Is car insurance mandatory in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia?
Yes. Car insurance is mandatory everywhere in Nova Scotia, including in Dartmouth. Specifically, there are four types of coverage that your auto insurance policy will need to contain, and an insurance broker in Dartmouth can help you find each of them. They are as follows:
As mentioned, car insurance is mandatory in Nova Scotia. This means that it’s not just strongly suggested - it’s the law. Thus, driving without it is illegal, and in Dartmouth, getting caught driving without insurance can result in serious penalties. For instance, a driver could incur a fine ranging from $2,000 to $4,000.
They could also have their vehicle impounded for up to 90 days, face jail time if they are charged with uninsured driving a second or subsequent time, and even have their driver’s licence suspended for up to 365 days. Therefore, the smartest decision you can make as a motorist in Dartmouth is to purchase an auto insurance policy that complies with local laws.
What types of car insurance are required in Dartmouth?
To give you a better idea of how mandatory car insurance protects drivers in Dartmouth, we provide a breakdown of each type of required coverage below:
Third party liability coverage
Liability insurance is for when drivers get into at-fault accidents. If you find yourself in a collision that you are responsible for, you can file a liability claim with your insurance provider to help cover the costs of the accident.
This type of coverage can pay for medical bills, legal fees, and vehicle repair bills. All Dartmouth motorists must carry a minimum of $500,000 in third party liability coverage. However, many choose to carry more than this, some opting for one or two million in coverage to ensure they are fully covered in the event of an incident.
Accident benefits coverage
Accident benefits coverage comes into play when you get into a collision that results in bodily injury. If you are injured in a car accident, you may require medical attention. Depending on the situation, some of these medical expenses may not be covered by your healthcare policy.
That is where your accident benefits coverage comes in. Accident benefits can pay for medical expenses not covered by health insurance, such as prescription medications or physical therapy. It can also pay for lost income due to injury or funeral fees.
Direct compensation coverage
Direct compensation coverage can be claimed if you get into a car accident and your vehicle is damaged. This type of coverage will specifically pay for vehicle repairs so long as you did not cause the accident.
Uninsured automobile coverage
Uninsured automobile coverage protects drivers who get into accidents with other motorists who are uninsured, underinsured, or anonymous. For instance, if you get into a collision with a driver who is driving without car insurance (i.e. illegally) or who flees the scene of the accident, you can file an uninsured automobile claim to help you pay for the costs of the accident.
What types of auto insurance are optional in Dartmouth?
Now that you know about mandatory car insurance coverage in Dartmouth, let’s move on to optional coverage. Optional car insurance coverage comes in many forms in Nova Scotia. Some of the most popular types of extra protection that drivers add to their policies include:
Collision coverage
Collision car coverage can be claimed if you get into a major collision that results in damage to your car. Collision coverage is best claimed when your car suffers extensive damage or is totalled, as this type of coverage can pay to repair or replace your vehicle.
Collision car insurance is usually optional, but it may be obligatory if you lease or finance your car and your leasing company requires you to have it.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive car coverage is one of the most popular types of optional coverage that a Dartmouth motorist can buy. This type of coverage provides ample peace of mind as it safeguards drivers against the risks that come from non-collision-related incidents.
Specifically, comprehensive coverage is designed to protect parked cars from loss or damage. As long as the cause of the damage is covered by your policy, you can file a comprehensive claim. The types of damage or risks most commonly covered by comprehensive insurance include theft, vandalism, falling and flying objects, collisions with animals, explosions and riots, fire, and weather-related events.
Accident forgiveness coverage
One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers in Dartmouth 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 help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim. Note: coverage and eligibility vary by province.
Waiver of depreciation
A waiver of depreciation is optional coverage that many drivers find worthwhile, especially if they have new cars. With this coverage, your insurance company will issue a payout equal to the value of your car if it is totalled and needs to be replaced. The payout will not account for depreciation, which results in a much larger sum of money than actual cash value coverage, which takes into account depreciation.
