New Study Shows 7% Drop In Accidents Over 2 Years - 5 Communities Have best Record
A new study of Ontario drivers indicates that motorists are performing better on the roads, as the rate of accidents over the past several years has diminished considerably.
According to the auto insurance firm Allstate and its Ontario Safe Driving Study, the collision frequency rate in the province dropped 7 per cent between 2007-2009 and 2009-2011.
Tony Irwin, spokesperson for Allstate Canada, said he was pleased to see that the overall collision rate had declined throughout Ontario and hoped to see the trend continue.
"To help, we are reminding drivers to be attentive and patient behind the wheel," said Irwin. "The Ontario Safe Driving Study is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on what's happening on our roads and to kick-start a discussion between drivers, governments, police and other organizations about what makes a safe driver."
In addition to detailing the overall rate of collisions that have occurred in the province over the past several years, the study also looked at individual communities as well. The city of Brockville logged the lowest collision rate at 2.48 per cent. Welland, Chatham, Amherstburg and St. Thomas rounded out the five communities with the fewest crashes. Four of the five communities are located in the Southwest region of Ontario.
While these communities had the lowest crash frequency rates, most of the 45 communities tracked saw improvements. Only five cities had higher collision rates in the 2009-2011 period than 2007-2009, those being Belleville, North Bay, Markham, Brampton and Toronto.
With fewer accidents happening, it's an indication there have been a reduced number of auto insurance claims being filed. However, according to a separate poll also conducted by Allstate, a significant percentage of Canadians aren't aware of the proper protocol they should follow after being involved in a crash.
For instance, the poll found that nearly half of all Canadians said they would have their vehicle towed without first checking with their insurance provider to see if it covered the charges. Many were also not aware that the law requires motorists to inform their insurance provider about an automotive accident within 24 hours of it taking place.
The poll also showed that more than one-third of young Canadians - those between the ages of 18 and 34 - said they weren't sure of what damages were covered by their auto insurance policy.
According to the auto insurance firm Allstate and its Ontario Safe Driving Study, the collision frequency rate in the province dropped 7 per cent between 2007-2009 and 2009-2011.
Tony Irwin, spokesperson for Allstate Canada, said he was pleased to see that the overall collision rate had declined throughout Ontario and hoped to see the trend continue.
"To help, we are reminding drivers to be attentive and patient behind the wheel," said Irwin. "The Ontario Safe Driving Study is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on what's happening on our roads and to kick-start a discussion between drivers, governments, police and other organizations about what makes a safe driver."
In addition to detailing the overall rate of collisions that have occurred in the province over the past several years, the study also looked at individual communities as well. The city of Brockville logged the lowest collision rate at 2.48 per cent. Welland, Chatham, Amherstburg and St. Thomas rounded out the five communities with the fewest crashes. Four of the five communities are located in the Southwest region of Ontario.
While these communities had the lowest crash frequency rates, most of the 45 communities tracked saw improvements. Only five cities had higher collision rates in the 2009-2011 period than 2007-2009, those being Belleville, North Bay, Markham, Brampton and Toronto.
With fewer accidents happening, it's an indication there have been a reduced number of auto insurance claims being filed. However, according to a separate poll also conducted by Allstate, a significant percentage of Canadians aren't aware of the proper protocol they should follow after being involved in a crash.
For instance, the poll found that nearly half of all Canadians said they would have their vehicle towed without first checking with their insurance provider to see if it covered the charges. Many were also not aware that the law requires motorists to inform their insurance provider about an automotive accident within 24 hours of it taking place.
The poll also showed that more than one-third of young Canadians - those between the ages of 18 and 34 - said they weren't sure of what damages were covered by their auto insurance policy.
How to be SAFE when shopping for car insurance online
By Daniel GregorovichThe internet has helped us at least feel more in control by allowing us to find out what we need to know instead of having to rely on what someone we don’t know tells us. Access to so much info and being able to corroborate facts and figures about anything gives the smart shopper the ability to make more informed decisions and Auto Insurance is no exception. An online search can yield a host of quotes in very short order allowing you to compare prices as well as do reviews and find background information on selected companies. You don’t even have to leave the couch to do it....just remember that Cyberspace isn't always as safe as your couch.
You mean it isn't always safe?
The convenience and speed are definite pluses for shopping for insurance online. Mix in the fact there are regulatory bodies in place to oversee the online insurance industry and everything is just peachy…right? Well, prudence is always in order when giving out private and perhaps even sensitive information. Be willing to take a few extra minutes and be safe about it
This is where it would be recommended that if you are getting quotes from companies you are unfamiliar with that you take a few minutes and do your research of the companies themselves. Insurance fraud is very real and not to be an alarmist but, consider that if federal websites have bothered to set up insurance fraud reporting hotlines…. there’s a good reason. So always be a savvy consumer and do your homework……Caveat Emptor (buyer beware)
How To Be Safe
For a list of Insurance companies licensed to sell insurance you may wish to see what your state or province has to say about your own insurer and/or the ones you find online that you find before signing up with them. It helps to know for yourself what the different types of insurance are that are available as well as what coverage you will need as a minimum requirement in your state or province. In Canada such helpful explanations are available at http://www.ibc.ca/en/Car_Insurance/index.asphttp://www.ibc.ca/en/Car_Insurance/index.asp .
In Canada its available at http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/osfi/index_e.aspx?ArticleID=552 . For the US each state is responsible for listing and regulating its insurers. If you live in California you can search the current list at http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0100-consumers/0010-buying-insurance/0010-auto-insurance/ . If you want to see who got rated well before starting to shop go to a review site like JDPower.com. They have done a survey of auto insurance companies and rated their performance in several categories – go see at http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/autos-insurance , or check out what individual customers had to say when they gave their feedback at http://www.viewpoints.com/Car-Insurance.
A Safe Way to Compare Quickly
It may take a little time to do all the research and look up all the companies yourself. Very useful companies have evolved to do the work for you and allow you to do comparison shopping online for auto insurance without all the legwork. They actually offer such comparisons for most types of insurance we might need. They are a real asset to the busy consumer.
Don't Forget To Ask
When you are requesting quotes make sure you are aware of discounts that are available to you. Things like no claims discounts, clean driving record discounts, multiple vehicle policies, low mileage for work commute and sometimes even your credit rating is considered a factor. So asking for a list of possible discounts is a wise move and could make a difference in the bottom line. Look for future posts dealing with those topics.It may take a little time to do all the research and look up all the companies yourself. Very useful companies have evolved to do the work for you and allow you to do comparison shopping online for auto insurance without all the legwork. They actually offer such comparisons for most types of insurance we might need. They are a real asset to the busy consumer.
Don't Forget To Ask
For now, here a company that offers the comparison service. So just go and do a safe and easy online auto insurance comparison quote with these guys: Kanetix
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