Car Insurance in Cardston

Auto insurance requirements for Cardston drivers

As a Cardston motorist, there are certain types of auto insurance that you are required to have. These coverages are not just highly recommended, they are mandatory, meaning that driving without them is illegal. In Alberta, if you choose to drive without car insurance that contains the following types of coverage, you can be fined, have your vehicle impounded, and even face jail time. Thus, we urge all Cardston drivers to make sure that their auto insurance plans feature the coverage types below:

Third party liability coverage

The first type of coverage that all Cardston drivers must have is liability insurance. Liability insurance is so important that the Government of Alberta has even imposed a minimum amount that all drivers must carry, $200,000 in coverage. That said, many drivers choose to purchase a higher coverage limit of $500,000 or $1,000,000 due to the added peace of mind. Please note that the purpose of liability coverage in car insurance is to protect drivers who cause car accidents. If you accidentally rear end someone at an intersection, the third party liability coverage portion of your policy will reimburse you for the costs associated with the accident, like medical fees, vehicle repair bills, and legal expenses.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage is a second type of mandatory coverage in Cardston, Alberta. If you are involved in an accident and the accident causes bodily injury to yourself or another person, such as a pedestrian, passenger, or another driver, accident benefits coverage will cover you. Specifically, it will cover expenses relating to the injury, ranging from loss of income to medical bills. It can even cover funeral expenses if someone dies as a result of the accident.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Direct compensation - property damage coverage provides financial security if your car is damaged and needs to be repaired following a collision. Under the direct compensation - property damage coverage portion of your policy, so long as you were not responsible for the collision, your insurance company will issue a payout to cover the cost of the vehicle repairs.

Uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is one last type of compulsory coverage in Cardston. This type of coverage protects drivers against hit-and-runs, as well as against accidents with drivers who are uninsured or underinsured. An uninsured driver is someone without car insurance, and an underinsured driver is someone without sufficient car insurance to cover the cost of the accident.

Additional car insurance coverage for Cardston drivers

The types of auto insurance in Alberta are not limited to the mandatory coverages listed above. There are plenty of other coverage options available to Cardston drivers, like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and accident forgiveness coverage. Learn more about each below:

Collision coverage

Collision car coverage is designed to safeguard Cardston drivers against the cost of a major car accident. Specifically, collision coverage will pay for your vehicle to be repaired if it is damaged in a collision with an animal, object, or another vehicle on the road.

Comprehensive coverage

With comprehensive car coverage added to your Cardston auto insurance policy, your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it is damaged due to an insured peril. Comprehensive coverage largely protects against damage done to your vehicle while parked. However, only certain types of damage will be covered, and these are known as perils. Perils may include theft, vandalism, wind, fire, water damage, and falling objects, among others.

Accident forgiveness coverage

One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Cardston 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.

How Alberta insurance companies calculate Cardston car insurance rates

The price of car insurance varies from driver to driver. Why is this the case? It is due to the fact that insurance companies in Alberta consider such a wide range of factors when calculating risk. For example, a person’s age, claims history, driving experience, and average mileage will all be factored into an insurance agent’s decision about your rates. For a complete list of factors that insurance providers consider when calculating car insurance rates in Cardston, keep reading:

• Where you live (and where you 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

To find out how much Cardston car insurance will cost you, contact BrokerLink. BrokerLink is pleased to offer free quotes to Cardston drivers, whether you contact us by email, over the phone, or in person. You can even use our online quote tool to request a free car insurance quote right this instant.

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BrokerLink is making Cardston car insurance more affordable

BrokerLink aims to make car insurance in Cardston as affordable as possible. That is why our team is always happy to provide customers with expert tips on ways to save money on insurance. You will find a few of those tips below:

• Choose the highest deductible amounts you can reasonably afford to pay in the event of a claim
• Make all insurance payments on time and if you are at risk of a late payment or non-payment, contact your provider as soon as possible
• Seek help from a licensed insurance broker near you, like those at BrokerLink
• Enroll in and complete a driver’s education program in Alberta
• Drive less, which will reduce your annual mileage and therefore your risk as a driver
• Install a telematics device in your car or download a similar mobile application onto your smartphone
• Outfit your car with snow tires between October and April
• Drive safely and abide by all traffic laws in Alberta
• Equip your car with an anti-theft device which reduces the odds of your car being stolen
• Choose your next car wisely, opting for an eco-friendly model like a hybrid or electric car or one with a high safety rating if you want to save money on auto insurance
• Ask a licensed insurance broker from BrokerLink about other auto insurance discounts that may apply to you
• Bundle different insurance policies together, like home and auto insurance, or buy multiple auto insurance policies at the same time

Claims 101: How to submit a car insurance claim in Cardston

If you suffer a loss, whether your car is stolen, damaged while parked, or you get into an accident, you will likely need to file a claim with your insurance provider. While the exact process may differ slightly between insurance companies, you can generally expect it to look something like this:

Get in touch with your insurance company ASAP

In order to file a claim, you must call either your insurance provider or your broker, both will be able to guide you through the steps to file your claim. Let’s say you were in a car accident. Once everyone is safe and sound, this is the time to reach out to your insurance company. Prior to this you may have to have your vehicle towed, speak with the police to file a report, and get checked out by paramedics or a doctor depending on the scope of your injuries. Once you have completed this you can begin the process to file your claim, gathering all the information you have related to the claim, such as third party information, towing or repair expenses, medical conditions or injuries.

Collect all pertinent information

You should aim to submit as much information and evidence as possible along with your claim. In the case of a car accident, gather a variety of evidence, like photos and videos of the scene and the damage to your car, along with the police statement, witness statements, and the contact and insurance information of anyone else involved in the accident.

