BrokerLink is here to help make shopping for car insurance easier than ever . With so many auto insurance companies competing for your business, the simplest way to compare quotes and find the coverage you need is by partnering with an insurance broker like BrokerLink.
We have locations all across Alberta and we even offer our services online, giving Grande Prairie drivers the flexibility to start the car insurance process however they see fit.
No matter how we work together - whether virtually or in person - our team of insurance advisors are experts in the field of car insurance and will be there to guide you every step of the way.
We know how intimidating shopping for auto insurance can be, which is why we aim to make the process as clear and seamless as possible. From the moment you contact BrokerLink, we will work tirelessly to browse policies on your behalf, compare quotes, and uncover discounts. Our #1 goal is to find you an auto insurance plan that meets your unique needs.
Is auto insurance mandatory in Alberta?
Each Canadian province sets its own regulations surrounding auto insurance. In the case of Alberta, the provincial government has made car insurance mandatory. Therefore, every vehicle registered with the province must be insured, and that insurance must meet the minimum mandatory coverage. For example, in Alberta, motorists are required to carry $200,000 in third party liability coverage.
The consequences of driving without car insurance in Grande Prairie
As auto insurance is compulsory in Alberta, Grande Prairie motorists can face serious consequences if caught driving without insurance, whether the driver never bought insurance in the first place or let their most recent policy expire.
For a first offense in Alberta, a driver can be fined a minimum of $2,875 up to a maximum of $10,000. Failure to pay this fine can result in jail time between 45 days and 6 months.
For a second offense, the minimum fine is $5,000, but it goes all the way up to $20,000, and again, failure to pay the fine can result in jail time between 60 days and 6 months.
Given these steep fines and the possibility of jail time, most Grande Prairie motorists will agree that driving without insurance is not worth it.
Key factors that may affect your Grande Prairie car insurance rate
There are a number of factors that insurance providers take into account when calculating your car insurance rate. It’s important to understand how certain circumstances, such as your age, marital status, or the type of car you drive, can affect your car insurance premium. Keep reading to learn about some of the top factors used to calculate the cost of one’s auto insurance.
Location
Your geographic location (where you live and work) is an important factor in calculating your car insurance. Although provinces dictate the general regulations about car insurance, rates vary depending on where in the province you live. Typically, your car insurance premiums increase if you live in or around high-density urban areas, and decrease if you live in low-density rural areas. This is because if you live in a major city, there is more traffic on the road which can increase your chances of getting into an accident.
Beyond population density, if you live in or frequently travel to parts of the province prone to climate related incidents, you may pay more for auto insurance.
Vehicle make and model
Every insurance provider will ask for the year, make, and model of your vehicle. This is because insurance providers have to analyze the likelihood of your car being stolen, and how much it would cost to replace or repair it. They can only do so by knowing these details. Generally speaking, the newer and more expensive the vehicle, the higher the odds are that someone will try to steal it and the more it will cost to replace if damaged or stolen. Therefore, the insurance premium for drivers of new or luxury cars is typically higher than for drivers of older, budget-friendly cars. However, insurance providers may take into account safety features and anti-theft devices, so if you have a new vehicle that’s equipped with these features, you may pay less for car insurance.
Age
Insurance companies claim that certain age groups may be at greater risk of getting into an accident, and car insurance premiums may reflect this. One age group that often sees higher premiums is young drivers, simply because they have little to no driving experience. On the flip side, the data reveals that as you age, your reaction time may be slower, and therefore some senior drivers will also have to pay more for auto insurance.
Annual mileage
The frequency with which you drive your car may also be taken into account by an insurance provider. If you drive your car very infrequently (once a week, or on weekends only), it’s worth mentioning this to your broker. From the perspective of the insurance company, if you do not drive your car very often, then you are less likely to get into an accident, and your insurance premium may be lowered accordingly.
On the other hand, if you drive all the time or frequently drive at night and on highways, then your odds of getting into a collision can increase, and so too can your insurance premiums.
