Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
How Does Car Insurance Work in Medicine Hat?
Car insurance is mandatory in Alberta, and if you live in Medicine Hat, it’s important to understand how your premium is calculated and what types of coverage make up a standard policy.
Below is a breakdown of what’s typically included when you get a car insurance quote in Medicine Hat through MyChoice, divided into mandatory and highly recommended coverages. Together, these form the full picture of what drivers in Medicine Hat pay on average for insurance.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | – Third-Party Liability (minimum $204,523) – Accident Benefits – Direct Compensation: Property Damage (DCPD) | $874 |
| Highly Recommended | – Collision – Comprehensive – Uninsured Automobile – SEF 20 (Loss of Use) – SEF 27 (Legal Liability for Non-Owned Vehicles) – SEF 44 (Family Protection) – SEF 39 (Accident Forgiveness) – SEF 43R (Limited Waiver of Depreciation) | $956 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,830 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
Mandatory Coverages:
These coverages are required by Alberta law and will always appear in your quote.
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Liability | Protects you if you injure someone or damage their property while driving. Also covers legal expenses if you’re sued. | $490 |
| Accident Benefits | Covers medical costs, rehabilitation, and income replacement for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident. | $134 |
| – Direct Compensation: Property Damage (DCPD) | Covers damage to your vehicle and its contents when you’re not at fault in a collision with another insured Alberta driver. | $251 |
| Coverage Total: | $874 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
Highly Recommended Coverages:
These coverages are optional, but most Alberta drivers add them for better financial protection.
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | Pays for repairs if your vehicle collides with another car, object, or rolls over — even when you’re at fault. | $367 |
| Comprehensive | Covers non-collision damage such as theft, fire, hail, windstorms, vandalism, or fallen objects. | $483 |
| Uninsured Automobile | Protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Covers injuries, death benefits, and damage when the at-fault driver has no valid insurance. | $14 |
| SEF 20: Loss of Use | Covers transportation costs (rental car, rideshare, transit) while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss. | $23 |
| SEF 27: Legal Liability for Non-Owned Automobile | Extends your coverage to rental or borrowed vehicles, protecting you if they’re damaged while under your care. | $28 |
| SEF 44: Family Protection | Protects you and your family if you’re hit by an underinsured, uninsured, or hit-and-run driver — up to your own liability limits. | $16 |
| SEF 39: Accident Forgiveness | Prevents your rates from increasing after your first at fault accident (as long as you stay with the same insurer). | $23 |
| SEF 43R: Limited Waiver of Depreciation | Ensures you get the original purchase price of your new vehicle if it’s written off within the policy-specified period. | $2 |
| Coverage Total: | $956 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Medicine Hat
The average rate of auto insurance in Medicine Hat is $1,830 and is one of the more affordable cities for car insurance in the province. The postal code that sees the highest auto insurance rates is the T1C region or Medicine Hat North.
Check the table below for more information:
| Postal code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| T1C | $1,848 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Medicine Hat
The postal code that pays the cheapest car insurance premiums in Medicine Hat is the T1A region or Medicine Hat Central.
Medicine Hat has the fifth most affordable auto insurance premiums in Alberta. It is preceded by the cities of Cochrane, Parkland County, Hinton, and Ponoka.
| Postal code | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| T1A | $1,822 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
How Medicine Hat Car Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Medicine Hat has some of the lowest car insurance premiums in southern Alberta. Below is a comparison with nearby cities that drivers commonly commute to or move between.
| City | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Medicine Hat, AB | $1,830 |
| Lethbridge, AB | $2,205 |
| Calgary, AB | $2,640 |
| Airdrie, AB | $2,598 |
| Red Deer, AB | $2,335 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
Car Insurance Cost in Medicine Hat by Age
Age plays a major role in how much car insurance costs. Younger drivers typically face higher premiums due to their lack of driving experience, while seniors are charged more because they’re at greater risk for an accident.
Compare auto insurance rates across different age groups below:
| Age Group | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium | Annual Savings with MyChoice |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | $5,181 | $1,031 |
| 21–24 | $2,655 | $528 |
| 25–34 | $2,123 | $422 |
| 35–44 | $1,830 | $364 |
| 45–54 | $1,483 | $295 |
| 55–64 | $1,428 | $284 |
| 65+ | $1,520 | $303 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
Car Insurance Cost in Medicine Hat by Driving History
One of the first things auto insurers look at when quoting premiums is their client’s driving record.
A clean slate of no traffic violations will earn you a lower premium and more peace of mind. Conversely, multiple infractions can lead insurers to believe you’re a high-risk driver, which results in higher premiums.
This may result in higher premiums and less financial security on the road ahead. Typically, driving violations stay on your record for at least two years and affect your premium rates for many more.
See how traffic violations impact auto insurance rates for drivers in Medicine Hat below:
| Driving Violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $1,830 |
| Insurance cancellation (CNP) | $2,618 |
| DUI / Licence suspension | $2,178 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,368 |
| Speeding ticket | $2,289 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
Car Insurance Cost in Medicine Hat by Vehicle Model
The vehicle you drive plays a significant role in determining your insurance premium in Medicine Hat.
| Car Model | Average Annual Car Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Honda | $1,680 |
| Toyota | $1,928 |
| Ford | $1,675 |
| Chevrolet | $1,721 |
| Mazda | $1,707 |
| Hyundai | $1,846 |
| Volkswagen | $1,684 |
| Subaru | $1,589 |
| BMW | $2,130 |
| Audi | $2,275 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2025
The Best Car Insurance Brokerages in Medicine Hat
When it comes to ensuring your vehicle is properly protected, you don’t have to go the extra mile alone. Brokers will essentially “match-make” between companies and car owners and search for the best deals possible.
