How Does Car Insurance Work in Kingston?
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 Kingston 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 Kingston referenced above.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability – Accident Benefits – Uninsured Automobile | $705 |
| Highly Recommended | – Direct Compensation: Property Damage – Collision – Comprehensive – OPCF 20 – OPCF 27 – OPCF 44R – OPCF 39 – OPCF 43 | $877 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,581 |
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 | $221 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, income replacement, and more for you and others injured in an accident, regardless of fault | $472 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or an unidentified driver and suffer injuries or vehicle damage | $12 |
| Coverage Total: | $705 |
*The above coverages are mandatory in Kingston 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. | $388 |
| Collision | Covers your vehicle if you hit another car or object and you’re found at fault. | $237 |
| Comprehensive | Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather. | $170 |
| 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. | $20 |
| OPCF 27: Rental Vehicle | Extends your coverage to rented or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if damage occurs while you drive them. | $21 |
| 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. | $16 |
| 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. | $23 |
| 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: | $877 |
*Any of the above highly recommended coverages in Kingston may be removed from your quote, but we strongly recommend keeping them to have adequate protection.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Kingston
The average car insurance premium in Kingston is $1,581, which is on the lower spectrum of Ontario rates. Kingston postal codes with the most expensive car insurance rates are K7K and K7N, which include Rideau Heights and Amherstview.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| K7K | $1,624 |
| K7N | $1,611 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Kingston
In comparison, the Kingston postal codes with the cheapest car insurance rates are K7M, K7P, and K7L.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| K7M, K7P | $1,539 |
| K7L | $1,555 |
How Kingston Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Kingston’s car insurance rates are some of the highest in the region. You can see how they compare to some of the neighbouring cities in the table below.
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Kingston, ON | $1,581 |
| Belleville, ON | $1,652 |
| Brockville, ON | $1,529 |
| Cornwall, ON | $1,381 |
| Ottawa, ON | $1,560 |
| Peterborough, ON | $1,584 |
Car Insurance Cost in Kingston by Age
Most younger drivers in Kingston get higher insurance premiums because of a lack of driving experience. Taking driving lessons or applying for student discounts can help lower your rates.
On the other hand, while older drivers get lower insurance premiums, rates tend to rise after 65 because you are more likely to sustain serious injuries in an accident.
Below is a closer look at how age can affect your insurance premiums in Kingston:
| Age | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Average Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $4,537 | $903 |
| 21-24 | $2,340 | $465 |
| 25-34 | $1,802 | $358 |
| 35-44 | $1,581 | $314 |
| 45-54 | $1,344 | $267 |
| 55-64 | $1,249 | $248 |
| 65+ | $1,281 | $255 |
Car Insurance Cost in Kingston by Driving History
Insurance companies base rates according to how risky a driver you are. If you have a poor driving history, an insurer will deem you a high-risk driver and charge you higher rates.
Take a closer look below at how incurring driving offences can impact your insurance premiums:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,581 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,198 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,660 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,099 |
| Minor speeding ticket | $1,913 |
Car Insurance Cost in Kingston by Vehicle Model
Below is a breakdown of the estimated insurance costs for various car models in Kingston. 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 |
|---|---|
| Subaru | $1,372 |
| Hyundai | $1,595 |
| Honda | $1,451 |
| Toyota | $1,665 |
| Tesla | $1,553 |
| Mercedes | $1,566 |
| Audi | $1,966 |
| BMW | $1,840 |
| Mazda | $1,474 |
| Volkswagen | $1,454 |
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Kingston
Car insurance brokerages are mediators that can help you find the best possible insurance rates. If you’re not sure where to start, hiring an auto broker can provide insight into what makes a “good” rate.
