How Does Car Insurance Work in Chatham?
Car insurance is mandatory in Ontario, but it’s important to understand the factors that influence your insurance premium and the types of coverage you should consider.
Below is a breakdown of what’s included in your car insurance package in Chatham when you get a quote with MyChoice, categorized by mandatory and highly recommended coverages. Together, the mandatory and recommended coverage premiums reflect the average car insurance cost in Chatham referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $839 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $1,074 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,913 |
Mandatory Coverages:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Liability | Protects you if you injure someone or damage property while driving, and covers legal costs if you’re sued. | $252 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault. | $572 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage. | $15 |
| Coverage Total: | $839 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Chatham and will always be included in a standard car insurance quote.
Highly Recommended Coverages:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Compensation: Property Damage | Covers damage to your own vehicle if you’re not at fault in an accident with another insured driver in Ontario. | $470 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $286 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $206 |
| OPCF 20: Loss of Use | Pays for rental or other transportation if your car is out of service after an at-fault accident or comprehensive claim. | $24 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $25 |
| OPCF 44R: Family Protection | Covers you and your family if you’re hit by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver and their coverage isn’t enough. | $19 |
| OPCF 39: Accident Forgiveness | Prevents your insurance premiums from increasing after your first at-fault accident, as long as you stay with the same insurer. | $28 |
| OPCF 43: Waiver of Depreciacion | Ensures you get the full purchase price back—not a depreciated value—if your new vehicle is written off. | $2 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,074 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Chatham may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Chatham
The average annual car insurance premium in Chatham is $1,913, less than Ontario’s average of $1,874/year.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N7L | $1,963 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Chatham
Meanwhile, the postal code N7M has a lower insurance rate than the city average. Here’s a look at the cheapest area for auto insurance in Chatham:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N7M | $1,746 |
How Chatham Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Drivers in Chatham typically see lower insurance premiums compared to larger cities in Ontario. Here’s how it stacks up against surrounding areas:
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Chatham, ON | $1,913 |
| Sarnia, ON | $1,603 |
| Windsor, ON | $1,891 |
| London, ON | $1,987 |
| Cambridge, ON | $1,894 |
| Kitchener, ON | $1,748 |
Car Insurance Cost in Chatham by Age
Age impacts your premiums because it’s part of the insurer’s risk calculations. Young drivers pay more because they’re inexperienced, while older drivers pay more because they’re more likely to be harmed in an accident.
Here’s a look at how age influences your insurance premiums:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $5,490 | $1,092 |
| 21–24 | $2,831 | $563 |
| 25–34 | $2,181 | $434 |
| 35–44 | $1,913 | $380 |
| 45–54 | $1,626 | $323 |
| 55–64 | $1,511 | $301 |
| 65+ | $1,550 | $308 |
Car Insurance Cost in Chatham by Driving History
Insurers use your driving history to measure accident risk. Drivers with many violations on their record get higher rates because they’re more likely to re-offend, while safe drivers with clean records get lower rates because their accident risk is lower.
Driving violations and demerits in Ontario “reset” after two years, but insurers may check your record as far back as 10 years when measuring your accident risk.
Here’s how different violations impact your car insurance premiums:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,913 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,659 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $2,009 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,749 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $2,315 |
Car Insurance Cost in Chatham by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Chatham. This should give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for car insurance based on the vehicle model you drive.
| Car Model | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Ford | $1,819 |
| Nissan | $1,574 |
| Toyota | $1,689 |
| Hyundai | $1,617 |
| Volkswagen | $1,476 |
| Chevrolet | $1,508 |
| Mazda | $1,762 |
| Honda | $1,472 |
| Mercedes | $1,654 |
| BMW | $1,867 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Chatham
Car insurance brokers answer questions and compare policies to help you find the best deals. Here are some brokerages in Chatham that you can contact for auto insurance assistance:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| BrokerLink | 380 Queen St #1, Chatham ON N7M 2H6, Canada | +15193545115 |
| Advanced Insurance Brokers Inc. | 825 Park Ave W, Chatham-Kent ON N7M 0N1, Canada | +15193979333 |
| Programmed Insurance Brokers Inc. | 311 St Clair St, Chatham ON N7L 3J8, Canada | +15193521550 |
Driving in Chatham
Chatham is widely known as the classic car capital of Canada, thanks to its long history in automotive manufacturing. The city has strong ties to the Black community, with many escaping to this city from the US.
With its rich cultural heritage and beautiful lakeside views, Chatham is a great place to live. But is it a great place to drive in? Check out the key facts about driving in Chatham:
- Major highways in Chatham: 401
- Public transit options: CK Transit (bus), Via Rail (train)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: The City of Chatham, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Kingston Park, Chatham Capitol Theatre, Thames Art Gallery, The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, C.M. Wilson Conservation Area
- Busy intersections: McNaughton Avenue and St. Clair Street, Queen’s Line and Martin Road
- Airports: Chatham-Kent Municipal Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Chatham
Chatham is widely known for its strong car culture, so it stands to reason that most of its commuters prefer personal vehicles. 93% of the city’s commuters take their car to work, whether they’re driving or riding. Public transit is the least-popular method of travel, with just 160 people preferring it. Check the table below to learn more about how Chatham’s residents commute:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 36,460 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 33,910 | 93.0% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 31,145 | 85.4% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 2,760 | 7.6% |
| Public transit | 160 | 0.4% |
| Walked | 1,545 | 4.2% |
| Bicycle | 290 | 0.8% |
| Other method | 560 | 1.5% |
Commuting Duration in Chatham
Despite its commuters’ clear preference for cars, commuting in Chatham is reasonably quick. Around 75% of its commuters spend under 30 minutes on the road, while people who spend over an hour travelling to work are rare at only 5%. Here’s a look at the commuting duration in Chatham:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 36,460 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 17,780 | 48.8% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 9,735 | 26.7% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 5,270 | 14.5% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1,795 | 4.9% |
| 60 minutes and over | 1,885 | 5.2% |
Driving Conditions in Chatham
Snow and rain affect auto insurance rates because they impact your driving risk. Here’s an overview of driving conditions in Chatham:
- Average daily commute time: 38 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 54.1 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 30.9 mm
- Rainy days per year: 155 days
- Rainiest month in Chatham: May
- Driest months in Chatham: January, February
- Snow days per year: 57 days
Snowfall months in Chatham: October – May
Traffic in Chatham
Chatham is a small town of around 100,000 people, so traffic is relatively light. However, it’s still a good idea to know the key traffic stats so you can manage driving risk.
Here’s a quick look at the traffic in Chatham:
- Population: 104,316 people live within Chatham’s city limits.
- City area: Chatham’s city area spans 2,457.90 km2.
- Time spent in traffic annually: The average Chatham resident spends 38 minutes in traffic daily, totalling roughly 231 hours per year.
- Busiest highways: Chatham sits just off Highway 401, North America’s busiest highway that sees 500,000 vehicles pass through it daily.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Chatham
How much does Chatham car insurance cost?
The average car insurance cost in Chatham is $1,913/year.
How can you get cheaper auto insurance in Chatham?
Compare car insurance rates in Chatham with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.