Car Insurance in Hinton

What types of car insurance are available in Hinton, Alberta?

Car insurance policies are not one-size-fits-all. Each driver is unique, which is why insurance companies offer so many different types of auto insurance. BrokerLink can help you find the coverage that meets your individual needs by assessing your driving habits and budget and matching you with a tailor-made policy. Before we get started, we want to give Hinton customers an insider look into the different kinds of auto insurance coverage that may be available to them. From optional coverage in the form of collision and comprehensive coverage to mandatory insurance like liability and accident benefits coverage, continue reading for a breakdown of some of the most popular types of car insurance in Alberta:

Comprehensive car coverage

Comprehensive car coverage is optional for Hinton drivers, and yet, many choose to purchase it due to the peace of mind it offers. Comprehensive insurance works like this: if your car is damaged while parked, whether it is stolen or a window is broken due to a natural disaster, comprehensive car insurance will pay to repair or replace it. Specifically, you will be covered for any damage or losses that are caused by an insured peril. Insured perils range but may include wind, water, fire, theft, vandalism, falling objects, and natural disasters. For a complete list of perils, contact an insurance broker at BrokerLink.

Liability car insurance

Liability car insurance is not only important in Hinton, it is mandatory. It is one of the types of car insurance that the Government of Alberta has made a legal requirement. So before getting behind the wheel, you must make sure that your policy has at least $200,000 in liability coverage, though experts recommend a higher limit, like $500,000 or $1,000,000. By adding liability coverage to your Hinton car insurance plan, your insurance provider may pay for everything from legal fees and repair bills to medical expenses if you cause a car accident that results in bodily injury or property damage.

Collision car coverage

Collision car coverage is also optional, like comprehensive coverage. It comes into play if you get into a serious accident with another vehicle, animal, or object on the road. Collision coverage can be claimed no matter who caused the accident, whether it was the policyholder or another driver. Since collision coverage is designed to reimburse the policyholder for the cost of any necessary vehicle repairs, it is imperative that the coverage limit you choose reflects the value of your vehicle. Otherwise, in the event of a total loss, you would have to pay a large sum out-of-pocket.

Accident forgiveness coverage

Accident forgiveness is the next type of optional car insurance coverage in Hinton. 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. As such, you must contact a local insurance broker to find out about the conditions that must be met in Alberta in order to claim accident forgiveness. For example, some car insurance companies may only allow accident forgiveness to be claimed if the accident was minor or if the primary policyholder got into the accident, versus another driver named on the policy.

Uninsured motorist coverage

Like liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage is compulsory in Hinton. This type of coverage is for when you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have car insurance, does not have enough insurance, or is unidentified. Therefore, uninsured motorist coverage is what you will claim if you are the victim of a hit and run.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage is the third and final type of compulsory auto insurance coverage in Alberta. This type of coverage can pay for medical care following an accident if someone suffered an injury or died in the accident. Accident benefits can pay for everything from funeral fees and lost income to medical fees, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and more.

Loss of use coverage

Loss of use coverage is the last type of coverage to be discussed,, and it is optional. This type of coverage will pay for you to take other modes of transit, like public transit, a rental car, or an Uber, if your car is damaged in an accident and needs to go into the shop for repairs. Loss of use coverage can reimburse you for any transportation costs incurred while your car is temporarily out of commission.

What factors do insurance companies consider when calculating car insurance premiums in Hinton?

If you want to know what factors insurance companies look at when determining auto insurance rates in Alberta, keep reading. The BrokerLink team has put together a list of the most common factors that an insurance agent uses to assess risk. Once they have determined your risk level, they will use this to calculate your premium:

• Where you live and commute
• Age
• Model, make, trim, and year of vehicle
• Past claims
• Average mileage
• Driving experience
• Driving record
• Insurance history
• Deductible amount
• Regulatory bodies
• How you use your vehicle
• Gender

Since car insurance rates in Alberta are determined by so many factors, and they are constantly changing, we recommend contacting BrokerLink for a free quote if you want a realistic idea of how much coverage will cost you. BrokerLink offers free quotes to all Hinton drivers, and our quotes can be obtained by calling us, visiting us in person, or using our online quote tool, which delivers quotes in as little as five minutes.

