Things to Know Before Getting Calgary Car Insurance

Here are some things to know before getting car insurance in Calgary:

1. Calgary is located in the province of Alberta, which requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. The minimum liability coverage in Alberta is $200,000.
2. Insurance rates in Calgary can vary depending on a range of factors, including driving record, age, and the make and model of the car. Calgary drivers are encouraged to shop around and compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best rates and coverage options for their individual needs.
3. Calgary experiences a range of weather conditions, including snowy winters and hailstorms in the summer. This can impact insurance rates for drivers, particularly those with high-theft vehicles or cars that are susceptible to damage from severe weather.
4. Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and has a growing economy, which means there are more drivers on the road. This can increase the risk of accidents and impact insurance rates.
5. Calgary has a high rate of vehicle theft, particularly of high-end vehicles. This may impact insurance rates for drivers in Calgary, particularly those with high-theft vehicles.

What is the Average Car Insurance Cost in Calgary?

The average annual car insurance premium in Calgary is $1,376 in 2023.

How Does Calgary’s Average Car Insurance Cost Compare to Other Cities?

Here are the average car insurance premiums for some major Canadian cities:

1. Toronto: $2,186
2. Vancouver: $1,932
3. Ottawa: $1,545
4. Edmonton: $1,388
5. Calgary: $1,376
6. Montreal: $1,266
7. Winnipeg: $1,165
8. Halifax: $1,089

Which Cars Have the Cheapest Car Insurance in Calgary?

Here are some cars that tend to have lower insurance rates in Calgary:

1. Honda Civic: The Honda Civic is a popular and reliable compact car that tends to have lower insurance rates in Calgary, with an average annual premium of around $1,110.
2. Toyota Corolla: The Toyota Corolla is another reliable and affordable compact car that can be relatively inexpensive to insure, with an average annual premium of around $1,210.
3. Subaru Impreza: The Subaru Impreza is a small sedan that is known for its safety and reliability, which can translate to lower insurance rates. The average annual premium for a Subaru Impreza in Calgary is around $1,300.
4. Hyundai Elantra: The Hyundai Elantra is another popular compact car that can have relatively low insurance rates in Calgary, with an average annual premium of around $1,360.
5. Mazda3: The Mazda3 is a sporty and fun-to-drive compact car that can also be relatively affordable to insure, with an average annual premium of around $1,410.

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in Calgary?

There are several ways you can try to get the cheapest car insurance in Calgary:

1. Shop around: One of the best ways to get the cheapest car insurance in Calgary is to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance providers. You can do this online, over the phone, or in person. Be sure to provide the same information to each provider to get accurate quotes.
2. Consider your coverage needs: You may be able to save money on your car insurance in Calgary by adjusting your coverage levels. For example, if you have an older car, you may not need comprehensive coverage, which can be more expensive.
3. Increase your deductibles: Another way to lower your car insurance premium in Calgary is to increase your deductibles. This means you’ll pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, but you’ll pay less for your insurance premium.
4. Drive safely: Maintaining a good driving record can help you get lower car insurance rates in Calgary. This means avoiding accidents and traffic violations.
5. Take advantage of discounts: Many insurance providers in Calgary offer discounts for various reasons, such as having a good driving record, being a student, or having multiple policies with the same provider. Be sure to ask about any available discounts.
6. Pay annually: You can often get a discount on your car insurance in Calgary if you pay for your policy in full each year instead of in monthly installments.
7. Consider the type of vehicle you drive: As mentioned earlier, some cars can be more expensive to insure than others. When buying a car, consider the cost of insurance as part of your decision-making process.

Calgary Car Insurance Facts

Here are some Calgary-specific car insurance facts:

1. Alberta operates under a private car insurance system, which means that drivers in Calgary must purchase insurance from private insurance companies.
2. In 2022, the average annual car insurance premium in Alberta (including Calgary) was $1,292.
3. Alberta has a no-fault insurance system, which means that regardless of who is at fault in an accident, each driver’s insurance covers their own injuries and damages.
4. Calgary has some of the highest car insurance rates in Canada, due in part to its high population density, frequent severe weather conditions, and high rate of auto theft.
5. In Alberta, there is a minimum mandatory car insurance coverage that drivers must have, which includes third-party liability coverage, accident benefits coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage.
6. Drivers in Calgary are required to carry proof of insurance in their vehicles at all times and provide it to law enforcement if requested.
7. Calgary has a graduated licensing program for new drivers, which includes a learner’s stage, an intermediate stage, and a full driver’s license stage. Insurance rates for new drivers can be higher due to their lack of experience.

List of Best Car Insurance Companies in Calgary

Here are some of the best car insurance companies in Calgary, along with a brief description of each and some bullet point reviews and star ratings based on customer feedback and ratings from various sources:

1. TD Insurance: TD Insurance is a popular insurance provider in Canada, offering a wide range of coverage options and discounts for drivers in Calgary.

• Reviews: 4.5 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s customer service and competitive rates.

2. Intact Insurance: Intact Insurance is another popular insurance provider in Calgary, offering comprehensive coverage and a range of discounts and benefits.

• Reviews: 4.1 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s easy claims process and helpful customer service.

3. AMA Insurance: AMA Insurance is the insurance provider of the Alberta Motor Association (AMA), offering a range of coverage options and discounts for AMA members in Calgary.

