Ontario Winter Tire Insurance Discount, Explained
Winter tires make winter driving safer, and in Ontario they can also save you money. Every auto insurer in the province has to offer a discount to drivers who put winter tires on their vehicle. If you drive in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo or Guelph, here's what that rule says and how to make sure you're getting the discount.
What the rule says
Ontario changed its auto insurance regulation in 2015. Under O. Reg. 222/15, insurers must include a discount for automobiles equipped with winter tires in how they rate private passenger vehicles, for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2016.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), which regulates auto insurance in the province, puts it simply: all insurance companies must offer a discount if you install winter tires on your vehicle, and you should ask your insurer how to qualify.
How much will you save?
That's up to your insurer. The rule says insurers must offer a discount, but it doesn't set the amount. When the province announced the change, it told drivers to contact their insurance company to find out how much of a discount it offers and what documentation it needs to verify that you use winter tires.
So there's no single number that applies to everyone. The only way to know your discount is to ask.
How to get the discount
Call your insurance company, agent or broker and ask whether the winter tire discount is on your policy.
Ask what they need from you. Insurers set their own requirements, including which dates the tires need to be on the vehicle and what proof they accept.
Keep your installation paperwork handy in case they ask for it.
Check again at renewal. FSRA recommends checking with your insurer, agent or broker every year about discounts that may apply to you.
FSRA notes that each company applies discounts differently, so if you're shopping around for a new policy, it's worth asking every insurer how it handles winter tires.
Make sure your tires are real winter tires
The discount is for winter tires, so it pays to know what counts. Ontario tells drivers to look for tires marked with the peaked mountain and snowflake symbol. Our post on the 3-peak mountain snowflake symbol explains what that marking means and how it differs from the M+S marking found on many all-season tires.
Ontario's winter driving advice and its 2015 announcement also remind drivers to:
Install winter tires in sets of four.
Not mix tires with different tread patterns or sizes.
Replace tires that are worn close to their tread-wear indicators. Our guide to winter tire tread depth shows how to check.
Check tire pressure at least once a month.
The province also points out that winter tires in good condition can shorten braking distances by as much as 25 per cent. The insurance discount is a bonus on top of that.
Winter tires at SVS Tires & Wheels
Ready to switch? Browse our winter tires or use the Find Tires by Size search to see options for your vehicle. Watching your budget? Take a look at our new economy tires. We never sell used tires. A dedicated winter wheel and tire package can make each seasonal changeover quicker.
Already have a winter set? Book a seasonal tire swap and ask about tire storage for your summer tires. Every install is balanced with Road Force balancing equipment, and we service TPMS sensors as part of every tire installation.
Visit SVS Tires & Wheels at Units 7-8, 990 Bishop St N, Cambridge, ON N3H 4V7. We're open Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Call 519-267-4200 or book online.
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