Car insurance in Airdrie

What insurance companies consider when calculating Airdrie car insurance premiums

When determining car insurance premiums in Airdrie, Canadian insurers look at a variety of factors. These include your driving record, where you live, the make and model of your vehicle, and even your age, all of which can impact how much you’ll pay for coverage. So, while the exact approach may vary from one insurer to another, here's how these factors can help determine your auto insurance rates in Airdrie:

Driving history

Insurers look at how long you’ve been driving and whether your record is clean. If you’ve been on the road for years without tickets, accidents, or DUIs, that works in your favour as insurance companies often reward safe drivers with lower premiums.

But if your record includes things like speeding or collisions, your rates will likely be higher. So if you received one of the 3,887 traffic tickets issued for speeding by Airdrie's Municipal Enforcement in 2024, your premium will likely see an increase at your next renewal.

Location

While Airdrie isn’t as densely populated as nearby Calgary, it's still growing quickly, and that increased traffic can lead to higher risks on the road. If you regularly commute or spend time driving on busy routes like the QEII Highway or Yankee Valley Boulevard, it could influence how much you pay for coverage.

Plus, insurance companies also factor in local claims history and crime rates. For example, while Alberta as a whole saw a 10.1% decrease in auto thefts in 2024 compared to previous years, the RCMP reported that Airdrie saw a 5% increase from 2023, something insurance companies will certainly consider.

Type of car

Your insurance provider will want to know your vehicle’s identification number, which allows them to have the proper information regarding the replacement cost, vehicle type, size and trim, since certain cars are seen as higher risk due to things like theft rates or expensive repairs. This information helps them estimate the cost of fixing or replacing your vehicle if it’s ever damaged or stolen.

For example, the Équité Association reported that 42% of all stolen private passenger vehicles were trucks. This means if you drive one of the trucks on the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Alberta, you'll likely see your insurance premiums reflect this.

Age

Age is often seen as a sign of driving experience. Since younger drivers typically have less time on the road and are more likely to be involved in accidents, insurers tend to charge higher premiums for those in their teens and early twenties. This means that new or young drivers in Alberta can pay as much as 200% to 580% more than the average price of Alberta auto insurance.