Youngs Insurance Broker - Joanne Buggea

Ontario is ending its grace period for expired licence plate stickers and photo ID cards There will be no more free rides for people with old licence plate stickers in Ontario. The province is officially reinstating its renewal requirem...

Learn The Truth About Driving Safely In Rain

‘Tis the season for spring shower drives. Although rain may seem like an easier weather element to drive in (compared to snow), it’s important you adjust your driving habits to ensure your safety on the road.

With each change of season, we need to remind ourselves of the driving habits to adjust according to the weather. Follow these tips to learn how to safely drive in the rain this spring. As a beginner or a seasoned driver, we can all be reminded of ways to increase our safety on the road.

Four Pro Tips For How to Drive Safely in Rain

#1 Adjust Driving Habits
Typically, in the spring we are inundated with rain! When it comes to driving in the rain, make sure you reduce your speed and leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles. Rain makes the roads a lot slicker and our tires can lose traction when wet so this can make braking in time difficult. Leaving extra space while you drive in the rain will also help keep your car from getting sprayed, which will keep your windshield clear!

#2 Utilize Ways to Increase Visibility
To achieve optimal viability when driving in the rain this spring, make sure you use your windshield wipers and headlights. Headlights will also help with visibility for both you and other drivers, as they make it easier to see vehicles approaching. Be sure to double-check the condition of your wipers and replace them when needed.

#3 Decrease the Chance of Foggy Windows
Often spring rain creates foggy windows when driving! To decrease window fog turn up the AC to increase cool air or turn on the defrost button. Clearly, visibility is important, and decreasing foggy windows is another element to keeping you safe on rainy roads this spring.

Also, spring weather often brings foggy weather, read this for do’s & don’ts for driving safely in the fog.

#4 Ways to Avoid Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning happens when a thin layer of water is between your tires and the road. This can be dangerous and could cause you to lose control. If you’re on a drive in the rain and hydroplaning occurs, avoid breaking or steering abruptly. You should take your foot off the gas and steer into the skid. This will help ensure your safety driving in the rain.

Keep these safety tips in mind when you’re on a drive in the rain this spring. Remember, changing our driving habits each season is essential for your safety and the safety of other drivers!

Brilliant Techniques to Get Your Boat Ready for the Season

Now is the perfect time to get your boat ready for Ontario waters. Before you plan your first outing, we wanted to share our top boat safety and preparation tips.

Safety should be your number one priority when boating, and one of the most important things to do to ensure your safety is to prepare your boat before taking it out on the water. We’re providing you with helpful reminders and tips to ensure your safety during the boating season.

Six Ways to Get Your Boat Ready for the Water

#1 Safety Gear
When it comes to safety gear, Ontario Parks suggests that your first step should be checking what safety equipment is required by law for your vessel size and that all of those items are in good working condition.

Some other reminders:

Ensure you have enough life jackets on your boat.
Make sure all the safety items on your boat are in good working order, such as your navigation lights and fire extinguishers.
You may want to consider having additional safety items such as a carbon monoxide detector installed.

#2 Anchor
If you have a large boat, you’ll want to make sure the anchor’s windlass is not having any trouble moving. Be sure to also check the chain to ensure there are no signs of rust or other issues.

#3 Electrical Systems
Check your deep-cycle battery to ensure it has a sufficient charge. You should also check the wiring to ensure all connections are secure.

#4 Hull
Ensure you go over the hull for any issues – even scratches will need to be checked as they may eventually rust. Also, be sure to check the prop and its shaft, and the rudder, and its fittings. Note any paint blisters or minor maintenance issues that can be fixed immediately.

#5 Fluid Levels
Ensure all fluids have been topped up and change or add oil as needed.

#6 Boat Licence and Insurance
In Ontario, it is mandatory for anyone operating a boat to have a valid boating licence.

Even though boat insurance is not mandatory in Ontario, it is important to protect your investment. If you have questions about boat insurance don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

Boating season is so much fun and being out on the water is something we all need to experience. Be sure to follow our best boat preparation and safety tips to ensure you and your passengers stay safe this season.

Speeding tickets in Ontario will affect your auto insurance rates..

Was gonna go through insurance but sold the plywood and bought a brand new car.

Three Little Tricks & Reminders About Roundabouts


Although roundabouts may be intimidating to a lot of drivers, they were created to improve safety. When used properly, they help improve drivers’ efficiency.

