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How does vehicle type affect insurance?

The type of vehicle you drive can have a significant impact on your insurance premium. Insurance companies consider a variety of factors when determining your premium, and the type of vehicle you drive is one of the most important factors. Here are some ways that vehicle type can affect insurance:

  1. Cost of the Vehicle: The more expensive the vehicle is, the higher the insurance premium will be. This is because the cost of repairing or replacing a luxury or high-end vehicle is significantly higher than a less expensive vehicle.
  2. Safety Rating: Vehicles with high safety ratings may qualify for lower insurance premiums. This is because safer vehicles are less likely to be involved in accidents or sustain serious damage, which means fewer claims and lower costs for insurance companies.
  3. Performance: Vehicles with high performance capabilities (such as sports cars) may be considered higher risk and therefore have higher insurance premiums. This is because they are more likely to be driven at high speeds and are more likely to be involved in accidents.
  4. Type of Vehicle: Different types of vehicles may be associated with different levels of risk. For example, SUVs and trucks are more likely to cause serious damage in an accident, so they may have higher insurance premiums than smaller cars.
  5. Theft Rates: Vehicles that are more likely to be stolen may also have higher insurance premiums. This is because the insurance company will have to pay out more if the vehicle is stolen and not recovered.

Is insurance higher on cars or SUVs?

In general, insurance premiums for SUVs are higher than for cars. This is because SUVs are larger and heavier than cars, which means they can cause more damage in an accident. They are also more expensive to repair or replace in the event of an accident, and they often have higher theft rates.

Additionally, SUVs tend to be more expensive than cars, which means that the cost of insurance will be higher simply because the overall value of the vehicle is higher. However, it’s important to note that the actual cost of insurance will vary depending on the specific make and model of the vehicle, as well as a number of other factors such as the driver’s age, driving record, and location.

Average car insurance rates by vehicle in Canada

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Here’s a table that includes sample car insurance costs for an SUV, car, minivan, and truck for a sample driver living in 5 major cities in Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Quebec:

CityProvinceVehicle TypeInsurance Cost
TorontoOntarioSUV$2,000
TorontoOntarioCar$1,800
TorontoOntarioMinivan$1,950
TorontoOntarioTruck$2,100
CalgaryAlbertaSUV$1,900
CalgaryAlbertaCar$1,700
CalgaryAlbertaMinivan$1,850
CalgaryAlbertaTruck$2,000
HalifaxNova ScotiaSUV$1,800
HalifaxNova ScotiaCar$1,600
HalifaxNova ScotiaMinivan$1,750
HalifaxNova ScotiaTruck$1,900
MontrealQuebecSUV$1,700
MontrealQuebecCar$1,500
MontrealQuebecMinivan$1,650
MontrealQuebecTruck$1,800
OttawaOntarioSUV$1,950
OttawaOntarioCar$1,750
OttawaOntarioMinivan$1,900
OttawaOntarioTruck$2,050
EdmontonAlbertaSUV$1,850
EdmontonAlbertaCar$1,650
EdmontonAlbertaMinivan$1,800
EdmontonAlbertaTruck$1,950
Quebec CityQuebecSUV$1,650
Quebec CityQuebecCar$1,450
Quebec CityQuebecMinivan$1,600
Quebec CityQuebecTruck$1,750

Note that the insurance costs listed are hypothetical and should not be taken as an accurate representation of actual insurance costs in these cities. Additionally, insurance regulations can vary between provinces, which can impact insurance costs.

Which types of vehicles have the lowest car insurance rates in Canada?

Typically, smaller and less powerful vehicles, such as sedans or hatchbacks, have lower car insurance rates in Canada compared to larger vehicles like SUVs or trucks. This is because smaller vehicles are generally considered to be less risky to insure. In addition to the size and power of the vehicle, other factors that can impact car insurance rates for a specific vehicle type include the make and model of the car, its safety features, and the driver’s record.

Is it more expensive to insure a new car in Canada compared to an older car?

In general, it can be more expensive to insure a new car in Canada compared to an older car. This is because newer cars are typically more expensive to repair or replace if they are damaged in an accident. Additionally, new cars may have advanced safety features that can also increase the cost of insurance. However, the age of the vehicle is not the only factor that affects insurance rates, and other factors such as the make and model of the car, its safety features, and the driver’s record can also have an impact on insurance rates. Therefore, it is important to compare insurance rates for different vehicles to determine the most cost-effective option for your situation.

About the Author: Valerie D. Hahn

Valerie is an insurance editor, journalist, and business professional at RateLab. She has more than 15 years of experience in personal financial products. She strives to educate readers and ensure that they are properly protected.

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