Loss of use coverage
Loss of use coverage is one final type of optional coverage that Dartmouth policyholders may be interested in. This type of auto insurance will reimburse policyholders if their car is damaged and they cannot use it while it’s being repaired. Specifically, policyholders will be reimbursed for the cost of taking alternate modes of transit without their car, such as rental cars and taxis.
Compare auto insurance rates with help from a Dartmouth insurance broker
Shopping for car insurance doesn’t have to be a pain. If you work alongside a licensed insurance broker at BrokerLink, we promise to find you a policy that meets your needs and budget. Here at BrokerLink, we take the time to get to know our customers. Why? We believe that insurance should be personalized.
It is not one-size-fits-all, so we will ask you a series of questions to better understand your lifestyle, driving habits, and overall insurance needs. From there, we will begin searching for the perfect policy for you and your vehicle. BrokerLink has contacts at many of the top insurance companies in Canada. We will reach out to them, obtain insurance quotes, and compare them to find you a great policy.
Finally, we will present you with multiple top-notch options and let you choose the best one for your needs. Meanwhile, in addition to finding you a competitive rate, we will unlock discounts on your behalf to ensure you never pay more for Dartmouth car insurance coverage than you have to. Get started with BrokerLink today by requesting a free insurance quote from one of our licensed brokers.
How do insurance companies calculate Dartmouth car insurance rates?
Dartmouth car insurance rates are calculated using complex formulas that are unique to each insurance company. That is why no two policyholders will pay the same amount for car insurance. Some of the factors that insurance companies use to calculate auto insurance premiums are as follows:
- Where you live
- Age
- Gender
- Vehicle type
- How you use your vehicle
- Driving record
- Driving experience
- Past claims
- Prior insurance coverage
- Number of kilometers you drive
- Type of coverage on your policy
- Your deductible(s)
Looking at the list above, you can see just how complex car insurance calculations can be. Thus, the best way to find out how much Dartmouth auto insurance coverage will cost you is to reach out to an insurance broker in your area and request a free quote. BrokerLink offers reliable and accurate quotes so that our customers can have a realistic idea of how much they will need to spend on auto insurance.
Please note that insurance brokerages like BrokerLink do not set rates. Insurance companies set rates. However, we can still help you find a fantastic policy, as well as explain how car insurance works and offer an expert opinion on which types of optional coverage may be worth your time.
Tips to save money on Dartmouth car insurance
So you want to save money on Dartmouth car insurance? The feeling is mutual! No one wants to pay more for coverage than they have to. BrokerLink understands this, so we always help our customers save money on their policies. If you want advice on how to keep your premium low, contact a BrokerLink insurance advisor today. In the meantime, check out this list of tips to help you save money on your Dartmouth auto insurance plan:
Choose an annual payment schedule for your Dartmouth auto insurance plan
When you buy a Dartmouth car insurance policy, you must decide if you want to pay for it annually or monthly. While month to month car insurance might seem more enticing, this type of coverage could end up being more expensive in the long run.
This is due to the fact that some insurance companies charge extra for monthly payment schedules in the form of transaction fees. Inquire with your insurance companies about extra fees before selecting a monthly payment plan.
Pick high auto insurance deductibles
Another choice you will have to make when you buy a Dartmouth car insurance policy is what deductibles you want. The deductibles you choose will influence how much you pay for car insurance. Low deductibles usually translate to a higher premium, whereas high deductibles translate to a lower premium.
That said, if you choose high deductibles, you must be prepared to pay more money upfront in the event of a claim. Think carefully before selecting your car insurance deductibles, but if you want to keep your rates down, pick the highest deductible you can reasonably afford.
Insure two or more cars at the same time
When you buy multiple auto insurance policies, many insurance companies will offer you a discount. If you are looking to insure more than one car, whether you and your spouse both have a car that needs to be insured or you want to insure one regular car and one recreational vehicle, waiting and insuring them together can save you money on both policies.