Local laws
As mentioned above, auto insurance is provincially regulated, with each province setting a minimum requirement for coverage. For example, in Alberta, the laws around car insurance require motorists to carry $200,000 in third party liability coverage at all times.
Marital status
Insurance providers rely on data when calculating car insurance, and the data suggests that married people tend to be more financially stable and safer drivers. For this reason, married people tend to pay less than unmarried people for car insurance.
Driving history is one of the most important factors
While the factors above all come into play when calculating your Grande Prairie car insurance rate, there is one factor that is even more important: your driving history. Combining your driving experience with your driving record, your driving history is a clear indication of your risk level, in the eyes of auto insurance providers.
Having several years or even decades of driving experience is most welcome to car insurance companies. As discussed above, if you are a young driver who only recently got your driver’s license, then you likely have limited driving experience, which is why your insurance premium tends to be higher.
However, in addition to driving experience, you should also aim to have a clean driving record. Experience means nothing if your record is full of speeding tickets, collisions, or DUIs. To keep insurance premiums low, try to drive as safely as possible, which means driving the speed limit at all times and driving defensively rather than offensively.
How to reduce the cost of your Grande Prairie car insurance
Although car insurance offers plenty of benefits, such as providing coverage in the event of bodily injury or property damage, there’s no denying that it can be expensive. BrokerLink’s insurance advisors understand how costly it can be and are committed to finding you the best possible coverage at the most affordable price. Below, we provide our top seven tips for how to reduce the cost of your Grande Prairie car insurance.
Go electric
Reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on auto insurance by investing in an eco-friendly vehicle. Several major insurance providers in Alberta now offer discounts to owners of hybrid and electric vehicles. So if you’re thinking of buying a Tesla, now may be the time.
Insure vehicles together
The more cars you insure with the same provider, the lower the cost will be. So if you own more than one car, consider purchasing auto insurance for all your vehicles from the same provider, and you could save between 15% and 20%.
Bundle multiple insurance policies into one
Like in most lines of business, the more you buy from a company, the better the discount. This principle rings true for insurance. Purchasing multiple types of insurance from the same provider can save you up to 15%. So if you’re shopping for home insurance or business insurance, as well as auto insurance, do yourself a favour and consider buying them all from the same insurance company at the same time.
Increase your deductible
A general rule of thumb is the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium. So if you’re looking to save money on auto insurance, you may want to increase your deductible. On average, most car insurance deductibles in Canada range between $500 and $1,000. If your deductible is currently $500, raising it to $1,000 or more could reduce your premium.
Choose annual over monthly payments
If it’s feasible, paying your car insurance bill annually rather than monthly can save you money. This is because car insurance providers often tack on administrative fees for monthly payments, meaning that paying monthly almost always costs more than paying annually.
Attend driving school
Another way to reduce the cost of your Grande Prairie car insurance is to attend a driving school program. Receiving professional driving instruction is viewed positively by insurance providers, who see it as an indication that you are more likely to be a better driver, and they may lower your insurance premium because of it.
Get in touch
Interested in learning more about Grande Prairie car insurance? BrokerLink can be your resource for all things car insurance. From start to finish, our team of skilled insurance advisors will do the work for you. We will shop around for the best coverage, compare quotes, and unlock discounts. Ultimately, if you’re looking for the best possible coverage at the most affordable rate, BrokerLink can help. We won’t stop working until you are 100% satisfied with your auto insurance policy.
Get a quote online or give us a call to begin your car insurance journey. To request a quote online, click the “Get a quote” button in the top right-hand corner of this webpage. From there, you will be asked some basic questions about yourself in order to help us provide you with the most accurate and competitive quote possible. Information we may require include your age, the make, model, and year of your car, your marital status, your driving history, your address, and your annual mileage. Once we have this information, we will calculate your quote in just five minutes!
Of course, if you have any questions or require more detail, a BrokerLink insurance advisor is always available to take your call or chat with you in person.
What are you waiting for? Contact us today to learn more about your auto insurance options and receive a 100% obligation-free quote.
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