Fill out all forms provided by your insurance company

Insurance companies usually have specific forms that policyholders must fill out when filing a claim. You will likely need to include basic information like your name and policy number, as well as information about the incident that led you to file a claim. Do your best to fill out these forms quickly and accurately.

Answer the insurance adjuster’s questions

The next phase of the claims process is when an insurance adjuster is assigned to investigate your claim. Since their job is to assess your claim and make a recommendation to the insurance company, they may need to ask you some additional questions. If they contact you with more questions or to request additional evidence, cooperate with them as best you can. The sooner you answer their questions, the faster they can conclude their investigation.

Await a call from your insurance company

The last step is perhaps the most frustrating as it involves waiting to hear from your insurance company. Whether they call you or send you an email, you will hear from them shortly after the adjuster completes their investigation. When they get in touch, they will let you know the status of your claim - whether it has been approved or denied. If it has been approved, they will tell you how much your payout will be and when it will be issued, as well as how you will receive it, e.g. via cheque or direct deposit.

If there is any part of the claims filing process that you do not understand, or you simply have additional questions, do not hesitate to reach out to BrokerLink. We have helped countless customers file car insurance claims with their providers and would be happy to do the same for you.

We’re in your community

BrokerLink doesn’t take corporate social responsibility lightly. As a leading insurance brokerage in Canada, we have made it our mission to not only provide top-of-the-line insurance services but also to give back to the communities we operate in. That is why you will find us participating in local initiatives and charitable events all across Alberta. Learn more about our commitment to the community by getting in touch today.

Contact us

At Cardston 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 Cardston FAQs

If I add snow tires to my vehicle, will I get a discount on my Cardston car insurance plan?

You may. Not all insurance companies in Alberta offer winter tire discounts, so it depends on which insurance company you’re dealing with. That said, many offer a small discount to drivers who install winter tires on their cars, so long as they meet the conditions laid out by the company.

For example, some insurance companies need all four tires to be the same model and others have set dates that the tires need to be installed by and left on until. You can learn more about how winter tire discounts work, how much of a discount you may be eligible for, and which conditions must be met to qualify by reaching out to Alberta insurance companies or an insurance broker near you.

How do I renew my Cardston auto insurance policy?

You can renew car insurance in Cardston simply and easily by reaching out to your insurance provider. Some insurance companies even allow you to renew your policy online, meaning you can do so without leaving the comfort of your home. Of course, if you prefer to speak directly with an insurance agent when renewing, then you can also give them a call or visit your insurance company’s local branch.

Remember that the best time to renew your policy is before it expires. This makes for the most seamless renewal process. When renewing your policy, don’t hesitate to make adjustments, such as raising or lowering your deductible or adding or removing certain coverage types. The beginning of the policy term is the best time to make such changes. If you forget to renew your policy before it expires, you might still be able to renew it using the expired car insurance renewal process. This process can be lengthier than the typical process and might result in an increased premium due to the gap in coverage, but it may still be an option depending on the insurance company.

Can I buy auto insurance coverage in Cardston without a valid driver’s licence?

No. A driver’s licence is a necessity when you are purchasing car insurance. In fact, it is one of the first pieces of information that an insurance agent will ask for. Thus, you must obtain a valid Alberta driver’s licence before trying to purchase auto insurance in Cardston. It is also worth noting that you will need a driver’s licence to register your vehicle with the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation, which is also a requirement for purchasing auto insurance.

Will my friend be covered by my Cardston car insurance coverage if they get into an accident while driving my car?

Most likely, though it depends on the circumstances of the situation. So long as your friend was not committing an illegal act at the time of the accident and had permission from you to drive your car, they will likely be covered by your Cardston car insurance plan. Auto insurance plans tend to follow the vehicle, not the driver. So even if your friend causes the car accident, the third party liability coverage on your policy should still protect them.

What happens if I drive without insurance in Cardston?

Driving without insurance in Cardston - or anywhere in Alberta, for that matter - is illegal. Thus, the consequences are serious. According to the Government of Alberta, drivers who are caught driving without insurance can face fines worth tens of thousands of dollars, vehicle impoundment, the suspension of their driver’s licence, and even jail time, if they are unable to pay the fines incurred. Given the serious trouble you can get in if you choose to drive without car insurance in Cardston, purchasing valid coverage is extremely worthwhile.

What is the average price of car insurance in Cardston, Alberta?

The cost of car insurance in Alberta averages $1,500 per year or $125 per month. However, you could end up paying more or less than this depending on your circumstances and the type of policy you choose. The more coverage you select for your policy, the more expensive it is likely to be. The same goes if you choose low deductible amounts or high coverage limits. Your age, driving history, claims history, the type of car you drive, and your annual mileage can also impact how much you pay for car insurance in Cardston. This is why auto insurance rates differ so much between drivers.

How much third party liability coverage do I need to legally drive in Cardston, Alberta?

To legally drive in Cardston, you will need to purchase a policy that contains $200,000 in third party liability coverage. Liability coverage is one of the most important types of car insurance out there. It protects drivers if they get into an accident that they were responsible for. That said, $200,000 in liability coverage may not be enough to cover the damage resulting from the accident if you get into a major collision. For this reason, you will find that many Cardston drivers choose higher coverage limits.

For example, $500,000 or even $1,000,000 are popular coverage amounts for third party liability car insurance in Alberta. Whatever you do, just make sure that you meet the provincial government’s minimum coverage requirements, as if you don’t, you could be charged with uninsured driving, which can lead to serious fines and jail time.

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