How much is insurance for a new driver in Ontario?

New commercial truck drivers in Ontario typically pay between $15,000 and $25,000 annually for primary liability and cargo coverage. High-risk premiums apply due to lack of verifiable insurance history. Joining an established fleet can reduce individual costs to $8,000-$12,000 under their blanket policy.

Factors Influencing New Driver Rates

• Most standard insurers require 3 years of experience, forcing new owner-operators into the expensive Facility Association (high-risk pool).
• Operating radius heavily impacts price; long-haul cross-border routes cost significantly more than local Ontario work due to increased liability exposure.
• While mandatory, completing MELT (Mandatory Entry-Level Training) does not guarantee standard market rates until you accumulate road hours.

To minimize costs, consider leasing onto a carrier to build verifiable insurance history for two years before applying for your own authority.