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      <p><em>A calm, step-by-step guide for the first 10 minutes, the first 24 hours, and your insurance claim.</em></p>
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    <p>Car accidents happen fast. Even a minor fender bender can leave you shaken, unsure what to do next, and worried about insurance. The good news: if you follow a few simple steps, you can protect your safety, your rights, and your claim.</p>

    <p>This guide is written for <em>Ontario drivers</em>, with the latest reporting rules.</p>

    <h2>First: Safety comes before paperwork</h2>

    <h3>1) Stay calm and check for injuries</h3>
    <p>Take a breath. Check yourself and passengers first. If anyone is injured, call <strong>911</strong> immediately.</p>

    <h3>2) Move to a safe location if you can</h3>
    <p>If it’s safe and your vehicle is drivable, move out of traffic and turn on hazard lights. If it’s not safe to move the vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives.</p>

    <h3>3) Call police when required</h3>
    <p>Call 911 right away if:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>Someone is injured</li>
      <li>You suspect impairment</li>
      <li>There’s a hit-and-run</li>
      <li>A vehicle is undrivable or there’s damage to public property</li>
    </ul>

    <p>Ontario’s reporting threshold has increased: collisions involving property damage must be reported to police when damage appears to exceed <strong>$5,000</strong>.</p>

    <h2>Second: Don’t say the wrong thing at the scene</h2>

    <h3>Avoid admitting fault</h3>
    <p>Even if you feel flustered, don’t apologize in a way that sounds like you’re accepting blame. Liability is determined later based on evidence.</p>

    <h3>Watch for “predatory towing”</h3>
    <p>You have the right to choose who tows your car and where it goes. If you feel pressured, call your insurer first. Ontario’s regulator also warns drivers to be cautious with towing arrangements after a crash.</p>

    <h2>Third: Collect the right information (this helps your claim)</h2>

    <p>When it’s safe, exchange details with other drivers involved:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>Full name and contact info</li>
      <li>Driver’s licence number</li>
      <li>Plate number</li>
      <li>Insurance company and policy number</li>
      <li>Vehicle year/make/model/colour</li>
    </ul>

    <p>If there are witnesses, get their contact info too.</p>

    <h3>Take photos (lots of them)</h3>
    <p>Capture:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>Damage to all vehicles (multiple angles)</li>
      <li>Plates of all vehicles</li>
      <li>The full scene (signs, lanes, skid marks)</li>
      <li>Road and weather conditions</li>
      <li>Any visible injuries (if appropriate)</li>
    </ul>

    <p>Pro tip: write a short note while it’s fresh, or email yourself a quick summary.</p>

    <h2>Reporting in Ontario: what to do within 24 hours</h2>

    <p>Ontario guidance emphasizes reporting promptly. If police don’t attend, you may be directed to a <em>Collision Reporting Centre</em>.</p>

    <h3>When damage appears over $5,000</h3>
    <p>Police services note you must report at a Collision Reporting Centre if combined damage appears to exceed <strong>$5,000</strong>.</p>

    <h3>Don’t assume “small damage” means “no report”</h3>
    <p>Even if you plan to pay out-of-pocket, reporting can protect you if injuries surface later or the other driver changes their story.</p>

    <p>FSRAO also reminds drivers to report collisions and contact their insurer promptly after an incident, including when bodily injury is involved.</p>

    <h3>Reference</h3>
    <p>
      Towing Bill of Rights from CAA:<br />
      <a href="https://www.caasco.com/-/media/caasco/advocacy/government-relations/towing-rights/pdf/new-caa-towing-bill-of-rights.pdf" target="_blank">
        https://www.caasco.com/-/media/caasco/advocacy/government-relations/towing-rights/pdf/new-caa-towing-bill-of-rights.pdf
      </a>
    </p>
    <p>
      IBC:<br />
      <a href="https://www.ibc.ca/issues-and-advocacy/regulation/ontario-towing-storage-regulations" target="_blank">
        https://www.ibc.ca/issues-and-advocacy/regulation/ontario-towing-storage-regulations
      </a>
    </p>

    <h2>Call your insurance provider as soon as possible</h2>

    <p>Even if you’re not sure you’ll claim, notify your insurer. Be ready to provide:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>Date/time/location</li>
      <li>What happened (brief, factual)</li>
      <li>Other parties’ info</li>
      <li>Photos and witness contacts</li>
      <li>Police report number (if applicable)</li>
    </ul>

    <p>Your insurer (and your broker) will guide you on next steps: repairs, rental coverage (if you have it), and claim handling.</p>

