Module 11/Lesson 2 of 3
Insurance & Registration
Ontario's compulsory auto insurance, vehicle registration, licence plate rules, and protecting yourself from insurance fraud.
Auto Insurance -- It's the Law
In Ontario, auto insurance is mandatory -- in other words, any vehicle registered in the province has to carry coverage.
- To register a vehicle, or to renew an existing registration, you first have to show proof that you are insured
- Insurance across the province is overseen by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA)
Important
Coverage is required for every vehicle registered in Ontario. Without proof of insurance, you cannot register a vehicle or renew its registration.
Vehicle Registration
Registering a vehicle covers both your licence plates and a vehicle permit.
How Ontario's plate-to-owner system works:
- A licence plate stays with the person who owns it, NOT with the vehicle
- Selling a vehicle or switching to a different one means you have to take your plates off
- Plates you do not plan to put on another vehicle can be handed back at a ServiceOntario centre
Tip
Ontario plates stay with the OWNER rather than the vehicle, so take them off any vehicle you sell.
New Residents
If you have just moved to Ontario, you get 30 days to register your vehicles.
Visit a ServiceOntario centre to obtain a permit and Ontario plates, and bring:
- Proof of insurance
- A safety standards certificate
- The vehicle permit (ownership) issued where you previously lived
- Vehicle Import Forms, if the vehicle came from outside Canada
Protecting Yourself from Auto Insurance Fraud
By staying alert, drivers in Ontario can help shut down the fraudsters who exploit the auto insurance system.
When you buy auto insurance:
- Deal only with a licensed insurer, agent, or broker
- Confirm a company or agent's licence on the FSRA website
- Confirm a broker's licence through the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO)
Following a collision:
- Gather every detail you can -- snap photos and record the names, addresses, phone numbers, plate numbers, driver's licence numbers, and insurance details of everyone involved, passengers in other vehicles included
- Treat referrals with caution -- be on guard if a tow truck operator pressures you or offers cash to push you toward one particular health-care provider, paralegal, lawyer, or body shop. For towing advice, call your own insurer
- Do not sign blank forms before you have received any service or treatment connected to the collision
- Insist on itemized repair and medical invoices for everything tied to the collision, and go over them closely
Key takeaways
- Auto insurance is mandatory in Ontario -- every registered vehicle has to be covered
- Proof of insurance is required to register a vehicle or renew that registration
- Ontario plates stay with the owner rather than the vehicle -- take them off any vehicle you sell
- After moving to Ontario, you have 30 days to register your vehicles
- Registration requires a safety standards certificate, proof of insurance, and your previous vehicle permit
- Stick to licensed insurers, agents, or brokers -- verify them through FSRA or RIBO
- Following a collision, gather details, take photos, and be wary of unsolicited referrals
- Never put your signature on blank forms connected to a collision