How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Peterborough?
You can get cheap Peterborough car insurance by finding the best deals. Here are several tips to help you do so:
Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Peterborough?
Insurance brokers, agents, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Peterborough. Here’s an overview of these four insurance quote providers:
How Does Car Insurance Work in Peterborough?
Car insurance in Peterborough works by providing financial coverage in case something bad happens to you or your car, depending on the protection you choose. Auto insurance in Peterborough 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 Peterborough.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of your auto insurance policy:
How Your Car Insurance Quotes Are Calculated in Peterborough
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 Peterborough car insurance quotes:
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Peterborough
The average car insurance rate in Peterborough, ON is $1,117/year, which is lower than Ontario’s provincial average of $1,385/year by roughly $260. However, some areas in Peterborough may have higher auto insurance rates compared to the city’s average.
The K9K area in Peterborough is the postal code with the highest car insurance premium rate in the city. You can find out more details below:
| Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| K9K | $1,122 |
| K9L | $1,118 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Peterborough
The K9J area in Peterborough has the least expensive auto insurance rates in the city, as detailed in the table below:
| Postal Code | Average annual car insurance premium |
|---|---|
| K9J | $1,114 |
| K9L | $1,115 |
Car Insurance Cost in Peterborough by Age
Generally, auto insurance companies will consider your age when estimating your insurance rates.
Younger drivers are perceived as a bigger risk to insure because they have less experience on the road, making them more likely to get into accidents. Because of this, younger drivers usually have higher insurance premiums.
Once a driver reaches the age of 25, their car insurance premiums tend to go down and stabilize. However, your car insurance premiums start going up again when you turn 65. This is because car insurers see senior citizens as more likely to be injured or killed if they get into a car accident.
Take a look at how your age affects the cost of car insurance:
| Age Group | Average annual insurance cost | Average savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | $3,988 | $793 |
| 21-24 | $2,279 | $453 |
| 25-34 | $1,519 | $302 |
| 35-44 | $1,117 | $222 |
| 45-54 | $916 | $182 |
| 55-64 | $779 | $155 |
| 65+ | $888 | $177 |
Car Insurance Cost in Peterborough by Driving History
As in any other Canadian city, your car insurance premiums in Peterborough will be affected by your driving history. Having a clean record makes car insurers deem you less risky to insure, so you’ll typically enjoy lower car insurance rates if you have no violations or demerit points.
On the other hand, having more traffic violations and demerit points on your record can lead to being labelled as a high-risk driver. High-risk drivers are seen as more likely to get into accidents or break traffic laws, resulting in higher premiums in Peterborough.
Though violations and demerit points only stay on your Ontario driving record for two years, car insurers may check your driving history for the last 10 years. This means your car insurance premiums can still go up because of previous violations, even if you’ve maintained a spotless record in recent years.
We’ve prepared a detailed overview below of how different traffic violations can affect your car insurance rates in Peterborough, based on our research:
| Driving violation | Average annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,117 |
| Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $1,832 |
| Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,339 |
| One accident | $2,462 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,454 |
Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Peterborough
We’ve covered several factors that influence car insurance rates in Peterborough. Aside from those, several extra factors play a part in determining your Peterborough auto insurance premiums:
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Peterborough
An insurance brokerage can help you find a car insurance policy that best suits your driving needs and budget once they have more details about your vehicle, driving habits, and driving history.
These are some of the top car insurance brokerages in Peterborough. Contact them if you have any questions or need help looking for an auto insurance policy:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Westland Insurance | 199 Sherbrooke St Peterborough, ON K9J 2N2, Canada | +17057433382 |
| BrokerLink | 201 George St N Suite 201 Peterborough, ON K9J 3G7, Canada | +17057434211 |
| ISL Insurance Brokers | 441 Water St, Peterborough ON K9H 3M2, Canada | +18883689298 |
| McDougall Insurance & Financial – Peterborough | 261 George St N, Peterborough ON K9J 3G9, Canada | +17057428864 |
Driving in Peterborough
Peterborough is known as “the Electric City”, and it’s widely considered the gateway to the Kawartha Lakes region, which is known for being a natural recreational area in the province. The city also surrounds Little Lake, which is Otonabee River’s only lake, and the Trent Canal flows around Peterborough’s eastern area.
