What are the benefits of car insurance in Airdrie, Alberta?
In Alberta, driving without valid insurance can land you with a serious fine. If you are caught on a first offense, you can receive a minimum $2,875 fine and up to $10,000. If you fail to pay this fine, you could wind up in jail for 45 days to 6 months. A second offense fine (being caught within 5 years of the original offense) will have you facing a minimum fine of $5,000, that could rack up to $20,000 very easily. Bottom line? Don't drive without insurance.
But just because it's mandatory, doesn't mean it's easy. There's so many options out there when it comes to insurance and it can be extremely overwhelming to find the right fit for your situation. BrokerLink helps you compare quotes so that you aren't left in the dark. An insurance broker in your corner is an invaluable resource in the insurance process. They get to know you and use their insurance expertise to tailor your decisions.
Beyond the legality, Airdrie drivers should have insurance because it protects their vehicle and themselves from potential financial ruin. The province has established mandatory coverage rules to protect drivers, pedestrians, and passengers alike. On top of this existing coverage, there is optional coverage drivers can also purchase.
Here are just a few of the benefits to purchasing auto insurance in Airdrie:
You will have protection if you are injured in a crash
If you are involved in a collision, you may face more than just your standard repair and replacement costs. If you, a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian is hurt, they could see costs due to loss of income and rehabilitation that are not covered by your standard Alberta Healthcare. In Airdrie, car insurance is designed to include accident benefits coverage, but this coverage can be enhanced if you choose. The standard minimum is $200,000, but it is advised you increase it to at least $1,000,000 to cover all costs you may be faced with.
Your vehicle would have protection if you were involved in an accident
If your auto insurance coverage contains collision, you will have coverage for the cost of repairs and replacements up until your policy's limits. Accidents are more common than you might think; and be that accident your responsibility or a total blindside, there will be damages regardless. Collision insurance can help pay for the damages done to your car.
You might have coverage if there's a break-in
Vehicle theft rates are on the rise, and they're a serious issue. Car criminals are becoming ever more sophisticated in their thieving efforts. If your car were to be broken into and stolen entirely or even just vandalized, your insurance may cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Comprehensive insurance includes this protection, which is an optional add-on to your existing car insurance policy in Airdrie.
Your car may have protection if it is damaged by something besides another car
With the right coverage, your vehicle could have protection against the cost of repairs and replacements if it was damaged by natural events other than another vehicle. This might include bad weather, animals, tree branches, and the like. While damages from natural events is really no one's fault, it can be extremely costly to repair. Comprehensive coverage includes protection for falling objects, damages from nature, and even wildlife.
Mandatory car insurance in Airdrie, Alberta
In Ontario, you are required to carry auto insurance. In London, ON, there are a few specific coverages you must have on your policy. On top of those coverages, you can purchase optional coverage to include things like collision, comprehensive, etc. The following types of coverage are mandatory in London:
The province of Alberta requires you to carry auto insurance. In Airdrie, Alberta, you are required to purchase accident benefits and third-party liability insurance. As mentioned previously, if you are caught without those coverages, you could face serious fines. The following types of coverage are required in the city of Airdrie:
Liability
If, in an accident, you are found to be at fault, your liability insurance will kick in to help cover the cost of the other drivers' property damage and their bodily injuries. It may also help to cover any legal fees that you have incurred as a result of an accident, particularly if the other driver or participant seeks compensation from you for your role.
Accident benefits coverage
Besides the costs to repair the physical damages done to your vehicle or others' property, you, your passengers, other drivers, or even pedestrians may have suffered serious injuries from the event and now require medical expenses to recuperate that may not all be covered by Alberta Healthcare. Accident benefits will include protection for these costs.
Guide to determining car insurance rates in Airdrie, Alberta
Everyone may pay a different amount for their Airdrie insurance, and what it all boils down to is the different characteristics of your vehicle, of you, and how you use your vehicle. In order to ensure you get the best possible savings for your circumstances, BrokerLink uses customers' relevant basic information.
The following factors are what an insurance company might consider when determining your car insurance rates in Airdrie:
1. Your driving record
You could save hundreds on your insurance simply by driving smart. Among the many factors that contribute to your insurance costs, one of the biggest ones is your driving record. Insurance providers will view you as a low-risk customer with a clean record and a lot of experience behind the wheel.
