Is car insurance required in Amherst, Nova Scotia?
Yes, car insurance is a legal requirement throughout Nova Scotia. Specifically, all Amherst drivers must purchase policies that include the following coverages:
Before you get behind the wheel in Amherst, it is extremely important that you purchase a valid policy that complies with local laws. If you drive without insurance and are caught or let your policy expire, it will appear on your auto insurance history report, which can lead to higher rates or even make it more difficult for you to obtain a policy in the future.
Work with a BrokerLink insurance advisor today to find a policy that meets your needs and budget and the minimum coverage requirements in Nova Scotia.
Can I drive without car insurance in Amherst, Nova Scotia?
No. Driving without car insurance in Amherst is illegal. Thus, you must ensure that your policy contains uninsured motorist coverage, liability coverage, accident benefits coverage, and direct compensation coverage. If you fail to purchase a car insurance plan and choose to drive anyway, you could face all kinds of consequences.
In Nova Scotia, uninsured drivers may receive fines between $2,000 and $4,000. They may also have their vehicles impounded for up to 90 days, have their driver’s licences suspended for up to a year, and even face jail time if they are charged with subsequent uninsured driving offences. Given these serious penalties, purchasing an Amherst auto insurance plan is the best course of action.
What types of auto insurance coverage are required in Amherst?
Required car insurance coverage is designed to protect Amherst drivers. Find out how below:
Third party liability coverage
Third party liability coverage is intended to protect motorists from the high cost of at-fault accidents. While shared fault in a car accident is possible, one driver will ultimately be found to be more at fault than the other. If you are found to be liable, you will be on the hook for all kinds of expenses.
Thankfully, third party liability coverage can help you pay for them, whether they include medical expenses, repair bills, legal fees, and more. Learn more about reporting a car accident in Nova Scotia after it happens by contacting BrokerLink.
Accident benefits coverage
Accident benefits coverage can help pay for all sorts of medical and rehabilitative fees if someone is injured in a car accident. Examples of these fees include prescription medications, physical therapy, loss of income, funeral fees, and more.
Direct compensation coverage
Direct compensation coverage will pay for you to repair a damaged vehicle if your car is damaged in a car accident. You can only file this type of claim if you are not found to be at fault for the accident.
Uninsured automobile coverage
Uninsured automobile coverage is for when you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have auto insurance, does not have enough insurance to pay for the damages, or whose identity is unknown because they illegally fled the scene of the accident. Similar to liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage can pay for medical expenses, repair bills, and more.
What types of auto insurance are optional for Amherst motorists?
The following types of coverage are optional for motorists in Amherst. In other words, Nova Scotia drivers are under no legal obligation to purchase any of the following types of coverage. That said, it is usually recommended that they do so due to the extra protection they offer:
Collision coverage
Collision car coverage is ideally suited to situations where your car suffered extensive damage in an accident. Whether it is totalled or just severely damaged, you can file a collision coverage that will help you pay to repair or replace the vehicle. Your best bet with collision coverage is to choose a limit that reflects your car’s worth.
Lastly, although it is usually optional, some Amherst drivers might have to purchase it if they lease or finance their car, and the leasing company requires you to have it.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive car coverage, also known as parked car insurance, provides drivers with financial security if their vehicles are damaged while parked. For example, if your car is in the garage and a fire breaks out and damages it, or it’s parked on the street and a tree branch falls on it, you can file a comprehensive coverage claim.
Your policy will clearly outline a list of insured perils that comprehensive insurance protects against. However, most usually include theft, vandalism, explosions and riots, falling and flying objects, fire, and weather-related events. Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage may be obligatory if you lease or finance your vehicle in Amherst.
Accident forgiveness coverage
One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Amherst is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy as an endorsement to protect your driving record and help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim.
Note: coverage and eligibility vary by province.
Waiver of depreciation
A waiver of depreciation can be added to Amherst car insurance policies as riders or endorsements to protect you if your car is totalled. This type of coverage will protect you by issuing a payout equal to your car's value without accounting for depreciation. This results in a much larger payout than actual cash value coverage, which considers the depreciation of your car’s value.
Note: Terms and conditions of the waiver of depreciation may vary by company.
Loss of use coverage
Loss of use coverage is another worthwhile type of optional car insurance protection in Amherst. It comes into play if your car is damaged in an accident and needs to be repaired by a mechanic. While it is being repaired, you will be without a car, which means you will likely need to take other modes of transportation. Loss of use coverage can reimburse you for the cost of taking other types of transit, such as renting a car or hiring taxis.
Receive a free car insurance quote from an Amherst insurance broker today
Whether you’re looking for life insurance or auto insurance, an Amherst insurance broker can help you find it. When you contact us, you will be assigned a dedicated insurance broker to guide you through the entire insurance process. All BrokerLink insurance providers are fully licensed and know the ins and outs of the Nova Scotia insurance industry.
Thus, not only will we be able to find you a policy that complies with local laws, but we can also find you one that is within your budget. We make sure that none of our customers overpay for insurance by shopping around and comparing policies from the leading providers in Nova Scotia.
You can begin your car insurance journey today by requesting a free car insurance quote from one of our advisors. This can be done by calling BrokerLink, visiting our location in Amherst, or using the online quote tool on the BrokerLink website (it takes just 5 minutes!).
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How are car insurance rates calculated in Amherst?
