How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Airdrie?
You can get lower premiums and cheap car insurance in Airdrie by finding the best policy deals and lowering your risk profile. Here are several ways to get cheap Airdrie auto insurance:
Shop and Compare Policies
Different insurance providers offer different rates. By shopping between several companies, you can get the best Airdrie auto insurance rates.
Bundle Home and Auto Insurance
Insurance companies like it when you bundle home and auto insurance because you’re giving them more business in one go. Bundling home and auto policies from one insurer typically gets you better rates than individual policies from two companies.
Remove Unnecessary Optional Coverage
Taking all the available auto insurance coverage protects you from many things but raises your premiums. If you want to lower insurance rates, double-check your policy and remove any optional coverage you likely won’t use.
Pay Yearly Premiums
Insurers often give discounts to customers who pay their auto insurance premiums in bulk. The initial payment might look expensive, but it’ll save you money compared to monthly premiums. Some insurers also offer half-year premium payments if you can’t afford to pay full-year premiums.
Drive Safely
Driving violations and accidents stay on your insurance record for years and negatively influence your auto insurance rates. If you have a clean driving record, ensure it stays that way to get the best Airdrie car insurance rates.
Take Pay-As-You-Go Insurance
Consider pay-as-you-go insurance if you’re a safe driver who doesn’t travel much. This type of insurance determines your rates by analyzing your driving habits and car mileage. Pay-as-you-go insurance helps safe drivers save up to 30% on insurance premiums.
Get a Higher Deductible
You must pay deductibles when claiming insurance before the carrier covers the remaining expenses. A higher deductible means you pay more out of pocket in case of an accident, but it often comes with lower insurance premiums. Conversely, a lower deductible often means you pay less money in an accident but pay higher insurance rates.
Buy Safe Cars
Cars with high safety ratings often get lower insurance premiums because they’re less likely to experience serious damage in an accident. Check the car model’s safety rating before buying to ensure you won’t overpay for insurance.
Quick Facts About Auto Insurance in Airdrie
- Airdrie car insurance is MORE expensive than the Alberta average.
- The average annual car insurance cost in Airdrie for a driver with a clean record is around $1,783.
- Drivers without a clean record in Airdrie can pay up to $3,930 annually, depending on factors like driving and claim history.
- Comparing Airdrie auto insurance quotes with MyChoice can save you up to $1,266 annually
Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Airdrie?
Insurance agents, brokers, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Airdrie. What are the differences, and what does each offer? Here’s a closer look at the four insurance provider types:
Insurance Brokers
Insurance brokers are independent providers who can compare insurance providers and find you the best policy deals. Brokers are often very knowledgeable about the Airdrie auto insurance market, so they’re well-equipped to answer your questions about insurance.
Direct Writers
Direct writers are similar to agents in that they only sell products from one insurer. They are usually cheaper because they don’t have physical offices, but you can’t book a face-to-face meeting with them.
Insurance Agents
Insurance agents are employed under a certain insurer, so their policy selection may be limited compared to brokers. However, they know the company’s insurance policies like the back of their hand and can give you discounts not available to brokers. Insurance agents can also close sales independently, ensuring your policy sale finishes quickly.
Insurance Aggregators
Aggregator websites like MyChoice gather offers from multiple insurers in one place to help drivers find the best deals. These sites are entirely free for customers, so you can get quotes and find the right policy without spending anything.
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Airdrie
If you don’t have the time to compare car insurance quotes, a brokerage can do it for you.
Below are some of the top brokerages in Airdrie:
Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
---|---|---|
A-WIN Insurance Ltd | 2903 Kingsview Blvd SE #203 Airdrie, AB T4A 0C4, Canada | +14039458885 |
BrokerLink | 128 Edmonton Trail SE #2 Airdrie, AB T4B 1S2, Canada | +14039487327 |
Airdrie Family First Insurance | 132 1 Ave NW Suite 101 Airdrie, AB T4B 3H4, Canada | +14039807456 |
How Does Car Insurance Work in Airdrie?
