Car Insurance in Antigonish

What car insurance do I need in Antigonish, Nova Scotia?

There are four specific types of auto insurance that all Antigonish drivers in Nova Scotia need. While you might choose to purchase additional coverage beyond these four types, your policy must contain, at a minimum, third party liability coverage, accident benefits coverage, direct compensation - property damage coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage if you wish to drive legally in Nova Scotia:

Third party liability coverage

Liability insurance covers the cost of a collision in the event that the policyholder causes the collision. So if you get into a car accident and another driver is injured or their car is scratched, it is the third party liability portion of your Antigonish car insurance plan that would help pay for any medical expenses, repair bills, or legal fees incurred.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage can help pay the cost of medical expenses if you get into a collision that harms another. For example, if someone is concussed or breaks a bone in a car accident, your accident benefits coverage can pay for any medical fees not covered by health insurance such as physiotherapy or other types of rehabilitation.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Direct compensation - property damage coverage can pay for car repair expenses if your vehicle was damaged in an accident.

Uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is another type of mandatory Nova Scotia car insurance that deals with drivers who are involved in an accident. With uninsured automobile coverage, your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of damages that arise from the accident if the collision was with one of the following types of motorists:

• Uninsured drivers: those who do not have any car insurance coverage.
• Underinsured drivers: those who do not have enough car insurance or high enough limitsto cover the cost of the accident damage.
• Unidentified drivers: those whose identities are never known because they flee the scene, such as the case of a hit and run.

What other car insurance coverage is available in Antigonish?

Mandatory coverage might be enough for some drivers in Antigonish, but many choose to purchase additional coverage for extra protection. Some of the most popular forms of optional coverage in Nova Scotia offer greater protection against collisions, as well as protection against non-collision-related circumstances, like someone stealing your car or a fire breaking out and damaging it. You can learn more about optional coverage by reading the descriptions of collision comprehensive, accident forgiveness, and loss of use coverage below:

Collision coverage

Collision car coverage goes above and beyond direct compensation - property damage coverage, offering drivers extra protection should their vehicles be damaged in a collision. With collision coverage, it doesn’t matter if you caused the accident or not. It also doesn’t matter whether you got into an accident with another car or an object or an animal.. If you lease or finance your car in Antigonish, make sure that you review the terms of your agreement as collision coverage may not be optional for you.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive car coverage aims to protect parked cars from a range of risks, including theft and property damage. What you are covered for under the comprehensive coverage portion of your policy, includes fire, water damage, theft, vandalism, wind, falling objects, etc. Like with collision coverage, you may be obligated to add comprehensive coverage to your policy if you lease or finance your car in Nova Scotia.

Accident forgiveness coverage

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

Loss of use coverage

Loss of use coverage is also optional, like the other three coverages listed above. It can come in handy if your car is damaged in a collision and needs to be repaired. We all know that auto body shops can sometimes take longer than we want them to repair vehicles. Luckily, with loss of use coverage, your insurance provider will reimburse you for any transportation costs incurred while your car is being repaired. For example, if your car was in the shop for two weeks and during this time, you chose to take the bus, rent a car, or call taxis, you can submit your receipts to your insurance company and they can compensate you for these temporary expenses.

What factors affect car insurance premiums in Antigonish?

Calculating car insurance rates in Antigonish is no easy task, especially when you think about just how many factors an insurance agent considers when setting your premium. Since an insurance company's job is to assess risk and assign a cost accordingly, they will look at a broad range of factors, from your age and where you live to your insurance claims history and your selected deductible amounts. An exhaustive list of factors that are likely to impact how much you pay for auto insurance in Antigonish can be found below:

• 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

Get a free Antigonish car insurance quote now by reaching out to BrokerLink. BrokerLink can provide you with a free and accurate quote that will let you know how much you can expect to pay for auto insurance coverage in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

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Improve your driving habits with these tips

Want to become a safer driver in Antigonish? Follow the safe driving tips below:

Check the weather before leaving home

Always check the weather forecast before getting in your car. If inclement or dangerous weather is on its way, like fog, snow, ice, or heavy rain, consider driving at a later time or taking another mode of transportation.

Focus on the road

Minimize distractions so you can focus on the road 100% of the time. You can do this by refraining from eating or drinking while driving your car, and also by keeping your smartphone out of sight.

Obey the speed limit

Keep an eye on speed limit signs everywhere you drive and take care not to exceed them. In some situations, you should even drive below the speed limit, like in areas with low visibility, lots of pedestrians, near the scene of an accident, or construction.

Increase your visibility

Do whatever you can to increase your ability to see at all times. This could look like wearing sunglasses on a sunny day, cleaning your windshield or dirt, or clearing snow and ice off your side mirrors and windows.