    <h2>Common “what if” situations</h2>

    <h3>What if the other driver is uninsured?</h3>
    <p>Ontario policies typically include uninsured automobile coverage, but timing and documentation matter. Call your insurer right away.</p>

    <h3>What if you’re driving a rental?</h3>
    <p>Report the collision as you normally would, then contact the rental company. If you purchased the rental company’s coverage or used credit card coverage, keep all documentation and receipts.</p>

    <h3>What if it happened in a parking lot?</h3>
    <p>Treat it the same as any collision: photos, exchange info, report as required, and notify your insurer.</p>

    <h2>Final Thought</h2>

    <p>Accidents are stressful. But a calm, simple plan protects you in the moment and sets your claim up for success. Keep your insurance details accessible, know the Ontario reporting threshold, and don’t let a stressful scene push you into quick decisions (especially towing).</p>

    <p>If you want help understanding your coverage before you need it, we’re here. <strong>My Insurance Broker</strong> can review your auto policy and help you feel prepared for the unexpected.</p>

    <p><strong>Call</strong><a href="tel:18554825001"> 1-855-482-5001 </a> <strong> | Email</strong> <a href="mailto:info@myinsurancebroker.com">info@myinsurancebroker.com</a></p>

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What to Do After a Car Accident in Ontario

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    <h2>Automatic Speed Cameras Are Officially Leaving Ontario. What Happens Now?</h2>
    <p>As of <strong>November 14, 2025</strong>, Ontario will remove all municipal Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras following the passage of <a href="https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-56"<strong>Bill 56</strong></a> — <strong>the “Less Red Tape, More Common Sense Act, 2025.”</strong></p>

    <p>This change comes as the province argues ASE devices are a “cash grab,” while municipalities and safety advocates warn the sudden ban could make community roads, especially school zones, less safe.</p>

    <p>Before we dig into insurance and fines, let’s look at why ASE existed in the first place.</p>

    <h2>Why Speed Cameras Were Installed in the First Place</h2>
    <p>Across Ontario, ASE cameras were implemented to reduce speeding in school zones and community safety zones. And they worked.</p>
    <p><li>Proven Road Safety Results</li></p>
   <p><li>A joint study from SickKids & Toronto Metropolitan University  found that ASE reduced speeding by 45% in Toronto school zones.</li></p>
    <p><li>Across York Region (Markham, Stouffville, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket), regional staff reported significant speed reductions on major regional roads.</li></p>
    <p><li>Municipalities across Ontario, including Peel, Ottawa, Hamilton and Waterloo, saw similar results.</li></p>
    <p><li>ASE was one of the few tools that reduced speeding without increasing police resources.</li></p>

    <h2>How Much Money Did Municipalities Make From ASE Cameras?</h2>
    <p>Speed cameras were also a major source of funding for road safety programs.</p>
    
     <p><h3>Toronto</h3></p>
    <li>$40 million collected in 2024</li>
    <li>$45+ million collected in 2025 (YTD)</li>

    <p><h3>York Region, including Markham & Stouffville</h3></p>
      <li>Operated dozens of ASE units</li>
      <li>Revenue used to offset program costs & fund road safety</li>
      <li>After the ban, York Region asked the province for full reimbursement (NewmarketToday)</li>
    </ul>

    <p><h3>Other municipalities using ASE: Peel Region • Ottawa • Hamilton • Waterloo</h3></p>
    <li>Revenue went back into crosswalk upgrades, school-zone safety, flashing signs, and traffic calming. The ban removes millions in municipal funding that supported road safety.</li>

    <h2>What Does Bill 56 Actually Do?</h2>
    <p>Bill 56 fast-tracked a province-wide ban on automated speed cameras. All municipalities must remove ASE units by November 14, 2025, with the province offering temporary large warning signs until physical road calming measures (speed bumps, roundabouts, etc.) can be installed. Safety experts argue these replacements won’t be ready in time.</p>

    <h2>Do You Still Need to Pay Speed Camera Tickets?</h2>
    <p><strong>YES!!!</strong> If you receive a ticket before November 14, you must still pay it. Tickets issued while cameras were operational remain <strong>valid</strong>, according to the Ministry of Transportation.</p>

    <div class="highlight">
      <p><strong>✔️ Speed camera tickets do NOT affect your:</strong></p>
      <ul>
        <li>Car insurance rates</li>
        <li>Driving record</li>
        <li>Demerit points</li>
      </ul>
      <p><strong>✔️ They DO affect:</strong></p>
      <ul>
        <li>Your wallet</li>
        <li>Your next licence plate renewal (if unpaid)</li>
      </ul>
    </div>