As drivers, we get comfortable and sometimes forget to pay full attention to the road ahead – or in this case, the roundabout ahead. Here are some of the most critical things to remember when approaching a roundabout to ensure optimal safety.

The Best Three Roundabout Safety Tips for Drivers

#1 Be Certain & Take Your Time
For your safety and the safety of others, it is best to wait if you are uncertain. Always take your time entering a roundabout. Other drivers will appreciate your certainty rather than rushing in and making a dangerous mistake. Also, be sure to leave extra room for transport trucks and never try to beat them into the roundabout.

#2 Avoid Complications
This goes for any driver in any situation, not just in roundabouts. If you don’t need to make unnecessary lane changes, then don’t. It is in the interest of your safety and the safety of pedestrians and other drivers. A simple route is the best route. If you don’t need to pass other drivers, it is best to avoid this as well. The more complications you create in a roundabout, the more likely you are to risk safety.

#3 Don’t Stop
If there is one thing you shouldn’t do in a roundabout, it’s a stop. Keep going, that’s what roundabouts are designed for. If you miss your exit, never stop, just continue moving along with the other drivers. You need to keep the flow of the roundabout moving. The only exception to this safety rule is to let emergency vehicles ahead or stopping to avoid a collision.

Now that you know how to safely navigate roundabouts you can approach them with confidence and certainty. Keep these tips in mind so you can drive through safely and keep other drivers safe, too.

As the new year begins, many of us have set goals and targets we hope to achieve. One of these goals is usually to save money and reducing your car insurance premium is a great place to start.

It's important to keep in mind that the lowest insurance premium doesn’t mean you’re getting the best coverage. But there are ways to save money on car insurance and we’re revealing some helpful tips on how to do so.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE >> The following tips are subject to your driving record and insurance carrier (among other things) meaning not everyone qualifies. Speak to your insurance broker for options that work for your particular situation.

Six Tips on How to Save on Car Insurance

1. Minimize the amount of liability coverage on vehicles you don’t use. Some of us have vehicles that we store away during the winter months and although liability insurance is mandatory, you can reduce the amount of coverage you have on these vehicles to lower your premium.

2. Remove collision coverage
During the winter, you could remove collision coverage on your summer car(s). This is a money-saving option as short term insurance plans are usually more expensive. It’s important to still have these vehicles insured for theft and vandalism while in storage.

3. Install winter tires
Most insurers offer discounts for installing winter tires on your car, however, be sure to do this at the start of winter to get the full benefits! Read more about the winter tire discount here.

4. Make insurance adjustments
If you drive less throughout the winter because you work from home, leave the country for an extended period, or for any other reason, be sure to inform your insurance broker. This could lead to a decrease in the overall premium.

5. Drive more cautiously
Driving carefully should always be a priority; not only can a collision be dangerous, but it will also increase your premium, so be sure to drive with caution in the harsh winter weather.

6. Store your vehicle
Storing your summer car away in an enclosed space is a great way to extend its life while preventing rust and water damage.

With the information we have provided, speak with your insurance broker to see if any of these options are applicable for you. We hope you found these tips helpful!

Unbelievable Facts About How Dogs Impact Home Insurance, Youngs Insurance, Ontario

Did you know that your dog can affect your home insurance? It’s true, and we’ve outlined the exact reasons why.

We love pets at Youngs Insurance and to celebrate this every year we hold a fundraiser for local SPCA's called .

It’s shocking that most people aren’t aware that owning a dog impacts your property and home insurance coverage. We’ve explained why below:

Understanding Your Liability as a Dog Owner
Simply put your dog is your property, which means they expose you to potential liability. Any injuries or damage your dog may cause are your responsibility.

Ontario has an act called the Ontario Dog Owners Liability Act which essentially states that as a dog owner, you are liable for any medical bills, pain, and suffering, loss of income, or property damage the acts of your dog may have caused. Therefore, it’s important to inform your insurance broker so they can ensure the dog is covered.

Why Dog Breed Matters
Home insurance covers many different dog breeds, but not all, making it essential to check with your broker to see if your policy covers the breed of dog you own.

The type of breeds that are covered depends on what Insurance Carrier you’re with. Some Carriers will not cover Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire Terriers. If your policy will not cover one of these breeds, our brokers will work with you to try to find a Carrier or options for you.

While you might think it’s not important to advise your insurance broker that you own a dog, think about this…the Humane Society of Canada estimates that someone suffers a dog bite every 60 seconds in Canada. That’s a staggering statistic.

