About Sudbury And Auto Insurance
Located in the heart of the Canadian Shield, Sudbury is the largest northern city in the province. This historic city, famously known for nickel mining and the Big Nickel – a 30-foot replica of a 1951 Canadian nickel, is home to more than 160,000 residents. The city is known for its interchangeable wilderness and urban settings, making driving a unique experience. The city is also known for being home to 330 lakes, mining, Laurentian University and a number of community colleges.
Another thing the city is known for locally is the high cost of car insurance in the region. Even though Sudbury residents are free and clear of the expensive car insurance costs associated with big cities such as Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa, many drivers in northern Ontario pay higher than average auto insurance premiums, and Sudbury drivers are near the top of the list, especially when you compare them to other resource-based cities across the country.
According to a study by the Consumer Association of Ontario and as reported by Sudbury.com, Sudbury drivers pay more than $2,100 annually for car insurance – much higher than rates in similar cities across the country. While rates are close to the provincial average, they are still much lower when compared to GTA drivers.
Sudbury Driving Tips
With its northern location, highways, country roads and city streets, Sudbury offers drivers a number of unique driving experiences. The city is located along the Trans-Canada Highway at the intersection of Highways 17 and 69. However, there are plans to extend Highway 400 to Sudbury by 2021. While in town, you can also you can take the Georgian Bay Coastal Route and check out the beautiful northern wildlife and landscape.
Regardless of which road you are travelling on, keep the following driving tips in mind to keep your driving record clean, avoid unnecessary risks, and have an enjoyable drive. They will also help keep your auto insurance rates lower.
- Adjust your driving, slow down, and turn on your headlights if you encounter fog on Highway 17.
- Stay up to date with road work and construction, especially on major roads that are used frequently by local drivers.
- Make sure you have a copy of your policy in your vehicle at all times.
- Winter tires are a must – make sure you have high quality snow tires to drive safely during the cold and challenging winter weather.
- During the spring, be on the lookout for potholes. The cold winter weather creates countless potholes during the winter. Failure to pay attention could lead to an expensive repair bill if you hit one.
- Pay extra attention when driving down single lane country roads, especially when approaching road crossings.
- During the winter, always travel with an emergency kit and make sure you have plenty of gas in the tank.
- Avoid distracted driving, put your phone away and pay attention to the road.
As with most northern Ontario cities and towns with limited public transportation systems, most people drive as their main mode of transportation. During peak hours, expect there to be a large volume of vehicles on the road. Use the above tips to plan your routes and safely get to your destination.
