Insurance consumers are not taking advantage of discounts: Kanetix

Insurance consumers in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta are leaving money on the table by passing up discount opportunities, Kanetix says.
Kanetix, an online quote comparison website, recently published 2011 Q4 auto insurance rate results for Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. The study found consumers are passing up insurance savings by not opting for multi-line, roadside assistance and/or winter tire discounts.
For example, in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, a majority of shoppers chose not to take advantage of the multi-line discount, which bundles policies from one insurance carrier. Fifty-five per cent of Ontarians, 68% of Quebeckers and 63% of Albertans did not opt for this discount. For many insurance companies, this discount ranges between 5% and 10%.
In Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, more than half of shoppers surveyed indicated they did not belong to a roadside assistance program, thereby missing out on a discount of up to 15%.
And in Ontario and Alberta, some insurers offer a discount of up to 5% for driving with winter tires. But in each province, 20% of drivers indicated they do not change their tires seasonally.
In addition to the above findings, Kanetix reported pricing trends in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
Ontario car insurance rates rose 2.9% in 2011 Q4, although rate increases in the province appear to have tapered off over the past several quarters (down, for example, from an average rate increase of 6.7% in 2011 Q1).
Quebec car insurance decreased 2.6% in 2011 Q4, while Alberta car insurance increased 3.1% during the same period.