Everyone knows they need auto insurance in Ontario; it’s the law. But there’s no law that says how much you have to pay, and there are a lot of factors you control when shopping for insurance. Just like there are a lot of car dealerships in Windsor, there are plenty of insurance companies to choose from too. Do you research, and keep these factors in mind.

1. Type of vehicle: It’s a fact that premiums are going to be higher for vehicles that are more likely to be damaged or stolen. Conversely, if a vehicle does well in independent safety ratings it can be cheaper to insure than other models that scored low on safety tests.

2.  Complacency: A lot of people simply don’t shop around for coverage, routinely renewing their policies without doing the same kind of price comparisons they did when buying a vehicle.Complacency can cost you a lot of money.An Insurance Shopping Study done in 2013 shows that less than 25 percent of drivers shopped their policies in the past 12 months.

And just like searching “used cars for sale in Windsor” the Internet has made comparison shopping for insurance simpler too.

3.  Coverage limits and deductibles: Obviously the type of coverage you choose, and amount of your deductible weighs heavily into what you’re going to pay. Higher deductibles almost always get you a lower monthly payment. As well, full coverage might not be what you need if your car is old and not worth that much.

4. Location: While few people are going to up and move to save themselves a few hundred dollars a year in auto insurance in Ontario, where you live is a factor in calculating your premium. Densely populated cities with more vehicles generally means a higher risk of accidents, theft and injury. Costs for repairs may be higher in such areas too. Living in a less populated area might reduce insurance costs.

5. Your age and gender: Okay, so you can’t change your age, but age and gender is going to affect costs, as anyone whose ever had to insure both a teenage daughter and teenage son can tell you. Investigating potential insurance premiums can make a difference in your choice of vehicle.

6. Credit score: Research suggests the majority of insurers use credit information as a factor in setting rates. It could be due to the fact studies show people with bad credit tend to file more and higher claims.

7. Marital status: Statistics show married drivers have fewer accidents and get fewer tickets than single drivers. Sure, lower car insurance payments are going to be low on your list of “pros” when considering a proposal, but getting married will likely reduce insurance premiums, as will bundling your car insurance policy with your new spouse.

8. Driving history: If you’re driving record is peppered with tickets for various traffic violations like speeding, or you’ve been involved in several accidents, you’re going to have a bad time shopping for insurance. Driving safely makes sense on several levels, and cheaper insurance is just one of the benefits.