Car insurance in Kentville

Compulsory car insurance in Kentville, Nova Scotia

Car insurance is mandatory not just in Kentville but all of Nova Scotia. Therefore, all licenced Kentville drivers need to possess a valid, up-to-date car insurance policy if they wish to drive their vehicle on the road. In Nova Scotia, a valid car insurance policy is one that complies with the province’s minimum coverage requirements for auto insurance. These requirements include a minimum of $500,000 in:

• Third-party liability coverage
• Uninsured automobile coverage
• Accident benefits coverage

To buy car insurance in Kentville, all eligible drivers must own a valid driver’s license. The insurance company will also need a record of their driving history, plus any information about others who may also drive their vehicle regularly, such as a spouse or adult child.

Reach out to BrokerLink today to speak with one of our insurance advisors about any questions you have regarding mandatory car insurance.

Uninsured driver in Kentville, Nova Scotia

As you now know, auto insurance is mandatory in Kentville. Therefore, it is illegal to drive your vehicle without car insurance, including expired insurance that you failed to renew on time. Should a Kentville driver get pulled over while driving without insurance, you could:

• Be fined between $1,250 and $4,000 for a first offence
• Be fined between $3,000 and $5,850 for repeat offences
• Lose your licence for a minimum of 90 days (suspension)
• Have your vehicle impounded for 90 days

After considering the repercussions, is really worth not having auto insurance? Let BrokerLink find you the best car insurance quote for insurance coverage today.

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Basic auto insurance coverage for Kentville drivers

All licenced Kentville drivers need, at a minimum, an auto insurance policy that meets the insurance requirements set by the province of Nova Scotia. There are four types of coverage that make up a basic auto insurance policy: third-party liability coverage, accident benefits coverage, direct compensation - property damage coverage and uninsured automobile coverage. Read on to find out more about what each type is and how they can protect you:

Third-party liability coverage

Liability provides protection if you get into an accident that injures another person or results in property damage to another person’s property. Under this portion of your policy, you can receive compensation to pay for medical expenses associated with bodily injuries or repairs of a damaged car, as well as any legal fees or court fees up to the coverage limit. Kentville drivers are required to purchase auto insurance policies with no less than $500,000 in third-party liability insurance.

Uninsured automobile coverage

Uninsured automobile coverage protects you and any passengers in your vehicle if you get into an accident with an at-fault driver who is uninsured or underinsured. This type of coverage also protects in the event of a hit-and-run. Uninsured automobile coverage covers medical expenses relating to injuries, car repairs due to damage, lost wages and more.

Accident benefits coverage

If you, a passenger or a pedestrian, require medical attention following a collision, accident benefits coverage comes in handy. Protection is offered regardless of which party was at fault for the collision and can help cover loss of income and medical expenses, such as prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation and more.

Optional car insurance coverage in Kentville

While Nova Scotia requires all drivers to have basic auto insurance coverage, drivers in Kentville can also purchase other types of coverage to enhance their policies. While these extra coverages are not required by law, they offer further protection and peace of mind.

Here are some examples of optional auto insurance coverages available in Kentville:

Collision coverage

If you get into an accident with another car or object on the road, no matter which driver is at fault for the accident, collision coverage can help cover the costs. Under the collision coverage portion of your policy, your insurance company can help pay for property damage that resulted from the collision, such as a damaged vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage

For added peace of mind, Kentville drivers may choose to include comprehensive coverage in their auto insurance policies. While standard auto insurance coverage in Nova Scotia provides some protection against accidents, it does not protect drivers from many other circumstances on the road. For example, if your car is stolen, basic car insurance won’t help. But if you purchase this coverage, you can be protected against everything from theft and vandalism to water damage, fire, and more. This means that if your car was stolen, your insurance company would help cover the costs of replacing it, rather than having to pay for a new one entirely out-of-pocket.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Direct compensation - property damage coverage protects an insured car and its contents from the costs of property damage. This type of coverage only applies if the policyholder is not at fault for the accident that caused the damage. This type of coverage gets its name from the fact that the insurer typically provides direct payment for the damage caused (such as to repair or replace a vehicle). To receive compensation under the direct compensation portion of your policy in Nova Scotia, the incident must meet the following criteria: it happened in Nova Scotia, it involved multiple cars, and it involved at least one car that participates in the province’s car insurance program.

Accident forgiveness coverage

One final type of optional coverage popular among Kentville drivers is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your 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 varies by province.

