How Can You Get Cheap Car Insurance in Red Deer?
You can get lower premiums and cheap car insurance in Red Deer by finding the best policy deals and lowering your risk profile. Here are several ways to get cheap Red Deer auto insurance:
Shop and Compare Policies
Different insurance providers offer different rates. By shopping between several companies, you can get the best Red Deer 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 Red Deer 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 Red Deer
- Red Deer car insurance is MORE expensive than the Alberta average.
- The average annual car insurance cost in Red Deer for a driver with a clean record is around $1,453.
- Comparing Red Deer auto insurance quotes with MyChoice can save you up to $1,032 annually.
Who Provides Car Insurance Quotes in Red Deer?
Insurance agents, brokers, aggregators, and direct writers provide car insurance quotes in Red Deer. 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 Red Deer 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 Red Deer
Auto insurance in Alberta can be confusing for non-residents. The Alberta Insurance Act requires drivers to purchase a mandatory amount of coverage, where the rate is set with a grid calculator system. This grid determines the maximum amount that insurance providers are allowed to charge drivers for their mandatory coverage.
If all of this sounds confusing to you, consider hiring an insurance broker. Brokers walk drivers through the intricacies of purchasing auto insurance and help them find the best rates possible.
Check out our list of the best auto insurance brokers in Red Deer to get started:
Brokerage | Address | Phone number |
---|---|---|
BrokerLink | 4311 54 Ave Suite 120 Red Deer, AB T4N 4L9, Canada | +14033586062 |
Western Financial Group Inc. | 4320 50 Ave #101 Red Deer, AB T4N 3Z6, Canada | +14033472692 |
Rogers Insurance | 1110-5001 19 St Red Deer, AB T4R 3R1, Canada | +14033425074 |
Beyond Insurance Inc | 5589 47 St Unit 205 Red Deer, AB T4N 1S1, Canada | +14033926118 |
How Does Car Insurance Work in Red Deer?
Car insurance in Red Deer 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 Red Deer.
Auto insurance coverage in Red Deer 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 Red Deer.
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 Red Deer, you may need extra protection for various reasons. Here are some extra coverage options we recommend for Red Deer drivers:
Additional TPL Coverage
The bare minimum $200,000 TPL coverage is relatively small, so some Red Deer drivers 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 Red Deer, 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 Red Deer 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 Red Deer
Your Red Deer 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 Red Deer car insurance quotes:
Driver Demographics
Personal demographics are one of the main consideration factors for your Red Deer 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 Frequency
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 Red Deer 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 Red Deer car insurance premiums, you should check a model’s CLEAR score before buying a car.
Coverage Chosen
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 Red Deer car insurance premiums, you should check a model’s CLEAR score before buying a car.
Most Expensive Postal Codes in Red Deer
Auto insurance in Red Deer, Alberta averages around $1,453.
The Red Deer postal code with the most expensive insurance rates is T4P, which includes the neighbourhoods of Clearview Ridge, Johnstone Park, Johnstone Crossing, Kentwood West, Kentwood Northeast, Michener Hill, and Oriole Park West.
Postal code | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
---|---|
T4P | $1,507 |
Least Expensive Postal Codes in Red Deer
The postal code with the cheapest auto insurance rates in Red Deer is T4N, where you’ll find Downtown Red Deer, Forth, Highland Green Estates, Sunnybrook, West Park, and West Park Extension.
Postal code | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
---|---|
T4N | $1,425 |
Car Insurance Cost in Red Deer by Age
When calculating premiums, insurers analyse the risks.
This, unfortunately, does not bode well for young drivers who face some of the highest insurance rates. Young drivers are often perceived as high-risk drivers due to their inexperience and limited driving record.
Seniors also face higher insurance rates because their declining cognitive abilities and hearing/visual impairment put them at a higher risk of being involved in a crash. They’re also far more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than other age groups.
Below, we list the average cost of premiums across different age groups:
Age group | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate | Annual savings with MyChoice |
---|---|---|
18-20 | $5,187 | $1,032 |
21-24 | $2,964 | $590 |
25-34 | $1,976 | $393 |
35-44 | $1,453 | $289 |
45-54 | $1,191 | $237 |
55-64 | $1,013 | $201 |
65+ | $1,155 | $230 |
Car Insurance Cost in Red Deer by Driving History
How well you drive can affect how much you’ll have to pay for your insurance premiums. Insurers charge more to drivers with a history of traffic violations and less to drivers with clean records. Bear in mind that violations can remain on your record for up to two years and affect your premium rates for even longer.
Take a look at how driving violations can affect insurance rates for drivers in Red Deer below:
Driving violation | Average Annual Car Insurance Rate |
---|---|
Clean driving record | $1,453 |
Insurance cancellation due to non-payment | $2,383 |
Licence suspension for alcohol-related offences | $1,744 |
One accident | $3,196 |
Speeding ticket | $1,889 |
Other Factors That Affect Car Insurance Prices in Red Deer
Many factors influence your Red Deer 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 Red Deer
Red Deer is a small city located about an hour and 30 minutes away from Calgary and Edmonton. Due to its proximity to these two big cities, Red Deer has become a commuter town for those working outside the city.
