Auto insurance rates are down by an average of just under seven per cent in Ontario, much less than the 15 per cent reduction promised by Finance Minister Charles Sousa two years ago.

The latest figures from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, released Thursday, show rates fell half a point in the quarter ended Sept. 30, to 6.96 per cent for the province’s 9.4 million drivers.

Sousa took credit for the drop, saying reforms to benefits, anti-fraud measures and mandatory discounts for motorists with winter tires have helped cut costs for drivers.

But he acknowledged “there is more work to be done.”

Critics said that line is wearing thin given that the Liberals pledged the 15 per cent cut to win NDP support of their 2013 budget during the minority government years.

“It really comes down to this — the Liberals are not committed to making this a priority,” said New Democrat MPP Jagmeet Singh (Bramalea-Gore-Malton).

“They’re not hesitating to reduce costs for insurance companies and reducing benefits . . . they’re just not tying them together with rate reductions.”

Progressive Conservative MPP Vic Fedeli (Nipissing) said it’s shameful the government is “absolutely nowhere close” to meeting a promise, which he charged was made for reasons of political expediency.

“It’s always next year, next time, we’re almost there . . . those are hollow words.”

The Insurance Bureau of Canada said it’s “good news” that auto premiums have stabilized and declined.

“We continue to work on solutions aimed at bringing down the cost of premiums for Ontario's drivers,” spokesman Steve Kee told the Star.

“It’s not easy but it can be done. Ongoing reforms will continue to help.”

Sousa reiterated the promise of a 15 per cent cut, which was supposed to be in place by August, saying the target will be reached “in a way that is fair, practical and ensures Ontarians continue to be protected by the most generous auto insurance system amongst comparable Canadian jurisdictions.”

He called on insurers to use more “efficient practices that help lower costs and enable faster claim payments.”

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario, which handles auto insurance rate filings, cautioned that drivers may experience rate changes that are higher or lower than the average.

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Rates can depend on a number of factors, such as the type of vehicle a person drives, where they live, their accident history and whether or not they drive to work.

The third-quarter drop of 0.5 per cent compares with an average increase of 0.6 per cent in the second quarter.