It costs more for car insurance in Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill

The provincial average stands at $1,316 per year.

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 12, 2017
By Ali Raza

Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill drivers have the most expensive car insurance in the province, an online insurance marketplace revealed.

Kanetix.ca compared auto insurance premiums in cities and towns across Ontario based on a 35-year-old driver of a 2014 Honda Civic. The findings revealed Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill are among the top 10 most expensive cities to have car insurance.

Brampton took the top spot at an estimated annual premium of $2,268. Vaughan followed in second place with $1,825, Markham ranked fourth at $1,785, Richmond Hill ranked sixth - just after Toronto - at $1,709.

The provincial average stands at $1,316 per year.

Variables that determine your premium include your driving record, insurance history, the make and model of your vehicle, and the likelihood of vehicle theft.

Another important factor is where you live. Generally speaking, cities and towns closer to the Greater Toronto Area or highly populated urban centres will have a higher premium.

The likelihood of a claim alters the premium too. If a city or town reports more claims than other areas, the insurance premium will be higher.

Cities like London, Barrie, Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, Guelph, St. Catharines, Ottawa and Kingston all fall below provincial average between $800 and $1,300.

The lowest premiums were found in Kingston, Cornwall, Brockville, Trenton, Port Hope, Picton, Napanee, Cobourg, Belleville, Parry Sound, Huntsville, Gravenhurst, and Bracebridge. Estimated premiums ranged from $800 to $900.

Tips to lower your premium include maintaining a clean driving record, bundling your auto insurance and home insurance policies, and installing winter tires.