Vehicle insurance and registration

Ontario has compulsory automobile insurance. This means every vehicle registered in the province must be insured.

You must show proof that you have insurance coverage before you can register a vehicle or renew your registration. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), regulates insurance in Ontario. Visit FSRA's website for more information on auto insurance.

Vehicle registration includes licence plates and a vehicle permit.

Licence plates in Ontario are based on a plate-to-owner system. This means that vehicle licence plates move with the vehicle owner, not the vehicle. When you sell or change vehicles, you must remove your plates.

If you do not intend to use them on another vehicle, you may return your plates to a ServiceOntario centre.

Learn more about buying, selling and registering a vehicle.

New Ontario residents have 30 days to register their vehicles. To get a permit and Ontario licence plates, go to a ServiceOntario centre. You must bring along:

- A safety standards certificate - Proof of insurance - Vehicle Import Forms, if you have brought the vehicle in from another country - The vehicle permit, or ownership, from where you used to live

By being vigilant, Ontario drivers can help put a stop to fraudsters who abuse the automobile insurance system. Keep this in mind to protect yourself from auto insurance fraud.

- Use a licensed insurance company, agent or broker. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), an agency of the Ministry of Finance, regulates insurance in Ontario. Visit FSRA’s website, to check whether an insurance company or agent is licensed. The Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) is the self-regulatory body for insurance brokers in Ontario. Visit RIBO’s website, to check whether an insurance broker is licensed.

- Collect as much information as possible. Take photos of the collision scene. Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, licence plate and driver’s licence numbers, and insurance information from all those involved in the collision, including passengers in the other vehicle(s). - Be suspicious of referrals. Be wary if you are pressured or offered money by a tow truck operator to go to a particular body shop, lawyer, paralegal or health-care provider. Contact your insurance company for information on towing and where to take your vehicle to be repaired. - Refuse to sign blank forms in advance of receiving any services or health-care treatment related to your collision. - Demand detailed repair and medical bills for any goods and services related to your collision, and review them carefully.

Visit the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) website for information on how to avoid, detect and report auto insur­ance fraud.