You can work with the best brokerages in the country to help you find the rates you deserve. Below are just a few of the brokerages available in Kingston, Ontario:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| McDougall Insurance & Financial – Kingston | 321 Concession St Kingston, ON K7K 2B9, Canada | +16136501574 |
| Dorey & Tolgyesi Insurance Brokers Ltd | 541 Days Rd #4 Kingston, ON K7M 3R8, Canada | +16133899966 |
| Shaw Insurance | 2001 ON-15 Kingston, ON K7L 4V3, Canada | +16135426573 |
| All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited | 722 Arlington Park Pl Kingston, ON K7M 8H9, Canada | +16133892442 |
Driving in Kingston
While Highway 401 runs through a portion of Kingston, it is a generally smaller city less prone to collisions and traffic. However, it’s still imperative to protect yourself with the right kind of auto insurance.
To give you a better idea of what kind of coverage you need, take a look at the following key facts about driving in Kingston:
- Major highways in London: Ontario Highway 2
- Public transit options: Kingston Transit Megabus
- Ridesharing services: Uber
- Parking space providers: City of Kingston, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Haunted Walk of Kingston, Fort Henry National Historic Site, Kingston Penitentiary, Thousand Islands, Frontenac Provincial ParkKingston
- Busy intersections: Cataraqui Street, Rideau Street, Sydenham Road, Unity Road, John Counter Boulevard, Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard
- Airports: Norman Rogers Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Kingston
As with almost all other cities, most of Kingston’s commuters use cars, trucks, and vans to commute. However, the next-most popular commuting mode is walking. Nearly 9% of Kingston’s commuters walk to work, beating out public transit by around 1,000 people. Check out the details of the most popular commuting modes in Kingston here:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 43,130 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 35,135 | 81.5% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 31,705 | 73.5% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 3,420 | 7.9% |
| Public transit | 2,680 | 6.2% |
| Walked | 3,665 | 8.5% |
| Bicycle | 660 | 1.5% |
| Other method | 990 | 2.3% |
Commuting Duration in Kingston
There’s an even split between Kingston commuters who spend under 15 minutes and those who spend 15 to 29 minutes on their commutes. Together, that makes around 36,000 people who spend under 30 minutes commuting in Kingston. Take a look at the table below to learn more about commuting durations in Kingston:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 43,130 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 18,470 | 42.8% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 18,150 | 42.1% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 4,220 | 9.8% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1,085 | 2.5% |
| 60 minutes and over | 1,205 | 2.8% |
Driving Conditions in Kingston
Kingston is a generally safe city for drivers but can be prone to adverse driving conditions because of weather changes. If you’re driving in Kingston for the first time, here is what you need to know about its driving conditions:
- Average daily commute time: 40 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 830 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 649 mm
- Rainy days per year: 170 days
- Rainiest month in London: October
- Driest months in London: December – April
- Snow days per year: 68 days
- Snowfall months in London: November – April
Traffic in Kingston
Kingston is a midsized town with relatively safe driving conditions and minimal traffic. However, drivers from surrounding towns often pass through to cross the border, so expect conditions to change occasionally.
Below is a short overview of the traffic conditions in Kingston:
- Population: About 136,685 people currently live in Kingston, Ontario.
- City area: Kingston’s city limits span 450.4 km2
- Busiest highways: The busiest highways in Kingston are Highway 401 and 15.
- Average number of collisions: Kingston experiences roughly 1,700 collisions per year.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Kingston
How much does Kingston car insurance cost?
On average, Kingston car insurance costs $1,581/year.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Kingston?
You should compare car insurance rates in Kingston because they are constantly changing. No two Ontario insurance providers have the same rates, so picking the right plan can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
What information do you need for an auto insurance quote in Kingston?
The information you need to provide for an auto insurance quote in Kingston includes your driver’s licence, driving record, and vehicle type. Depending on your insurance provider, you may need to provide additional information as requested.
Can I use my Kingston car insurance to drive in the United States?
Yes, you can use your Kingston car insurance to drive in the United States. However, most insurers recommend getting additional emergency coverage or bringing cash.
How can you get cheaper car insurance in Kingston?
Compare car insurance rates in Kingston with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.