Car insurance in Airdrie works by providing an agreed-upon amount of money when you’re involved in an auto accident. Auto insurance in Canada is mandatory, which means you must have an insurance policy to avoid fines and suspensions.
On top of facing fines and suspensions, you could be flagged as a high-risk driver by insurers if you’re caught driving without insurance. High-risk drivers get higher auto insurance premiums, meaning it’ll be even harder for you to drive legally in Airdrie.
Auto insurance coverage in Airdrie is split into two types:
- Mandatory: You need mandatory coverage to drive legally.
- Optional: Optional coverage provides extra protection in specific situations.
Alberta provincial law requires all drivers to have three types of insurance coverage:
Third-Party Liability (TPL)
TPL insurance coverage provides benefits if you’re at fault for an accident that causes vehicular damage or results in somebody getting hurt or killed. Alberta provincial law requires you to have a minimum of $200,000 in TPL protection.
Direct Compensation for Property Damage (DCPD)
DCPD insurance covers your vehicle’s damage if another insured driver is at fault. This coverage became mandatory in January 2022 and is automatically applied to all current auto insurance policyholders in Airdrie.
Accident Benefits
Accident benefits cover medical bills, income replacement, and potential funeral expenses if you, your passenger, or a pedestrian are hurt or killed in an accident.
While you only need the three mandatory coverage options to drive legally in Airdrie, you may need extra protection for various reasons. Here are some extra coverage options we recommend for drivers in Airdrie:
Additional TPL Coverage
The bare minimum $200,000 TPL coverage is relatively small, so some drivers in Airdrie opt for additional third-party liability protection worth up to $2 million.
Extra Accident Benefits
Accident benefits often have a claims cap – in 2022, the cap is $5488. If that number seems too small, ask your insurer about raising the accident benefit cap.
Collision Insurance
Many people don’t realize that the mandatory coverage doesn’t cover repair costs if you’re at fault. We recommend getting collision insurance because you never know when you might be at fault for an accident, and car repair costs can be expensive.
Comprehensive Insurance
Vehicle collisions aren’t the only potential danger to your car. Your car can also be damaged by bad weather, vandals, fire, or even animal collisions. Comprehensive insurance coverage protects you from just about any danger aside from vehicular collisions.
Limited Depreciation Waiver
Car theft is unfortunately very common in Airdrie, meaning you need insurance protection from it. With a limited waiver of depreciation, you can get a refund on your car’s purchase price if it was stolen or totalled in an accident.
Ridesharing Coverage
Regular auto insurance in Airdrie doesn’t provide coverage for ridesharing drivers because they have a higher risk profile than regular drivers. Some common risks for ridesharing drivers include driving long distances, entering dangerous areas, and increased chances of theft and accidents.
Fortunately, ridesharing coverage is designed specifically for this subset of drivers. If your car gets stolen or involved in an accident when working as a rideshare driver, this coverage will pay out.
How Your Car Insurance Quotes Are Calculated in Airdrie
Your Airdrie car insurance rates are calculated based on how risky the insurer thinks you are. Generally, you’ll pay higher premiums if the insurer believes you’re more likely to get into an accident.
Here are the key criteria for determining your Airdrie car insurance quotes:
Driver Demographics
Personal demographics are one of the main consideration factors for your Airdrie auto insurance premiums because they affect your risk profile greatly.
Younger drivers must pay higher premiums because insurers generally see them as accident-prone. Fortunately, insurance rates start declining at 25 years old because insurers see you as an experienced driver by then. Your rates rise again when you hit 65 because seniors tend to have worse eyesight and are more vulnerable to injuries or death in accidents.
Women often get lower insurance rates than men because insurers believe them to be more careful drivers. The same goes for married people, who insurers assume will take fewer risks because they have family waiting at home. Moreover, married people usually bundle home and auto insurance, further driving their premiums down.
