Sandy, you have an excellent point. I only got stopped once in an old Valiant, and the 20 something year old officer approached me and said "What kind of car IS this!!". I had to inform him it was a Plymouth. He then proceeded to pronounce the name of my car as a Va-Liant --- you know, put a "V" on "Alliant". Sounds like some kind of Renault/AMC product --- doesn't it? And yes, he didn't have a clue that the VIN tag would be in the door jamb. Perhaps I just worry too much?! As a reformed 2 decade long big block e-body guy, I tend to do that! By the way, why did I switch to early A's? First, cost to fun ratio. Secondly, they drive MUCH better --- like a car instead of a truck. No offense to any e body guys!

And don't forget that Ontario drivers are subsidizing Alberta drivers. Found that out when the NDP under Steven Lewis were elected in Ontario back about 1990-91.

I was living in Alberta at the time, the only province west of Ontario not to have government-run auto insurance, and the insurance industry went into panic mode. One of the smaller insurance companies announced it was closing up shop in Alberta as they could not survive without Ontario to cover their loses in Alberta.

Turned out the three government-run systems were making money while the industry in Alberta was losing $80 million a year.

We get car insurance comparisons from time to time here in B.C. due to our right-wing press, showing how much cheaper Calgary is in comparison to Vancouver. Then someone points out that Calgary's population is 800,000 compared to Vancouver's 2,000,000. And that the cheapest insurance is in Winnipeg (650,000), which has Manitoba's Autopac system.

By the way, in 1991 my insurance increased 30% in Alberta as the insurance companies scambled to make up for losing Ontario revenue (which never occurred).

Here in B.C. my insurance on my 1983 Imperial (full coverage with $2 million third party liability, $300 collision and comprehensive deductible and RoadStar) runs me $1005 this year. Being a good driver (no claims since 1980) I have a 43% discount.

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Bill
Vancouver, BC