Located roughly halfway between Toronto and Montreal, Kingston began its life after British armed forces conquered New France. The city became the first capital of Canada in 1841, though only for three years. Around the same era, Queen’s University opened, establishing Kingston as an educational center. Fort Henry and a series of Martello towers guarded the entrance to the Rideau Canal. Canada’s first large prison, the Kingston Penitentiary, also opened in this time period. Today, the city has an institutionally based economy with a population of just over 120,000 people. Nicknamed The Limestone City, the name Kingston is a shortening of “The King’s Town,” in honor of King George III.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Kingston

As of 01-Aug-20, the average cost of car insurance in Kingston is $1,049.

*Methodology: We used a sample profile for a male driver aged 30 years with his own vehicle having mandatory coverage. He drives a Honda Civic 2012 car with an average mileage of 5000 – 8000 km per year to commute to work. He has a clean driving record history of 5 years with no accidents or collisions.

We surveyed the car insurance prices in the city of Kingston for the purpose of illustrating the range in quotes based on driving record, location, and other criteria. To get a customized quote, enter your postal code above.

Though no longer a political leader in Ontario, Kingston is home to the least expensive car insurance rates in the province. While the rest of Ontario has an average of about $1,400 for auto insurance, the average Kingston driver pays over $500 less for the same coverage. While individual policies vary widely due to driving records and claims history, other factors contributing to insurance premium calculations are moderate in their effects on Kingston motorists.

Insurance premiums depend on many factors combined to determine the price. A driver’s personal history is balanced with statistical information and the car insurance products chosen to create a policy’s price. More products, upgrades, and services mean higher prices, but some choices have further features that may alter the price a motorist pays. The strategies for saving on the already low Kingston rates are the same as for any community in Ontario. A motorist’s driving record and insurance claim history is the most significant influence on auto insurance premiums. Without a clean record, insurance costs rise.

Mandatory Coverage

Maintaining basic mandatory coverage keeps monthly premiums low, but it may be a false economy. The Ontario government requires only $200,000 in third-party liability coverage. While is a common level of coverage across Canada, it may not be enough. Third-party liability protects a driver against lawsuits following an at-fault collision. In a serious accident, these costs can easily run higher than $200,000. The driver is responsible for paying amounts in excess of the coverage.

Raising deductible limits on optional comprehensive and collision coverage provides premium relief. Discounts and promotions offered by insurers also reduce the total insurance bill, though a motorist usually needs to ask an insurer to apply discounts. Few companies automatically add discounts when a driver qualifies for their addition.

Driving in Kingston

• Traffic in the city is light by urban standards. Congestion does occur downtown and in some outer business sections. For a major city in Canada, Kingston is relatively sparsely populated.
• Population density influences the geographical effects of insurance claims within a postal region. A motorist’s neighbors have statistically less effect due to the spread of insurance claims over a wider area that more densely packed cities.
• The large student base may play a role in lower car insurance premiums. Queen’s University, Royal Military College, and St. Lawrence College add to the city’s seasonal population. Many students, however, may have listed residences elsewhere. When listed on family car insurance policies, their driving statistics will factor in for their home address.
• The 401, running north of the city, provides a robust backbone artery, allowing quick movement between Kingston and outlying residential areas.
• Urban development of Kingston currently ends at the 401, and the surrounding area remains largely agricultural or wilderness.
• The Cataraqui River divides the central part of the city, connected only by Highway 2 over the La Salle Causeway. The bridge in the middle of the Causeway periodically raises to permit boat traffic, bringing traffic on the 4 lane roadway to a temporary halt.
• The 5-minute drive from the Kingston downtown waterfront to RMC on the east side of the Cataraqui becomes about half an hour when avoiding the La Salle Causeway.

List of Driving Schools in Kingston Ontario

Road Information for Kingston

• The City of Kingston maintains a website with information on road closures due to construction, maintenance, and events.
• The Ministry of Transportation for Ontario hosts traffic reports and road closures specifically for Eastern Ontario, including Kingston.
• Kingston Information Radio offers listeners a 10-minute loop of traffic information, weather, and other local information.
• The Weather Network provides online short-term weather reports for the city and surrounding areas.
• Kingston’s DriveTest Centre is located at 381 Select Drive, near the intersection of Centennial Drive and Princess Street.
• Over 15 garages and service centers offer certified DriveClean emissions testing.
• A similar number of agents and brokers offer car insurance within Kingston.

Driving Facts for Kingston

• The Wolfe Island Ferry operates year-round from the Kingston waterfront. Operated by the MTO, the ferry is free. On Wolfe Island, there is a summer dock in Marysville, the largest community on the island, and a winter dock at Dawson Point. Wolfe Island is the largest of the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River.
• A ferry operates between Point Alexandria on Wolfe Island and Cape Vincent, New York. It’s one of only three privately operated border crossings between Canada and the U.S. The Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and the Bluewater Ferry, near Sarnia, are the other two.
• Amherst Island, 10 km west of Kingston, has a ferry service originating from the town of Millhaven. Amherst Island is not part of the Thousand Islands chain. Simcoe Island is the westernmost in the archipelago.
• Highway 2 is named Highway 2 east of the Cataraqui River. On the west, it briefly follows Ontario Street before turning west using Queen and Princess Streets due to the one-way status of Princess on the east side of Division Street. West of Division, Highway 2 follows Princess Street out of town.

List of Auto Insurance Companies and Brokers in Kingston Ontario

The best way to save big on car insurance is comparison shopping. Ratelab’s car insurance calculator effectively shops a very wide range of insurers, based on your car insurance needs. Enter your postal code below to start your free, no-obligation quote process. Even drivers in Kingston can save!