2. Your age
Because they fall into a demographic that sees the most accidents, younger drivers may see higher rates. This is often combated with time and experience behind the wheel, in additional to being claims-free! Young drivers can also take defensive driving courses to lower their rates.
3. Your insurance history
Have you made plenty of claims in the past? Been cancelled due to nonpayment? Had a lapse in your insurance coverage? You may be viewed as higher risk, and as such be charged higher rates. On the other hand, if you have remained loyal with the same provider for a long time and are claims-free, you could qualify for lower car insurance rates.
4. The type of vehicle you drive
Vehicles that are appealing to criminals and have landed themselves on the top most stolen list may be harder to insure than, say, a Dodge Caravan with a high safety rating and a low theft likelihood. How expensive your car would be to repair or replace is also a factor in your price. Brokers in Airdrie might advise you to be cautious of the car you purchase if your budget is extremely tight.
5. The level of coverage you choose
The more coverage you purchase, the more endorsements, and the higher your limits are, the more your insurance will cost you.
If you are on a journey for more affordable car insurance premiums, call up a BrokerLink insurance advisor. Our experts are more than happy to help you compare between your options so that the rate you end up being assigned is the one you're comfortable with. Don't overlook the potential of insurance brokers!
Here's how to reduce your Airdrie auto insurance premiums
If you are not 100% happy with your rates for car insurance, Airdrie BrokerLink's advisors have your back. We are happy to deliver second-to-none experiences always and part of that experience is in helping you get the right price.
Insurance companies will weigh your risk based on all the factors listed above, but just because you're in a category where you may be paying higher rates, doesn't mean those are the rates you'll be saddled with forever! Here is the inside scoop on how to reduce your Airdrie car insurance premiums:
1. Select a higher deductible amount
Insurers will break up risk by alotting you a portion of it in an amount known as a deductible. This amount is what you will be asked to pay for claims that contain a deductible, but by raising it, you can see reductions in your insurance rates. Consider raising $250 or $500 deductibles to $750, or even $1,000. Remember you will need to pay this amount out-of-pocket if a claim occurs, so be sure you are capable of handling that amount.
2. Try out telematics
Telematics, or usage-based insurance, is a way to reduce your insurance costs through good driving behaviour. Some top insurers offer this coverage, but not all. Basically, a telematics device is implanted in your car and designed to track things such as distance, acceleration rate, hard cornering, braking, driving speed, etc., and will provide you with a reduction on your insurance for good driving. It's a good exchange if you're a good driver, but not if your idea of a fun time is tearing recklessly down the Trans-Canada Highway and fish-tailing around corners during the winter.
3. Enlist a BrokerLink advisor
One of the best ways to get cheaper insurance, regardless of your situation, is to shop around with a BrokerLink advisor. Airdrie drivers can benefit from having an expert in the corner who provides deeper insights into cover options, discounts, and more.
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4. Bundle additional policies through the same insurer
Some companies offer discounts, generally of 5-10%, if you insure your vehicle through the same provider as the one that is offering you your home, tenant, or condo insurance. Not all policies are eligible for a multiple-policy discount, but it's never a bad idea to check to see which ones are. It's a great and convenient way to reap reasonable savings.
5. Maintain a solid credit record
Some insurance providers will use your credit score to gauge your premiums. Alberta is one of the few provinces where your auto insurance company is allowed to use your credit score to calculate your premium but they cannot do it without your consent. So if you have a good credit score, you can say yes - but otherwise, say no! You can boost your credit score by paying your bills on time, preventing your balance from getting too high, and avoiding obtaining more credit than you need.
6. Try a defensive driving course
Especially if you are a younger driver, a defensive driving course can seriously help to combat the hike in rates that you would face as someone who falls into a demographic that is statistically higher risk. You should always check to see which defensive driving courses are approved by your insurer to make sure that you're investing your money wisely, but approved courses can save you 10-15% on your auto insurance! For someone already seeing inflated rates, this reduction can go a very long way.
7. Use public transport
If you already do not drive very much, using your car even less and opting for public transport as a replacement for the few times you do use your vehicle can qualify you for a low mileage discount. Low mileage discounts are greater the less you use your car, capping out at 11,000km/year (thresholds might be 2,000km/h, 5,000 km/h, etc., but it depends on the provider) and there are tons of ways you can swap out your driving for alternative means. Consider carpooling, biking, or even just taking the bus.
