Auto Insurance
Automobile insurance in St. Paul
Personal Auto Insurance St. Paul
If you drive in Canada, car insurance isn’t optional, it’s the law. At V.B. Insurance Brokers, we want to make sure you are covered—your vehicle, your finances, and your future—so, we go beyond what’s mandatory and share the smart choices you can make to protect your livelihood in the event of a collision.
What’s needed (mandatory coverage):
- Liability Coverage: Liability coverage protects you against claims made by other people for injuries or damage to their property, up to the limits on your policy. It’s required in all provinces.
- Accident Benefits: This helps cover medical costs, lost income, and even rehab if you’re injured in a collision… no matter who’s at fault.
What’s optional?
- Collision Coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle if you’re in a collision (whether you’re at fault or not).
- Comprehensive Coverage: Protects against non-collision events like fire, theft, vandalism, or falling objects. Comprehensive insurance can protect you from any peril other than collision, but commonly excludes theft by a person residing in the same dwelling, or by an employee.
- Perils: Specific (or “All”) Perils covers you from risks specific to your area (such as hailstorms or flooding).
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage protects you against claims made by other people for injuries or damage to their property, up to the limits on your policy. It’s required in all provinces.
Accident Benefits
This helps cover medical costs, lost income, and even rehab if you’re injured in a collision… no matter who’s at fault.
Collision Coverage
Pays for damage to your vehicle if you’re in a collision (whether you’re at fault or not).
Comprehensive Coverage
Protects against non-collision events like fire, theft, vandalism, or falling objects.
Perils (Specific or "All")
Specific (or “All”) Perils covers you from risks specific to your area (such as hailstorms or flooding).
We’ll walk you through your options in plain English so you understand everything, and always feel confident in your policy with V.B. Insurance Brokers.
Auto Insurance FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Alberta automotive insurance
What auto insurance is mandatory in Canada?
Regardless of where you live, purchasing auto insurance for personal injury and property damage is mandatory across Canada. Depending on where you license your vehicle you must purchase insurance from either a private or government insurer.
What is third-party liability coverage?
If you’re found legally responsible, this coverage helps pay for injuries or fatalities to another person and related expenses arising from a covered accident, up to your policy limit.
What’s the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?
Comprehensive coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement if your car is damaged by something other than a collision, for example theft, fire, vandalism, storms, or animal contact. Coverage applies up to your policy limit minus your deductible.
Collision coverage is for if/when your car is overturned or damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object, this coverage helps repair or replace your car, up to your policy limit, minus your deductible.
How is my car insurance rate calculated?
See here: How rates are calculated
Can I get insurance for a vehicle I don’t drive often?
Yes, different options are available depending on your situation. Please contact your insurance broker to assess your needs.
Does my insurance cover other people driving my vehicle?
In Alberta, your car insurance generally covers anyone you authorize to drive your vehicle, provided they have a valid driver’s license and aren’t specifically excluded from your policy. The insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver, meaning your policy will respond if the driver is involved in an accident.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Permissive Use:
Your car insurance typically covers anyone you give permission to drive your car, as long as they have a valid license and are not excluded from your policy.
Insurance Follows the Car:
The insurance policy is tied to the vehicle, not the driver. This means that even if you’re not driving, your insurance will be the one to handle any claims resulting from an accident involving your car.
Potential Impact on Your Premiums:
While your insurance covers the other driver, keep in mind that any accidents or traffic violations they incur while driving your car can still affect your insurance premiums.
Exceptions:
There are exceptions, such as if the driver is using the car for commercial purposes, or if they are specifically excluded from your policy.
Frequent Drivers:
If someone frequently uses your car, it’s recommended to add them to your policy as an occasional or additional driver to ensure full coverage and avoid potential complications.
Does auto insurance cover rental vehicles?
Adding an SEF 27 gives coverage for non-owned vehicles up to a certain amount. A SEF 20 will give coverage for a rental vehicle in the event you need a replacement vehicle when a claim occurs.
Do I get a discount for insuring multiple vehicles under one policy?
Yes, multi vehicle discounts are available with most insurance companies
Are vehicles like ATVs and snowmobiles covered under my auto insurance?
Yes, they can be scheduled along with your private passenger vehicles on your current policy as long as they meet the company guidelines.
Looking to Start or Change Your Auto Insurance?
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