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Car Insurance

These days, it’s easier than ever to go online and quickly purchase car insurance, without the help of a broker. But going through a broker gives you something you can’t buy elsewhere: peace of mind. Our brokers, with offices in: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta, will take the time to get to know you so they can find affordable car insurance that suits your lifestyle.

Get competitive insurance quotes in 5 minutes.

Choose your rate. Get insured. Get on the road.


Save time and money

Sure, you could shop around yourself. But letting us do it means you have more time to do what you love, like spending time with family, travelling, or chilling at home streaming movies. With an insurance expert in your corner, you have a knowledgeable resource ready to help you get the most out of your insurance coverage.

There are many options to consider when deciding on auto insurance; some are required by law while some may not apply to you at all. A BrokerLink insurance advisor will walk you through these options; explain everything using clear language, and save you time.

Different types of car insurance coverage

Liability

Liability insurance helps pay for accidental injuries and property damage, and may provide coverage for things such as medical expenses and/or lost wages. In addition to damages and injury, this coverage can help pay for legal defence and court fees. This coverage is mandatory across Canada although the minimum amount varies across provinces.

Collision

Collision coverage helps pay for damages sustained to your vehicle if it’s involved in a collision with another driver or object. Collision coverage also comes into effect if your vehicle is damaged due to a hit and run accident.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage applies to damages sustained outside of an auto accident. Some expenses that might be covered by comprehensive coverage include theft, vandalism, fire and water damage.

Accident Forgiveness

If you are involved your first at-fault accident, accident forgiveness means your rates won’t go up. In addition, you will maintain your good driving record as long as you stay with the same company. There are many different types of car insurance coverage available. Depending on where you live, certain coverage options are required by law, while others are optional. In order to make sure you have the right insurance in any given province, it’s important to learn the different requirements before selecting your coverage options. With all the options available, make your life easier and trust a BrokerLink broker to find the insurance coverage right for you.

What’s affecting my rate?

As an insurance broker, BrokerLink does not determine your rates; we work with a number of insurance companies to find the best policy for your specific needs.. However, it is still helpful for you to understand some of the key factors that influence your insurance rates.

Where you live

Where you live can affect your car insurance premium. Provinces have different insurance regulations affecting rates and within provinces, rates may vary depending on whether you live in an urban or rural area. Often, people who live in high-population density areas will have higher rates. With more cars in urban areas, the probability of more accidents increases. In contrast, if you live in an area with a low-population density (e.g. rural areas) you may pay less than your city dwelling counterparts, however, this may also be impacted by potential risks of the surrounding area.

Age and experience

Insurance companies may evaluate statistics based on the number of motor vehicle accidents by age group and then use the data to calculate different risk factors. If the data shows younger drivers are more of a risk to be involved in an accident then their rates may be higher. Similarly, the data may show a higher frequency of accidents for people past a certain age so, once again, rates will be adjusted accordingly.

No matter what age you are when you start, the number of years you’ve been driving will likely affect how an insurance company assesses your risk of getting into an accident. Insurance companies assume inexperienced drivers pose a greater risk than someone with more experience. Luckily, after several years of safe driving without an incident, you may qualify for lower rates, so keep your eyes on the road!

Marital Status

Despite whether you think your marital status affects your driving, if the data shows a difference between married versus non-married drivers, insurance companies will take this into account when calculating your rates. Sadly, “it’s complicated” is not an accepted marital status.

Driving Record

You know that old saying, “actions speak louder than words”? When it comes to car insurance, actions speak volumes to an insurance provider! If you are someone with a clean driving record, you may have lower premiums compared to a driver with more traffic violations or a claim. Good driving helps you save in the long run.

Extra credit

You’re still here? Amazing! You really like to do your homework, and we respect that. Check out the different types of coverage below so you can really make sure you know your stuff.