Get an auto insurance quote [phone]

What are some safe driving tips for Hinton motorists?

There are so many benefits to driving safely in Hinton. Not only does adopting safe driving habits make you less likely to get into an accident but it can also lead to cheaper insurance rates. For a list of safe driving tips, keep reading:

• Abide by all provincial, municipal, and local traffic laws where you live
• Pay attention to the speed limit and don’t exceed it
• Drive slower than the speed limit if driving in a construction area, in an area with high foot traffic, or in inclement weather, like snow, ice, rain, or fog
• Equip your vehicle with snow tires to make driving in winter conditions safer
• Do not drive if you are tired
• Use sunglasses or your car’s sun visors to reduce glare from sun or snow
• Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while operating a vehicle
• Keep your smartphone out of view when driving
• Give other drivers space, ideally a minimum of two car lengths
• Check the weather forecast and road conditions before driving
• Signal to other drivers when turning or changing lanes
• Keep all windows and mirrors clean and clear of debris to increase visibility
• Turn on your low or high beams when driving at night to increase visibility

Find affordable car insurance in Hinton with these tips

Affordable car insurance can be your reality if you follow the tips below, expertly prepared by the BrokerLink team. As insurance professionals, we have all kinds of insider advice when it comes to lowering your auto insurance premium. From bundling insurance to maintaining a clean driving record, keep reading if you want to save on Hinton car insurance today:

Shop around and compare quotes

First, we always recommend shopping around and comparing quotes before purchasing an insurance policy. This is the best way to ensure that you are getting a competitive price for the coverage that you choose to buy. When shopping around, research some of the top insurance companies in your area and contact them for a free quote. Make sure that the coverage and deductibles you are selecting are the same for every quote you obtain so that you can fairly compare them. Once you have multiple auto insurance quotes in hand, compare them so that you can determine which one offers the most comprehensive coverage at the lowest price. If you don’t have time to shop around on your own, contact BrokerLink and ask an insurance broker to do it for you. It’s what we’re here for!

Bundle Alberta insurance policies

Bundling insurance policies is another pro tip from the BrokerLink team. When you purchase more than one insurance product from the same company, they are far more likely to give you a discount. By bundling policies, you can earn a discount on every policy you purchase. Insurance companies have different conditions that must be met to qualify for insurance bundles, but in many cases, you will have the option of purchasing multiple auto insurance policies or purchasing different types of policies, like car insurance mixed with home or business insurance.

Pick higher deductible amounts for your Hinton car insurance coverage

A surefire way to cut car insurance costs in Hinton is to choose a higher deductible amount. Car insurance deductibles work like this: If you get into an accident, you will need to file a claim with your insurance provider to cover the cost of the damage. If your claim is approved, your insurance company will issue a payout. However, they will only issue the payout once the deductible has been paid, or in the case of a total loss, they will deduct the amount of the deductible from the amount of the payout. As the policyholder, you are responsible for paying the deductible.

You will have a range of amounts to choose from when selecting a deductible. The higher the amount you choose, and the more financial responsibility you agree to take on, the lower your premium will be. Thus, if you want to minimize how much you spend on Hinton car insurance, selecting higher deductibles is the way to go. Just make sure that they aren’t so high that you wouldn’t be able to afford them in the event of an accident.

Obey Alberta traffic laws to reduce the odds of an infraction

Driving infractions go on your driving record, and the more you have, the worse your record will be. A poor driving record is a surefire way to pay more for car insurance. So if you want to keep rates low, make sure that you obey all traffic laws in Alberta. Driving safely, abiding by all speed limits and using your signal, will not only keep you safe but will increase the odds of a clean driving record. In turn, this can lead to cheaper rates, especially if you qualify for a safe driver discount.

