How Your Minor Accident History Affects Your Auto Insurance Application
What Durham Drivers Should Know About Minor Accidents and Auto Insurance
At some point in time, many drivers within Durham Region have likely expressed a few thoughts or opinions with family and friends about auto insurance rates; it is also highly probable that their comments have reflected some frustration about ongoing increases in their car insurance, especially if there have never been any claims paid as a result of an at-fault accident.
Nevertheless, since all vehicle owners in Durham, and across the province of Ontario for that matter, must purchase a standard auto insurance policy, they might often feel that there is little they can do but to accept and pay their new premiums; but in fact, there are steps they can take to address such matters and maybe save a few dollars annually.
One action, although perhaps a bit too dramatic, might be to change the type of vehicle they drive, as this will affect their car insurance policy premiums; unfortunately, this also involves the added expense of buying another car, which just may not be feasible from a financial point of view. Another far-less-costly alternative would be to shop around for a different insurance provider; this can be done through their own time and research or with the help of experienced insurance brokers like Petley-Hare Limited.
On the assumption that the latter is a more appealing option, the process will ultimately involve the completion of a car insurance application; and this is where drivers should be aware of the implications of their minor accident history.
To begin, a minor accident is customarily defined by the following parameters:
- There were no personal injuries
- Damage was under $2000.00 per car
- Damages were paid by the at-fault driver
- There were no payments made by any insurer
Subsequently, when applying for car insurance, drivers are required to disclose all minor accidents and related claims in the previous six years. In the past, this may have been a cause for concern if drivers had such a history, as insurers could use these incidents as a reason to increase policy premiums.
However, in an attempt to make premiums somewhat more affordable, the Province of Ontario instituted a change such that insurers can no longer use minor at-fault accidents that occurred on or after June 1, 2016 to raise standard auto insurance policy rates.
For drivers in the Durham Region who are looking to obtain or revise any standard auto insurance coverage, and who might have minor at-fault accidents in their recent driving history, it will be wise to ensure that they are not being penalized for such occurrences after that date. Once again, this can be confirmed by consulting with an experienced car insurance broker in one of Petley-Hare Limited’s offices, conveniently located throughout the region in Oshawa, Bowmanville, and Pickering.
Experienced Brokers to Aid Durham Residents with Their Auto Insurance Needs
When looking to buy, renew, or revise their auto insurance, vehicle owners in Pickering, Bowmanville, Oshawa, or other communities in Durham Region might not be aware that they can qualify for various discounts in their annual premiums; some of the factors that would be taken into consideration in this regard include:
Driving a vehicle that is less than three years old- Coverage for multiple vehicles under the same policy
- Driver is 50+ years of age, with a good driving record
- No history of accidents, violations, or car insurance claims
- Completion of driver training from a certified driving school
- The purchase and installation of a set of four new winter tires
- Bundling of their auto and home insurance with the same provider
Dynamics that will also influence the base rate of an auto insurance policy and therefore the number or value to which potential discounts are applied would consist of:
- Where the driver resides
- Type and model of vehicle
- The purpose for using the vehicle
- Average kilometers driven per year
- Any history of insurance cancellation
The actual discounts can range anywhere from 5% to 25% depending on the particular type of discount as well as the car insurance firm that issues the policy. Consequently, area drivers may want to call upon the services offered by the brokers from Petley-Hare Limited to research several providers and obtain the best possible rates and savings.
With offices conveniently located in Oshawa, Pickering, and Bowmanville, the team from Petley-Hare Limited is accessible to Durham Region residents looking for assistance with their auto insurance needs. To learn more about the services offered by the experienced professionals at Petley-Hare Limited, please go to https://petleyhare.com/comprehensive-auto-insurance/
To obtain the car insurance coverage that best suits your needs at the best possible rate, call the experts at Petley-Hare Limited today at 1-800-216-5324 or contact us to request a consultation and to obtain a no-obligation quote.