Our Alberta brokers are proud to call this province home. When you’re protecting the things that are most important to you, you can’t rely on someone who’s never even been to your town. Our brokers live and work in the cities and towns we serve. We know the unique issues in local communities, from Whitecourt to Cochrane. Connect with us at the branch closest to you - we have over twenty branches in Alberta, and we love to meet our neighbours! Give us a call, send us an email, or just stop by for a coffee!
Car Insurance Regulation in Alberta
Car insurance premiums are regulated by two government-run organizations in Alberta: the Automobile Insurance Rate Board and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance.
- The AIRB’s mandate is to make automobile insurance “accessible, equitable, and sustainable for all Albertans”. Through open consultations with stakeholders and consultants, the AIRB establishes industry benchmarks, including appropriate premiums for cities or regions, on an annual basis.
- The AIRB provides a Grid Rate Calculator through their website which allows Albertans to see how their insurance premiums are affected by where they live and their insurance history.
Alberta is among 5 other provinces in Canada who operate with private auto insurance systems, including: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and PEI. The private system ensures competitive pricing and more choice for those looking for insurance.
How much will I pay for car insurance in Alberta?
Many factors can affect what you pay for insurance. Your driving history, your age, marital status and where you live are just a few of the things that impact your rate. It's hard to give a range or average price because it can vary so much from person to person.
Generally speaking, if you live in a city like Calgary or Edmonton, you are going to pay the most for your car insurance because of factors such as population density. In highly populated places, insurance rates tend to be higher because more people means more vehicles on the roads and, as a result, more claims being filed and more payouts having to be covered by insurance companies.
Your best bet is to call a broker. We can learn about you and your driving history. We can explain the different levels of coverage and what they mean. Together, we can find an insurance plan that makes sense for your life.
Personal Property Insurance in Alberta
Although automobile and mortgage insurance are government-regulated in Alberta, the amount of coverage you wish to place on your home or personal property should be determined either through a conversation with your broker or through your own research. The coverage you should have on your home insurance is largely dependent on the funds you would need to completely rebuild your home from the ground up. This valuation is not the same as the market value of your home which includes the value of the land which your home sits on.
What Home Insurance Covers in Alberta
Your coverage will depend on your needs. An insurance broker can get to know you and what home insurance makes the most sense for you. Here are some things your home insurance might cover:
- Damage to your home, including your home structure and detached structures on your property such as a garage or deck
- Loss of or damage to any personal property which is kept on your property.
- Legal liability which covers you in case someone gets injured on your property
- Additional living expenses - this covers you in the case that your home becomes unlivable and you need alternate living accommodations
