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How Much Does Snowmobile Insurance Cost In Ontario And Is It Required?

Ontario is a winter playground offering plenty of winter activities that many people partake in like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. While snowshoeing and cross-country skiing don't require liability or collision insurance, your snowmobile certainly does. The reason for this is simple: snowmobiles are powerful vehicles that can pose a high level of risk to those that use them. Before you hit the trails, find out how insuring your snowmobile can help protect you from the medical and legal expenses should you injure yourself or others while riding your snowmobile in Ontario.  

Is Snowmobile InsuranceRequired In Ontario?

When done safely, snowmobiling can be fun as you zoom along the abundant trials that Onario has to offer. Unfortunately, just in 2020/21 alone, 11 people died in snowmobile accidents in the province. Snowmobiling can be a dangerous and deadly winter activity even when done properly, and this is the reason why snowmobile insurance is mandatory in Ontario.

What Type Of Snowmobile Insurance Is Required In Ontario?

Ontario's law requires that you have the following minimum insurance coverage for your snowmobile:

Third Party Liability Coverage

  • Minimum $200,000 to protect you or others if injured or killed, or if someone’s property is damaged. Third party liability coverage also pays the cost of settling a claim and pays claims up to the limit of your coverage. 

Statutory Accident Benefits Coverage

  • This coverage is intended to provide supplementary benefits for medical, rehabilitation, attendant care, caregiver, non-earner, income replacement and death benefits if you are killed or injured while riding a snowmobile, regardless of who caused the accident. 

Direct Compensation– Property Damage (DCPD) Coverage

  • This coverage is intended to pay for damages done to your snowmobile and its contents if another driver is found to be at-fault for an accident that occurs in Ontario and that driver is insured by an insurance company based in Ontario. 

Uninsured Automobile Coverage

  • This coverage is designed to provide financial compensation for you and your family in the case that you are injured or killed by an uninsured motorist or by an unidentified driver. Additionally, you will be covered for up to $25,000 for damages to your snowmobile caused by an identified and uninsured driver.

Snowmobile Driver Requirement In Ontario

In Ontario, the Ministry of Transportation stipulates that any driver of a snowmobile has to meet the following requirements: 

  • Be at least 12 years of age. 

  • Have a valid driver’s license or a Motorized Snow Vehicle Operator’s Licence (MSVOL).

  • Have the snowmobile registered with the Ministry of Transportation.

  • Have proper insurance coverage. 

Remember to carry your driver’s license, MSVOL license, or any other license that you have from another jurisdiction whenever you are operating your snowmobile. If you fail to produce these documents to a police or conservation officer, along with your snowmobile registration permit and insurance documents, you can be fined up to $1000. 

How Much Does Snowmobile Cost In Ontario?

Similar to car insurance, snowmobile insurance costs can vary based on the following factors:

  • Your age. 

  • The type of snowmobile you own.

  • The purchase price of your snowmobile. 

  • What training you have acquired. 

  • Your driving record.

With the above factors in mind, according to the Ontario Federation Of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the average Ontarian paid around $565 for their snowmobile insurance in 2019. 

Bear in mind that the above figure is just an estimated average, so if you would like to know the exact amount that you would have to pay to insure your snowmobile, contact your insurance broker. 

At Affiliated Insurance Management we go to great lengths to find insurance policies that will provide the best protection for your home, car, business, and any other unique insurance needs, including snowmobile insurance, at very competitive rates. Click here for a quote.