Typically, smaller cities have more affordable insurance rates than major cities, particularly because the risk of traffic accidents and theft is lower. As such, car insurance in Red Deer is considerably cheaper than it is in Calgary or Edmonton.
Learn more about driving in Red Deer, Alberta below:
- Major highways in Red Deer: Highway 2, Highway 11, Highway 595
- Public transit options: Red Deer Transit (local bus), Action Bus (paratransit), BOLT (regional on-demand transit)
- Ridesharing services: Uber, Lyft
- Parking space providers: The City of Red Deer
- Top tourist attractions: Bower Ponds, Canadian Falls Rodeo, Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Canyon Ski Resort, Kraay Family Farm, Discovery Canyon
- Busy intersections: Gaetz Avenue and 32 Street
- Airports: Red Deer Regional Airport
Main Mode of Commuting in Red Deer
Cars, trucks, and vans are preferred by 92% Red Deer commuters, making it by far the most popular mode of commuting. Out of the 37,380 personal vehicle commuters, 34,640 of them drive themselves, with 2,735 commuters preferring to be passengers. Take a closer look at the modes of commuting in Red Deer here:
Main mode of commuting | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% sample data | 40,625 | 100.0 |
Car, truck or van | 37,380 | 92.0% |
Car, truck or van – as a driver | 34,640 | 85.3% |
Car, truck or van – as a passenger | 2,735 | 6.7% |
Public transit | 1,030 | 2.5% |
Walked | 1,320 | 3.2% |
Bicycle | 265 | 0.7% |
Other method | 625 | 1.5% |
Commuting Duration in Red Deer
Long commute times in Red Deer are relatively rare. Only around 15% of the city’s commuters spend over 30 minutes on the road. The other 85% can expect to spend less than half an hour on their commute. Check out a detailed look at Red Deer’s commute times here:
Commuting duration | Counts | Rates |
---|---|---|
Total – 25% sample data | 40,625 | 100.0 |
Less than 15 minutes | 18,460 | 45.4% |
15 to 29 minutes | 15,870 | 39.1% |
30 to 44 minutes | 3,575 | 8.8% |
45 to 59 minutes | 910 | 2.2% |
60 minutes and over | 1,805 | 4.4% |
Driving Conditions in Red Deer
Red Deer’s terrain is made up of rolling hills, which inexperienced drivers may find rather challenging. Snowstorms and extremely cold temperatures are fairly common in Red Deer as well. Winter tires are a must if you want to stay safe.
Here is an overview of driving conditions in Red Deer, Alberta:
- Average daily commute time: 45 minutes round trip
- Average annual rainfall: 381 mm
- Average annual snowfall: 686 mm
- Rainy days per year: 117.1 days
- Rainiest month in Red Deer: June
- Driest months in Red Deer: February, December
- Snow days per year: 80.8 days
- Snowfall months in Red Deer: January – May, September – December
Traffic in Red Deer
Red Deer is sandwiched between two big cities, Calgary and Edmonton, so a lot of commuters drive through or to Red Deer for work. Traffic can be a challenge during rush hour.
66% of all traffic accidents in Red Deer occur at intersections. One of the most accident-prone intersections is the busy Gaetz Avenue and 32 Street intersection.
Below are some more fast facts about traffic in Red Deer, Alberta:
- Population: Red Deer has a population of 100,844 people.
- City area: Red Deer has a total land area of 104.34 km².
- Time spent in traffic annually: Most Red Deer residents spend 270 hours in traffic annually.
- Busiest roads: Queen Elizabeth II Highway or Highway 2
The Most Common Questions About Car Insurance in Red Deer
Is ridesharing insurance available in Red Deer?
Ridesharing insurance is available in Red Deer. For Uber drivers, the province of Alberta has approved a ridesharing-specific policy from Intact Insurance.
How much does Red Deer car insurance cost?
Car insurance in Red Deer averages around $1.453.
Is car insurance cheaper in Red Deer than in Calgary?
Car insurance is about $400 cheaper in Red Deer than in Calgary, which has an average rate of $2,052.
Which cars get the lowest car insurance premiums in Red Deer?
The cars that get the lowest insurance premiums are often popular, reliable, budget-friendly vehicles with small engines.
Why should you compare car insurance rates in Red Deer?
You should always compare auto insurance rates because rates vary across insurance providers. Each provider has their own unique way of calculating rates.
What is the grid rating system in Red Deer all about?
Alberta’s grid rating system is a program that defines the maximum premium allowed for basic coverage for all kinds of driving records. The grid only applies to basic coverage premiums.