Driving on 'All-Seasons' in January? You Are Missing the Mandatory 5% Discount & Risking an At-Fault Accident

⚠️ 2026 Insurance Alert: Auto insurance premiums across Canada have risen significantly this year. While the "Winter Tire Discount" is typically 5%, failing to install them after declaring you have them can lead to a "Material Misrepresentation" clause, potentially voiding your collision coverage in an accident.

❄️ The "All-Season" Lie

You are driving home on a snowy evening in January. You hit the brakes at a stop sign, but your car keeps sliding. Crunch. You rear-end the car in front.

You tell the police: "I have All-Season tires, they should be fine!"

Wrong. In the Canadian winter climate, standard "All-Season" tires behave like hard plastic hockey pucks once the temperature drops below 7°C. Not only did you cause an accident, but you may have also jeopardized your insurance standing.

Driving on 'All-Seasons' in January?

Depending on where you live in Canada, Winter Tires are either a strictly enforced legal requirement or a massive money-saving opportunity. Let's break down the provincial rules for 2026.

Ontario vs. Quebec vs. BC (The Law)

Insurance rules change instantly when you cross a provincial border. Know your obligations.

Province	The Rule	The Penalty
Quebec	MANDATORY (Dec 1 to Mar 15)	Up to $300 Fine + Towing costs.
Ontario	Mandatory Discount Offer (Insurers MUST offer it)	No Police Fine, but you pay ~5% higher premiums.
British Columbia	Mandatory on Hwys (Oct 1 to Apr 30 on designated routes)	Turned away by police or fined $121.

The "Mountain Snowflake" Symbol

Do not get scammed by marketing jargon. A tire is only a legally recognized Winter Tire if it bears the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the sidewall.

🚗 All-Weather vs. All-Season:

• All-Season (M+S): Okay for light rain/mud, but dangerous on ice. No insurance discount in Ontario.
• All-Weather: Has the Snowflake symbol. Can stay on year-round. Qualifies for the discount and meets BC/Quebec laws.
• Winter Tire: Specialized rubber compound for deep snow/ice. Must change in summer. Qualifies for the discount.

How to Claim Your 5% Discount

In Ontario, insurance companies are required by law to offer a discount to drivers who use winter tires. But they don't apply it automatically.

You must call your broker and declare that you have winter tires installed (typically from Nov to April). Warning: If you claim the discount but get into a crash on a snowy day while wearing All-Seasons, your insurer may deny the claim due to misrepresentation.

Chief Editor’s Verdict

The cost of a set of winter tires ($800 - $1,200) is often less than your insurance deductible ($1,000+) if you slide into a guardrail.

Plus, the 5% insurance savings compounded year over year will eventually pay for the tires themselves. Invest in grip, not bodywork repairs.

[Legal & Insurance Disclaimer]
Insurance laws and highway traffic acts vary by province and are subject to change. The "Winter Tire Discount" in Ontario applies to private passenger vehicles and eligibility criteria vary by insurer (e.g., install dates). "M+S" (Mud and Snow) tires without the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol do not qualify as winter tires in Quebec or for severe mountain highway conditions in BC. Always consult your insurance broker for specific policy details.