Welcome to your car insurance guide for Lethbridge. Here you will learn about average car insurance rates, savings opportunities, car insurance myths, and much more. You will also have an opportunity to get a car insurance quote from 30+ Canadian insurers, and receive other useful tips for choosing car insurance protection in Lethbridge.
What are typical Car Insurance rates in Alberta?
Here are some average car insurance rates to give you a picture of insurance prices in Alberta and in Canada. The first chart shows rate comparisons across several Canadian provinces. The second chart shows differences in car insurance premiums for drivers in a variety of age groups, and you may notice the differences are quite considerable.
When compared to Edmonton and Calgary, drivers in Lethbridge enjoy somewhat lower rates. Car insurance rates in Lethbridge are approximately $80-$100 per month. When comparing it to Calgary, it’s even cheaper, average prices in Calgary range from $110 – $130 per month.
Get to know all Car Insurance components
Did you know that car insurance consists of different pieces? Some of them are mandatory, others depend on the policy type and your coverage needs.
|
Insurance component |
Description |
Type |
|
Collision insurance |
Collision insurance covers accident damage to your car (e.g. collision with another vehicle). If your car can’t be fixed due to being totalled or written off, collision insurance pays a reasonable cost to replace it. |
Not mandatory |
|
Liability insurance |
This insurance covers damages to another person or vehicle. Damages are not just physical but also include medical bills, lost wages, legal fees, etc. In many provinces you can get sued for damages like these and the costs may go up into millions. This is why it is important to have more than just the mandatory coverage for car insurance. The good news is, mandatory coverage is not high although it does vary from province to province. |
Mandatory |
|
Comprehensive insurance |
This type of auto insurance is very robust and covers damages resulting from incidents other than car accidents and collisions. Comprehensive coverage includes protection from hazards like weather, vandalism, falling objects, fire, theft, and flooding. |
Not mandatory |
|
All perils |
This type of auto insurance covers all causes, including incidences where somebody in your household stole your vehicle or if it has been damaged by an additional driver. |
Not mandatory |
|
Uninsured motorist / Hit-and-run coverage |
This car insurance coverage covers you in case of an accident involving drivers who do not have insurance or decided to flee the scene of an accident. |
Mandatory |
|
Accident Benefits |
This car insurance coverage is for medical and other relevant expenses (e.g. nursing care, income replacement) that are the result of injury caused by the accident. |
Not mandatory |
What cars are the most expensive ones to insure?
The cost to insure cars is linked to the different types of claims such as: accident benefits insurance claims, collision insurance claims, comprehensive insurance claims, and direct compensation property damage insurance claims. Here are some examples of cars (model years 2014-2018) that have high insurance costs:
- BMW X6
- BMW 4th series
- Tesla Model S
- Cayenne
- BMW 3rd series
- Audi Q7
- Mercedes-Benz S series
- Hyundai Genesis
- Audi S5
- Mercedes-Benz CLS
- Mercedes-Benz C series
- Audi A5
- Subaru/Toyota BRZ
- Dodge Charger Ford Mustang
- Lexus IS
Other aspects, such as your driving habits, age, driving history, location, policy type, and coverage impact your insurance rates. Remember, your car’s make and mode alone is not a a good way to predict your insurance rates.
10 Ways to save on Car Insurance in Lethbridge
Though car insurance rates in Lethbridge are not as high as in Calgary or Edmonton, Lethbridge drivers can find ways to reduce their premiums even further. Here are a few tips:
- Bundle
Bundle up! Some providers offer discounts when you purchase multiple types of insurance through them such as home and auto. If you have multiple insurance needs, consider using the same provider for all of them.
- Location
While car insurance rates can differ among provinces, they can also differ among cities within those provinces. When moving, be sure to check out the car insurance rates in your destination when determining your new household budget.
- Dashboard Camera
While a dash cam won’t give you a premium discount, it can prove that you are not at fault in a crash, and help you prevent what would have resulted in a premium increase.
- Anti-Theft System
Installing a certified anti-theft system in your car lowers risk of theft, and many insures reward you with a premium discount.
- Repair Costs
Some cars cost more than others when it comes to repairs, and this impacts your insurance rates. For instance, replacement parts for a Mini Cooper or a BMW cost more than for a Ford Focus.
- Alumni
Some alumni associations, such as University of Toronto and McGill University, work with insurers that offer discounts to membership or affiliate groups.
- Pay-As-You-Drive
Don’t drive much? Only pay for coverage while you are on the road! You may be able to install a device in your vehicle that will keep track of your driving profile so you can reduce your premiums based on when you drive.
- Loyalty
Your insurer may offer longevity discounts. See if your loyalty is rewarded by your car insurance provider.
- Being Married
Except Nova Scotia, your insurance premiums may be influenced, and reduced, by your marital status.
- Age
Senior drivers enjoy lower auto insurance premiums. This means as you age and maintain a good driving record, your premiums will go down.
