DCPD is an insurance acronym that stands for Direct Compensation for Property Damage. DCPD was introduced in Alberta on January 1, 2022, as a part of the Alberta governments auto insurance reform measures. DCPD is used in several Canadian provinces including, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. The results of DCPD have been faster claims response, consistent treatment during claims, and drastically lower litigation costs.

As a driver, it's important to have insurance to protect yourself and others in case of an accident. In Alberta, the legal minimum car insurance is third party liability coverage. In this article, we'll cover what auto liability insurance is, what it covers, whether it's enough, and how much liability insurance you need.

If you’ve ever gotten a quote on auto insurance in Alberta, you may have heard the agent or the broker talk about insurance grid rates. If you’re not an insurance professional, the term “grid rate” probably doesn’t mean that much to you. Today we want to provide a short guide to understanding what “grid rates” are, what they do, and what it means for you.

When it comes to protecting your car, comprehensive car insurance is an essential coverage to consider. It provides coverage for your vehicle in case of theft, fire, vandalism, or other types of damage that are not caused by a collision with another car.

Speeding is by far the most common traffic ticket given out in Canada. Do you know which traffic tickets will increase your insurance rates? Will photo radar and police issued tickets have the same impact on your insurance and driving record?

The Alberta government announced on January 25, 2023 that they would be freezing auto insurance rates and making it easier for residents to pay monthly for their insurance. We wanted to clarify what this all means for Albertans, how your it impacts your insurance premiums this year, and what it will mean going forward. 

If your car is making any sound other than the typical operating noises, you probably have some issues with your vehicle. In order to help your avoid expensive auto repairs it's good to proactively listen to what your car is telling you. Keeping an ear out for unusual sounds in your car can help you identify potential problems early and prevent costly repairs. Here are some common car sounds and what they may indicate: 

This morning in Leduc County, where I am currently living, it was -43˚C when accounting for the wind chill. Given that it is December 20^th in central Alberta, this kind of weather isn't really out of the ordinary. Living on an acreage, we park our vehicles outside on the driveway overnight. With multiple people living in the house, we have 4 vehicles on the property.

Most people are familiar with the term “road rage” and have an idea of what it means. They would likely associate it with someone swearing and/or yelling at other drivers from their vehicle, honking unnecessarily, or generally driving unsafely out of agitation. This behaviour is actually more in line “aggressive driving”. You might be thinking that those sound interchangeable, but there is an important distinction between them.