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What Drivers Should Know About Usage-Based Auto Insurance in Ontario

November 13, 2025

Across Ontario, many drivers are hearing about “usage-based insurance”, a type of auto policy that bases your rate on how you actually drive. Using telematics data collected through a small device or smartphone app, insurers can offer customized discounts to safe drivers. It’s a significant step toward fairer, behaviour-based pricing in Canada’s auto insurance market.

What Is Usage-Based Insurance?

Usage-based auto insurance uses telematics technology to track certain driving behaviours through a small plug-in device or a mobile app. The data collected may include:

  • Distance driven (kilometres per trip or per month)
  • Time of day you drive (daytime vs. late-night driving)
  • Speed and acceleration patterns
  • Braking habits
  • Cornering and turning behaviour

This data helps your insurer better understand your driving patterns and calculate premiums that reflect your actual risk, not just broad demographic factors like age or postal code.

How It Works in Ontario

In Ontario, usage-based insurance is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). Insurers must follow strict privacy and consent rules, meaning drivers must opt in before any data is collected.

When you enroll in a UBI program, you’ll either:

  • Install a telematics device in your vehicle, or
  • Download a mobile app that runs in the background while you drive.

Your insurer uses this data to assess your driving habits over time. Typically, safe driving habits such as smooth braking, moderate speeds, and avoiding late-night trips can lead to discounts or lower premiums.

Benefits of Usage-Based Insurance

  • Potential savings: Safe drivers may qualify for significant discounts.
  • Fairness: Premiums are tailored to individual behaviour, not just averages.
  • Feedback: Many UBI programs offer driving tips or scores to help you improve safety habits.
  • Transparency: You can view your own driving data through an app dashboard.

Usage-based insurance is helping Ontario drivers better understand how their everyday driving habits can affect their insurance costs. It’s part of a larger shift toward personalized, data-supported coverage. To explore auto insurance options, please visit HUB SmartCoverage for a quote.