the best insurance value.

When you work with an insurance broker you receive advice from licenced insurance professionals, you can choose among several companies with different prices and coverages to get the insurance that is right for you, and you will receive assistance in the event of a claim. When getting car insurance in Hamilton, it’s best to work with an insurance broker.

Are There Discounts For Car Insurance?

Yes, there are numerous discounts available for car insurance. Hamilton drivers generally find these are well worth looking into, as discounts can be limited or substantial and, if you qualify for several, these savings can add up. Here is a list of popular discounts::

• Multi-policy discounts: Many insurance companies will provide a discount if they insure multiple policies such as insuring both your vehicle and your home. We would be pleased to provide quotes for both your home insurance and your car insurance in Hamilton. The multi-policy discount also applies to other policies beyond your home and car, such as insuring your car and your business.
• Multi-automobile policy discounts: Much like the discounts noted above, you may save money by having more than one automobile policy with the same insurance company.
• Claims-free discounts: If you have had no accidents and a clean driving record, you will likely get a discount. Further, if you had an accident but have had a clean record for about 6+ years, you can often qualify for a discount.
• Make and model Discounts: If you drive a car that is safer and/or less likely to be stolen, discounts are available.
• Completing driving school: If you have completed an accredited driving course, you may receive a discount.
• Winter tire discounts: There are discounts for having winter tires on your car because these increase safety in winter driving conditions.
• Electric and hybrid cars:  Not only are these cars good for the environment, but they are good on the your pocketbook as there are discounts available.
• Increasing your deductible: If you choose to have a higher deductible, this can lower your insurance premium. Essentially, by increasing the deductible you are agreeing to pay more in the case of an accident, however, if you don’t have a claim, you can reduce your premium.
• Loyalty does matter: Often insurance companies will offer reduced rates to customers who have been with them for a specified number of years.
• Age:  Experience makes a difference in insurance rates. Older drivers generally pay less than younger drivers. Be sure you provide your broker with the correct license date of your G1, G2, and G as the discount is different per company.
• Short commute discounts: If your drive to work is short, you may qualify for this discount.
• Retiree savings:  When you retire and if you meet some conditions, you may receive a discount. The retiree discount can range from 5 to 15 percent off your premium for Accident Benefits coverage, notes the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.
• Mature-driver discounts: Some companies offer discounts to those who are over 50 and have a clean driving record.
• CAA discount:  A membership in CAA can result in a discount when insured with CAA.
• Changes to your insurance: Please let us know if your insurance needs change during the term of your car insurance policy. Some changes may lower your insurance premium.
• Costs of repairs to your vehicle:  It’s a fact that some cars are more costly to repair than others. If you have a premium car that requires specific parts and service this will impact your premium.  If on the other hand, your car is among those that are less costly to repair, this can result in savings on your insurance premium.
• Being married may have an impact: Generally if you are married you may have a saving in your insurance premium.
• Good student and student away at school discounts: Both of these can result in savings. This includes students with good grades (80% or more) or those who are away while attending school (160 km away).
• Low-mileage discount:  If you meet certain criteria for distance you drive (usually less than 6,000 km per year), you may qualify for a discount.

It is important to know that discounts and the criteria to qualify for discounts vary substantially among companies. Our brokers want to maximize your savings and will work with you to get you all the discounts you qualify for.

Consider if there are things you can change that would help to increase your savings. If you are a younger driver, taking a defensive driving course can help to lower your car insurance in Hamilton. If you arrange to have multiple policies at the same insurance company, this can help to lower your insurance premium.

When you call us for a quote, we will provide multiple insurance prices for you. This can result in savings as prices vary. Contact us online, by phone or at our Hamilton office and our team will get this started for you.

Why Don't My Car Insurance Premiums Go Down as My Vehicle Ages?

Cars depreciate in value as they're used over the years, so it may seem like it would make sense for your Hamilton car insurance rates to go down as your car gets older and therefore less valuable. There are several reasons why this doesn't happen, and they have to do with the factors that are considered to determine the cost of an indvidual's car insurance premiums. Two major factors in determining premiums are the cost of replacement parts and the cost of hiring a mechanic to repair a damaged vehicle. Generally speaking, the value of parts and the cost of repairs don't get any lower as a vehicle ages—in fact, they may get more expensive as time goes on. While the replacement value of your vehicle goes down, the cost of repairing or replacing parts does not and that's a big part of the reason why your premiums don't decrease as your vehicle gets older.  

Who Offers The Best Car Insurance In Hamilton?

If you are looking for insurance value and a competitive rate on your car insurance, Hamilton brokers at Morison Insurance are here to help.

It’s important to get the insurance you need, know the coverages, limitations and exclusions on any insurance policy you purchase. When looking for car insurance in Hamilton, be sure to work with an insurance broker to ensure you are getting good value for your insurance, you are working with an insurance professional and you are getting personalized service.

Can I Cancel My Hamilton Car Insurance at Any Time?

If it's necessary to cancel car insurance, Hamilton policyholders can technically do so at any time. However, if you choose to cancel before your policy is up for renewal, you will have to pay a cancellation fee. As a result, our brokers highly recommend that you wait until the renewal period to get the cancellation taken care of so you can avoid paying fees for early cancellation.

