How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Kingston?
You can get cheap Kingston car insurance by finding the best deals. Here are several tips to help you do so:
Compare Rates Between Insurers
Kingston has a highly competitive auto insurance market, so insurers are constantly vying for your business. When insurers try to give you the best deals, it’s you who wins. Compare rates and shop around to see which insurance provider fits your auto protection needs affordably.
Take Bundled Policies
One of the best ways to save money while shopping is to buy a package deal, and insurance is no different. If you bundle home and auto insurance from the same company, you’re much more likely to get lower rates.
Ask For A Higher Deductible
You must pay a deductible on insurance claims before your carrier covers the remaining expenses. A higher deductible means paying extra if something happens to your car, but it also means you’ll get lower insurance premiums.
Request Group Discounts
Many insurance companies deal in group discounts for companies and other organizations. If you’re shopping for auto insurance in Kingston for work, ask your agent about group deals and discounts.
Pay Annual Premiums
Paying annual insurance premiums might look expensive initially, but it’s generally cheaper than paying them monthly. Ask your insurers about half-year premiums if you can’t afford annual premiums.
Drive Safely
Motor vehicle offences and accidents stay on your record for years. Unfortunately, any driving violation on your record will considerably increase your insurance rates. However, this also means you’ll get lower auto insurance rates if you have no offences on record.
Consider Taking Usage-Based Insurance
Usage-based insurance (UBI) or pay-as-you-go insurance tracks your driving behaviour to determine how much you must pay for insurance. Taking UBI lets you save up to 30% on your annual premiums, so it’s a good option if you consider yourself a safe driver.
Take Driving Courses
Accredited driving lessons make you a safer driver and let you earn discounts on auto insurance in Kingston.
Choose the Coverage You Need
Naturally, more insurance protection leads to higher rates. While some auto insurance coverage is mandatory, you have optional insurance coverage like at-fault accident and theft protection. Review your policy and skip unnecessary optional coverage to save on insurance premiums.
Buy Affordable Cars
Cars that are expensive and hard to replace tend to get hit with higher premiums. If possible, buy affordable and reliable cars that are more common and easy to repair or replace if you want lower insurance rates.
Quick Facts About Auto Insurance in Kingston
- Kingston car insurance is LESS expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual car insurance cost in Kingston for a driver with a clean record is around $1,115.
- Drivers without a clean record in Kingston can pay up to $2,457 annually, depending on factors like driving and claim history.
- Comparing Kingston auto insurance quotes with MyChoice can save you up to $792 annually.
Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Kingston?
Insurance brokers, agents, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Kingston. Here’s an overview of these four insurance quote providers:
Insurance Brokers
Insurance brokers are independent professionals who help you shop for the best rates by comparing deals from multiple insurers. Because they have a bird’s-eye view of the current Kingston insurance landscape, they can show you which companies offer the best insurance deals and answer any questions you may have.
Brokers take a commission from insurance companies, which could increase your rates. You might spend more money than if you had found an insurer yourself.
Direct Writers
Like insurance agents, direct writers only sell insurance products from one company. Direct writers are typically found online and are cheaper because they don’t have physical offices.
Insurance Agents
Insurance agents work for a certain insurer, so they can only offer their employer’s insurance products. However, they know their insurer like the back of their hands and might even give you discounts that brokers don’t have access to.
Additionally, insurance agents can close insurance sales independently, meaning you can purchase insurance from them right then and there.
Insurance Aggregators
An insurance aggregator website like MyChoice compiles rates from various insurance brokers, companies, and direct writers in one place. You can browse aggregator websites to find the best deals from the top insurance companies and get quotes instantly.
Better yet, insurance aggregators are accessible online and entirely free for customers, so you can look up insurance rates without spending a single penny or leaving the house.
How Does Car Insurance Work in Kingston?
Car insurance in Kingston works by providing financial coverage in case something bad happens to you or your car, depending on the protection you choose. Auto insurance in Kingston 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 Kingston.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of your auto insurance policy:
The mandatory car insurance requirement for Kingston drivers are:
Third-Party Liability (TPL) Coverage
This insurance component provides financial compensation if you cause an accident that results in car damage or somebody getting hurt or killed. Per Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) regulations, you need at least $200,000 in TPL coverage.
