Every auto insurer in Ontario has had to offer a winter tire insurance discount since January 1, 2016. The province does not set the amount, the dates or the tire types that qualify — each insurer does. To get it, check your insurer’s rules, put four tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on before its deadline, keep the invoice, and tell your insurer or broker so the discount shows on your policy.
That last step is the easy one to miss. Buying the tires does not apply the discount by itself, and the rules for all-weather tires differ from one insurer to the next. Here is how it works.
Is the winter tire insurance discount mandatory in Ontario?
For insurers, yes. In October 2015 Ontario’s Ministry of Finance announced it would require all private auto insurers to offer a discount to drivers who buy and install winter tires, starting January 1, 2016 (CBC News). The requirement sits in the Automobile Insurance regulation under the Insurance Act (O. Reg. 222/15).
For drivers, no. Winter tires are not legally required in Ontario. Provinces decide that question, and Quebec is the only province that mandates them province-wide in winter (Transport Canada). The discount is Ontario’s incentive instead of a mandate, and most drivers already use them: 77% of Ontario drivers surveyed in October 2025 said they would use winter tires that season (Tire and Rubber Association of Canada).
How much is the winter tire insurance discount in Ontario?
Usually a few percent, and it varies by company. The regulation requires a discount to be offered but does not fix its size, so treat any claim of a set provincial rate with caution. Two published examples:
| Insurer (as published) | Discount | Tires must be on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAA Insurance | 5% | By November 20, removed no earlier than April 15 | CAA South Central Ontario |
| Aviva Canada | 2% (dedicated winter tires only) | Not stated | CP24, November 27, 2025 |
As a rough guide, 2% of a $2,000 annual premium is $40 and 5% is $100 (illustrative figures, not a quote). That will not pay for a set of tires in one year. But if you already own winter tires, the discount is money you are leaving on the table, and the safety case is stronger than the savings: the Insurance Bureau of Canada says winter tires let you stop up to 40% sooner than all-season tires (IBC).
What counts as a winter tire for an Ontario insurance discount?
Insurers generally look for two things: the right symbol and a full set of four.
The symbol. Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake on the sidewall. Under Transport Canada’s tire rules, tires carrying it must pass a traction test on medium-packed snow and score at least 10% better than a reference tire (Transport Canada). An “M+S” (mud and snow) marking alone is not the same thing.
Four tires. Transport Canada advises installing winter tires in sets of four, because mixing tread patterns, construction or sizes makes a vehicle less stable (Transport Canada). Two winter tires on the drive axle will not qualify.
| Tire type | Snowflake symbol? | Qualifies for the discount? |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated winter tires | Yes | Yes, if all four are fitted by the insurer’s date |
| All-weather tires | Usually yes | Depends on the insurer — CAA accepts them with the winter designation on all four; Aviva does not (CP24) |
| All-season tires | Usually no | Usually no; a few carry the symbol, so ask your insurer if yours do |
| Studded winter tires | Check the tire | Ask your insurer; the MTO says northern Ontario residents can legally use studded tires, so check the rules if you live elsewhere (MTO Driver’s Handbook) |
If you run all-weather tires year-round, ask before you tick the winter tire box. Telling an insurer you have winter tires when its definition says you don’t is the kind of mistake you want to avoid (see below).
How to get the winter tire insurance discount in Ontario: step by step
- Read your insurer’s rules. Find the discount amount, the install and removal dates, which tires count, and whether proof is needed. They are often in your policy documents; your broker can confirm them. Many insurers use a window of roughly November 1 to April 1 (Sonnet), but dates vary.
- Check your tires. All four should carry the mountain snowflake symbol and have enough tread. Transport Canada advises against tires with less than 4 mm of tread (Transport Canada).
- Install them early. Transport Canada and TRAC both point to 7°C as the temperature below which all-season tires lose grip. Temperatures can drop that low before your insurer’s deadline, so don’t wait for the date.
- Keep the paperwork. Save the invoice showing the date, the tire model and your vehicle. Some insurers ask for proof when you apply; others may check after a claim.
- Tell your insurer or broker in writing. The standard Ontario Automobile Policy requires you to tell your insurer promptly about changes to the information in your application (FSRA, OAP 1). An email to your broker creates a record.
- Check that the discount appears. Look for it on your policy declarations or next renewal. If it’s missing, ask — discounts are not always applied automatically.
- Follow the spring date too. Leave the tires on until the insurer’s removal date. If you stop using winter tires, sell the vehicle or switch to all-season tires, update your insurer.
What if your winter tires go on late — or not at all?
This is the question most guides skip. The answer depends on your policy wording, but the general picture is reassuring for honest mistakes.
