Winter Tire Insurance Discount in Ontario: How Much It Saves (2026)
Insurers that publish a winter tire discount, such as Sonnet and Co-operators, quote up to 5% off your car insurance. On Ontario’s average premium, that is worth up to $108.20 a year.
- Rates and rules checked November 13, 2026
- By Krish Paul
- 7 min read
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Here is what the discount pays on a typical Ontario policy, the conditions insurers attach, and the provinces where winter tires are the law.
The short answer
Sonnet says winter tire discounts are generally 2% to 5% of your premium. On Ontario’s average premium of $2,164, that saves $43.28 to $108.20 a year, or $216.40 to $541.00 over five years. Whether that covers a set of tires depends on your quote, but it chips away at the cost every year you keep them.
Your own saving depends on your premium and your insurer’s rate. Enter both below.
Work out your winter tire discount
Enter your yearly premium from your policy and the discount your insurer offers. The result updates as you type.
Saving = premium x discount rate. The default is FSRA’s Ontario average premium as of October 2025 and the top of the 2% to 5% range. Calculator by Gizly.
How much the discount saves in Ontario
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) publishes average premiums for all private passenger vehicles insured in the province. As of October 2025, the average was $2,164. It was $2,810 in the Greater Toronto Area, $2,076 in other urban areas and $1,740 in rural Ontario.
Applying the 2% and 5% ends of the range to those averages gives these savings.
| Where you live | Average premium | At 2% | At 5% | 5% over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | $2,810 | $56.20 | $140.50 | $702.50 |
| Ontario average | $2,164 | $43.28 | $108.20 | $541.00 |
| Other urban Ontario | $2,076 | $41.52 | $103.80 | $519.00 |
| Rural Ontario | $1,740 | $34.80 | $87.00 | $435.00 |
Averages are FSRA figures as of October 2025. The five-year figure assumes the same premium and discount each year, which is unlikely, so treat it as a rough guide.
The pattern is simple. The discount is a percentage, so it is worth more to drivers who pay more. A GTA driver at 5% saves $53.50 a year more than a rural driver at the same rate.
FSRA notes that your premium can differ from these averages because of your vehicle, your driving record and how often you drive. Use the number on your own renewal notice, not the average.
What insurers ask for before they apply it
Insurers set their own rules, so read your policy or ask your broker. The insurer Sonnet lists the conditions it describes as typical in Ontario:
- Four matching winter tires. A set of two does not count. The Ontario government also says to install four winter tires and never mix types on one vehicle.
- The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. Ontario’s winter driving page calls this the easiest way to tell a tire is designed for severe snow.
- A set install window. Sonnet says your insurer will probably require the tires on between November and April, and that the deadline varies between companies.
Sonnet also says the discount is typically applied to the whole year, not only the months the tires are on the car. That is worth confirming, because it is the difference between the full percentage and a partial one.
You usually have to tell your insurer
The discount is not automatic in most cases. The Ontario government’s winter driving page puts it plainly: you could get a discount, so ask your insurance provider. If you already run winter tires and your policy does not show a discount, call before your next renewal.
Is the discount enough to pay for winter tires?
Take your tire quote, including rims and installation if you need them, and compare it with the five-year figure in the table. At the Ontario average, 5% returns $541.00 over five years.
That comparison leaves out two things. Your all-season tires sit in storage for the winter, so they last more seasons. And the Ontario government says winter tires shorten braking distances by as much as 25%. Avoiding a collision protects your driving record, which can matter more to your premium over time than any one discount.
If you are spreading the cost of a new set over a few months, check what your card charges first. Our guide to credit card instalment plans shows how a small monthly fee adds up.
