Compared to the height of the pandemic, driving activity and commuting are on the upswing. Many Canadians who reduced their driving in the last two years are anticipating a return to commuting and making more use of their personal vehicles. This translates into more vehicles on the road, with many commuters expecting their mileage to increase. As these trends continue, this is an opportune time to ensure that your insurance policy reflects your current commuting situation.
The office commute may have changed for good
The recent How we live report from Aviva Canada revealed that while driving activity and commuting have increased compared to what they were at the height of the pandemic, it appears that Canadians’ attitudes towards using public transportation since the pandemic may have changed for good.
Public transportation use is decreasing
In 2021, close to 60% of Canadians said they were not at all likely or unlikely to use public transportation in the future. A year later, 18% of Canadians say they have changed the way they commute compared to before the pandemic. This trend is even more pronounced with younger Canadians. Twenty-four percent of those aged 18–34 and 22% of those aged 35–44 state they had changed their mode of commute compared to pre-pandemic.
Commuting via personal vehicles is increasing
For Canadians who are working on site, 70% travel via car to their place of work, with 80% of them stating they drive the same or more than they did before the pandemic. For remote workers, 40% say they are reliant on their vehicles but are driving less than they were pre-pandemic.
Most Canadians are choosing to commute using a personal vehicle (52%) followed by walking, taking a bus, or taking the subway.
How your commute impacts your insurance
If you’re returning to the ourney.html roads and anticipating increased future use of your vehicle, there are ways you can save. Many insurance carriers offer usage-based programs that utilize drivers’ driving data to tailor their insurance premiums based on how well they drive.
Aviva Journey, a usage-based program from Aviva, is a simple way to save on car insurance. Aviva Journey not only provides an automatic 10% discount for the first year, it also helps safe drivers save up to 20% on their auto insurance premiums each year after that. *
Get up-to-date car insurance for your work commute
Your insurance coverage, including your daily commute to work, is based on driving a specified number of kilometers a year. If you’ve returned to your regular work commute, it’s important to contact your broker to adjust your policy to reflect this change (your premiums will be adjusted accordingly).
Talk with your insurance representative
If your driving habits change, speak with your insurance representative. They’ll work with you to review your options, ensure you have the right coverage for your needs and a premium that you can afford.
