Back to school, back to the office, new job — September often brings changes to our travel habits. It’s a good time to check in with your broker: keeping your file up to date ensures you have the right coverage at the right price, and sometimes even a lower premium.
1. Your Vehicle’s Primary Location
The area where your vehicle is usually kept affects your insurance rate. A move, even a temporary one, is therefore worth mentioning to your broker.
For example, a student leaving Montreal to study in Sherbrooke and renting an apartment near campus may see their premium decrease by moving to a less densely populated city. The same can apply to a family relocating to a quieter neighborhood.
The important thing is that your file reflects your current reality, so you pay a fair price.
2. Your Annual Mileage and Vehicle Use
New driving habits can change your annual mileage or how you use your vehicle. Both factors play a key role in calculating your premium.
For example:
- a substitute teacher who gets a permanent position at one school instead of driving between multiple schools;
- a job change that shortens or lengthens the daily commute;
- using the vehicle for work purposes (transportation, client visits, internships).
A difference of about 10% to 20% compared to the mileage listed on your file is worth reporting, especially if it has decreased.
3. Who Drives Your Vehicle
If your teenager or young adult uses the family car to get to school, a simple phone call can add them to your policy. This ensures proper coverage and smoother claims handling if an accident occurs.
On the other hand, if they move out and no longer use the vehicle, removing them from the policy may help reduce your premium.
4. Other Ways to Optimize Your Premium
Certain changes may also work in your favor:
- installing an anti-theft system, depending on your vehicle model and area;
- reduced vehicle use (remote work, carpooling, public transit);
- accumulating more claim-free years of driving experience;
- bundling your auto and home insurance with the same insurer.
And if your young adult owns their vehicle and still has a balance owing on financing, specific coverage may protect against the difference in the event of a total loss. Your broker can help determine which option best suits their situation.
Since every situation is unique, a broker is the best expert to provide personalized advice. To find the coverage that best fits your needs, contact our auto insurance specialists here or call us at 1-855-587-7437.
