Markham is Toronto’s largest northeast suburb and the 16th largest city in Canada. Not bad for a community that didn’t declare itself a city until 2012. Even then, with a population of over 300,000, there was still controversy. Having been a town so long, many residents doubt the value of becoming a city.
Since Markham grew largely due to the encroachment of Toronto from the south and west, it’s not a typical city in many regards. A town of under 60,000 people in 1976, its explosive growth was as a bedroom community for the Big Smoke. Rather than having a downtown area built around a historical settlement, Downtown Markham is a planned central business district currently under development. Fully 72 of the planned 243 acres of development a lot as green space. Adjacent to the Unionville GO station, the urban hub features easy access to public transit. Over 13,000 people will work in the area, while as many as 10,000 will live there.
Though Markham has drifted from suburb to tech center, the population remains automobile-friendly. Markham doesn’t fully escape the car insurance crunch that big city living creates, though it does better than some suburbs to the west. A centrally located male driver, 35 years of age and driving an 8-year-old sedan with a clean driving record still pays over $1,400 annually for auto insurance, as of 2016. This is $400 more than drivers in Kingston, for example, though still less than the same policy would cost in Brampton or Vaughan.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Markham
The average cost of car insurance in Markham is $1,693.
Quote Date | Average Auto Insurance Cost in Markham* |
01-Jan-16 | $1,446 |
01-Jul-16 | $1,434 |
19-Mar-17 | $1,551 |
01-Aug-17 | $1,592 |
01-Jul-18 | $1,421 |
19-Mar-19 | $1,535 |
01-Aug-20 | $1,693 |
*Methodology: We used a sample profile for a male driver aged 30 years with his own vehicle having mandatory coverage. He drives a Honda Civic 2012 car with an average mileage of 5000 – 8000 km per year to commute to work. He has a clean driving record history of 5 years with no accidents or collisions.
We surveyed the car insurance prices in the city of Markham for the purpose of illustrating the range in quotes based on driving record, location, and other criteria. To get a customized quote, enter your postal code above.
Affordable Car Insurance in Markham
Though Ontario’s car insurance market is based on competition, the industry as a whole experiences heavy regulation. Between these two points, there is an opportunity for many drivers to uncover savings for their own car insurance policies. Every insurer uses a unique method to weigh the variables that affect auto insurance pricing. No two companies generate exactly the same cost for policies of similar coverage.
Every vehicle on Ontario’s roads must have a minimum level of coverage, defined by the government. No insurer can sell less than this amount. One problem with mandatory insurance levels is that, in some cases, coverage may not be adequate to pay all costs resulting from an accident. In particular, accident benefits and third-party liability coverage could be insufficient.
Changes to Statutory Insurance Coverage
Statutory accident benefits decreased in June 2016 as part of the Ontario government’s efforts to relieve high insurance costs for consumers. The changes to accident benefits redistributed amounts that insurance companies have to pay and, in some cases, cut in half a dollar amount that an accident victim could receive. Third-party liability coverage of $200,000 — the mandatory minimum — may not cover settlements against an at fault driver after a serious collision.
Between these two provisions, many insurance professionals recommend that motorists purchase additional coverage. For most drivers, this is a good idea, but it’s one that drives the cost of insurance up. It does remove the chance for serious out-of-pocket expenses landing on the driver.
Car Insurance Options and Discounts
Options abound in the car insurance market. The most common additions are collision and comprehensive insurance. These options extend insurance protection to repair or replace your vehicle. In some cases, basic insurance may pay for some repairs if you’re not at fault, but for protection in most cases, you need these options. These might also be a condition of financing if you borrowed money to buy your car.
You can also customize your policy with options that affect your personal insurance needs. Those who travel and rent cars frequently can select non-owned vehicle coverage, to extend their personal insurance to rentals, avoiding the need for expensive damage waivers offered by rental agencies.
Discounts and packages offer ways to reduce the overall cost of auto insurance. Many insurers offer a range of discounts for which a motorist can qualify. Ask about discounts that apply to you. Most insurers won’t add these automatically, even if they are aware you qualify.
Similarly, many insurers bundle popular options together in packages that cost less than the individual price of each option when combined. You may even add features you didn’t expect at no net cost.
Driving in Markham
- High-volume traffic in Markham is dominated by the north-south Highway 404 and the east-west 407ETR.
- Highway 7 is largely a 6 lane, east-west route that parallels the toll-based 407. It’s divided through parts of Markham and western sections include bus rapid transit lanes. However, streets intersecting with Highway 7 do so at level crossings. East of McCowan Road, Highway 7 reduces to 4 lanes with central turning lanes.
- Highway 7 unofficially retains that name, though it is no longer officially a provincial highway as it passes through Markham.
