N.B. auto insurance rates higher than accident prone N.L.
CBC News | Posted: August 2, 2014 12:17 AM | Last Updated: August 2, 2014
N.L. drivers have millions more in accident claims every year, but have cheaper premiums
Auto insurance rates in New Brunswick are down for the second year in a row, but many motorists are asking if drivers in the province are still being charged too much, especially when compared to Newfoundland and Labrador.
New figures just released show Newfoundland and Labrador drivers pile up millions more in accident claims every year than New Brunswick drivers but pay millions less in premiums.
Over the last two years, the average driver in Newfoundland cost insurance companies 70 per cent more in accident claims than the average driver in New Brunswick, but auto insurance premiums in Newfoundland and Labrador are only 30 per cent higher.
Many Newfoundland and Labrador drivers refuse to obey even basic rules, like slowing down in construction zones according to RCMP Const. Matthew Christie.
"Some are slowing down a little bit, some aren't adjusting their speed at all and it makes for a very dangerous situation," he says.
160,000 fewer cars in Newfoundland and Labrador
There are actually 160,000 fewer cars in Newfoundland and Labrador compared to New Brunswick, but they pile up significantly more insurance costs without the premiums to match.
Over the last two years, industry records show drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador made $490 million in auto insurance claims and were charged $620 million for auto insurance premiums.
In comparison, New Brunswick drivers made just $448 million in auto insurance claims, but were charged $753 million by insurance companies in premiums.
N.B. drivers paying $133 million more
That's $42 million less in auto insurance claims in New Brunswick, but drivers were paying $133 million more in auto insurance premiums.
Auto insurance in New Brunswick is regulated by the New Brunswick Insurance Board. In the last several years they have received multiple submissions about insurance companies charging millions too much for auto insurance in the province given the low rate of claims.
But it’s an argument the group has been unwilling to accept.