According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more cars were stolen on New Year’s Day last year than any other holiday throughout the year, with more than 2,700 thefts reported. Halloween was second with more than 2,300 incidents, while Christmas Day and Thanksgiving had the fewest auto thefts of all of the major holidays in 2009.

The report also found that more cars were stolen during the summer months of June, July and August when weather is warmer and drivers may be tempted to leave their windows open and vulnerable. December and February had the fewest number of auto thefts.

Drivers can prevent many potential thefts and reduce their car insurance premiums by taking preventive steps. A former car thief told Edmunds.com that drivers should try and park in well-lit areas, install car alarms to deter criminals and always lock their doors and windows.  I know it all sounds like common sense but at this time of the year we are so busy.

“This was an interesting quarter,” says George Small, co-founder of Kanetix Ltd., which provides an online automotive-insurance shopping service for Canadians. “This is the first time we saw a shift for some time.” While automobile-insurance rates had fallen in 2008 and for most of 2009, the fourth quarter appears to have “turned the corner,” he said. “We’re in a different part of the cycle.”

Several factors likely contributed to the decrease in rates over the past several quarters, including the traditional industry cycle. As well, with the economy’s slowdown, many consumers held on to their older vehicles for longer than normal, and generally the older the vehicle, the lower the premium.

Although some insurance providers have already announced rate increases, Small said Kanetix hasn’t seen a jump in the lowest quoted rates until now in part because many Ontario drivers have been taking measures to keep their rates down. Among some of the best measures, he said, drivers can look for discounts and deductibles. “We encourage people, as they’re going through the quote process, to really look at discounts, especially now when times are tough,” Small said.

As an example, some insurance providers offer a discount if drivers use snow tires, he noted. They may also offer group discounts, under which drivers who belong to certain employer groups, trade unions, or alumni and professional associations could qualify for significant savings.

As well, Ontarians should review their optional coverage to determine if it still applies, he said, pointing to such services as coverage on foreign rentals, which may no longer be necessary if travel budgets have been cut.

Drivers of older vehicles could also consider raising their deductible for collision and liability.

Kanetix also noted that it can definitely pay to shop around, noting that rates can “vary wildly” among providers. It also suggests drivers review the rates they pay regularly, as the provider with the lowest quote at the start of a policy may no longer be the provider with the lowest quote.

Ontario is Canada’s largest automobile-insurance market, representing about half of the private insurance market.

-By Monica Gutschi

People between the ages of 16-19 have the highest crash rate, and their crash involvement per mile driven is four times that of older drivers.

With all these mind-blowing
statistics, it’s no surprise that car insurance for new drivers is expensive.

New drivers that need auto insurance and parents of teen drivers need to understand that auto insurance for new drivers is expensive. Here are 10 ways to minimize the cost of car insurance for new drivers.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #1

Auto insurance for new drivers can be reduced in cost by taking drivers’ education course. New drivers can get car insurance discounts for successfully completing various drivers’ education courses.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #2

Car insurance rates are higher on sportier cars and trucks. If you are a new driver that is concerned with your auto insurance premiums, choose a four door sedan that is a couple of years older.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #3

If a new driver gets a ticket that can be erased from their record by attending traffic school: ATTEND TRAFFIC SCHOOL. Nothing will increase a new driver’s auto insurance rates more than a ticket.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #4

Teen drivers can qualify for good student discounts through various insurance companies. Check with your insurance agent to see if a new driver in your household qualifies for this discount. If new driver discounts include student discounts, make sure that the student keeps their grades up to keep the discount active.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #5

Choose a car that has airbags and an anti-theft system. Safety features offer discounts, and auto insurance discounts are much needed to lower the cost of new driver insurance.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #6

Approximately 27% of teen driving deaths occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. New drivers need to drive at night only when absolutely necessary. This auto insurance tip for new drivers could save some money of car insurance premiums because it could decrease the risk of getting into an accident.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #7

Turn the cell phone off while driving. New drivers need to pay attention to driving. Not paying attention is how accidents occur. Once a new driver causes an accident, their insurance premiums could become unaffordable.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #8

New drivers should only allow one person to ride with them. This could lower insurance premiums by making the driver concentrate on driving. Once a driver has a couple of years experience, allowing more people to ride in the car with them won’t be as risky.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #9

Do not speed. No matter how late you are to an appointment or how tempting it is do not speed. Getting a speeding ticket will wreak havoc on new driver car insurance rates. In addition, speed played a factor in 1/3 of the fatal new driver car accidents. Stay alive and keep your insurance premiums down by obeying posted speed limits.

Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers #10

Don’t drink and drive. New drivers who get a DUI or DWI will most likely lose their car insurance. Those that don’t lose their car insurance will have to pay new driver auto insurance premiums that are through the roof. In addition, drinking and driving leads to the loss of innocent lives. New drivers need to take their responsibility seriously and not drink and drive.

New drivers are understandably excited about their first set of wheels. New driver car insurance rates are among the highest auto insurance premiums charged. New drivers can practice safe driving and make wise decisions in order to reduce their new driver car insurance premiums.

The proportion of customers seeking a new insurer fell to 28 percent in the 12 months ended in March from 36 percent in the year-earlier period, the marketing company said today in a statement. The study showed a slump in shopping in the fourth quarter and January, and some companies reported a rebound in recent months, Jeremy Bowler, J.D. Power’s senior director of insurance, said in an interview.

“Many customers are employing a hunker-down mentality,” Bowler said in a statement. “Most customers would prefer to hold tight to their current provider, which they already know, rather than risk trying a new provider.”

Auto insurers’ premiums have declined as drivers reduced coverage in response to the recession and profits dropped on investment writedowns. Consumers most often cited price as a reason for their shopping, and more than a third said price was the reason for switching carriers. Ninety percent of customers stay with their current provider, J.D. Power said.  I guess this all comes as no surprise as folks seem to have bigger worries on their minds.