Location
Driving History
People with a clean driving history get lower premiums because insurers see them as low-risk drivers who are unlikely to get in accidents. Conversely, people with several accidents to their name get higher premiums because history may repeat down the line.
Driving History
The more you drive, the more likely you will get into an accident. This is why insurers ask about your driving habits when determining your Airdrie auto insurance premiums.
Vehicle Safety Record
Insurers use CLEAR (Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating) to measure a car model’s risk profile. Car models that are a frequent target of thieves and get into accidents often get a lower CLEAR score, marking them as high-risk vehicles.
If you want to save on Airdrie car insurance premiums, you should check a model’s CLEAR score before buying a car.
Coverage Chosen
More insurance coverage protects your car from more dangers, but it also increases your insurance premiums. You should skip non-essential coverage if you don’t want to spend too much on car insurance.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Airdrie
The average cost of car insurance in Airdrie, Alberta, is $1,783, roughly $570 above the Alberta average of $1,211. T3B is the most expensive postal code for purchasing car insurance in Airdrie, and here’s a price breakdown:
Postal Code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
---|---|
T4B | $1,786 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Airdrie
By comparison, T4A is the least expensive postal code for car insurance in Airdrie, and here’s a price breakdown:
Postal Code | Average annual car insurance premium |
---|---|
T4A | $1,781 |
Car Insurance Cost in Airdrie by Age
Younger drivers statistically experience the most accidents, so student drivers can expect to pay high insurance premiums. Fortunately, there are ways for younger drivers to lower their rates, including taking defensive driving courses, looking up student discounts, or applying as a secondary driver on a parent’s existing policy.
While car insurance rates drop by 25, they tend to rise again for senior drivers, who are more likely to sustain severe injuries during an accident.
Below is a closer look at how your age might affect your insurance premiums in Airdrie:
Age group | Average cost | Annual savings with MyChoice |
---|---|---|
18-20 | $6,365 | $1,266 |
21-24 | $3,637 | $723 |
25-34 | $2,425 | $482 |
35-44 | $1,783 | $355 |
45-54 | $1,462 | $291 |
55-64 | $1,243 | $247 |
65+ | $1,417 | $282 |
Car Insurance Cost in Airdrie by Driving History
Like age, driving history can significantly influence car insurance rates. While it isn’t impossible to get reasonable rates with a bad driving history, expect them to be considerably higher.
In Airdrie, traffic tickets stay on your record for two years, after which the demerit points will no longer exist. That said, some insurers may look as far back as 10 years to determine your rates.
Various driving violations may affect your rates differently. Take a closer look below:
Driving violation | Average annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Clean driving record | $1,783 |
Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,924 |
Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $2,137 |
One accident | $3,930 |
Speeding ticket | $2,321 |
Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Airdrie
Many factors influence your Airdrie car insurance rates. In addition to the ones we covered previously, here are other criteria that may increase or decrease your premiums:
Car Model Age
Older car models tend to land higher premiums because they don’t have the safety features of newer models, and their spare parts may be harder to find. Factor this larger insurance cost into your budget before buying a vintage car.
Service Centre or Dealership Availability
Cars that are hard to repair usually have higher insurance premiums. This includes import and luxury cars without a large dealership or service centre presence in Canada.
Vehicle Mileage
The more you drive, the higher the likelihood of you getting into an accident – this is why high-mileage cars get higher rates.
Local Crime Rates
Living in high-crime areas means your car is at a higher risk of being stolen or damaged. Insurers generally give residents of high-crime areas higher rates because they’re more likely to make theft or vandalism claims.
Loyalty Bonuses
Insurers love loyal customers and may even reward a long-term policyholder with discounts or other benefits. Ask your insurance agent about rate reductions or discounts if you’ve had your policy for years.
Driving in Airdrie
While primarily a commuter town, Airdrie sees roughly 50,000 drivers pass through each day. In addition, Airdrie gets moderate to heavy traffic, being only 15 minutes from Calgary International Airport.