The Ontario Automobile Policy requires you to tell your insurer about changes, and lets an insurer cancel a policy if you have knowingly misrepresented or failed to disclose information (FSRA, OAP 1). That is aimed at deliberate falsehoods, such as claiming winter tires you never bought.
Missing a deadline by a few days is different. In a Globe and Mail report, a representative of the Insurance Bureau of Canada said a late installation is technically a breach of contract, but she could not see an insurer refusing coverage if an appointment was booked. Brokers quoted in the same piece said a more likely outcome was losing the discount, with the insurer possibly asking you to repay it (The Globe and Mail).
The safest approach: book your swap early, and if you can’t meet the date, tell your insurer or broker before it passes. If you do have a collision this winter, our guide to filing a car insurance claim in Ontario walks through the steps.
Other ways to lower your Ontario car insurance this winter
The winter tire discount is one line on your premium. Others can be worth more. Check that your policy reflects multi-vehicle, conviction-free, low-mileage and anti-theft discounts where you qualify — our auto insurance page lists the common ones. Combining home and auto with one insurer can also help; see bundle insurance.
If your renewal arrives this winter, our guide to car insurance renewal in Ontario explains what to check before you accept. If you are shopping around, read how to compare auto insurance quotes in Ontario properly. And since several accident benefits, including income replacement, became optional on July 1, 2026 (RIBO), review which accident benefits to keep at the same time.
Why use a broker for the winter tire discount?
Because the rules differ by insurer, the right fit depends on your tires. If you run all-weather tires year-round, an insurer that accepts them may suit you better than one that doesn’t. A broker can compare insurers on the discount rules and on the price, and can make sure the discount is actually applied. Request a call back from an AAXEL broker before your tires go on.
This article is general information about Ontario auto insurance and is not legal advice. Discounts, dates and eligibility vary by insurer and can change; confirm with your insurer or broker.
Frequently asked questions about the winter tire insurance discount in Ontario
Do all Ontario insurers have to offer a winter tire discount? Yes. Since January 1, 2016, every private auto insurer in Ontario must offer a discount to drivers who install winter tires. Each insurer sets the amount and the conditions.
Are winter tires mandatory in Ontario? No. Ontario does not require winter tires. Quebec is the only province that requires them province-wide during winter, according to Transport Canada.
Do all-weather tires qualify for the winter tire discount? It depends on the insurer. Some accept all-weather tires that carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on all four tires; others limit the discount to dedicated winter tires. Ask before you claim it.
When do winter tires have to be on for the insurance discount? By your insurer’s date. Published deadlines range from November 1 to December 1, with removal dates between about March 31 and April 15. Check your policy or ask your broker.
Do I need proof of winter tires? Some insurers ask for proof when you apply; others may verify after a claim. Keep your installation invoice either way.
Can my claim be denied if my winter tires go on late? An honest delay is more likely to cost you the discount than your coverage, but your policy wording governs. Knowingly claiming winter tires you don’t have is misrepresentation and can lead to cancellation. If you’ll miss the date, tell your insurer or broker before it passes.
Do I need four winter tires? Yes. Insurers and Transport Canada both expect a full set of four. Two winter tires will not qualify.
Sources
Publish this list at the end of the article. All pages were opened on October 23, 2026.
Regulators and government
- Government of Ontario, O. Reg. 222/15: Automobile Insurance (amending regulation under the Insurance Act; page did not render for full-text check)
- FSRA, Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1) Owner’s Policy, July 2026 edition — sections 1.4.1 and 1.7.2
- FSRA (originally FSCO), How to Save on Auto Insurance — last modified February 24, 2016
- Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Maintaining your vehicle
- Transport Canada, Winter tires (briefing document)
- Transport Canada, Using winter tires
- RIBO, Ontario Auto Reform (SABS changes)
Industry bodies and insurers
- Insurance Bureau of Canada, Winter safety
- Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, Winter Tire Report 2025 (Probe Research survey of 1,069 drivers, October 6–11, 2025)
- CAA South Central Ontario, Winter tire discount
- Sonnet, Winter tire savings in Ontario
News reporting (secondary)
- CBC News, Winter tire insurance discount promised for Jan. 1 in Ontario (2015; reports the Ministry of Finance announcement)
- CP24, What makes a winter tire a winter tire? (November 27, 2025)
- The Globe and Mail, Do winter tires have to be on by a certain date to get the insurance discount? (date not shown on page)
- McCague Borlack LLP, Ontario Is Making Roads Safer One Winter Tire At A Time (cites R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 664, s. 14.1; used for the regulation cite only — not linked in the article)