• Reviews: 4.2 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s competitive rates and friendly customer service.

4. Aviva Insurance: Aviva Insurance is a global insurance provider that offers a range of coverage options for drivers in Calgary, including personalized coverage and accident forgiveness.

• Reviews: 3.9 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s easy claims process and responsive customer service.

5. Allstate Insurance: Allstate Insurance is a popular insurance provider in Canada, offering a range of coverage options and benefits, including accident forgiveness and disappearing deductibles.

• Reviews: 3.7 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s competitive rates and knowledgeable customer service.

6. Co-operators Insurance: Co-operators Insurance is a Canadian insurance provider that offers a range of coverage options, including personalized coverage and discounts for eco-friendly vehicles.

• Reviews: 3.7 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s friendly customer service and flexible payment options.

List of Best Car Insurance Brokers in Calgary

Here are some of the best independent car insurance brokers in Calgary, along with a brief description of each and some bullet point reviews and star ratings based on customer feedback and ratings from various sources:

1. Sharp Insurance: Sharp Insurance is an independent insurance brokerage based in Calgary, offering a range of personal and commercial insurance products.

• Reviews: 4.6 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s competitive rates and excellent customer service.

2. Bow Valley Insurance: Bow Valley Insurance is a family-owned and operated independent insurance brokerage in Calgary, offering a range of personal and commercial insurance products.

• Reviews: 4.6 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s knowledgeable and friendly staff, as well as their competitive rates.

3. Lane’s Insurance: Lane’s Insurance is an independent insurance brokerage in Calgary that has been in business for over 25 years, offering a range of personal and commercial insurance products.

• Reviews: 4.3 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s excellent customer service and competitive rates.

4. Alpine Insurance: Alpine Insurance is an independent insurance brokerage in Calgary that has been in business for over 30 years, offering a range of personal and commercial insurance products.

• Reviews: 4.5 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s knowledgeable and friendly staff, as well as their competitive rates.

5. Leibel Insurance: Leibel Insurance is an independent insurance brokerage based in Calgary, offering a range of personal and commercial insurance products.

• Reviews: 4.3 stars on Google reviews, with customers praising the company’s responsive customer service and competitive rates.

Tips for Drivers in Calgary

Here are some tips for drivers in Calgary to help stay safe and navigate the city’s unique driving conditions:

1. Be prepared for winter driving: Calgary can experience significant snow and ice during the winter months, so it’s important to prepare your vehicle and driving skills for these conditions. This includes equipping your vehicle with winter tires, keeping a winter emergency kit in your car, and driving more slowly and cautiously on icy or snowy roads.
2. Watch out for wildlife: Calgary is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, moose, and coyotes. These animals can pose a hazard to drivers, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Be sure to pay attention to wildlife warning signs and slow down in areas where animals may be present.
3. Plan for rush hour traffic: Like many major cities, Calgary can experience heavy traffic during peak rush hour times, especially on major thoroughfares like Deerfoot Trail and Crowchild Trail. Plan your route and travel times accordingly to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
4. Yield to pedestrians and cyclists: Calgary has a number of bike lanes and pedestrian crosswalks throughout the city, so it’s important for drivers to be aware of and yield to these vulnerable road users. Be especially careful when turning right at intersections, as cyclists and pedestrians may be crossing.
5. Avoid distracted driving: Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone while driving, is a major cause of accidents in Calgary and can result in fines and demerit points. Keep your focus on the road and avoid distractions while driving.
6. Stay alert for construction zones: Calgary experiences a lot of road construction during the summer months, which can result in detours, lane closures, and other disruptions to traffic flow. Be sure to stay alert for construction zones and follow any posted signs and instructions.
7. Follow the speed limit: Speeding is a major cause of accidents in Calgary and can result in fines and demerit points. Be sure to obey posted speed limits and adjust your speed for the road conditions.

What are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Calgary?

Here are some of the most dangerous intersections in Calgary based on the number of collisions reported in recent years, according to the City of Calgary’s Open Data Portal:

1. Deerfoot Trail and 16th Avenue NE: This intersection had the highest number of reported collisions in Calgary in 2018, with a total of 411 collisions reported.
2. Glenmore Trail and Deerfoot Trail SE: This intersection had the second-highest number of reported collisions in 2018, with a total of 195 collisions reported.
3. Glenmore Trail and Blackfoot Trail SE: This intersection had the third-highest number of reported collisions in 2018, with a total of 168 collisions reported.
4. Macleod Trail and 162nd Avenue SW: This intersection had the fourth-highest number of reported collisions in 2018, with a total of 151 collisions reported.
5. Memorial Drive and 36th Street NE: This intersection had the fifth-highest number of reported collisions in 2018, with a total of 123 collisions reported.

Total Reportable Collisions in Calgary

Here is the data on the total reportable collisions in Calgary from 2013 to 2021, as reported by the City of Calgary’s Open Data Portal:

• 2013: 28,521 reportable collisions
• 2014: 27,825 reportable collisions
• 2015: 29,304 reportable collisions
• 2016: 32,036 reportable collisions
• 2017: 31,313 reportable collisions
• 2018: 28,818 reportable collisions
• 2019: 27,687 reportable collisions
• 2020: 20,154 reportable collisions
• 2021 (up to October 31): 19,327 reportable collisions