- Many people consider the 404 to be Don Valley Parkway North, though the north-south route changes names at Highway 401. Though the width of the 401 requires complex routing at the 404/Don Valley interchange, cars heading in and out of Markham have direct routes over the 401 itself.
List of Driving Schools in Markham Ontario
Name | Address | Phone |
---|---|---|
Tomorrow’s Drivers | 203-3000 Hwy 7, Markham, ON L3R 6E1 | 289-807-0007 |
Dean’s Defensive Driving School | 1005-3601 Highway 7, Markham, ON L3R 0M3 | 416-716-1741 |
Kingsway Driving School | 3636 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 1K9 | 905-948-0883 |
AAA All-Star Driving Scl | 5990 16th Ave, Markham, ON L3P 7R2 | 289-859-7527 |
Road Information for Markham
- The Ministry of Transportation for Ontario offers road information for Markham and York Region on its 511 Traveller’s Road Information pages.
- The City of Markham lists public infrastructure projects including road repairs and improvements on its website.
- York Region also provides transportation and traffic information for the area.
- The Weather Network provides weather forecasts for Markham and the surrounding area.
- The nearest DriveTest center serving Markham is at 320 Harry Walker Parkway South in Newmarket.
Driving Facts for Markham
- Since Highway 7 was downloaded from the provincial to the municipal governments, the name of the road is a hot issue. Some feel that, with frequent stoplights and level crossings, a more “city street” type name would help visitors avoid expectations for a fast route through Markham. The city proposed “Avenue 7” to maintain the historic association with Highway 7. However, 14th Avenue runs south of the 407 and 16th Avenue runs north, so there’s a strong logical case for “15th Avenue” as a new name.
- York Region maintains a number of “county” roads through Markham. These are numbered roads, usually four lanes, and handle high volumes of traffic in both north-south and east-west directions.
- The 407ETR has 12 exits either in or shared with Markham. This is the highest number of service exits into a single community along the 407ETR’s length.
- Though Steeles Avenue runs through Markham from Yonge Street to York-Durham Line, the City of Toronto handles snow removal, maintenance, and policing. Steeles represents the boundary between Markham and Toronto on the south side.
List of Markham Auto Insurance Brokers and Companies
Name | Address | Phone |
---|---|---|
Desjardins | 303-3000 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 4T9 | 905-470-7788 |
Insureit Group Inc | 800 Denison St, Markham, ON L3R 5M9 | 416-266-7706 |
Wyse Financial Solutions Inc | 1 Valleywood Dr, Markham, ON L3R 5L9 | 905-604-5574 |
Raymond Pitch | 7100 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 5J2 | 905-752-2626 |
Lorne S Marr Insurance Service | 2900 John St, Markham, ON L3R 5G3 | 905-248-4849 |
Rai Grant Insurance Brokers | 140 Renfrew Dr, Markham, ON L3R 6B3 | 905-475-5800 |
State Farm Insurance | 1-115 Apple Creek Blvd, Markham, ON L3R 6C9 | 905-513-5475 |
Ledoux Lew & Patterson Insce Brokers Ltd | 7030 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 6G2 | 905-944-0808 |
State Farm Insurance | 328-675 Cochrane Dr, Markham, ON L3R 0B8 | 905-415-8188 |
Dermody Insurance Brokers | 7750 Birchmount Rd, Markham, ON L3R 0B4 | 905-479-1100 |
CCUE Finance Consulting Inc | 130-50 Acadia Ave, Markham, ON L3R 0B3 | 905-305-3108 |
Spring Capital Management Group | 3950 14th Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 0A9 | 905-477-3377 |
Condo Insurance Solutions Inc | 80 Tiverton Crt, Markham, ON L3R 0G4 | 905-307-4190 |
New World Insurance | 212-3621 Highway 7, Markham, ON L3R 0G6 | 905-513-1818 |
Hillcoff Langford Insurance Brokers | 302 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON L3R 0E8 | 905-477-9977 |
Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc | 600 Alden Rd, Markham, ON L3R 0E7 | 905-969-3400 |
Roman & Associates | 200-2800 14th Ave, Markham, ON L3R 0E4 | 905-479-9880 |
New World Insurance | 7077 Kennedy Rd, Markham, ON L3R 0N8 | 416-410-8700 |
Gerson Insurance | 7225 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 1A3 | 905-947-9486 |
Masa Fan Insurance Brokers Ltd | 3636 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 1K9 | 905-946-8168 |