Car insurance rates in Amherst are calculated using a wide range of factors. These factors help an insurance company assess your risk as a policyholder. Once these factors have been assessed, an insurance company will assign you a premium based on your risk level. The less risky you are considered to be, the lower your premium will be. A list of some of the most important factors that an insurance company will take into account when determining your Amherst auto insurance rates is as follows:
- Where you live
- Age
- Gender
- Vehicle type
- How you use your vehicle
- Driving record
- Driving experience
- Past claims
- Prior insurance coverage
- Number of kilometers you drive
- Type of coverage on your policy
- Your deductible(s)
Please keep in mind that insurance brokers at BrokerLink do not set insurance premiums. Insurance companies are responsible for doing this. That said, a BrokerLink broker can still give you an accurate idea of how much your premium is likely to be.
We can also shop around for coverage on your behalf, uncover discounts that you may be eligible for, and give you all kinds of tips for ways that you can save money on Amherst car insurance.
Save money on Amherst car insurance
For a list of broker-approved tips on how you can save money on your Amherst car insurance policy, keep reading:
Pick a higher car insurance deductible
Believe it or not, the deductible you choose for your Amherst auto insurance policy has a major bearing on how much you pay for your policy. If you select a higher deductible, such as a deductible over $1,000, you could significantly reduce your premium. Oppositely, low deductibles usually translate to higher premiums.
Bundle car and home insurance
If you buy an insurance bundle, such as an Amherst home insurance policy and an Amherst car insurance policy, you could receive a major discount. Not all insurance products qualify, so speak to a BrokerLink insurance advisor if you are interested in bundling.
Install snow tires on your vehicle
Increase your safety during the winter while also qualifying for a car insurance discount by installing snow tires on your car. Snow tires are not mandatory in the province of Nova Scotia, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t recommended. As a reward for taking this extra step to ensure your safety, many car insurance providers in Nova Scotia offer discounts to drivers who install such tires on their vehicles.
Obey the rules of the road and maintain a clean record
There is nothing more important than driving safely. Driving safely means driving defensively at all times and obeying the rules of the road. Not only will driving safely reduce your odds of being injured in an accident, but it can also result in lower car insurance rates. Why? Safe drivers usually have clean driving records; the cleaner your record, the lower your premium will be.
Even better, if you can maintain a clean driving record for a certain number of years in a row, you might even become eligible for a safe driver discount. Start adopting better driving habits today by reviewing these safe driving tips.
We’re in your community
BrokerLink gives back to every community we operate in, and that includes Amherst. Though our primary mission is to bring quality insurance solutions to our customers, we also want to connect with them and get involved in local communities across Canada. Learn more about BrokerLink’s values and our commitment to corporate social responsibility by giving us a call today.
Contact us
At Amherst BrokerLink, we’re here to help you with any insurance needs you may have. Whether it’s insuring your home, car, business, recreational items, or pets, let us help you find the best coverage possible. We can also help you adjust or renew your policy down the road.
You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Nova Scotia. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.
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FAQs about car insurance Amherst
How do I find cheap car insurance in Amherst?
There are a number of ways to find cheap car insurance in Amherst. You can qualify for an insurance discount, like a winter tire discount or a safe driver discount. You can also attend an approved driving school, buy multiple car insurance policies, or bundle your home and auto policies. To ensure you get the best possible rate for your Amherst auto insurance plan, make sure to obtain and compare quotes from different insurance companies.
How do accidents affect Amherst car insurance rates?
It depends on the circumstances of the accident. If you are at fault for the accident, your rates will likely increase. At-fault accidents stay on driving records for up to six years, so you may have to pay more for car insurance during this period. The one exception to this is if you have accident forgiveness coverage and this was your first at-fault accident. In this case, your rates may stay the same. Meanwhile, if you got into an accident you were not at fault for, your premium would likely be unaffected. Remember that the more infractions on your records, whether they be accidents or traffic tickets, the higher your rates are likely to be. Do what you can to maintain a clean record.
What types of car insurance can I buy from an insurance broker in Amherst, Nova Scotia?
You can buy almost any type of car insurance coverage through an Amherst insurance broker. This includes mandatory coverage, like third party liability coverage, and optional coverage, like collision coverage. Some of the other types of coverage a broker can help you buy include accident benefits coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, direct compensation coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, waiver of depreciation, loss of use coverage, roadside assistance coverage, and accident forgiveness coverage.
Can I add a driver to my Amherst car insurance policy after purchasing it?
You can add a driver to your Amherst auto insurance policy after purchasing it. So long as you are the primary policyholder, you may add additional drivers to your plan when you see fit. To do so, contact your provider or broker and be prepared to provide the full names and driver’s licence numbers of each person you would like to add to your policy.
Where can I get a free auto insurance quote in Amherst?
Free auto insurance quotes can usually be obtained from an insurance company or insurance brokerage near you. Most insurance professionals now offer free quotes online, over the phone, or in-person to prospective and existing customers.
What should I do if I get into a car accident in Amherst?
The first thing you should do is assess yourself for injuries. If you suspect that you or someone else has been injured in the collision, call 9-1-1 immediately. Once emergency services have arrived and checked you out, then you should contact your insurance provider. You should always let your insurance provider know about a car accident you’ve been involved in. They will explain how to file an auto insurance claim so that you can receive a payout to help cover the cost of the accident. Learn more about the most common car accidents in Canada.
How much does car insurance cost in Amherst?
Amherst car insurance rates vary widely because of the many factors that insurance companies consider when calculating rates. Reach out to an insurance broker or agent near you to request a free car insurance quote.
Can I change my Amherst car insurance coverage?
Yes. If you want to add or remove coverage on your car insurance plan, contact your insurance agent or broker to discuss your options. If your policy is up for renewal soon, this is the ideal time to change it. In addition, a broker or agent can tell you how amending your policy will influence your rates.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
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