Car Insurance in Bentley

Auto insurance requirements in Bentley, Alberta

Car insurance is far from simple, especially when you consider how many different coverage types fit within the larger umbrella of auto insurance. The first important distinction between types of auto insurance is between compulsory and optional insurance. To legally get behind the wheel in Bentley, you must have a policy that complies with Alberta law and that means a policy that contains the following coverages:

Third party liability coverage

Liability car insurance will cover you if you get into an accident that you cause in Bentley. Should this happen, your liability coverage will pay for legal fees, medical bills, and even vehicle repair bills if you get into an accident with a third party. You must have $200,000 worth of liability coverage to drive in Bentley, though many motorists choose to add more.

Accident benefits coverage

The main reason that accident benefits coverage is so important is that it can reimburse policyholders for medical costs if they get into an accident that results in bodily harm. No matter who caused the accident, accident benefits can still be claimed, and it can pay for medical-related fees like physical therapy or prescription medication. It can also cover loss of income if someone is unable to work after being involved in an accident or funeral fees if someone died as a result of the accident.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Direct compensation - property damage (or DCPD for short) coverage issues payouts to policyholders who get into accidents if their vehicle is damaged. For example, if someone rear ends you and your car is dented, you can file a direct compensation - property damage claim and your insurer may reimburse you or the garage completing the repairs directly for the cost of repairs. The main catch with direct compensation coverage is that you cannot be responsible for the accident.

Uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is one final type of auto insurance coverage that all Bentley drivers must carry with them. Uninsured automobile coverage can compensate policyholders who get into accidents with any of the following kinds of motorists:

• Uninsured motorists: motorists who do not have car insurance.
• Underinsured motorists: motorists who do not have sufficient car insurance coverage to pay for the cost of the damages that resulted from the collision.
• Unidentified motorists: motorists who flee the scene of the accident and therefore the policyholder never learns their identity.

Other car insurance options in Bentley, Alberta

Required auto insurance is a must for all Bentley drivers, but there are still other types of car insurance available. The remaining types of car insurance are known as optional coverage. Collision, comprehensive, accident forgiveness, and loss of use coverage all fall into this category. However, just because they’re optional doesn’t mean that they are not important. In fact, many drivers choose to purchase some or all of the optional coverages below due to the extra protection they offer:

Collision coverage

Collision car coverage can cover your repair bills if your car suffers damage in a major accident. Collision coverage can be claimed whether you caused the accident or not and whether the damage was caused by colliding with another car, animal, or grounded object on the road.Lastly, collision car coverage may be obligatory in some scenarios, like if you lease or finance your car.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive car coverage provides financial security and peace of mind to drivers who want to know that their cars aren't just protected while on the road but also while parked. Comprehensive car insurance is also known as parked car insurance and it will reimburse policyholders for damage that is done when your car is parked. More specifically, comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by named perils in your policy, which may include wind, fire, theft, vandalism, water damage, and more.

Accident forgiveness coverage

One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Bentley 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 to help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim. Note: coverage and eligibility varies by province and insurance company.

Loss of use coverage

Loss of use coverage is one last type of optional car insurance coverage in Alberta that might be worth looking into. Loss of use coverage works like this: if your car is damaged in an accident and needs to go into the shop, loss of use coverage will pay for you to take other modes of transit until your car is fixed. Whether your car takes a day, a week, or even longer to be repaired, loss of use coverage will cover you during this time. Depending on your coverage limit, this type of optional coverage can compensate policyholders for the cost of public transportation passes, renting a car, or taking ride shares.

What factors affect the price of Bentley car insurance?

A few factors that are likely to affect the price of car insurance in Bentley are as follows:

• Where you live and regularly commute
• Age
• Model, make, and year of vehicle
• Past claims
• Average mileage
• Driving experience
• Driving record
• Insurance history
• Deductible amount
• Regulatory bodies
• How you use your vehicle
• Gender

Since so many factors are used to calculate insurance premiums in Bentley, it can be difficult to estimate how much a plan will cost you. That is why BrokerLink offers free auto insurance quotes to customers. Simply get in touch and request a free quote online, in person, or over the phone, and a licensed insurance advisor will present you with an accurate quote in minutes. From there, you can make an informed decision about what policy is best for you. You can also ask any questions you may have about car insurance, like how to take advantage of discounts or which optional insurance coverages make sense for your needs.

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Safe driving tips for Bentley motorists

Safe driving tips are invaluable. Whether you want to make sure you maintain your perfect driving record or are a brand-new driver hitting the road for the first time, read through the list below if you want to become a safe and responsible driver in Bentley:

Focus your attention on the road

Anytime you’re behind the wheel, 100% of your focus should be on the road. If you are tired, pull over until the drowsiness has subsided. Similarly, if you are hungry or thirsty, try to refrain from eating or drinking until you are parked. Lastly, r remember that texting and driving is illegal so put your phone somewhere you can’t see it.

Drive at or below the speed limit

Speed limits are there for a reason. They are carefully designed to keep all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe. Thus, they are not a suggestion - they’re the law. Make sure to drive at or below the speed limit at all times. We strongly urge drivers to drive slower when there is snow and ice on the road or if it is rainy or foggy.

Take steps to increase visibility

Visibility is crucial when driving. Take several steps to improve your visibility at night, in the winter, or when driving in sunny weather. At night, use low or high beams when appropriate. In the winter, make sure to clean all snow, ice, and salt off the windows and mirrors before pulling out of the driveway. Lastly, when driving in sunny weather, be sure to wear quality sunglasses or use the sun visor in your car to fight glare.