Lethbridge Car Insurance quotes, examples
Sample car insurance quote #1:
A male driver, 45 years old, lives in Lethbridge, has no claims in the last three years, no at-fault accidents, and no license suspensions. Vehicle: 2018 Mazda 3 GX, CAA member, comprehensive coverage (including collision). Policy: $1,000 deductible, 3rd party liability – $2,000,000
$137 per month ($1,644 annually)
Sample car insurance quote #2:
A female driver, 52 years old, lives in Lethbridge, has no claims in the last three years, no at-fault accidents, and no license suspensions. Vehicle: 2014 Ford Escape, collision-only coverage (no comprehensive). Policy: $1,000 deductible, 3rd party liability – $1,000,000
$90 per month ($1,080 annually)
Sample car insurance quote #3:
A female driver, 34 years old, lives in Lethbridge, has no claims in the last three years, no at-fault accidents, and no license suspensions. Vehicle: 2016 Toyota Camry, comprehensive coverage (including collision). Policy: $1,000 deductible, 3rd party liability – $1,000,000
$ 146 per month ($1,752 annually)
Car casualty rates in Alberta (including Lethbridge)
Based on casualty statistics numbers from Transport Canada (2018), Alberta drivers appear to be in the middle of the pack – they are less safe than QC or ON drivers but also have less fatalities per 100,000 licensed drivers than SK or NS.
|
Province |
Fatalities per 100,00 licensed drivers |
Injuries per 100,00 licensed drivers |
|
NU |
74.2 |
928.0 |
|
YT |
24.1 |
681.1 |
|
SK |
15.8 |
517.5 |
|
PE |
13.2 |
573.8 |
|
NS |
10.2 |
978.9 |
|
NB |
9.0 |
484.3 |
|
AB |
9.0 |
530.0 |
|
BC |
8.0 |
555.7 |
|
MB |
7.6 |
1310.0 |
|
NT |
7.6 |
382.5 |
|
Canada |
7.2 |
575.0 |
|
NL |
6.6 |
460.8 |
|
QC |
6.4 |
622.1 |
|
ON |
5.8 |
491.3 |
Car Insurance in Lethbridge – what you must know
Car insurance is mandatory by law in Lethbridge and across the province of Alberta.
- Alberta uses a tort-based system, unlike some other Canadian provinces. This means that an insurance company can pay for some of your costs but if you are not at fault, you can sue the other party to get compensation from their insurance company.
- Mandatory liability coverage in Alberta is $200,000. This is the minimal 3rd party liability coverage that is mandated by law and included in every car insurance policy.
- Despite the mandatory coverage, it is recommended to top it up and have at least $1,000,000 or, even better, $2,000,000 in liability coverage.
- The maximum limit for medical benefits is capped at $50,000 per person.
What cars are the least expensive ones to insure?
Some cars are less likely to get into an accident or, if involved, the associated costs are lower. Here are examples of cars (model years 2014-2018) that cost less than others to insure.
- Smart Fortwo
- Ford F150
- Nissan Frontier
- Chevrolet Tahoe/Yukon
- Chevrolet Silverado/Sierra
- Fiat 500
- Ford Mustang Convertible
- Jeep Wrangler
- Buick Encore
- Honda CR-V
- Jeep Compass
- Chevrolet Equinox/Terrain
- Nissan Xterra
- Honda Pilot
- Hyundai Accent
Your driving history impacts your rates more than your car’s make or model. The make/model is just one variable in the factors used to make the calculation.
5 Car Insurance myths to know
Myth #1: Insurance works in the same way across all Canadian provinces
There are differences among the provinces. Some use a tort aka at-fault system. Some use a no-fault system. Some use a combination of both. These systems define whose insurance company pays for a claim and the ability of one side to sue the other. Also, a list of insurers who can provide insurance varies from province to province. In MB, SK and BC only one company per province – MPI, SGI, and ICBC respectively can provide car insurance coverage.
Myth #2: Changing deductibles significantly impacts your insurance rates
This is a prevailing myth but InsurEye’s analysis has demonstrated that changing your deductibles doesn’t really impact your insurance rates that much.
Myth #3: If you lend your car, it will be covered through the insurance policy of the other driver
When you lend your car, you “lend” your insurance along with it. If your car is in an accident, your policy comes into play.
Myth #4: Insurance for two-door cars/convertibles is always more expensive
This is not necessarily correct. More weight is given to the car’s history of theft, your driving record, etc.
Myth #5: It is more expensive to insure red coloured cars.
This is the most classic myth out there, but it is false! The colour of your car has no impact on the quote or premium. You can have a red, blue, yellow, black or even pink car – your insurance rates will not be different based on colour alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Car Insurance in Lethbridge
Which car has the cheapest insurance in Lethbridge?
Typically, car brands like Hyundai, Nissan, Ford, Buick, Chevrolet, and Jeep are on the cheaper side for insurance rates, and some series of BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Audi, and Lexus tend to cost more. This is because more expensive cars drive higher repair costs. Check the tables above for the exact makes/models.
How much does car insurance cost Lethbridge?
Car insurance cost in Lethbridge, AB depend on many criteria. On average, residents of Lethbridge will pay between $80 and $100 monthly. Remember, however, that that if you have a maximum of two violations in the last three years (not including parking tickets), you can expect to pay 20%-35% higher rates. If you have a history of serious driving violations, expect your rates to be about doubled. Typically, younger drivers can also expect significantly higher auto insurance premiums.
Car Insurance in Lethbridge – Reviews: where to find them?
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