VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jul 29, 2008 -- Green-minded drivers can double-up on savings with Canadian Direct Insurance, which is now offering significant discounts for hybrid cars and for online purchases.

The company is offering a 10 percent discount on insurance policies purchased online with an option for consumers to receive their documents electronically. In addition, CDI's premium discount for hybrid cars is 10 percent.

CDI's "green" incentives are in keeping with British Columbians' growing interest in fuel-efficient cars and Internet purchasing. A recent Canadian Internet Usage Survey found that Canadians spent $7.9 billion in online purchases and placed 50 million orders online. The same study confirmed that, per capita, British Columbians conducted the most e-commerce in the country. Interest in hybrid vehicles is also growing. J.D. Power, a respected industry source, estimated that by the end of 2007 over 400,000 hybrid vehicles will be sold in the U.S. and ABI Research estimated that by 2010 between 5 and 6 percent of all cars sold in North America will be hybrids.

Purchasing car insurance online saves money and reduces environmental impact by eliminating the need for travel and paper documentation. "We're one of the few insurance companies in BC that enable people, not just to get a quote from us on our website, but also to purchase insurance online," says Colin Brown, COO of Canadian Direct Insurance. "Since dealing with us online reduces our costs of processing an insurance application, we can pass that lower cost on to the consumer in the form of a 10 percent discount."

 

Hybrid Optional
Insurance                                         Canadian
Premium Savings                                     Direct    ICBC    Save
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2007 Toyota Prius          20 Years Accident          $466    $604    $138
5 door                     Free Driving
                           North Vancouver
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2006 Honda Accord Hybrid   25 Years Driving,          $598    $793    $195
4 door                     10 Years Accident Free
                           Coquitlam
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2008 Ford Escape Hybrid    25 Years Driving,          $600    $740    $140
4 door, 2 wheel drive      10 Years Accident Free
                           Surrey
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(i) based on $2,800,000 Excess Liability, $300 Collision Deductible, $200
    Comprehensive Deductible ($300 ICBC), CDI's VIP Package/ICBC's RoadStar
    Package, and CDI's Web Discount.

Canadian Direct's chief underwriter, Karen Hopkins-Lee, says: "From our survey of insurance rates, many people will find significant savings by buying their insurance via the Internet. Our study shows that most people will find our rates are the lowest or among the lowest in the province."

     Contacts:
     Canadian Direct Insurance
     Colin Brown
     (604) 699-3647
      
     Canadian Direct Insurance
     Karen Hopkins-Lee
     (604) 699-3647
     Website: http://www.canadiandirect.com