Can I Get Car Insurance for a Classic or Collectible Vehicle?

It's certainly possible to insure a classic or high-value car, but you'll likely need a policy that is a bit different from your standard car insurance. Hamilton classic car owners are best served by speaking to our brokers about classic car insurance, which provides financial protection that is especially designed for classic, high-value or otherwise unique vehicles. Don't let your pride and joy go without adequate coverage, whether you're driving it on a regular basis or just love to tinker on it in the garage on the weekends.

Is It Best to Bundle Car Insurance With Other Policies?

In most cases, yes, it is preferrable to choose to bundle your car insurance with other policies such as your home insurance, boat insurance and recreational vehicle insurance. When bundling car insurance, Hamilton drivers can typically expect to pay a lower rate thanks to a multi-policy discount, and that's big reason why so many policyholders choose to bundle. But there are other advantages as well. Bundling can simplify the insurance process in general, because your renewal dates will all occur at the same time so you can review and renew all your policies all at once without having to worry about it multiple times throughout the year. If you're interested in bundling other policies together with your car insurance, Hamilton brokers on our team are ready and willing to help you find the best options for bundling that suit your particular insurance needs.

Can I Get Car Insurance for a Few Weeks or Months?

Unfortunately, no. Some people only intend to drive a vehicle for a short span of time, or they only drive during certain parts of the year, like in the summer. In those cases, it makes sense to wonder if it's possible to adjust the length of your car insurance term, but that's not an option. When it comes to car insurance, Hamilton insurance companies will not offer a term that is less than one year in length. As we mentioned above, it is possible to cancel your policy before your renewal period, but as you will have to pay a cancellation fee, it typically makes more sense to wait for the annual renewal before cancelling so you can avoid the fee.

Can Another Person Drive My Insured Vehicle?

In Ontario, car insurance companies do permit insured vehicles to be driven by other people as long as they meet certain standards:

• The driver must have your permission to use the vehicle.
• The driver must have a valid driver's license.
• The vehicle must not be used for illegal purposes, such as stunt driving.

It's important to note that if the person driving your car gets into an accident, whether they're at fault or not, it will affect your car insurance premiums. If you choose to share or lend your vehicle, it's very important to make sure the person you're lending it to is a safe, responsible driver. It's also critical to understand that this does not apply to situations in which you rent your vehicle to someone in exchange for money, and your car insurance will not cover you in that type of scenario. 

Where Can I Compare Rates for Car Insurance in Hamilton?

Our brokers will do this for you. We take the hassle out of shopping by comparing rates for car insurance. Hamilton brokers at Morison Insurance are trained and licenced to provide advice on different coverages and options for additional coverages to make sure you are properly insured. Price is important, but the proper coverages are vital in the event of an accident.

Why Is Hamilton Car Insurance So Expensive?

The cost of car insurance in Hamilton is subject to the same factors impacting insurance costs across Ontario. Some factors driving up auto rates are fraud and claims settlement costs.

It was estimated that the cost of fraud ranged from $768 million to $1.56 billion dollars in 2010 in Ontario. The impact was between $116 to $236 per average premium in Ontario.

As for claims, Kim Donaldson, Ontario vice president of the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), stated in a blog that according to the province’s auto advisor David Marshall “claims for simple minor sprains and strains often take more than a year to make their way through the system. And these types of minor injuries account for 80 per cent of all auto insurance claims. Marshall also found that about one-third of the cost of benefits for claims for minor sprains and strains is paid out in lawyers' fees and to experts providing competing opinions, among other costs. This money never reaches the injured parties,” notes Donaldson.

“It's time to get serious about reducing the costs of fraud and of settling claims that are driving up Ontario's auto premiums,” writes Donaldson.

Auto theft is also a costly problem across Canada. Each year the Insurance Bureau of Canada produces a list of the top 10 stolen vehicles in Canada. According to the IBC, “automobile theft costs Canadians close to $1 billion, including $542 million for insurers to fix or replace stolen vehicles, $250 million in police, health care and court system costs and millions more for correctional services. Check out a list of the top stolen vehicles according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

There are numerous tips in this article on ways to lower your car insurance premium. Our brokers will work with you to get you the best value for your car insurance in Hamilton. 

Where Can I Find Reviews On Hamilton Car Insurance?

When shopping around for car insurance, Hamilton drivers have plenty of options to choose from—but it's not always so easy to determine which insurance brokers can deliver on their promise to work tirelessly on your behalf and get you the best possible insurance coverage. One of the best ways to do that is to take a look at what local people have to say about their experiences with local insurance brokers. You can find reviews on car insurance in Hamilton on Google, Facebook and Yellow Pages.

How Do I Get a Quote For Car Insurance, Hamilton and Area?

Contact Morison Insurance by filling out the form on our website. You can also call us at 1-800-463-8074. Once you connect with us, our brokers will get quotes started for you car insurance in Hamilton. 

 If you're looking for affordable car insurance rates in Hamilton, we'll provide you a competitive car insurance quote within minutes. Contact us whenever you're ready to get started.