    <p>Camera tickets are tied to the <strong>vehicle</strong>, not the <strong>driver</strong>, so insurance companies cannot use them to assess risk.</p>

    <h2>Do Speed Camera Tickets Affect My Insurance?</h2>
    <p>No. Because ASE cameras do not identify the driver, these tickets:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>Don’t appear on your driving abstract</li>
      <li>Don’t impact your Ontario car insurance premiums</li>
      <li>Are treated similarly to parking tickets</li>
    </ul>
    <p>Your insurance company will never see them.</p>

    <h2>Can You Fight Speed Camera Tickets?</h2>
    <p>You can request a court date, but most legal experts agree there is <strong> little value</strong>  in fighting them because:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>They do NOT affect insurance</li>
      <li>They do NOT appear on your abstract</li>
      <li>Hiring legal representation often costs more than the fine</li>
    </ul>
    <p>If the fine is unusually high, you may appear in court to request a <strong>fine reduction</strong>, but outcomes vary.</p>

    <h2>What If You Get a Speed Camera Ticket in a Rental Car?</h2>
    <p>Here’s what happens:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>The rental company receives the ticket.</li>
      <li>They automatically forward the cost to you.</li>
      <li>Many add an <strong>administration fee</strong>.</li>
      <li>You are responsible for paying the ticket immediately.</li>
      <li>If you don’t pay, charges and admin fees can escalate quickly.</li>
    </ul>

    <h2>How Did ASE Cameras Work? (Quick Overview)</h2>
    <ul>
      <li>Your vehicle’s speed</li>
      <li>License plate</li>
      <li>Make & model</li>
      <li>Date, time, direction of travel</li>
    </ul>
    <p>An officer then verified the data and mailed a ticket to the registered owner.</p>

    <h3>Ontario Photo Radar Tickets and Fines</h3>
    
<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Speed Over Limit</th>
      <th>Fine</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>1–19 km/h</td>
      <td>$5 per km</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>20–29 km/h</td>
      <td>$7.50 per km</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>30–49 km/h</td>
      <td>$12 per km</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>50+ km/h</td>
      <td>Court appearance required</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
    <h2>Final Thought</h2>
    <p>Ontario’s decision to eliminate ASE cameras has sparked strong reactions. On one hand, these devices reduced speeding and kept school zones safer. On the other hand, many viewed them as a revenue tool that didn’t address the root cause of dangerous driving.</p>

    <p>Regardless of the debate, one thing remains true:<br>
    <strong>Safe driving protects your family, your community and your insurance rates.</strong></p>

    <p>At My Insurance Broker, we’re here to help Ontario and Alberta drivers stay informed — and protected — through every policy change.</p>

    <p><strong>For questions or a free policy review:<strong></p
    <p>Call us <a href="tel:18554825001">1-855-482-5001</a>
or email <a href="mailto:info@myinsurancebroker.com">info@myinsurancebroker.com</a><br/></p>
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Automatic Speed Cameras in Ontario: What the Ban Means for Drivers in 2025

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    <h2>The Big Question: Can EVs Really Handle Canadian Winters?</h2>

    <p>It’s one of the first questions most drivers ask before going electric: Can EVs actually handle the cold? The short answer is <strong>yes — with the right preparation. </strong></p>

    <p>Electric vehicles (EVs) are designed to perform safely and efficiently even in harsh climates like Canada’s. But extreme cold can affect their <strong>battery performance, range and charging time</strong>. According to <strong>CAA Quebec</strong>, an EV’s driving range can drop by 25% at –15°C and up to 45% at –25°C. </p>

    <p>Meanwhile, a  <strong>CBC report</strong>  found that on average, Canadian EVs lose <strong>about 30% of their range </strong>in winter due to added power demands (like cabin heating and battery warming). </p>

    <p>Still, many Canadians are making the switch. <strong>Statistics Canada </strong>projects that <strong>EVs will make up 10% of all new vehicle sales by 2026</strong>, showing that colder temperatures aren’t stopping adoption. </p>

    <h2>Why Cold Weather Affects EVs </h2>

    <p>Batteries don’t like the cold — it slows their chemical reactions and reduces the current available to power the vehicle. </p>

    <p>When you add in the energy needed to heat the cabin, defrost windows and warm the battery itself, you naturally use more energy and shorten your range. </p>

    <p>However, EVs remain safe to drive in freezing temperatures and battery damage from cold weather is rare. The challenge isn’t whether EVs can survive winter — it’s learning how to optimize performance in it. </p>

