Yes, Ontario drivers can get a car insurance discount for winter tires. Since 1 January 2016, every insurer in the province must offer one. You normally need four matching winter tires, installed and kept on for the dates your insurer sets. Typical savings are a few percent of your premium, and the details depend on your insurer.
Key takeaways
- Ontario insurers must offer a winter tire discount, and have since 1 January 2016.
- You usually need four matching winter tires. All-season "M+S" tires normally do not qualify.
- Typical savings are quoted at 2 to 5 percent, but your own number depends on your insurer and policy.
- Tell your broker when the tires go on, and keep the receipt.
- The discount is one small piece of the price. Safety on winter roads is the bigger reason to use them.
What the discount is
Your premium is the price you pay for your insurance policy. Insurers set it using many factors, such as your driving record, your car and where you live. If you want the full picture, read our guide on how Ontario car insurance rates are calculated.
A winter tire discount is a reduction in that price for drivers who fit proper winter tires. The idea is simple. Winter tires grip better in cold, snow and ice, so the car is easier to stop and steer. Insurers recognize that and reward it.
The rule is set by the province. Ontario's financial regulator, FSRA, oversees auto insurance. Since 1 January 2016, insurers selling auto insurance in Ontario have had to offer a discount for winter tires. They are not allowed to simply ignore the request.
What the rule does not do is fix one number or one set of conditions for every company. Each insurer decides the size of the discount and the paperwork it wants to see.
Who qualifies
Each insurer writes its own conditions, but the pattern is similar across the market.
- A full set of four. Most insurers expect four winter tires, not two. Mixing winter and non-winter tires is usually not accepted.
- Matching tires. The four tires should normally be the same type.
- True winter tires. Tires carrying the mountain and snowflake symbol are the usual standard. All-season tires marked "M+S" (mud and snow) normally do not qualify.
- Installed for the right dates. The discount is tied to the period your insurer sets. If the tires are on your car only for part of that period, the discount may not apply in full.
- Your policy has the right coverage. The discount may apply to certain coverages only. Ask which parts of your premium it reduces.
A common mistake is to assume that any tire that handles snow will do. The insurer's wording is what counts, not the tire shop's sales pitch, so read the conditions before you buy. Another is to install the tires and forget to report them, which can leave the discount off your policy for months.
If your car came with winter tires on a second set of wheels, or you bought them used, tell your broker. Rules about tire age, wear and proof of purchase differ by insurer.
How big is the saving
Sources commonly quote savings of about 2 to 5 percent. That is a rough range, not a promise. A small percentage on a low premium is a small number of dollars. A small percentage on a high premium can add up to something more useful.
For example, imagine a driver in Toronto with a 2021 compact SUV whose yearly premium is high because of the area and the car. A few percent off would help, but it would not change the whole picture. It also will not cancel out the cost of buying a set of tires. Treat the discount as a bonus, not the reason to buy.
Here is a simple way to think about it. Take your yearly premium, apply the percentage your insurer gives you, and compare the result with the cost of the tires and of changing them each season. The discount rarely pays for the tires on its own, but it softens the cost, and you still get the safety benefit.
We cannot quote exact amounts for your policy. Only your insurer can do that, and it can change from one renewal to the next.
Steps to claim the discount
- Buy four winter tires. Choose tires made for winter driving, with the mountain and snowflake symbol where possible.
- Keep the proof. Save the receipt and any installation record. Take a clear photo of the tires on the car if your insurer asks for one.
- Tell your broker or insurer. Do this when the tires are installed, not at renewal only. Some insurers apply the discount only after you report it.
- Confirm the dates. Ask when the tires must be on the car, and whether the discount runs for the whole policy term or only part of it.
- Check your policy documents. Look for the discount on your declaration page, the summary of your policy. If it is missing, ask why.
- Repeat each winter. Do not assume the discount carries over automatically. Confirm it at every renewal.
Winter tires are about more than price
The discount is nice, but it is not the main reason to use winter tires. Cold weather makes rubber on all-season tires harder, and that can mean less grip. Winter tires stay softer in the cold and have tread designed for snow and slush.
Better grip can mean shorter stopping distances and steadier steering. That helps you avoid a collision in the first place. A collision can cost you in many ways: repairs, time without your car, and in some cases a higher premium. Our article on at-fault accidents and insurance rates in Ontario explains how a claim can affect what you pay.
So, think of the discount as a small thank-you for a choice that already protects you. A good habit is to book your tire change before the first snowfall, because garages get busy once the weather turns. Store your summer tires somewhere dry, and mark the date you swap them on your calendar.
Does the discount affect your coverage
Think of the discount as a change to the price only. Your deductible, your limits and your claims rights are not touched by it.
No. A winter tire discount lowers the price. It does not change what your policy covers. Your liability, accident benefits and optional coverages stay the same. If you want to review those choices, our guide to Ontario car insurance coverages explained walks through each one in plain words.
Be careful with one point. If you tell your insurer you have winter tires and you do not, that can cause problems. Giving wrong information on a policy can lead to a refused claim or a cancelled discount. Only claim it when it is true. If you sell the car or change tires mid-term, update your insurer so your policy always matches reality.
What to ask your broker
A broker can compare how different insurers handle the discount. Brokers in Ontario are licensed by RIBO. Good questions to ask:
- What is the winter tire discount on my policy, in dollars and in percent?
- What kind of tires do you accept? Are all-season tires with the M+S mark excluded?
- Do I need four tires, or will a set on rims count?
- What proof do you need, and how do I send it?
- Between which dates must the tires be on the car?
- Is the discount applied to the whole premium or only to certain coverages?
- If I change tires mid-term, how do I update the policy?
- Does the discount stack with other discounts, such as insuring more than one vehicle or bundling with home insurance?
Industry information on driving and insurance in general is also available from the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Before you act
- Check your current policy and see if a winter tire discount is already listed.
- Decide which tires fit your car and your budget. Do not buy only for the discount.
- Ask your broker to confirm the discount in writing, with the dates and the proof needed.
- Put a reminder in your calendar to report the tires each autumn.
If you want to compare prices across insurers, you can start a quote on our auto insurance page and ask about winter tires during the process.
A note on this article
This article is general information, not advice. Insurance rules and insurer practices change, so confirm details with your broker and your insurer before you decide. Reviewed October 2026.