At the end of the day, you purchase insurance for peace of mind, knowing that if something happens, you’re protected and not left paying claims out of your own pocket. As always, if you have any questions regarding whether your dog is covered, or if you want to add your dog to your policy, don’t hesitate to contact us!

3 Ways to Support Local Businesses Upon Reopening


Our local and small business owners have been hit the hardest from the impact of Covid-19 closures. As they begin to reopen, we encourage you to join us in supporting them with these suggestions.

3 Ways to Support Local Businesses Upon Reopening, Youngs Insurance, Ontario
Due to Covid-19 social distancing and quarantine rules, many local businesses were forced to closed for an extended period of time. Even now, in stage three, smaller businesses will continue to struggle as they navigate and adjust to the new norms. This is when our community must come together and help!
Help Support Local Businesses with These 3 Simple Gestures

1 | Purchase Gift Cards
Buying a gift card for future use is a great way to help business owners at a time when they need it most. Even if the business has not reopened yet, you may still be able to purchase a gift card online for a future purchase or dinner out. If there are certain stores you know you love and will be visiting, consider purchasing a gift card ahead of time.

2 | Stock Up
If there are certain items from local businesses you know you always need a large quantity of, consider stocking up and purchasing a larger amount at once. This will not only help small businesses, but it will also reduce the number of times you need to visit the store and help keep shops less busy which will aid social and physical distancing.

3 | Write Positive Online Reviews
This may be one of the best and simplest acts of kindness you can do to support a local business, and it's completely free and won’t take too much time!

Even if you have been hit hard during Covid-19 and are struggling financially, this is something everyone can do for their favourite local shops and businesses. You can recommend them to your friends and family, as word-of-mouth is the most impactful way to spread awareness.

Supporting local businesses encourages a sense of community and gives our economy a chance to thrive by putting money back into it. It’s so important to come together and support each other any way we can, especially during these difficult times.

The Best Five Summer Road Trips to Take in Ontario
Youngs Insurance Brokers Inc.


We’re so grateful and proud to live in Ontario and considering the awesome weather we have in the summer, it’s the ideal time to travel and explore with a road trip. We’ve shared our top destination picks!

With such a short season of beautiful weather that we get in Ontario, we feel the need to make the most of it and get outside as much as possible. We’re helping you take advantage of our beautiful summer months with this list of the best five road trip locations to travel to in Ontario!


#1 | Lake Superior’s Northern Shore
This is a beautiful drive that runs all the way from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay and further! Be prepared to make many stops, as this trip is more about the journey than the destination. There are numerous hidden beaches and historic lighthouses to explore whilst driving.

#2 | Windsor
Home to North America’s largest distillery, Hiram Walker & Sons, this is a great trip if you’re looking for an impressive whiskey tour. If you’re wanting more of a family-friendly road trip, there are many gorgeous greenspaces and waterfronts all along the way as well!

#3 | Prince Edward County
An island that is found in Lake Ontario, Prince Edward County has it all from conservation areas, provincial parks, rolling sandbanks, unique wineries, and the opportunity to really dive into nature.

#4 | Hamilton
You may be surprised to find ‘Steel City’ on this list! We bet you didn’t know that Hamilton is actually known as the waterfall capital of the world. With over 100 waterfalls to visit including Webster’s Falls and Tiffany Falls, there are so many great opportunities for some great views and adventures on a road trip to Hamilton.

#5 | Sauble Beach
This beach is found along the Eastern Shore of Lake Huron. This beautiful beach town has so much to offer. You’ll be within an hour from several must-see sights including Tobermory’s turquoise-blue swimming holes, wave-carved grotto, and Flowerpot Island.

We hope you enjoy these travel destination tips as much as we do and explore our wonderful province! Take your family or a great group of friends and discover the beautiful scenery that surrounds us.

We should hear more over the next few days.

Stay safe.

Ontario allows auto insurance companies to provide rebates due to pandemic

Important Notice to Our Valued Clients and Visitors re:
COVID-19

With reference to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the health and well-being of our clients, partners and community is our greatest concern. Following recommendations provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada, effective March 17, 2020, my business services will ONLY be available via telephone/email ONLY.
If you have any questions or need to coordinate payment, please contact me for further instruction.
As always, I will continue to be of service to you via phone or e-mail weekdays 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. You can reach me at 416-558-6199 or [email protected].

This situation will continue to be monitored and updates will be provided when available. I sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together on the next steps.

Stay safe.

AUTO Insurance rate filing approved/ordered so far this year: January - September 30/2019.

