With winter right around the corner, drivers can expect hazards like heavy snowfall, sleet, and reduced visibility. Slick, black ice that forms on roads and bridges can prove dangerous to even the most cautious driver. There's also the risk of your vehicle skidding on icy roads, losing control and colliding into guard rails, poles or even, another vehicle.
According to 2017 data from the RCMP, nearly 30% of collisions happen on wet, snowy, or icy roads, with one-third happening during the winter months. Single-vehicle collisions are most common in October, November, and December, with Canadian insurance providers reporting a 49% increase in collision-related claims during the same period.
The good news is: not only can winter tires make your time on the road this winter significantly safer — they can help you save on car insurance, too.
How do winter tires protect you?
Winter tires are an easy way to mitigate the risks of driving in hazardous conditions and retaining some control over your vehicle in inclement weather. All-season tires stiffen and lose elasticity when temperatures dip below seven degrees Celsius and won’t be as efficient as you need them to be while driving through snow and ice.
Equipped with rubber that provides optimal traction and a deeper tread pattern that has more slots to grip harder, winter tires are designed for slippery and icy roads. Tire tread patterns also help clear snow and expel water. Winter tires also improve traction required to accelerate or stop and shorten stopping distances.
How winter tires can save you money on car insurance
In Ontario, insurance companies are obligated to offer a discount as an incentive for opting for winter tires — a rule that's been in effect since 2016.
Usually, that discount amounts to 5% off your annual premium. According to recent data from RATESDOTCA, a hypothetical 35-year-old male driver living in downtown Toronto saw his lowest car insurance quote decrease from $2,729 to $2,592 for opting to have winter tires installed.
Other provinces offer financial incentives to drivers for the purchase of the tires themselves. In Manitoba, for instance, Manitoba Public Insurance has offered a low-interest loan (prime plus 2%) for winter tires since 2014, up to $2,000 per vehicle.
Are winter tires mandatory?
In British Columbia, winter tires are compulsory on certain highways in mountainous areas from October 1 to April 30. Failure to comply can lead to a fine of $121.
In Quebec, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 through March 15. Failure to comply can lead to a fine of $200 to $300. Additionally, in the event of a collision, there is the likelihood that your insurance company can decline your claim if you weren’t using winter tires at the time of the accident.
In Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and the Territories, winter tires are not mandatory, but are highly recommended.
Although winter tires aren’t mandatory in these provinces, the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada’s 2021 Canadian Consumer Winter Tire Study found that 79% of drivers believe winter tires have prevented them from being involved in a “potentially hazardous driving situation.”
While winter tires do require an upfront investment — anywhere from $500 to $2,000 for a set of four — the savings on your auto insurance is recurring. So, if your safety and peace of mind isn’t incentive enough, why not opt for winter tires this year for the discount? It’s one of the easiest ways to save on car insurance.