Auto Insurance in Alberta

Built on Relationships. Backed by Strong Foundations.

Alberta has some of the highest auto insurance premiums in Canada. The average Alberta driver pays around $1,703 per year, and rates have been climbing for reasons that are worth understanding: rising repair costs, parts shortages, increased theft claims, and the growing price tag of personal injury settlements.

The good news is that Alberta’s auto insurance market is private and competitive. Over 25 private insurance companies offer private passenger vehicle coverage in the province, which means shopping the market with a broker makes a real difference. We compare rates and coverage across our carrier partners, so you’re not overpaying for the policy you have,or are underinsured for the one that matters.

What Auto Insurance Is Mandatory in Alberta

In Alberta, basic automobile insurance is required by law. Every driver on a public road must carry the following before turning a key:

Third-Party Liability

Covers damages or injuries you cause to another person or their property if you're at fault in a collision. Alberta requires a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability coverage, though most brokers, including us, recommend carrying at least $1 million. The minimum limit can be exhausted quickly in a serious accident involving injuries or multiple vehicles.

Direct Compensation for Property Damage (DCPD)

Introduced in Alberta in 2022, DCPD allows you to claim damage to your vehicle directly through your own insurer if you're not at fault in a collision, rather than chasing the other driver's insurance company. It streamlines the claims process significantly, and it's now mandatory.

Accident Benefits

Covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and income replacement for you and your passengers after a collision, regardless of who caused it. These benefits apply whether you're at fault or not.

Optional Coverage Worth Knowing About

Mandatory coverage protects other people from you. Optional coverage protects you and your vehicle.

Collision Coverage

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle, an object, or in a single-vehicle rollover. If you're financing or leasing your vehicle, your lender likely requires this.

Comprehensive Coverage

Covers non-collision losses: theft, hail, fire, flooding, vandalism, and animal strikes. Given Calgary's hail exposure and Alberta's rising vehicle theft rates, this is coverage most drivers shouldn't skip.

Loss of Use

Covers the cost of a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired after a covered claim. A small addition that most people appreciate the first time they need it.

Accident Forgiveness

Protects your rate from increasing after your first at-fault accident. Available through select carriers and worth asking about, especially if you've had a clean record for several years.

What's Changing in Alberta Auto Insurance

Alberta’s auto insurance system is in the middle of a significant shift. The provincial government announced plans to move to a Care-First no-fault model, expected to take effect in January 2027. Under this system, your own insurer covers your injury costs after a collision regardless of fault, with a focus on faster access to care and reduced litigation.

In the meantime, rate increases for good drivers are capped at 5% per year, with an additional 2.5% rider to account for natural disaster-related costs, such as the hailstorms that hit Calgary and surrounding areas in 2025.

What this means practically: now is a good time to review your current policy, understand your existing coverage, and make sure you’re positioned well before the new system takes effect.

How We Find the Right Auto Policy for You

We start with your situation.

Driving record, vehicle type, how you use the car, and any young or occasional drivers on the policy; we look at the full picture before making a recommendation.

We explain what you're buying.

We go through what's included what's excluded, and where your deductibles sit before you sign anything.

We compare across carriers.

As an independent brokerage, we're not tied to one insurer. We pull options from Intact Insurance, Aviva, Economical Definity, Forward Insurance Managers, and others to find the right fit.

We stay in your corner at renewal.

If your circumstances change, a new vehicle, a young driver joining the household, or a move to a different part of Alberta, we adjust your coverage accordingly.

Why Work with Core for Auto Insurance

Most people buy auto insurance online and move on. That works fine until something happens. When you’re dealing with a claim, a disputed fault determination, or a coverage gap that nobody mentioned at the time of purchase, having a broker you can call directly matters.

We’re an independent Calgary brokerage company. We know Alberta’s insurance market, we know which carriers are competitive for which risk profiles, and we’ll tell you honestly if the cheapest option has trade-offs worth knowing about before you commit.

Built on Relationships. Backed by Standards, Ethics, Community. Technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum auto insurance required in Alberta?

Alberta requires every driver to carry third-party liability (minimum $200,000), accident benefits, and direct compensation for property damage (DCPD). That said, the $200,000 liability minimum is low for today’s claims environment. We recommend at least $1 million.

Does Alberta's rate cap apply to my policy?

The rate cap applies to good drivers, defined by the province as those without recent at-fault claims or serious traffic convictions. If you qualify, your insurer can’t raise your basic coverage premium by more than 5% per year through 2026. Optional coverage like collision and comprehensive isn’t subject to the same cap.

Is comprehensive coverage worth it in Alberta?

For most Alberta drivers, yes. Calgary and surrounding areas consistently rank among the worst in Canada for hail damage, and vehicle theft rates across the province have been climbing. Comprehensive coverage addresses both. Whether it makes financial sense depends on your vehicle’s value and your deductible, and we can walk you through that calculation.

What happens to my rate if I add a young driver to my policy?

Adding a young or inexperienced driver typically increases your premium because the statistical risk is higher. The amount depends on the driver’s age, their licence class, and how frequently they use the vehicle. We can compare options across carriers to find the most competitive rate for your household.

How does the 2027 Care-First reform affect my current policy?

Until January 2027, nothing changes about how your current policy works. The Care-First model will shift how injury claims are handled after that date, with your own insurer covering your medical and rehabilitation costs regardless of fault. We’ll keep our clients informed as the details are confirmed and help you understand what it means for your coverage when the time comes.

Get a Quote

If your renewal is coming up or you’re just not sure your current coverage makes sense, let’s talk. We’ll take a look at what you have and tell you whether it’s worth changing.