The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, March 3, edition that auto insurance rate regulators and public insurers in several provinces are mulling potential rate increases due to possible U.S. tariffs. The Globe's Eric Alini and Maryia Postelnyak write that President Donald Trump has announced plans for a 25-per-cent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, along with duties on steel and aluminum starting March 12. These tariffs could increase claim costs for auto insurers. Most provinces are examining the tariffs' impact on insurance rates, but no immediate rate increases are planned. A broadly applied 25-per-cent tariff would add layers of taxes to the prices of both new vehicles and car components. The duties on steel and aluminum would drive prices higher still. Steel makes up about 65 per cent of the weight of the average car. Aluminum can be found in anything from engines and transmissions to doors and hoods. It is a significant component of high-end cars such as Mercedes and Teslas, which have production facilities in North America. Higher prices would increase the cost of fixing or replacing vehicles after accidents, leading to higher claim costs and potential increases in consumer premiums.