Ontario Drivers with Winter Tires Eligible for Insurance Discount

Ontario is moving forward with its plan to help lower auto insurance rates by requiring all insurance companies in the province to provide a discount for drivers who buy and install winter tires, starting January 1, 2016.

Winter tires enhance safety and reduce the likelihood of collisions by improving traction, braking and handling in frost, snow, slush and under cold and icy conditions. When buying winter tires, drivers are reminded to:

• Look for tires marked with a logo of a peaked mountain with a snowflake
• Install winter tires in sets of four
• Do not mix tires with different tread patterns or size
• Change tires that are worn close to the tread-wear indicators
• Check the tires’ air pressure at least once a month

Over the last two years, the government has introduced a number of important and necessary reforms to Ontario’s auto insurance system to reduce costs and lower the premiums of Ontario’s more than 9.5 million drivers. In order to continue achieving rate reductions, the government outlined a series of further initiatives in the 2015 Budget, including bringing costs more in line with other provinces and providing Ontario consumers with more choice in purchasing auto insurance to suit their needs.