How insurance companies calculate car insurance quotes in Kentville

Nova Scotia insurance companies must consider several factors while determining your insurance rates. As some details matter more than others, we feel it might be helpful for Kentville drivers to learn which ones these are. Below you will find a list of key factors that affect how much you pay for insurance in Kentville:

• Where you live (and work - if you drive to work)
• Age
• Make and model of vehicle
• Past claims
• Annual mileage
• Driving experience
• Driving record
• Prior insurance coverage
• Your deductible
• Local laws
• How you use your vehicle
• Gender
• Marital status

How to save money on Kentville car insurance

Did you know that Nova Scotia drivers pay some of the cheapest car insurance premiums in all of Canada? Still, there are many ways you can save even more on your insurance premiums. At BrokerLink, we want your car insurance premiums to be as affordable as possible. Our knowledgeable insurance brokers at BrokerLink know how to navigate the insurance market, allowing them to shop around and compare insurance quotes in order to find you the best policy.

To find out more about how you can pay less for Kentville auto insurance, here are our top money-saving tips:

Increase your policy deductible

Money-saving tip number one is increasing your insurance deductible. Your deductible is how much money you agree to pay upfront when you file a claim before the insurance company steps in. As a general rule, the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums are. Common deductible amounts include $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,000, with the average in Nova Scotia being $500. Most insurance policies require a deductible, but the amount you agree to pay is up to you!

However, while raising your deductible from, say, $500 to $1,000 or $2,000 could lower your insurance rate, ensure you can afford it first. If you were in a car accident tomorrow, ask yourself, "can I afford to immediately pay $1,000? $2,000?" To find out how raising your deductible will impact your insurance rate, reach out to a BrokerLink car insurance broker near Kentville today.

Choose annual over monthly insurance payments

Our next tip is to pay your insurance policy annually. While monthly payments can be tempting, we highly recommend you choose annual payments instead. Because some insurers charge an administrative fee for each payment, you would be paying 12 fees for each monthly installment but only one fee if you pay annually. Hence, if your company does charge administrative fees, you will save money by paying in one annual installment instead of monthly.

Bundle multiple insurance policies together

Another tip to save money in Kentville is to bundle all of your insurance policies together. Policyholders regularly receive discounts when they have multiple policies with one insurance company. So if you are looking for home insurance, business insurance or more, try bundling them together with a provider that sells several types of insurance. Or, if you own multiple cars with multiple insurance policies but have them with different companies, consider moving them to one company and bundling, such as here at BrokerLink. You could save up to 15% on each policy. Reach out to BrokerLink to learn more about saving money by bundling your policies.

Install winter tires to help you stay claims-free

Anyone who lives in the maritime knows that the winters are no joke. Our next tip is to save money by installing winter tires on your vehicle. Snow tires may not be required in Nova Scotia, but they can help you keep your claims history clear while keeping yourself and others safe. Winter tires have improved traction in snowy and icy conditions, and they brake more successfully on slippery roads, meaning fewer collisions. At-fault collisions lead to insurance claims, resulting in higher insurance premiums. Plus, insurers know that winter tires handle overall winter road conditions more effectively than all-season tires, which is why you could save up to 5% if you install winter tires.

Buy a hybrid or electric vehicle

Owning an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid can also help you save money on auto insurance. Insurance providers all over Canada regularly offer incentivized discounts to hybrid or EV owners to help drivers save money and the planet. Thus, you could save up to 10% on your insurance policy just by owning one.

Enrol in driving school

Lastly, our final tip is specifically for young Kentville drivers. We highly recommend enrolling in a recognized Nova Scotia driving school. There are driving schools in Kentville that will teach you the rules of the road rules and even defensive driving fundamentals. Insurance companies know that young drivers who attend driving schools are generally skilled and safe drivers who know the rules of the road and are more likely to obey them. Therefore, new Kentville drivers who graduated from an approved driving school in Nova Scotia may be eligible for a discount.

Compare car insurance quotes with Kentville insurance brokers

Enlisting the help of an insurance broker can help you save both time and money. Reliable insurance brokerages like BrokerLink make shopping for insurance and comparing quotes hassle-free by doing all of the work for you. By having a BrokerLink insurance broker compare rates on your behalf, you can rest easy knowing we will find the best coverage at the most competitive price.

Here is why you should choose a registered car insurance broker near Kentville today:

Brokers operate independently of insurance companies

The top reason is that insurance brokers work independently of insurance companies. This means that you can trust BrokerLink to make you our number one priority. Our dedicated insurance brokers take the time to understand your needs to find an insurance policy that fits your lifestyle and budget.

Brokers do the work for you

Another reason to work with a Kentville insurance broker is that they do all of the work for you. Brokers will contact Kentville's top insurance companies, obtain and compare quotes, and even unlock discounts, all on your behalf.

Brokers are insurance experts

Since 1991, the BrokerLink team has been dedicated to finding insurance policies that meet the needs and budgets of our customers. We are experts in all things Kentville insurance and can ensure you receive the most competitive rate on your policy.

What are you waiting for? Jumpstart your Kentville, Nova Scotia car insurance journey by contacting BrokerLink today.

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