Car insurance quote firm Kanetix says rates jumped by nearly 12 per cent in Ontario in the first three months of this year.

By comparison, rates in Quebec fell by 4.6 per cent and rates in Alberta dropped 1.6 per cent.

The quarterly review by online quote provider Kanetix says the numbers show rate increases that were approved last year are beginning to hit Ontario drivers.

The provincial government has been criticized for allowing insurers to raise rates two or three times in 12 months.

But the government has also announced changes to auto insurance that will kick in this summer, including a move that will allow drivers to buy reduced insurance coverage.

Lawyers and health-care providers have warned this could see accident victims forced to pay for their own care.