Where winter tires are the law
Ontario’s winter driving page recommends winter tires but does not set a required period. Two provinces do.
| Rule | Quebec | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Required period | Dec 1 to Mar 15 | Oct 1 to Apr 30 |
| Where it applies | All vehicles registered in Quebec | Highways with winter tire signs |
| Tire marking | Winter pictogram, or studded tires | M+S or mountain snowflake |
| Minimum tread | 1.6 mm | 3.5 mm |
| Fine | $200 to $300 | $121 |
Some B.C. highways outside mountain passes and high-snowfall areas end the requirement on March 31. Quebec recommends at least 4.8 mm of tread in winter. Studded tires are allowed from October 15 to May 1 in Quebec and October 1 to April 30 on B.C. highways.
In Quebec the rule covers rental vehicles registered there but not vehicles registered outside the province. In B.C., summer tires are not allowed on signed routes in the winter months, and chains on summer tires do not count as a substitute.
Notice that B.C. accepts M+S tires as the legal minimum, while Sonnet says its discount needs the mountain snowflake symbol. A tire that keeps you legal on a B.C. highway may not earn a discount.
Before you call your insurer
Have these ready so the discount goes on your policy the first time.
- Check the sidewallConfirm all four tires show the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.
- Note the install dateYour insurer sets the date by which the tires must be on.
- Ask three questionsWhat percentage you get, which dates the tires must be on, and whether it applies all year.
- Check it on the renewalMake sure the discount appears on your next policy documents.
Who gets the most from the discount
It is worth the call if you already own winter tires, pay an above-average premium, or plan to keep your car for several winters. Then the discount is money you are leaving on the table.
It should not drive the decision if you rarely drive in winter or plan to sell the car soon. A few years of a small discount may not cover a new set, so decide on safety and how you drive. If you drive very little in winter, compare the cost of a car with transit using our transit pass break-even.
Winter also raises costs at home. If you are budgeting for the season, see what a space heater costs to run in Ontario.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the winter tire insurance discount in Ontario?
It depends on your insurer. Sonnet says savings are generally between 2% and 5%, and Co-operators says up to 5%. On Ontario’s average premium of $2,164 as of October 2025, that is $43.28 to $108.20 a year.
Which winter tires qualify for the insurance discount?
Insurers set their own rules. Sonnet says you need a set of four matching winter tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. Check your own policy, because a tire marked only M+S may not qualify.
When do winter tires have to be on to get the discount?
Sonnet says your insurer will probably require them between November and April, and that the deadline varies between companies. Ask your insurer for its exact dates.
Does the winter tire discount apply all year?
Sonnet says the discount is typically applied for the whole year, not just when the tires are on the car. Confirm this with your insurer, since terms differ.
Are winter tires mandatory in Quebec?
Yes. Vehicles registered in Quebec must have winter tires from December 1 to March 15. Drivers who do not comply face a fine of $200 to $300.
Do you need winter tires in British Columbia?
On highways with winter tire signs, yes, from October 1 to April 30, or to March 31 on some routes outside mountain passes and high-snowfall areas. Tires must be marked M+S or with the mountain snowflake and have at least 3.5 mm of tread. The fine for a passenger vehicle is $121.
- Sources, checked November 13, 2026: FSRA: Understanding auto insurance rates and premiums (average premiums as of October 2025); Ontario Ministry of Transportation: Winter driving; Sonnet Insurance: How winter tires save money on car insurance; Co-operators: Are winter tires worth it?; Gouvernement du Quebec: Requirements for winter tires; Government of B.C.: Winter tire and chain enforcement; Government of B.C.: About winter tires.
- Method: Yearly saving = annual premium x discount rate. Five-year saving = yearly saving x 5, assuming no change in premium or rate. Calculated by script and checked with a second method using exact decimal arithmetic. The 2% to 5% range is what Sonnet and Co-operators publish; your insurer may offer a different amount or none.
Important: This guide is general information, not financial or insurance advice. Discounts, eligibility rules and provincial requirements can change; confirm them with your insurer and your province before you buy. Gizly is not paid by any insurer mentioned here, and this page has no affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.
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How this page was made: Gizly uses AI tools to help research and draft its guides. Krish Paul, the editor, is responsible for what Gizly publishes. Spot an error? Tell us and we will fix it.
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