Kanetix.ca Releases its 2016 Top 10 List for Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in Ontario

Drivers in the GTA pay considerably more for auto insurance compared to the rest of the province

TORONTO, Oct. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Kanetix.ca has found that Brampton is the most expensive city to insure a car in Ontario, while the town of Hawkesbury – located southeast of Ottawa – is the cheapest. The findings, coming from the annual Kanetix.ca list of the 10 most expensive cities for car insurance in Ontario, show an estimated difference of $1,436 annually between the priciest and least expensive premiums. The data can be found on InsuraMap – a Kanetix.ca interactive tool which allows motorists to compare estimated auto insurance premiums across the country.

"While there are a lot of variables that go into determining what you pay to insure your vehicle, one of the most influential factors is where you live," says Janine White, Vice President of Kanetix.ca. "If you reside anywhere in the GTA, chances are you'll be paying a lot more."

Why is this the case? Some areas with higher premiums – especially heavily populated cities – experience more traffic congestion or have a higher percentage of commuters. Other areas may be more prone to traffic accidents or car thefts. But also at play is the type of vehicle you own, the time of day and where you drive it, your insurance provider's claims history and your own driving record.

What else does InsuraMap show us this year? Provincially, the average auto insurance premium comes in at about $1,448 per year, but Ontario's most highly populated cities and towns tend to see figures that are much higher.

Rank	City	Estimated Premium*	Compared to provincial average
1	Brampton	$2,392	65% higher
2	Vaughan	$2,018	39% higher
3	Mississauga	$1,930	33% higher
4-a	Toronto	$1,886	30% higher
4-b	Markham	$1,886	30% higher
6	Richmond Hill	$1,783	23% higher
7	Hamilton	$1,683	16% higher
8	Pickering	$1,593	10% higher
9	Ajax	$1,556	7.5% higher
10-a	Bradford	$1,484	2.5% higher
10-b	Stouffville	$1,484	2.5% higher

*Figures are based on a single 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record.

It's worth noting that some areas within the GTA are below the provincial average, such as Whitby, where premiums are estimated at $1,443, and Oshawa, where motorists likely pay about $1,354 per year. Other less expensive cities include St. Catharines ($1,317), Kitchener ($1,251), Cambridge ($1,172), Waterloo ($1,165), Ottawa ($1,142) and Guelph ($1,128). Hawkesbury had the lowest typical premiums, coming in at $956.

You Don't Have to Move to Get a Better Rate!

Just because you live in an expensive city doesn't mean you have to pay expensive rates. There are ways to save. Bundle your home and auto insurance, for example, to save 5 per cent to 15 per cent. Install winter tires for a savings of up to 5 per cent. And, don't forget to shop around for better rates. Using Kanetix.ca, customers can save an average of $750 on their auto insurance premiums – and who doesn't love more money in their wallet?

About KANETIX®

Launched in October 1999, KANETIX was Canada's first online insurance marketplace and today provides over a million quotes per year to consumers looking for insurance, as well as comparisons for mortgage rates and credit cards.

The KANETIX.ca comparison service is a one-stop shopping environment for consumers. Each day, thousands visit the KANETIX website to comparison shop their various financial needs. Shoppers choose what they want to compare, obtain a quotation and complete an online application or, with the help of KANETIX connect with the provider to purchase or apply for the product over the phone.

Through its Software as a Service team, KANETIX is also the leading provider of online insurance quotation technology, developing online quotation systems, mobile solutions, actuarial tools and websites for many of Canada's largest insurance brands.

SOURCE Kanetix

For media inquiries, please contact: Tara Bolger, [email protected], 647-228-3944