Driving in Barrie, Ontario - Interesting Things to Know     

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• Barrie, once know as the Ice Capital of Canada, is a scenic town that lies on the edge of Lake Simcoe on Kempenfelt Bay.

• Barrie was a major military base during the War of 1812 and was subsequently named after Sir Robert Barrie, who was was in charge of the naval forces in Canada and often commanded forces through the city. 

• Because of its relatively near location to Toronto, Barrie has seen rapid growth recently as it has emerged as a bedroom community.

• With a population of around 153,000, its beautiful waterfront, quaint shops and boutiques, and excellent restaurants attract many tourists over the summer months.

• Throughout the winter, Barrie is the home of many well known ski resorts that are the perfect place for adrenaline junkies.

•  Meridian Place is an outdoor amphitheater in the heart of Barrie which hosts over 325,000 people a year to various live music and public art events.

• Its location right beside Memorial Square offers a space that honors our heroes and provides a place for the community of Barrie to enjoy throughout the year.

•  Horseshoe Resort is a popular ski resort in Barrie, whose hills will give an exhilarating ride to any adventurous skier. Horseshoe resort also offers lake and beach access, a slack line course and mini golf. 

Frequently asked auto insurance questions from Barrie drivers: 

Is car insurance mandatory in Barrie Ontario?

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Car insurance is a mandatory coverage in Barrie, Ontario. The provincial government has established a standard Auto Insurance Policy that all companies must offer. It was designed to give you and your loved ones basic protection for your vehicle insurance, but there are still a lot of options you can add to that basic protection. If you don’t have mandatory auto insurance, you can be fined or may lose your license, and your vehicle can be impounded.

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Where do I find the cheapest auto insurance in Barrie?

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Every Barrie Insurance company has various classes or types of vehicles that may be cheaper than other Barrie insurance companies but there is no one company that provides the cheapest auto insurance rates overall. Tradition Mutual Insurance Company aims to balance competitive auto insurance rates with excellent service and auto coverage.

Take a few minutes to get a quote to see if Tradition Mutual Insurance will be your cheapest and best auto insurance option. Get a quote now

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Which auto insurance is best for me as a driver in Barrie?

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One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to car insurance. When you call 519-393-3246, Kyle Wijnands will ask you all the questions that need to be asked to ensure you are offered the coverage the suits your unique needs.

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Which Ontario auto insurance company has the best reviews?

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There are many great Ontario insurance companies but we think that Tradition Mutual Insurance stands out for many reasons. We have great client retention rates, reviews and have donated millions of dollars back into Ontario to support the community. These are just a few reasons. Kyle Wijnands at Tradition Mutual Insurance Company has gathered many 5 star reviews from clients over the years but don’t take our word for it. Check them out yourself!

Why is car Insurance so expensive in Barrie?

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Ontario is a province that many are immigrating to because of the diverse communities and economic opportunities. There is one thing that Ontario has that many which it didn’t is some of the highest auto insurance rates in the world. Many ask why this is. It was determined in 2017 by the Special Advisor to the Ministry of Finance that car insurance rates were an average of $1,558 for Ontario drivers. To put this in perspective, this is 55% higher than the average cost of auto insurance rates in other provinces and territories in Canada. Actuarial statistics show us that because Ontario is more densely populated than the other provinces and that leads to higher chances of claims. In 2017, the Ontario Minister of Finance also revealed that auto insurance fraud was higher than any other part of Canada with a whopping $1.6 billion dollars in auto insurance fraud that funnels through the province every year. Unfortunately, insurance fraud is one of the primary reasons why Ontario auto insurance is so expensive.

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How are auto insurance premiums calculated in Barrie Ontario?

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An auto insurance policy in Ontario has a variety of moving parts that are factored into the rate. The following are the various factors that car insurance rates are based upon.

• Age

• Gender

• How long you have been licensed

• How long you have been insured

• In what country you have been insured

• Your past accidents in the last 6 years (including partially at fault accidents)

• Your past convictions in the last 3 years

• Your insurance payment history such as past cancellations by an insure company due to non-payment

• Having driver’s training

• Your location- A densely populated area is prone to higher rates.

• Use of vehicle such as commuting, business or just for simple pleasure use. For example someone who commutes 60 km to work will pay more for insurance then someone who only commutes 3 km.

• Vehicle year and type – Certain vehicles have better safety ratings or higher accident statistics which will get you cheaper rates.

• Chosen deductible- The higher the deductible the cheaper the rates.

• The Chosen coverage- The chosen liability limits, accident benefits coverage and chosen optional auto insurance coverages all affect the rates of an auto insurance policy.  

• The insurance company- each auto insurance provider has different risk appetites compared to their competitor. One company may have a better loss experience with a certain age demographic over a certain period of time and therefore offer cheaper auto insurance rates.

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Are auto insurance quotes free in Barrie?

Yes, auto insurance quotes are free in Barrie and anywhere else in Ontario. An auto insurance broker or agent gathers your risk details and then provides an estimate of how much your particular policy will cost you. After you decide to proceed with coverage is when you begin to be charged for your car insurance coverage.