Here are a few key facts to keep in mind when driving in Airdrie:
- Major highways: Queen Elizabeth Highway II, Highway 567, Highway 2
- Public transit options: Airdrie Transit (bus)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft, Ola, Didi
- Parking space providers: City of Airdrie, JustPark, private lots
- Top tourist attractions: Iron Horse Park, Fitzsimmons Brewing Company, Nose Creek Valley Museum, Muk-Luk Magpies Stained Glass Emporium
- Busy intersections: CANAMEX Highway, Bill Hill Springs Road (Highway 567)
- Airports: Calgary International Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Airdrie
Cars, trucks, and vans are by far the most popular commuting method in Airdrie. Interestingly, the second-most popular method of commuting for Airdrie residents are other methods, beating out walking, cycling, and public transit. Here’s a closer look at how Airdrie residents commute:
Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% Sample Size | 28,990 | 100.0 |
Car, truck or van | 26,645 | 91.9% |
Car, truck or van – as a driver | 25,290 | 87.2% |
Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 1,360 | 4.7% |
Public transit | 390 | 1.3% |
Walked | 810 | 2.8% |
Bicycle | 125 | 0.4% |
Other method | 1,015 | 3.5% |
Commuting Duration in Airdrie
Airdrie commuters have vastly varying commute times. Most of the city’s commuters travel up to 44 minutes to get to work, but some outliers can take more than 45 minutes. Here’s more detailed information about commuting times in Airdrie:
Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% Sample Size | 28,990 | 100.0 |
Less than 15 minutes | 8,460 | 29.2% |
15 to 29 minutes | 8,780 | 30.3% |
30 to 44 minutes | 8,175 | 28.2% |
45 to 59 minutes | 2,160 | 7.5% |
60 minutes and over | 1,415 | 4.9% |
Driving Conditions in Airdrie
While summers in Airdrie make for comfortable driving, winters can get snowy and cloudy, posing a challenge for drivers who aren’t used to this weather. Many experienced drivers purchase winter tires to withstand challenging conditions.
Depending on when you visit Airdrie, take note of these driving conditions:
- Average daily commute time: 45 – 60 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 14.64 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 780 mm
- Rainy days per year: 32 days
- Rainiest month in Airdrie: June
- Driest months in Airdrie: January
- Snow days per year: 31 days (sliding)
- Snowfall months in Airdrie: October – May
Traffic in Airdrie
Airdrie gets moderate to heavy traffic, especially on Yankee Valley Boulevard and Queen Elizabeth Highway II. Remember these traffic facts to better anticipate the conditions in Airdrie:
- Population: The population in Airdrie is 68,091.
- City area: The Airdrie city limits span 84.57 km2.
- Busiest highways: The busiest highways in Airdrie are Queen Elizabeth Highway II, Yankee Valley Boulevard, and Highway 567.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Airdrie
Is ridesharing insurance available in Airdrie?
Yes, ridesharing insurance is available in Airdrie for Uber and Lyft. Most ridesharing drivers apply for insurance through Intact.
How much does Airdrie car insurance cost?
Airdrie car insurance costs an average of $1,783 a year or $149 a month.
Is car insurance cheaper in Airdrie than in Calgary?
No, car insurance is not cheaper in Airdrie than in Calgary. In Calgary, the average cost for car insurance is $2,052, which is over $200 above the average in Airdrie.
Which cars get the lowest car insurance premiums in Airdrie?
The cars that get the lowest car insurance premiums in Airdrie are inexpensive vehicles with small engines and high safety ratings. These include cars like Fiats, Buicks, and Subarus.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Airdrie?
You should compare car insurance rates in Airdrie because quotes always vary from one company to another. By comparing quotes, you can get the best possible rates on your policy.
What is the grid rating system in Airdrie all about?
The grid rating system in Airdrie determines how much third-party liability coverage you should get depending on where you live. Drivers get grid level designations based on several factors, including existing claims and years of driving experience.