How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Chatham?
You can get cheap Chatham car insurance by finding the best deals. Here are several tips to help you do so:
How Does Car Insurance Work in Chatham?
Car insurance in Chatham works by providing financial coverage in case something bad happens to you or your car, depending on the protection you choose. Auto insurance in Chatham is mandatory by local laws, which means you need car insurance to avoid fines or driver’s licence suspensions.
Worse still, if you get convicted of driving without insurance, you’ll get higher premiums from carriers. This makes driving again prohibitively expensive or even nearly impossible after being caught driving without insurance. That’s why getting auto insurance is essential before buying a car or driving in Chatham.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of your auto insurance policy:
How Your Car Insurance Quotes Are Calculated in Chatham
Your car insurance rates are calculated based on how risky you are to insure. Naturally, drivers more likely to get into accidents will have higher premiums than those less likely to be in an accident.
Here are seven factors that influence your Chatham car insurance quotes:
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Chatham
The average annual car insurance premium in Chatham is $1,283, about $100 cheaper than Ontario’s average of $1,385/year. However, the postal code N7L has a higher auto insurance rate than the city’s average.
Here’s a look at the most expensive postal code for auto insurance in Chatham:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N7L | $1,285 |
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 | $1,281 |
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 Group | Average annual insurance cost | Average savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $4,580 | $911 |
| 21-24 | $2,617 | $521 |
| 25-34 | $1,745 | $347 |
| 35-44 | $1,283 | $255 |
| 45-54 | $1,052 | $209 |
| 55-64 | $894 | $178 |
| 65+ | $1,019 | $203 |
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 rate |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,283 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,104 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,538 |
| One accident | $2,828 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,670 |
Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Chatham
We’ve covered several factors that influence car insurance rates in Chatham. Aside from those, several extra factors play a part in determining your Chatham auto insurance premiums:
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.
- Average commute distance: The average Chatham resident travels x km to their workplace or school.
- 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.
Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Chatham?
Insurance brokers, agents, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Chatham. Here’s an overview of these four insurance quote providers:
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Chatham
Is ridesharing insurance available in Chatham?
Ridesharing insurance is available in Chatham. Ask your insurance company or visit a brokerage to learn more.
How much does Chatham car insurance cost?
The average car insurance cost in Chatham is $1,283/year.
Is car insurance cheaper in Chatham than in London?
Chatham’s annual car insurance rate is cheaper than London’s by over $200.
Which auto insurance is the best for young drivers in Chatham?
There’s no specific auto insurance policy for young drivers in Chatham. However, parents can include a young driver in their policy, meaning they don’t have to pay for a solo insurance policy.