Top-notch auto insurance brokers in Medicine Hat can do all the heavy lifting for you. Check them out below:
| Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| AMA – Alberta Motor Association | 2710 13 Ave SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3P8, Canada | +14035271166 |
| BrokerLink | 623 4 St SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0L1, Canada | +14035263283 |
| Westland Insurance | 568 S Railway St #1 Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2V6, Canada | +14035048300 |
| Reliance Insurance Agencies | 414 6 Ave SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2S8, Canada | +14035268800 |
Driving in Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat is a small city in Alberta that is about a three-hour drive from Calgary. The city was founded as a railway town and has come to be known as the “Gas City” due to its abundance of natural gas fields. The South Saskatchewan River Valley runs through the centre of the city.
Medicine Hat is located along the Trans-Canada Highway and is surrounded by the town of Redcliff, and the hamlets Desert Blume, Irvine, Seven Persons, Veinerville, and Dunmore.
Here are some key facts about driving in Medicine Hat:
- Major highways in Medicine Hat: Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3), Alberta Provincial Highway 41A
- Public transit options: Medicine Hat Transit (bus, paratransit), Greyhound (bus), TRAXX Coachlines
- Ridesharing services: 24/7 Rideshare Services
- Parking space providers: The City of Medicine Hat
- Top tourist attractions: Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District, The Shannon House, Saamis Teepee, Police Point Park, Red Rock Coulee
- Busy intersections: Highway 1 and Dunmore Road SE, Highway 1 and 13 Ave. SE, Highway 1 and 7 St. SW
- Airports: Medicine Hat Regional Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Medicine Hat
93% of Medicine Hat’s commuters travel by car, truck, or van. Public transit is the second-least popular commuting mode after cycling, boasting only 375 users. In fact, there’s almost twice as many pedestrian commuters as there are public transit users. Here’s a detailed look at the modes of commuting in Medicine Hat:
| Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 25,075 | 100.0 |
| Car, truck or van | 23,315 | 93.0% |
| Car, truck or van – as a driver | 21,800 | 86.9% |
| Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 1,515 | 6.0% |
| Public transit | 375 | 1.5% |
| Walked | 915 | 3.6% |
| Bicycle | 80 | 0.3% |
| Other method | 390 | 1.6% |
Commuting Duration in Medicine Hat
Despite the vast majority of Medicine Hat commuters being personal vehicle users, the city boasts a relatively brisk commute. Over half of the city’s commuters take less than 15 minutes getting to work, while 31.4% of them take 15 to 29 minutes. Check the table for more details on Medicine Hat’s commuting duration:
| Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Total – 25% sample data | 25,075 | 100.0 |
| Less than 15 minutes | 14,150 | 56.4% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 7,880 | 31.4% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 1,225 | 4.9% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 570 | 2.3% |
| 60 minutes and over | 1,250 | 5.0% |
Driving Conditions in Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat is the sunniest city in Canada, receiving an average of 2,544 hours of sunshine each year. However, flooding was a problem throughout Alberta in 2013. During winter, road conditions can also get tricky, with 25% of fatal collisions caused by slush, snow, or ice.
Winter tires are essential when driving in Medicine Hat. Comprehensive car insurance can also protect you from weather-related damage.
Here’s a snapshot of the overall driving conditions in Medicine Hat:
- Average daily commute time: 36 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 249 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 538 mm
- Rainy days per year: 91.4 days
- Rainiest month in Medicine Hat: June
- Driest months in Medicine Hat: January, December
- Snow days per year: 62.5 days
- Snowfall months in Medicine Hat: January – May, September – December
Traffic in Medicine Hat
The majority of Medicine Hat residents drive their cars to work or school but traffic doesn’t get as bad in Medicine Hat as it does in bigger Alberta cities like Calgary or Edmonton.
Life is relatively slow-paced in Medicine Hat – it boasts the fifth-lowest collision frequency in Canada. However, some places are still prone to traffic accidents, such as Highway 1.
Here’s a snapshot of what driving is like in Medicine Hat:
- Population: Medicine Hat has a population of 65,203.
- City area: Medicine Hat has a total land area of 111.97 km².
- Average commute distance: The average Medicine Hat resident commutes x km daily.
- Time spent in traffic annually: Most Medicine Hat residents spend x hours in traffic annually.
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Medicine Hat
How much does Medicine Hat car insurance cost?
Car insurance costs in Medicine Hat vary depending on the driver’s age, driving history, place of residence, and vehicle. The average rate of car insurance in Medicine Hat is $1,790.
Is car insurance cheaper in Medicine Hat than in Calgary?
Car insurance is cheaper in Medicine Hat than in Calgary. The average rate of auto insurance in Medicine Hat is $1,790 while it is $2,582 in Calgary.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Medicine Hat?
You should compare car insurance rates because each insurance provider computes rates differently. You may also be able to get discounts or bundles based on certain factors, such as if you’re purchasing home insurance as well.
Can I use my Medicine Hat car insurance to drive in the United States?
Your Medicine Hat auto insurance should be valid in the US. Alert your insurance provider if you decide to drive to the United States, as some insurers have a limit on how many days their clients can be covered while driving in the US.
Are winter tires mandatory in Medicine Hat?
Winter tires are not mandatory but are recommended for driving in Medicine Hat.
How can you get cheaper car insurance in Medicine Hat?
Compare car insurance rates in Medicine Hat with MyChoice, or visit our main car insurance page to learn other ways of getting cheap car insurance quotes.