8. Consider the type of car you're about to buy
Because the make and model of your vehicle are such a factor in how much you will end up paying for your auto insurance in Airdrie, it's not a bad idea to consider a vehicle with a higher safety rating when you're in the process of purchasing to save some cash down the line. Vehicles that have a lower theft likelihood and that are inexpensive to repair will also be less expensive to insure. Brokers in Airdrie might have further insights on what vehicles are less expensive to insure than others.
Finding cheap car insurance quotes in Airdrie, Alberta
While driving in Alberta is certainly an experience, there's a lot of congestion here in the province and accidents are not impossible. For drivers in Airdrie, you depend on your vehicles to get you from Point A to Point B, and considering the demographic, you may even have a young family you're wanting to look after. Still, the process of obtaining insurance isn't what one would call fun. That's why BrokerLink's expert insurance brokers are here to help you. You can meet all of your insurance requirements in one easy, convenient location! A licenced professional is happy to help you and your loved ones find the protection that they need.
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If you’re a member of a group or association, you may be eligible for more discounts.
About BrokerLink
Here at Airdrie BrokerLink, we help you compare rates in order to meet your insurance needs the way that they should. Let us find you insurance solutions for your vehicle, home, recreational items, business, and even pets. We're in your corner.
We're in your community
As insurance professionals who also live in Airdrie, we get involved in our communities. Part of serving our communities begins with helping our neighbours find the right coverage for their circumstances and the protection that gives them and their families peace of mind.
Why work with a BrokerLink broker
As one of Canada's largest insurance Brokerages, BrokerLink has what it takes to help you find the coverage you need. We've been assisting Canadian drivers with their personal journeys of finding the best price for Airdrie car insurance ever since our humble beginnings in 1991. We live within the communities that we serve, and as such we understand the driving history that exists here and can better assign coverage to those that need it. We'll give you the confidence you need to protect your assets.
In just a few clicks, you can get Airdrie car insurance quotes. Begin on affordable coverage in your city with BrokerLink's assistance.
Contact us
Want to begin with great coverage? We can connect you with an insurance provider in just a few clicks. To connect with us, you can message us by email, call us over the phone, or visit an in person location at any one of our offices in the province. No matter your means of getting in touch, we are more than happy to help. You can also take advantage of our free online quote tool to find you competitive rates in just minutes.
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Airdrie car insurance FAQs
If you don't fully understand your policy, that's OK! Not everyone does.
BrokerLink are experts for good reason. We get the needs of those living in Airdrie and the requirements of our Albertan neighbours. We use our expertise to break down all the complexities that insurance language can present in order to help our customers get the unparalleled insurance advice that they deserve.
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about car insurance in Airdrie:
Does Alberta use no-fault insurance?
No-fault insurance, which refers to the concept that if you are hurt or your vehicle is damaged in an accident, your own insurance company pays for your losses regardless of who caused the accident, is a system that Alberta uses. The idea is that it simplifies the claims process because drivers deal with their own insurance companies.
What is a winter tire discount?
By installing your vehicle with winter tires before a specific deadline, you may qualify for an insurance reduction. Some insurance companies reward the usage of snow tires because how it reduces your chances of being involved in a motor collision. Snow tires can help you to maintain a clean driving record, even when the weather is against you.
Do I need commercial auto insurance if I do deliveries with my car?
Yes. Your personal auto insurance in Airdrie may not cover you if you use your personal vehicle to do deliveries. Business activities fall under the realm of commercial auto insurance, so if you use your personal vehicle to do any sort of work - outside of your typical commute to and from work - you'll need to acquire separate coverage in the form of commercial vehicle insurance. Discuss with your provider if you use your vehicle for deliveries. Some employers offer insurance for their employees, but not all do.
Do I always need to pay my deductible?
Not always. You'll be responsible for your deductible on claims that contain it, but in the case of, say, third-party liability insurance (wherein you are responsible for damages to another party's property or for their injuries) the compensation your insurance company pays out to satisfy the injured party may not be subject to a deductible.
For more FAQs, visit the BrokerLink FAQs page.
More ways to find a great car insurance rate in Alberta