Concord Insurance & Financial Planning Group Inc | 1001 Denison St, Markham, ON L3R 2Z6 | 905-513-0311 |
Munich Reinsurance Co Of Canada | 1-3500 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 2Z1 | 905-477-0116 |
Ross M Durant | 7800 Kennedy Rd, Markham, ON L3R 2C7 | 905-947-0080 |
Allied Financial Group Inc | 2600 John St, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 | 905-248-4848 |
Donaldson Mark | 100-3760 14th Ave, Markham, ON L3R 3T7 | 647-495-9941 |
Peter Freedman Life Insurance Brokers Ltd | 109-30 Centurian Dr, Markham, ON L3R 8B9 | 905-889-1616 |
Houten Insurance Services | 200 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON L3R 8G5 | 905-305-8816 |
Keyman Insurance Agency | 23 Finchley Cir, Markham, ON L3R 8S5 | 905-944-9806 |
Holman Insurance | 3100 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 8T3 | 905-947-9245 |
Navigators Insurance Brokers Ltd | 10 Konrad Cres, Markham, ON L3R 8T7 | 905-470-6040 |
Ask Insurance Brokers Inc | 8901 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 9Y4 | 905-604-2754 |
Safety Insurance Service (1959) Ltd | 8300 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 9Y7 | 905-513-8466 |
Insurance Hound Inc | 220 Royal Crest Crt, Markham, ON L3R 9Y2 | 905-946-1657 |
Acumen Financial & Insurance Consultants | 95 Royal Crest Crt, Markham, ON L3R 9X5 | 905-415-9188 |
Norbar Insurance Agencies Ltd | 445 Apple Creek Blvd, Markham, ON L3R 9X7 | 905-305-8727 |
Duffy John R Insurance Brokers Ltd | 7725 Birchmount Rd, Markham, ON L3R 9X3 | 905-479-2013 |
Manitoba Public Insurance | 3600 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON L3R 9Z7 | 905-479-8066 |
State Farm Insurance | 51-145 Royal Crest Crt, Markham, ON L3R 9Z4 | 905-415-1295 |
Oracle Insurance Risk | 500 Hood Rd, Markham, ON L3R 9Z3 | 905-415-6150 |
Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers (Canada) Limited | 100 Renfrew Dr, Markham, ON L3R 9R6 | 905-479-2244 |
IDC Worldsource Insurance Network | 610-625 Cochrane Dr, Markham, ON L3R 9R9 | 905-479-0888 |
State Farm Insurance | 213-8789 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 9T6 | 905-477-1107 |
Provident Financial Concepts Inc | 30 Royal Crest Crt, Markham, ON L3R 9W8 | 905-477-9488 |
Excess Underwriting Corp | 80 Acadia Ave, Markham, ON L3R 9V1 | 905-479-8787 |
State Farm Insurance | 6-38 Buttonfield Rd, Markham, ON L3R 9G8 | 905-940-5588 |
All Risk Insurance | 160 New Delhi Dr, Markham, ON L3S 0B6 | 905-554-7977 |
Insurance & Financial Planning Group Inc | 80 Travail Rd, Markham, ON L3S 3H9 | 905-471-3838 |
Fathom Insurance Agencies Ltd | 94 Norbury Dr, Markham, ON L3S 3V1 | 905-471-7988 |
State Farm Insurance | 7676 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L3S 4S1 | 905-201-1343 |
Lowest Car & Home Insurance | 59 Brando Ave, Markham, ON L3S 4K9 | 647-218-0726 |
State Farm Insurance | 3-190 Bullock Dr, Markham, ON L3P 7N3 | 905-294-6357 |
Mass Insurance Brokers Limited | 59 Main St N, Markham, ON L3P 1X7 | 905-294-0722 |
State Farm Insurance | 258 Main St N, Markham, ON L3P 1Y7 | 905-209-8777 |
Blair Insurance Broker | 162 Main St N, Markham, ON L3P 1Y3 | 905-472-0774 |
Ensurco Insurance Group Inc | 121 Robinson St, Markham, ON L3P 1P2 | 289-438-2160 |
State Farm Insurance | 201-3 Centre St, Markham, ON L3P 3P9 | 905-294-1562 |
Sun Life Financial | 500-3100 Steeles Ave E, Markham, ON M2J 4T1 | 905-415-1426 |
Insurance Solutions | 787 Hammersly Blvd, Markham, ON L6E 1N6 | 905-209-1479 |
State Farm Insurance | 207-9275 Markham Road, Markham, ON L6E 1A3 | 905-294-7415 |
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada | 109-72 Copper Creek Dr, Markham, ON L6B 0P2 | 905-209-8278 |
Sun Life Financial | 402-110 Copper Creek Dr, Markham, ON L6B 0P9 | 905-294-4030 |
Economical Insurance | 10 Duncan Rd, Markham, ON L6B 0T4 | 9055547490 |
York Alliance Insurance | 50 Bur Oak Ave, Markham, ON L6C 0A2 | 905-888-7900 |
Drivers in Markham who want the best car insurance pricing know the importance of comparison shopping. Aiding their efforts, Ratelab’s car insurance calculator accesses dozens of auto industry partners in one process, to uncover the lowest rates for the most appropriate policy. Start today by entering your home postal code.