Ask an auto insurance specialist at BrokerLink about discounts

Asking an insurance broker outright if there are any ways that you can save money on car insurance can also be a great strategy. Any BrokerLink car insurance specialist can provide a complete rundown of the various auto insurance discounts available to Alberta drivers. They can explain which companies offer which discounts, how much customers generally save by qualifying for each discount, and what conditions must be met to qualify.

A few examples of car insurance discounts that Hinton drivers may be eligible for include: telematics discounts, anti-theft device discounts, winter tire discounts, safe driving discounts, occasional driver discounts, hybrid or electric car discounts, multi-vehicle discounts, driver’s education discounts, and employment or education-based discounts.

Only purchase the coverage you need

As you now know, there are many types of auto insurance out there. Knowing which ones will benefit you the most is important, as otherwise, you run the risk of purchasing more coverage than you need. While you must ensure that your policy contains all mandatory coverage in Alberta, certain types of optional coverage may not apply to you.

For example, while collision and comprehensive coverage may seem tempting, if your vehicle is old or of low value, then these coverages may not be worthwhile. Thus, it’s a smart idea to enlist the help of an insurance broker who can review your circumstances and existing coverage, if applicable, and offer a professional opinion on what types of coverage can be reduced or cut entirely.

A broker can review a policy before it has been purchased or a pre-existing one to help you decide whether to renew it or not. Either way, a BrokerLink insurance advisor can make you aware of which types of coverage do and don’t make sense for your needs and driving habits.

We’re in your community

BrokerLink is a proud member of the Hinton community. We make buying insurance easier and more affordable than ever before. We also take the time to get to know our customers and the local communities we operate in. Get in touch today to learn all about the community initiatives we are involved in throughout Alberta.

Contact us

At Hinton BrokerLink, we’re here to help you with any insurance needs you may have. Whether it’s insuring your home, car, business, recreational items, travel plans, 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.

Get an auto insurance quote [phone]

Auto insurance Hinton FAQs

What is the average cost of auto insurance in Alberta?

The average cost of car insurance in Alberta is $1,500 per year or $125 per month. However, this is just an average. Car insurance rates are determined by many factors, like age, gender, location, type of car, and more. Therefore, depending on these factors, your Alberta car insurance policy could cost more or less than the average.

How much third-party liability coverage do I need as a driver in Hinton?

Hinton drivers must have a minimum of $200,000 in third party liability coverage in their car insurance policies. That said, many drivers choose to purchase more than $200,000 due to the fact that it may be insufficient if you get into a major car accident. Thus, for added peace of mind, some motorists choose to add $500,000 or even $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage to their policies.

Will my credit score influence how much I pay for auto insurance in Hinton?

It could. Some insurance companies use credit scores to calculate risk just as they use your age, driving record, location, and more. However, not all insurers include credit scores in their rate-calculation formulas. Generally speaking, if your credit score is high, your rates may be lower than if your credit score is low, as insurance companies consider credit scores to be an indication of financial responsibility. From their point of view, the more financially responsible you are, the higher your credit score will be. Ultimately, though, your credit score is just one of many factors that will be considered when an insurance company sets your rates. Your age, driving record, claims history, deductible amounts, and where you live will all have a much bigger impact on your auto insurance premium than your credit score.

Should I renew my Hinton car insurance plan or find a new one?

Deciding whether or not to renew car insurance is a major decision. To make the right call, policyholders should consider whether they have had a good experience with their current provider and whether their current provider is still offering them the best coverage at the most competitive rate. Before agreeing to renew, ask your insurer what your premium will be if you decide to renew. Equipped with this knowledge, you can reach out to other insurance companies to obtain quotes and then compare those quotes to the policy and premium offered by our current provider. If you find a better deal somewhere else, the wisest decision may be to let your existing policy expire and purchase a new one instead. Try to ensure that your new policy begins right after the other one ends because a gap in coverage makes you riskier in the eyes of an insurance company. You can learn more about how expired car insurance renewal works by contacting an insurance professional near you.

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