What’s it like to drive and commute in Peterborough? Here are some key facts about driving and commuting in this city:
- Major highways in Peterborough: 115, 7A, 28, and 7 (part of the Trans-Canada Highway)
- Public transit options: Peterborough Transit (bus)
- Ridesharing services: YDrive Ptbo, VanBr, URide
- Parking space providers: The City of Peterborough, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Riverview Park and Zoo, Canadian Canoe Museum, Peterborough Lift Lock, Jackson Park, Art Gallery of Peterborough, Peterborough Museum & Archives
- Busy intersections: Lansdowne Street and Parkway, Monaghan Road and Parkhill Road, Parkway and Clonsilla Avenue, Lansdowne Street and High Street, and Clonsilla and Sherbrooke Street
- Airports: Peterborough Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Peterborough
Public transit isn’t very popular in Peterborough. There are twice as many pedestrian commuters compared to public transit users. As with most cities, personal vehicles are the commuting mode of choice in Peterborough, boasting over 22,805 users. Here’s a closer look at the modes of commuting in Peterborough:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 26,845 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 22,805 | 85.0% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 20,605 | 76.8% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 2,200 | 8.2% |
| Public transit | 985 | 3.7% |
| Walked | 2,080 | 7.7% |
| Bicycle | 385 | 1.4% |
| Other method | 590 | 2.2% |
Commuting Duration in Peterborough
While traffic in Peterborough is relatively sparse, over one-third of its residents take 15 to 29 minutes to get to work. Another third of them enjoy short commutes of under 15 minutes. Here’s a closer look at commuting times in Peterborough:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% Sample Size | 26,845 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 13,915 | 51.8% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 7,245 | 27.0% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 2,550 | 9.5% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1,400 | 5.2% |
| 60 minutes and over | 1,735 | 6.5% |
Driving Conditions in Peterborough
Road safety is affected by driving conditions like snowfall and rain. Consequently, driving conditions can have a major impact on your car insurance rates in a city.
Here’s a guide to the average driving conditions in Peterborough.
- Average daily commute time: 44 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 749 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 147.2 cm
- Rainy days per year: 113.6 days
- Rainiest month in Peterborough: September
- Driest month in Peterborough: January
- Snow days per year: 37.6 days
- Snowfall months in Peterborough: November – April
Traffic in Peterborough
Peterborough has enjoyed moderate growth in its economy and job opportunities for the past decade. The city’s primary employers are service-oriented industries such as electronics, food processing, and automotive supplies. The city is home to many workers who commute to nearby East Toronto and Oshawa.
Peterborough is one of the region’s major shopping destinations, boasting three large shopping centres: Portage Place, Lansdowne Place, and Peterborough Square. Major retailers like Costco and Walmart also have large operations in Peterborough, attracting many shoppers and workers from surrounding cities.
Here’s a quick overview of the key traffic statistics in Peterborough:
- Population: 83,651 people live within Peterborough’s city limits.
- City area: Peterborough’s city limits span 58.61 km2.
- Average commute distance: The average Peterborough resident travels 15.5 km every day to their school or workplace.
- Time spent in traffic annually: The average Peterborough resident spends 44 minutes in traffic daily, totalling roughly 268 hours per year.
- Busiest highway: Peterborough’s busiest highway is Highway 7, which is part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Peterborough
Is ridesharing insurance available in Peterborough?
Yes, ridesharing insurance is available in Peterborough. If you’re interested in getting this type of coverage, ask your insurer if they have ridesharing insurance and what rates they offer.
How much does Peterborough car insurance cost?
On average, Peterborough car insurance costs $1,117/year.
Is car insurance cheaper in Peterborough than in Toronto?
Yes, car insurance is cheaper in Peterborough than in Toronto. The average car insurance rate in Peterborough is roughly $1,117/year, while the average in Toronto is $1,796/year. Car insurance in Peterborough is cheaper compared to Toronto car insurance by approximately $680/year.
Which auto insurance is the best for young drivers in Peterborough?
The best auto insurance for young drivers in Peterborough is coverage that comes at a competitive price despite their age. Young drivers tend to have higher premiums until they turn 25. If you’re a young driver looking for affordable car insurance, it’s best to shop around to get the best rates for your desired level of coverage.