Soon the roads will be slicker than a skating rink and we want you and your families to stay safe, and avoid unnecessary car insurance claims.

Your neighbour drives a BMV M Roadster, while you get around in a sporty 2000 Honda Civic SiR. You both have clean driving records and travel the same distance to work. The BMV is worth more than the Civic, and then the shock comes—you’re paying more for auto insurance. Consumers are left asking why—well, the answer is clear.

Every vehicle make, model and year available in Canada is rated according to the Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating (CLEAR) system. This rating system assesses each type of vehicle based on expected claims frequency and cost, and the likelihood the vehicle will be stolen. This assists in calculating insurance rates—the lower the claims risk, the lower the rates, and the higher the claims risk, the higher the rates.

When your child moves away from home for college or university, there are important changes and responsibilities to consider. Along with the emotional stress of having your young graduate leave home, you also need to consider what the move means for your finances and insurance policies. Being informed about your Edmonton insurance coverage is crucial for your child’s protection and wellbeing. While many policies extend parents’ coverage to kids in university, other policies encourage college students to purchase their own insurance.

“Parents need to know whether their insurance extends to their children when they are buying a car or moving into an apartment or residence,” says Wayne Ross, insurance expert at Aviva Canada. “You could find yourself facing a financially-stressful situation that could easily have been avoided.”

Road trips are par for the course in the summer, so stone chips and glass repair are part of life as a vehicle and carinsurance owner. Windshields get chipped and cracked all the time. While stone chips often occur at the most inopportune times, they cannot be neglected and should be attended to in short order.

Spring is here in Alberta and even though the roads are no longer icy, the hit still keep on coming. One of the most common questions we get is: What should I do after having a car accident?

Is your family prepared for an emergency? May 6 - 12, 2012 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada; the perfect time to make sure that you have everything you need in a pinch.