Filing a car insurance claim in Bentley is easy

If you get into an accident and your car is damaged or you were injured, you can file a claim with your auto insurance provider. If you’ve never done this before, fear not. The process is easier and simpler than you might think. Plus, BrokerLink is here to walk you through every step. For a brief outline of how the car insurance claims process works in Bentley, keep reading.

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after the accident

Once everyone involved in the accident is safe and sound, contact your insurance provider to let them know what’s happened. Your insurance provider will want to know basic details like the time, date, and location of the accident, as well as the damage that was incurred. From there, they will tell you how to proceed with filing a claim., giving you clear instructions on what to do next. Please note that each insurance company has its own unique process for submitting and processing claims. That said, they generally involve the steps listed below.

Collect as much evidence as you can

Next, it’s time to gather evidence about the accident. Collect as much as you can, as the more information you can show the insurance company and the insurance adjuster, the better. Key evidence for car insurance claims may include police statements, eyewitness statements, photos, insurance information, and video footage. If you have the insurance information of the other people involved in the accident, make sure to organize that as well.

Fill out the claims forms sent by your insurance company

Your insurance company will likely give you multiple forms to fill out before you can formally submit your claim. These forms will ask for basic details, like your policy number, as well as specific details about your accident. Fill these out to the best of your ability and as fast as possible if you want the process to move along. You can reach out to a BrokerLink insurance advisor for help during this process if you are unsure of how to fill out a particular form or section.

Cooperate with the insurance adjuster

Once you have filled out the necessary forms and submitted them to your insurance company, an insurance adjuster will be assigned to the case. Given that their job is to investigate the claim you filed, they may contact you with other questions or to request additional evidence. Cooperate with them by handing over all information they request and responding to them promptly. The sooner they can complete their investigation, the sooner you will receive a verdict and potential payout from your insurance provider.

Your insurance provider will get in touch

Finally, all you have to do is wait to hear from your insurance provider. They will get in touch after the insurance adjuster has made their recommendation and they have reached a verdict. Some insurance companies contact policyholders over the phone while others may contact you via email. No matter what, when they get in touch, they will tell you if your claim has been approved or denied. If they approve it, they will let you know how much to expect for your payout and provide a rough timeline for when you will receive it.

If you need help with any part of the claims filing process in Bentley, contact BrokerLink right away.

We’re in your community

BrokerLink is the leading insurance brokerage in Canada for a reason. We are a staple in the community, helping customers find quality insurance solutions and giving back to local causes. Learn more about our corporate social responsibility by getting in touch with us today.

Contact us

At Bentley 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.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person by visiting any of our locations across Alberta. 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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Car insurance Bentley FAQs

How do I get a snow tire discount on car insurance in Bentley?

You can get a winter tire car insurance discount in Bentley by contacting your insurance provider to find out if they offer such a discount and if so, what conditions must be met to qualify. Keep in mind that not all Alberta insurance companies offer snow tire discounts and those that do may have different stipulations that must be met, such as all four tires must be the same year, brand and professionally installed.

How does renewing car insurance work in Bentley?

Renewing car insurance works like this: Before your policy has expired, review your coverage and decide if you want to renew your existing policy or let it expire and find a new one. To decide if you want to renew your current policy, do some research. Contact other insurance companies and request free auto insurance quotes so you can compare them with your current plan and determine which policy offers the best coverage at the most affordable price. If, after doing that, you decide to stick with your current provider, the renewal process is usually quite simple. Contact them by phone, email, or in person and tell them that you want to renew your policy for another term after the current term ends. At this stage, you can make any adjustments to your policy that you see fit, such as raising a deductible or coverage limit. Your insurer will give you an updated policy and premium, as well as the start and end date of your renewed policy. Please note that renewing car insurance is best done before your existing policy has expired. If you are unable to renew your policy before it expires, ask your insurance company about expired car insurance renewal. Renewing an expired policy may still be possible, though the terms vary between insurance companies.

If I get into an accident while driving, will my Bentley car insurance rates go up?

They might. It depends on whether you caused the accident or not. If you caused the accident, then your rates are likely to go up and may remain higher for a period of six years until the accident is no longer on your record. However, if you did not cause the accident, then your rates will likely remain the same. The only time that your rates may not go up following an at-fault accident is if you have accident forgiveness coverage. Accident forgiveness coverage is optional but prevents the insurance company from raising your premium if the primary policyholder gets into an at-fault accident. It only applies to the first at-fault accident, though.

Do I need car insurance to drive in Bentley?

Yes, you need car insurance to drive in Bentley. It is a legal requirement. Driving without it is illegal and if caught, you can face serious consequences. For example, uninsured motorists in Bentley may be subject to expensive fines costing tens of thousands of dollars. You could also have your vehicle impounded and your driver’s licence suspended. You might even face jail time if you are unable to pay the fines levied against you. Keep in mind that punishments only get worse the more time you are caught driving without insurance.

How can I find cheap car insurance in Bentley?

Cheap car insurance in Bentley is easier to find than you might think. First, you can try bundling insurance policies, purchasing one home insurance plan and one car insurance plan or multiple auto insurance policies. This is ideal for anyone with more than one car in their household or someone in the market for more than one type of insurance policy. Other ways that Bentley drivers might be able to reduce their auto insurance premiums are by always making their payments on time, choosing a yearly payment plan instead of a monthly one, and adopting safe driving habits that prevent you from getting into accidents, thereby keeping your driving record clear. Further, Bentley motorists can also reduce their rates by taking advantage of auto insurance discounts. While discounts vary between insurance providers, you might be able to find the following types of car insurance discounts in Alberta: winter tire discounts, employment-based discounts, education-based discounts, safe driver discounts, anti-theft device discounts, occasional driver discounts, driver’s education discounts, and telematics discounts.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.