Get in touch

Want to learn more? Let us be your resource for all things car insurance. From start to finish, our brokers handle the legwork to make sure you walk away satisfied. Give one of our local brokers a call today and we’ll find the car insurance coverage that works best for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Car Insurance:

Are there car insurance cancellation fees?
This depends on the insurance company and the details of your specific policy. There may be cancellation fees or penalties. This is why it's best to shop around right before you're scheduled to renew.
How can I save on my car insurance?
Having good driving habits is one of the best and easiest ways to save on insurance. When insurance companies see you as less of a risk, your premiums are likely to be lower.
What are the consequences of driving without insurance?
If you are caught driving without car insurance in Canada, the consequences can be serious. The first time you are caught driving without car insurance, for example, you can be fined up to $10,000 and also have to pay a 15% surcharge. Its not worth the risk. Call a broker to get insurance coverage that makes sense for you.
Am I covered under my parent’s car insurance?
If you only borrow the car on rare occasions, you do not needed to be added to their policy to be covered. If you drive on a regular basis, for example, driving to school once a week, you will need to be added to the policy. To understand your specific circumstances, talk to an insurance broker.
I only drive on weekends, does this impact my car insurance rate?
If you only drive on weekends, be sure to let your insurance broker know! You may be able to get a reduced rate. If you drive less often, you are less likely to get in an accident. That could result in lower car insurance prices.
How long does a car insurance policy last before needing renewal?
Typically, insurance renews once a year.
Is car insurance coverage transferable from province-to-province in the short-term?
Car insurance is regulated at the provincial level. Each province has different rules and minimum requirements. If you’re moving provinces, you’ll need to get a new car insurance policy. You can call your broker to see if your current insurance company services the province you’re moving to, but you cannot transfer your existing policy to a new province.
What happens if my damaged car can be repaired for less than the paid amount from the insurance company?
If you submit a claim, a claims adjuster from your insurance company will be assigned to your file. You will most likely deal with them over the phone or online. Your claims adjuster will look at the damage to your vehicle and the insurance coverage you have. They’ll help guide you through the claims process and answer any questions you may have.
How do insurance companies determine car value?

If your car is totalled in an accident, your insurance company may choose to write off the vehicle and give you the Actual Cash Value (ACV). Insurance companies have sophisticated processes in place to determine the value of a car, which are informed by research and data, as well as actuarial expertise. Considerations include the vehicle’s market value, age, prior accidents and more. Don’t forget that cars depreciate in value the moment you drive them off the lot. That means the ACV will be much less than the price of vehicle when it was purchased.

If you don’t agree with the ACV your insurance company has determined, you may dispute it. You’ll have to do some research to prove your car is worth more than what they’ve determined. If you can put together a case with strong examples, you may be able to negotiate for more.

Make sure you have the right comprehensive and collision insurance in case you are involved in a serious accident and your vehicle is damaged beyond repair.

Do you need a license to get car insurance?

Yes, you need a driver’s license to get car insurance. To get car insurance, the car needs to be registered in your name. To register a car and get license plates, you need a valid driver’s license. In addition to a driver’s license, you’ll need the following information to get car insurance:

  • Vehicle registration
  • Driver abstract – available online, or your insurance broker can help with this
  • Information about other people who will be driving your car
Are all not-at-fault car accidents automatically covered under direct compensation?

Not all not-at-fault car accidents are covered under direct compensation. A good example would be a hit-and-run accident, which are typically shouldered by collision insurance. Another example is when you got involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver and you're not at fault. In this case, you can fil the claim under the uninsured section of your car insurance policy.

I've been involved in car accidents before, but was never at fault. Will that affect my insurance rates?

Being involved in a past car accident doesn't automatically increase your insurance rates. If you were never at fault in those past accidents, then you don't need to worry about increased rates. This is because most insurance companies usually check for past at-fault accidents. You can expect them to examine your driving record over the last six years, although some might review as far as a decade back.

Are items stolen from my car are covered by my car insurance?
Any belongings stolen while inside your vehicle can be claimed through the contents portion of your property policy. Your standard property deductible would apply.

For more FAQs, visit the BrokerLink FAQs page.


More ways to find a great car insurance rate

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Alberta

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Ontario