Bundle home and auto policies in Dartmouth
Do you own or rent a home in Dartmouth? If so, then chances are you need homeowner’s or tenant insurance in addition to car insurance. If it’s feasible, purchase both policies at the same time, and you could save a lot.
Known as insurance bundling, many insurance companies offer bundles or packages to customers that result in major savings. Contact BrokerLink to learn more about what bundling is and what conditions need to be met to qualify.
Ask a BrokerLink insurance advisor about auto insurance discounts
Another tip, if you want to save money on Dartmouth car insurance, is to contact a BrokerLink insurance advisor and ask about auto insurance discounts that may apply to you. There are tons of discounts, ranging from telematics and good student discounts to safe driver and senior driver discounts. You never know what you might be eligible for unless you ask!
Outfit your car with snow tires
Since snow tires are not mandatory in Nova Scotia, many insurance companies will offer you a car insurance discount if you choose to install them on your car. This is due to the fact that winter tires offer superior traction in the snow and ice, which makes your car safer to drive and reduces your odds of getting into a collision. Since you will be less likely to have to file a car insurance claim with winter tires on your car, you can save money on your policy by installing them.
Get rid of coverage that you no longer need
Just because certain car insurance coverage makes sense when you first buy your policy doesn’t mean they always will. For example, collision or comprehensive coverage may be smart when your car is new. But years down the road, once your car has gone down in value, you could end up paying more in coverage than your car is worth.
Thus, take the time to review your policy every time it is up for renewal and get rid of any types of coverage you no longer need. A BrokerLink insurance advisor can help you with this, offering an expert opinion on what types of coverage are worth keeping and which can be removed.
Sign up for a driving course
Enrolling in a driver’s education course or a defensive driving course in Nova Scotia can result in a car insurance discount. These courses teach drivers how to drive safely and responsibly, reducing the odds of getting into an accident. As such, many insurance companies offer discounts to those showing proof that they completed an approved driving program.
Keep your Nova Scotia driving record clean
The cleaner your record, the lower your car insurance premium will be. So do your best to obey the rules of the road and avoid getting tickets or into accidents. If you can maintain a clean record for several consecutive years, you may even become eligible for a safe driver discount, which could further reduce your rates.
Buy a hybrid or electric vehicle
If you choose to buy a hybrid and electric car, you might be eligible for an auto insurance discount. As a way of encouraging drivers to ditch gas-powered vehicles and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, many insurance companies now offer electric and hybrid car insurance discounts. Many governments in Canada also offer rebates to those who buy these types of eco-friendly vehicles.
We’re in your community
BrokerLink is a key part of the Dartmouth community. We don’t just provide superior car, home, and business insurance services to Dartmouth residents, we also give back to the local community. You can learn more about BrokerLink’s community initiatives in Nova Scotia by reaching out to us today.
Contact us
At Dartmouth 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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FAQs about car insurance Dartmouth
If I get into an at-fault collision, will my Dartmouth car insurance premium be affected?
Most likely, yes. If this was your first at-fault accident and your policy contains accident forgiveness coverage, then your rates may stay the same. However, in all other circumstances, you will likely notice a premium increase the next time that your policy renews. At-fault collisions stay on a driver’s record for a period of six years, which means you can expect to pay more for your coverage for this length of time. The good news is that if you got into an accident that wasn’t your fault, your rates likely won’t be impacted.
What types of car insurance can a Dartmouth insurance broker help me buy?
A Dartmouth insurance broker can help customers buy everything from mandatory coverage to optional coverage. Specific types of coverage that a Dartmouth broker can help you add to your car insurance policy include: third party liability coverage, accident benefits coverage, uninsured automobile coverage, loss of use coverage, accident forgiveness coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage, among others.
Can I get a free car insurance quote in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia?
Yes. Simply reach out to a local insurance broker or company near you and ask for a free car insurance quote.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
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