Statutory Accident Benefits Coverage
This insurance component pays for your medical bills, rehabilitation, and possible funeral expenses if you get hurt or killed in a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault. Accident benefits coverage also offers income replacement worth 70% of your gross income, capped at $400 per week.
Uninsured Automobile Insurance
Uninsured automobile insurance covers your medical bills and funeral expenses if you’re struck by uninsured vehicles or hit-and-run drivers. Additionally, it compensates for vehicular damage caused by uninsured drivers.
Direct Compensation – Property Damage (DC-PD) Insurance
DC-PD insurance compensates you for the damage other drivers cause in an accident. However, DC-PD only kicks in if the other person is at fault, they’re also insured, and the accident takes place in Kingston.
Once you meet the minimum car insurance coverage requirements, you can legally drive in Kingston. However, it pays to have extra protection beyond the basics in case you get in an accident.
Since minimum car insurance only goes so far, we’ve got some extra Kingston car insurance recommendations for you:
Extra TPL Coverage
The mandatory $200,000 insurance minimum can be too small, so many drivers choose to get coverage up to $2 million if they cause property damage or hurt somebody in an accident.
Additional Statutory Accident Benefits
Many people get additional coverage for medical bills and funeral expenses in their statutory accident coverage. You can also get extra income replacement protection if 70% income capped at $400 a week seems too limited.
More Comprehensive Property Damage Protection
DC-PD coverage has very specific coverage terms like the other driver also needs to be insured, and the accident must occur in Kingston. To cover their bases, many people purchase extra insurance that still protects them even when the other driver is uninsured, and the accident happens in other provinces.
In addition to mandatory insurance coverage outlined by the FSCO, you can take optional insurance coverage like:
Specified Perils Protection
Specified perils insurance coverage protects you from loss or damage due to a specific cause. The most common perils insured are:
- Car theft
- Fire, earthquake, and explosion
- Weather, which includes windstorms, hail, and lightning
Many insurers also offer comprehensive auto insurance in Kingston if you want protection from all these perils.
Accident Forgiveness
Insurers usually raise your premiums if you’re at fault for causing an accident. If you’ve been a safe driver for several years, you can take extra accident forgiveness coverage so you won’t get higher premiums if you cause an accident. Note that accident forgiveness only works on your first accident, and subsequent violations will still raise your rates.
Limited Depreciation Waiver
If you take a limited waiver of depreciation, you can receive your car’s purchase price as compensation if it’s been stolen or deemed a total loss after an accident.
How Your Car Insurance Quotes Are Calculated in Kingston
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 Kingston car insurance quotes:
Age, Gender, and Marital Status
Your personal demographics influence auto insurance premiums in Kingston because different people have varying accident risks.
Younger people tend to get higher premiums because insurance companies see them as more accident-prone than older people. Generally, your car insurance rates start decreasing when you hit 25 years old as long as you keep a safe driving record. However, insurance premiums increase again for people aged 65 and older because they’re more likely to be injured or killed in traffic accidents.
Women often get lower insurance rates because they’re seen as more careful drivers and don’t take as many risks as men.
Marital status also determines your rates because most insurance companies see married people as more financially stable and less-risky drivers. Married couples also tend to bundle home and auto insurance, saving more on premiums.
Location
People who live in urban areas often see higher insurance premiums because they’re more prone to car accidents and theft.
Car Make and Model
Expensive cars are more costly to repair or replace, so insurance premiums are usually higher than more common vehicles. You can install security features like anti-theft devices if you have an expensive car and want to save on insurance premiums.
Driving History
People who drive safely are rewarded with lower premiums because they’re usually less likely to get into a traffic accident. Conversely, people who have gotten into multiple accidents get higher premiums because they’re more likely to be involved in another accident down the line.
Driving Activity
Logic dictates that people who drive frequently are more likely to get in an accident. Therefore, kilometres driven is one of the determining factors that set your Kingston auto insurance rates.
Insurance Coverage Chosen
Your coverage options influence your insurance rates because taking more coverage gives you more protection. Naturally, the more coverage you choose, the higher your rates.
