3 Tips for Choosing the Best Auto Insurance Coverage

You’re about to get a car. You’re fed up with borrowing your dad’s car and you don’t want to wait for the bus anymore. You’re making money and it's time for you to start driving on your own.

Before you drive that car off the lot or make any huge decisions, you need to search for some car insurance quotes.

This is where things get tricky. It’s easy to fall in love with a car. It’s difficult to choose the best auto insurance coverage. Don’t even think about trying to cut costs here.

As you look for the best coverage for your individual situation, here are three things to keep in mind:

1. Don’t just go for the cheapest option.

You obviously want to save money on your car insurance since you already have enough expenses with your car. I get that it’s tempting to pinch pennies wherever you can. However, you really need to protect yourself. That’s more important in the long run.

When it comes to third-party liability coverage, you legally must carry a minimum of $200,000 in coverage. From there you can increase the coverage that you want, and that you think makes sense for you.

Here’s what the Financial Services Commission of Ontario has to say about getting adequate auto insurance coverage:

“Fines for vehicle owners, lessees and drivers who do not carry valid auto insurance can range from $5,000 to $50,000.”

That’s the law when it comes to Ontario auto insurance. You certainly don’t want to mess with that. They also touch upon deductibles on that page:

“Your deductible is the portion of a loss that you are required to pay. Your deductible can vary, depending on the type of coverage you have and the percentage of fault you are assigned in the event of an accident.”

2. Consider where you live.

Where do you live? What’s your community like? Insurance rates are impacted by your location because the companies base every area on its risk potential. For example, the more cars that are on the road, the higher are the odds of an accident occurring. So please keep this mind when deciding on coverage. If you want the best auto insurance coverage, it’s vital to understand how where you live will impact your rates.

3. Protect yourself as much as you can afford to.

I know that there are always going to be financial limitations. You likely won’t be able to afford the highest form of coverage with your first car. This is why you should try shopping around for the best
auto insurance rates and consider bundling your coverage with rental and/or life insurance to find the best deal possible for your situation.

Driving isn’t cheap and you really want to do your best to cover yourself. The cheapest insurance isn’t always the best option. Instead, focus on the best auto insurance coverage you can get for the money.

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