File an Antigonish car insurance claim in five easy steps

After you’ve purchased an Antigonish car insurance policy, there may come a time when you need to file a claim. This can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never filed a claim before. Thankfully, it’s easier than you might think, especially with a licensed insurance broker from BrokerLink by your side. So the next time you need to file a car insurance claim in Nova Scotia, contact BrokerLink for help. In the meantime, check out this step-by-step guide to submitting a claim with your auto insurance provider:

Notify your insurance provider about the incident

Anytime you want to file a car insurance claim, the first step is to contact your insurance company and let them know about the incident. This should be done as soon as possible following the accident (ideally within a day or two). Once you’ve informed them of the incident and provided a few details on the circumstances that lead to it, they will give you instructions on how to proceed. Since all insurance companies have their own unique claims processes, it’s best to speak with your insurance provider directly if you want more information on how to file a car insurance claim.

Collect information on the incident

Next, you should start collecting all the information you have about the incident. When you reach the next step, you will need to answer all kinds of questions about the event, so it’s best to be prepared. Also, the more information you can provide, the faster your claim will be reviewed. Types of information that are worth gathering include photos, videos, police statements, eyewitness statements, written records of the date, time, location, and conditions at the scene, and contact information for anyone else involved in the accident.

Complete the insurance forms sent by your provider

Step three is to fill out any insurance forms sent to you by your provider. These are a standard part of the process. Both your insurer and the insurance adjuster they assign to your case will review your answers before proceeding.

Answer the insurance adjuster’s questions

Once your claim is submitted, your insurance company will hire an insurance adjuster to launch an independent investigation into your claim. They will read through the forms you filled out and look at the evidence you provided to determine if your claim should be approved and if so, how big of a payout you should receive. During this time, the adjuster may have additional questions for you. Answer them promptly and to the best of your ability. The quicker the insurance adjuster can do their job, the faster your insurer will issue a verdict on your claim.

Wait to hear from your insurance company

The final step when filing a car insurance claim in Antigonish is to wait to hear from your insurance company. Once the insurance adjuster has completed their investigation, made a recommendation to the insurance company, and the insurance company has reviewed their recommendation and made a final decision, they will notify you. They will either notify you by phone or email, letting you know if your claim has been approved or rejected. If your claim has been approved, you will find out how much money your insurance company is paying out and the method by which you will receive it, cheque and direct deposit are both common options nowadays.

For more details on how to file a car insurance claim in Nova Scotia, contact a BrokerLink insurance advisor.

We’re in your community

BrokerLink is a proud member of the Nova Scotia community. Beyond providing our Antigonish customers with unrivalled insurance solutions, we also aim to contribute to the local community by taking part in charity events, fundraisers, relief efforts, and more. Contact BrokerLink today for more information on our core values and beliefs as an insurance brokerage.

Contact us

At Antigonish 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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Auto insurance Antigonish FAQs

Can an insurance broker help me renew car insurance in Antigonish?

Yes. Both an insurance broker and an insurance agent can help with renewing car insurance in Antigonish. When you decide that you want to renew your car insurance policy, contact a broker or agent. They can let you know what you need to do to renew your policy, though most of the time the process is fairly quick. You may need to sign a new contract and pay for part or all of your renewed policy. This is also a great time to update your insurance coverage or deductibles if you want to make any changes. The ideal time to renew your Antigonish car insurance plan is before it expires. Otherwise, you can still renew it but the expired car insurance renewal process might take longer. Your rates may also increase by more if you let your last policy expire, as a gap in coverage makes you a riskier investment from an insurance company’s perspective and can mean less companies are willing to take you on as a customer.

Will my Antigonish auto insurance premium go up if I get into an at-fault accident?

Maybe. Most of the time, yes, your insurance premium will be raised if you get into an at-fault accident, but it is not a guarantee. If your Antigonish car insurance policy features accident forgiveness coverage, and the accident you caused was your first since buying your policy, then your rates will not be affected. When you pay for accident forgiveness coverage, your insurance company would notraise your rates after your first at-fault collision if you decide to use your accident forgiveness protection. If, however, your policy does not contain accident forgiveness, then you should expect your premium to be higher the next time you renew your policy. Speak with your insurance provider for more information on just how much your premium may go up.

Do I need car insurance in Antigonish?

If you plan to drive in Antigonish, then yes, you need car insurance. Car insurance is a legal requirement in Nova Scotia, which means you cannot drive without it. Keep in mind that you must hold a valid driver’s licence to be able to buy car insurance, so you will need to obtain a licence first. Once that is complete, contact a local insurance professional to learn more about the mandatory coverage you must buy for your car insurance plan to be valid in the province. Failure to purchase auto insurance can have serious consequences, like fines, vehicle impoundment, and the suspension of your licence.

How can I find cheap car insurance in Antigonish?

There are all kinds of ways to find cheaper car insurance in Antigonish. One of the most effective ways of lowering your premium is to qualify for a car insurance discount, like a safe driver, employer, winter tire, or occasional driver discount. You can also choose to outfit your car with an anti-theft device or a telematics device to save money. Bundling insurance policies can also be an effective option for Antigonish drivers. Bundling insurance policies is when you combine products, buying two or more from the same provider together. Many providers offer discounts on insurance bundles, whether you buy two of the same kind of insurance or two completely different types of insurance.

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