Policy Discounts
Getting discounts can lower your auto insurance rates and make them more affordable. You can typically get discounts by bundling home and auto insurance or asking for a group discount for your workplace or organization.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Kingston
The average car insurance premium in Kingston is $1,115, which is on the lower spectrum of Ontario rates. Premiums are low because Kingston isn’t as densely populated as other Ontario cities.
Kingston postal codes with the most expensive car insurance rates are K7K and K7N, which include Rideau Heights and Amherstview. Below are the rates you can expect to pay in these areas:
Postal code | Average annual car insurance premium |
---|---|
K7K | $1,122 |
K7N | $1,118 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Kingston
In comparison, the Kingston postal codes with the cheapest car insurance rates are K7M, K7P, and K7L. Here is a breakdown of the rates in each area:
Postal code | Average annual car insurance premium |
---|---|
K7M, K7P | $1,115 |
K7L | $1,104 |
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 insurance cost | Average savings with MyChoice |
---|---|---|
18-20 | $3,981 | $792 |
21-24 | $2,275 | $452 |
25-34 | $1,516 | $302 |
35-44 | $1,115 | $222 |
45-54 | $914 | $182 |
55-64 | $777 | $155 |
65+ | $886 | $176 |
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 rate |
---|---|
Clean driving record | $1,115 |
Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $1,829 |
Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,336 |
One accident | $2,457 |
Speeding ticket | $1,452 |
Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Kingston
We’ve covered several factors that influence car insurance rates in Kingston. Aside from those, several extra factors play a part in determining your Kingston auto insurance premiums:
Vehicle Model Accident Rates
Some cars are just more accident-prone than others. Even if you have a spotless driving record, owning a car model infamous for having high accident rates will increase your insurance premiums.
Vehicle Age
Naturally, older cars are more expensive to insure because they may not have all the safety features of newer vehicles. If you insist on driving a vintage car everywhere, make sure you can pay the insurance premiums.
Vehicle Repair Costs
The harder it is to repair a car, the more expensive it is to insure. You can expect high insurance premiums on luxury cars and foreign cars that don’t have a large dealership or service centre presence in Canada.
Vehicle Primary Usage and Annual Mileage
You may spend more or less time on the road depending on what you use the car for. Car usage influences insurance rates – generally, the more you use it, the higher your premiums. For instance, insurance premiums on a car you use as an Uber will be higher than on a car you almost exclusively take on weekend cruises.
A good way to measure how much somebody uses a car is by its annual mileage. If your car has low annual mileage, insurers may determine that this car is low-risk and thus grant you more affordable insurance rates.
Local Crime Rates
Living in high-crime areas means your car is at higher risk of being stolen or vandalized. If you live in an area where theft or vandalism often occurs, you may get higher car insurance rates.
Past Insurance Claims
Any auto insurance claims will drive your premiums up, regardless of who’s at fault. If you make many insurance claims, the insurer will see you as a high-risk policyholder and give you higher rates.
Loyalty Bonuses
Many insurance companies reward long-term customers with discounted rates. If you’ve been a policyholder at the same insurance company for several years, ask for a rate reduction or discount when you renew your policy.
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
Is ridesharing insurance available in Kingston?
Yes, ridesharing insurance is available in Kingston. Uber drivers can get coverage through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
How much does Kingston car insurance cost?
On average, Kingston car insurance costs $1,115 a year or $93 a month.
Is car insurance cheaper in Kingston than in Ottawa?
Car insurance is slightly cheaper in Kingston than in Ottawa, where the average premiums cost $1,104.
What are the best car insurance companies in Kingston?
The best car insurance companies in Kingston will depend on your specific needs. You can link up with the best companies through MyChoice.
Who has the cheapest auto insurance in Kingston?
To get the cheapest auto insurance in Kingston, provide the necessary information on MyChoice for a free quote.
Which cars get the lowest car insurance premiums in Kingston?
Hatchbacks and sedans get the lowest car insurance premiums in Kingston because they are compact and safe to drive. The current cheapest model to insure in Kingston is the Mitsubishi Mirage.
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.