You can also see the approved/ordered filings for 2018 and prior years by clicking this link.

http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/rates/Pages/default.aspx

Lending Your Vehicle


​​When you lend your auto, you also share your auto insurance. Typically, a guest driver is also covered under your policy. Should the guest driver cause a collision while driving your vehicle, your premium may increase.
​
What to Consider :

Under certain circumstances, you can lend your auto without naming a guest driver on your insurance policy. If you decide to lend your auto, keep the following in mind:

You must agree – verbally or in writing – that the driver may use your vehicle.

You CAN'T lend your auto on a regular basis to someone without naming him or her on your insurance policy. If, for example, a friend wants to drive your auto every Friday to go grocery shopping, update your policy to include him or her as an occasional driver.

The person who borrows your auto must be licensed and legally allowed to drive in the province or territory where you both live.

When you lend your vehicle, remember that you also lend your insurance record.

http://www.ibc.ca/on/auto/risk-management/lending-a-car

Lending Your Vehicle ​​When you lend your auto, you also share your auto insurance. Typically, a guest driver is also covered under your policy. Should the guest driver cause a collision while driving your vehicle, your premium may increase.

A small investment can pay off large.

Does installing a dash cam affect your car insurance? Wondering how installing a dash cam might affect your car insurance? We’ve got the answers to your questions.

It's about time!

You can now display your proof of auto insurance electronically in Ontario. Have questions? There's no one better to ask than your insurance broker. OntarioBrokers.ca

Prevent Break-ins: What You Should Never Leave in Your Car
Posted Jun 3rd, 2019 in Media, General, Insurance Tips, Auto Insurance, Did You Know?, In the News

It may seem harmless to leave items in your car in plain sight, especially if you’ll only be gone for a short time. However, thieves know what to look for and break-ins can happen in an instant.

Prevent Break-ins: What You Should Never Leave in Your Car, Youngs Insurance, Ontario

When it comes to preventing car break-ins, there are a couple of things you can do to help mitigate thieves from gaining access to your valuable possessions.
Five Items You Should Never Leave In Your Car

#1 Backpacks and Purses
It seems obvious not to leave backpacks and purses unattended in your car, but people still do it. Thieves know they are bound to find something inside such as money, credit cards, cell phone or a laptop. Even if the purse is empty, hide it in the trunk to prevent your window from being broken by nosy thieves.

#2 Shopping Bags
Leaving shopping bags in the back seat of your car while you run into do your groceries seems harmless, but they are very attractive to thieves. Even small purchases can be tempting to thieves looking to make quick cash. Do yourself a favour and store all bags in the trunk and out of sight.

#3 Cell Phones and Other Electronics
Never leave your electronics in your car – they are expensive to replace but you also run the risk of having your personal information compromised. Keep everything password protected and out of sight by hiding them in the glove box or trunk. Better yet, always keep your electronics with you.

#4 Medication
Prescription medication can be very inviting to thieves who may have substance abuse issues. Never leave your medication in plain sight.

#5 Important Documents and Personal Information
Any documents with your personal information on them should never be left visible in the car. For example, your passport contains extremely personal information and is very enticing to thieves who are looking to steal your identity.

Don’t give thieves a reason to break into your car! Protect your car and your belongings by always hiding important documents and never leaving your items in plain sight. We hope you found these tips helpful!

It's harvest season. Make sure to give farm machinery lots of space on the road.

The Stage: Shreya’s Unfinished Story Each day nine people are killed by distracted driving, leaving their stories unfinished. We honored Shreya by bringing her Unfinished Story to life, through ...

Insurance Tip:

One of the easiest ways to make a record of your belongings is to identify the most valuable stuff first. Start with your electronics, jewelry, collections, luxury shoes and purses, etc.

Hitting the road this weekend? New passing lanes have been popping up all over the province - here's some tips on how to navigate them:

https://www.sgi.sk.ca/handbook/-/knowledge_base/drivers/when-passing

Welcome August..
Just letting everyone know that I am no longer working from the Stouffville office. I can still be reached by phone or email as my contact information hasn't changed. I am servicing York Region as well as East Gwillimbury both from my home office as well as my Thornhill office. Office visits are welcome by appointment Monday to Friday by contacting me by phone or email. Looking forward to talking to anyone interested in obtaining insurance quotes or just to review what you already have.
Enjoy the long weekend ahead!

Youngs Insurance Broker - Joanne Buggea updated their business hours.

Youngs Insurance Broker - Joanne Buggea updated their website address.