Having the ability to drive is truly invaluable in today's society. Driving allows you to travel across your town or city with ease and gives you a sense of unmatched freedom.

However, it goes with saying that this freedom comes with a number of responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is carrying your proof of insurance while driving in Ontario.

If you are in the process of buying a vehicle for the first time, you may be asking yourself, "what counts as proof of insurance in Ontario," — that's where we step in.

Our team of experienced brokers has put together a comprehensive list of reasons why you need to carry your proof of car insurance. We also touch on the various ways you can prove your car coverage status to the authorities.

Continue reading to learn more about proof of insurance Ontario — taking time to do so may save you from dealing with an avoidable headache or court date.

Want to save up to 25% on car insurance?

Speaking of car insurance, we know precisely how expensive it can be. We also know that most Ontarians don't want to sacrifice coverage in order to work within their budget.

Thankfully, you don't have to skimp on coverage when you have a Surex insurance advisor by your side. At Surex, our number one priority is supplying you with competitive, cheap car insurance quotes that simply can't be beaten.

Within ten short minutes, our advisors can provide you with upwards of ten quotes from the most reputable insurance carriers in Ontario.

Why do you need to show proof of car insurance in Ontario?

Ontario proof of insurance laws clearly state that it is illegal to drive without insurance, thus, you need to carry proof of car insurance coverage while driving.

You will likely be asked to supply your proof of car insurance (along with your license and registration) in the following scenarios:

• Pulled over by the authorities
• Traffic stops
• Renewing your license plate and sticker
• Registering your vehicle
• Purchasing a new car from a dealership (note that you technically can buy a car without insurance, but you cannot legally drive it off the lot)

What happens if you don't surrender your proof of car insurance to the authorities in Ontario?

There are various consequences for failing to supply your proof of car insurance in Ontario.

In most cases, drivers will receive an $85 fine: however, this fee can be as large as $500 under select circumstances. It's also worth mentioning that if you get a ticket while driving without insurance, the fine drastically jumps to $5,000. 

Can you fight the fines?

Thankfully, yes, drivers can fight failure to supply proof of car insurance charges if they have coverage but simply didn't have proof on hand. That being said, doing so requires going to court, which can be a lengthy and arduous process. With this in mind, you can see that it's easier to simply carry a copy of your proof of insurance with you while travelling in Ontario.

What counts as proof of car insurance in Ontario?

There are three primary ways that drivers in Ontario can prove their car insurance status to the authorities:

• A physical copy of their pink slip
• A digital copy of their pink slip
• A temporary car insurance binder

Physical copy of your pink slip

When you buy or renew your car insurance in Ontario, you receive a document that's commonly referred to as your pink slip.

Your pink slip should state all of the following information:

• Name of your car insurance provider
• Vehicle information (make, model, year, etc.)
• The effective date of the policy
• Policy number
• Personal data like your name, address, date of birth, etc.

You should know that it can take anywhere from two to seven business days for your provider to confirm your car insurance in their database (the time frame varies from provider to provider).

Digital copy of your pink slip

Do you find it tricky to keep track of the physical copy of your pink slip? You're not alone. Thankfully there's an option that's perfect for you — digital pink slips.

In 2020, the Ontario government passed a law allowing drivers to download and utilize digital copies of their pink slips.

Should you ever get pulled over by the local authorities or at a routine traffic stop, you can use your mobile phone (or a similar mobile device) to reference a digital copy of your pink slip. Downloading a copy of your pink slip makes providing your proof of car insurance straightforward. 

Not to mention, you'll never have to rummage through your glove box for your physical pink slip again!

Best of all, you'll receive your proof of car insurance instantly, which means that you don't have to deal with an insurance binder.

Speaking of insurance binders…

Temporary insurance binder

As we mentioned above, it can take two to seven days before you're confirmed in your insurance provider's database. So, what happens if you need to provide a copy of your insurance during this time frame?

You would utilize your car insurance binder, of course.

As a quick refresher, a temporary insurance binder is a document that states that you have set up a policy and are waiting for everything to be finalized by the provider.

You will likely need to use an insurance binder as proof of car insurance if you're planning to buy a new vehicle or get a loan for a new ride. Additionally, you could use your insurance binder as proof of car insurance if you happen to get pulled over before receiving your pink slip.

Do you have questions about getting proof of car insurance in Ontario?

There's no denying that getting car insurance in Ontario can be a tricky task, especially if it's your first time.

Thankfully, we're here to help — if you have any questions about getting proof of car insurance, you can get in contact with one of our experienced insurance advisors at any time. Our advisors know the car insurance industry like the backs of their hands, so you can expect the most competitive quotes around when we promise you savings.