NDP calling for half-price auto insurance during pandemic

Less driving and fewer accidents should benefit drivers, not just insurance companies

QUEEN’S PARK — The NDP Official Opposition is calling on the Ford government to give all Ontario drivers a 50 per cent break on auto insurance payments for three months, and let people who have lost a job or income defer payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As Ontarians listen to public health experts and stay home as much as possible, there’s little driving and few accidents happening in the province,” said NDP Auto Insurance critic Tom Rakocevic. “Drivers should get the benefit of that — not insurance companies. Drivers shouldn’t have to pay full-price auto insurance while they do their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Andrea Horwath and the NDP believe the province should mandate a three-month 50 per cent discount to auto insurance, and ensure that drivers can defer their reduced payments until after the pandemic if they’ve lost income as a result of COVID-19.

“Ontario families are already feeling the financial squeeze during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they’re not getting enough direct support,” added Brampton East NDP MPP Gurratan Singh. “That’s why the NDP is calling on the government to help ease the burden by giving drivers a three-month discount on auto insurance, when cars are mostly parked anyway.”

Auto insurance prices have been rising steadily, despite promises from two consecutive governments to lower them.