    <h2>Tips to Maximize EV Range and Performance in Winter </h2>

    <ul>
      <li><strong>Charge smart:</strong> Keep your EV plugged in overnight to maintain battery warmth. Slow charging is best in the cold. </li>
      <li><strong>Preheat while plugged in:</strong> Warm up your cabin and battery before unplugging to preserve range. </li>
      <li><strong>Use Eco Mode:</strong> Reduces power draw and helps extend mileage. </li>
      <li><strong>Rely on seat and steering wheel heaters:</strong> They use less energy than full cabin heating. </li>
      <li><strong>Install winter tires:</strong> Proper snow tires dramatically improve traction, safety and braking — and can help you save on insurance. </li>
      <li><strong>Monitor tire pressure:</strong> PSI drops as temperatures fall, which can affect handling and efficiency. </li>
      <li><strong>Park indoors when possible:</strong> Keeps the battery warmer and reduces charging times. </li>
      <li><strong>Carry winter essentials:</strong> Ice scraper, blanket, power bank and emergency kit — just like any vehicle. </li>
    </ul>

    <p class="pro-tip"><strong>Pro Tip:</strong> Warming your EV while it’s charging saves battery power for the drive itself — a small habit that adds big range gains. </p>

    <h2>Here’s What to Know About EV Insurance </h2>

    <p>The laws are the same — but the costs and considerations aren’t. All Ontario and Alberta drivers, whether gas, hybrid or electric, must carry auto insurance with third-party liability, property damage and accident benefits. </p>

    <p>However, <strong>EV insurance premiums can be higher</strong> than for traditional vehicles, primarily because: </p>

    <ul>
      <li>EVs use <strong>advanced parts and specialized repairs</strong>, often through the manufacturer. </li>
      <li><strong>Batteries are expensive </strong> to replace and only available from OEMs. </li>
      <li>Limited supply and high replacement values can drive up claim costs. </li>
    </ul>

    <p>On the positive side, EVs have <strong> superior safety technology </strong>— collision-avoidance systems, sensors and advanced braking — that can <strong>reduce risk and offset premiums</strong>. Insurers also evaluate safety data using the <strong>Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating (CLEAR)</strong> system. </p>

    <h2>Can I Save on EV Insurance? </h2>

    <p>Yes. Here are simple ways to lower your EV premium: </p>

    <ul>
      <li><strong>Bundle policies:</strong> Combine your EV insurance with your home or other vehicles. </li>
      <li><strong>Install a winter tire set:</strong> Ontario insurers offer a 5% winter tire discount. </li>
      <li><strong>Ask about EV incentives:</strong> Some insurers offer green-vehicle discounts. </li>
      <li><strong>Keep a clean record:</strong> Fewer claims, lower rates. </li>
      <li><strong>Shop smart:</strong> Compare quotes — EV insurance rates vary by model and brand. </li>
    </ul>

    <p><strong>Did you know?</strong> EV drivers can save up to <strong>$2,000 annually </strong>on fuel and maintenance versus gas vehicles — even with slightly higher premiums. </p>

    <h2>What About Home Charging Stations? </h2>

    <p>If you install a <strong>Level 2 home charger</strong>, it may be covered under your <strong>home insurance</strong>, not your auto policy. However, it can increase your home’s replacement value. Always hire a <strong>Licensed Electrical Contractor </strong> and use certified equipment to ensure coverage remains valid. </p>

    <div class="final">
      <h2>Final Thought </h2>
      <p>Electric vehicles can handle Canadian winters, you just need to handle them right. <br/>
      By charging smart, driving efficiently and maintaining proper insurance, you’ll stay safe, save money and keep your EV running smoothly through every snowstorm. </p>

      <p>At <strong>My Insurance Broker</strong>, we help drivers across <strong>Ontario</strong> and <strong>Alberta</strong> find the best coverage for their EVs — at the most competitive rates. Whether you drive a Tesla, Hyundai Ioniq or Chevrolet Bolt, we’ll tailor your policy to your vehicle and lifestyle. </p>

      <p>Call <a href="tel:+18554825001">1-855-482-5001</a>  or email  <a href="mailto:info@myinsurancebroker.com">info@myinsurancebroker.com</a>  for a free EV insurance review today. </p>
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What to Do After a Car Accident in Ontario

Automatic Speed Cameras in Ontario: What the Ban Means for Drivers in 2025

Can Electric Vehicles Handle Canadian Winters? Plus: What Drivers in Ontario and Alberta Should Know About EV Insurance