Most and least expensive Ontario cities to buy car insurance revealed
Ontario has some of the highest car insurance rates in the country, but for the first time in a long time premiums are actually coming down.
"It's definitely good news," Tanisha Kishan, insurance expert with RatesDotCa, told CTV News Toronto.
With so many people still working from home during the second year of the pandemic and traffic remaining light on many highways, car insurance premiums in Ontario have dropped an average of 3.8 per cent.
"A lot less vehicles on the road equals a lot less claims, which translates into premium decreases for consumers," Kishan said.
According to RatesDotCa, the average Ontario auto insurance premium in 2020 was $1,616. Last year it dropped to $1,555, a 3.8 per cent decrease.
The City of Brampton, which has long held the title as the most expensive city in Ontario to insure a car, saw the largest decline in premiums of 27 per cent.
"I think that Brampton premiums were high for so long they just had the most room to fall," Kishan said.
The city with the most expensive auto insurance in the province is now Vaughan, with an estimated annual premium of $2,179.
It's followed by Ajax, Richmond Hill, Brampton and Mississauga.
Despite being the most expensive, all five cities still saw a reduction in rates.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has approved more than 100 rate reductions and 42 various rebates during the pandemic.
"We would definitely agree that rates have stabilized and in many cases are quite a bit lower," said Tim Bzowey, Executive Vice President of Auto Insurance Products at FSRA.
While not every driver will see a reduction in rates, it may be advisable to shop around to find a better deal.
"Rates vary a lot from insurer to insurer, so please shop around to make sure you are getting the best rate available to you at the time," said Bzowey.
Not every city saw decreases and one of the largest hikes in the province took place in Oshawa, where insurance premiums jumped 12 per cent.
Among the most inexpensive places to insure a car were in Cobourg, Port Hope, Picton and Kingston where each had an average annual premium of about $1,100.
FSRA said the lower rates won't last forever as it's expected when the pandemic ends and driving habits return to normal premiums will start to creep back up.
Top ten most expensive cities in Ontario for car insurance
- Vaughan $2,179
- Ajax $2,104
- Richmond Hill $2,025
- Brampton $1,976
- Mississauga $1,971
- Pickering $1,959
- Toronto $1,953
- Oshawa $1,833
- Whitby $1,792
- Nobleton, Schomberg, Orangeville, King City $1,766
Cheapest cities in Ontario for car insurance
- Kendal $1,271
- Port Hope $1,175
- Amherstview $1,132
- Brockville $1,132
- Iroquois $1,132
- Martintown $1,132
- Elizabethtown $1,132
- Cornwall $1,132
- Kingston $1,132
- Gananoque $1,132
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.