Motoring in Burlington
Burlington sits at the western end of Lake Ontario in Ontario, Canada. It is part of both the Hamilton metropolitan area and Greater Toronto, the latter of which is the most densely populated region in the entire nation. Over 180,000 people lay their heads down in Burlington, which has a lot to offer for residents and commuters.
This city boasts a strong, diverse economy thanks to its proximity to large industries in Southern Ontario and its location with respect to Lake Ontario and Greater Toronto, a major international hub for the nation and the North American continent. Burlington’s economic base includes food processing, packaging, electronics, transportation, business services, chemical, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries. The median household annual income is almost $94,000, which exceeds Canada’s national average.
Burlington also has much to offer residents and visitors. There are 115 parks and 1,400 acres of parkland to be enjoyed, especially during the warm summers. Spencer Smith Park sits on the shores of Lake Ontario and sports several miles of waterfront walking. Newly renovated, it is the site of several annual festivals, including Canada Day, the Sound of Music Festival and Canada’s largest RibFest. The nearby Art Gallery of Burlington includes a mixture of permanent and temporary exhibits for locals and visitors to discover. You can take in shows at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre or enjoy the natural wonders at many of the nearby conservation areas. With so much to see and do here, it’s important to have a reliable set of wheels to get around. Here’s what you should know about having Burlington car insurance.
Taking Care of Business
You need to have car insurance to drive within the province of Ontario. Driving without Burlington car insurance can result in fines that range from $5,000 to $50,000! Failure to carry valid insurance can result in license suspension as well as impoundment of your vehicle. Even if this wasn’t the law of land, having auto coverage is a practical way of demonstrating that you’re financially responsible as a motorist and vehicle owner. Carrying several hundred thousand dollars in cash in your car isn’t feasible or possible for most Burlingtonians. Your Burlington car insurance policy needs to include these coverage minimums:
- Third-Party Liability: This covers an accident that you cause that leads to injury, death, or vehicular damage. You’ll need to have at least $200,000 in coverage.
- Statutory Accident Benefits: This pays for supplemental medical care, other related costs and 70% of your income up to $400 per week.
- Uninsured Automobile: Driving in Burlington will put you on the roads with all kinds of drivers. This feature protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver.
- Direct Compensation-Property Damage: Also called DC-PD, this coverage pays for vehicular damage when another driver is at fault.
Your Burlington car insurance plan should do more than cover the bare minimums. Ontario’s laws are designed to make sure that everyone involved in an accident has their injuries and damages covered. However, imagine being in an accident involving many people or extensive damage — the damages and expenses may far exceed $200,000. As well, for many Burlingtonians, a $400 weekly payout isn’t sufficient to replace lost income while recovering from a car accident. Your Burlington car insurance plan should be customized to the way that you live and drive.