Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

[Rayminator]

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjourna...48&k=19205&p=1

Interesting article in the journal. Just wondering if our posters located in BC, Sask., and Man. can shed some light on this for us. Is Stelmach right? Are your rates higher than with private companies? Or is Stelmach just full of it?

[Steve Vale]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I'm not from BC, Sask or Toba - but I believe the answer is that classic political one - "It Depends".

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

As an Albertan, I have no idea how my rates could be lower. But then again, I'm mid-30's, spotless driving record, and I drive crappy Dodge Neon.

[Uncle Bobby]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I have a problem with "no-fault" insurance. It is someone's fault. Usually not mine. Why should I subsidise someone else's lack of care and attention?

[Swivel Hips]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

Actually, my experience from living in Manitoba in the mid to late 1980s was that insurance rates were a lot higher.

Insurance rates for your vehicle are the same everywhere, therefore, you can go to any insurance agency you want (they're all affiliated with Autopac) and you still pay the same amount.

When you have an accident, you go to a central claims centre where an adjuster fills out a form that details the number of body shop hours that Autopac will pay for, what parts they will pay for, etc. Then you are free to take your vehicle to any body shop you please, because wherever you take it, they are going to be paid the same by the government insurance agency - so in that way it's better than the system we have here, IMHO.

However, when you are charged with a traffic offence i.e speeding, etc., you get demerit points, which are charged against your driver's license. Unlike here, your insurance doesn't go up, but the cost of your annual driver's license does. You are penalized on your license and not your insurance.

As well, you can't get insurance or your driver's license unless you have a government-approved immobilzer system installed on your vehicle. The catch is that there are only about three immobilizers that are government-approved. So, even if you buy a vehicle that has an immobilzer on it, chances are you will still have to get a government-approved one installed.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

SH

[Numberz]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I think that Sask's rates are a lot lower than Alberta's....from what I've heard with people who have lived in both.

[Hugoagogo]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

As someone who's lived in Alberta, Sask, & now BC, let me assure you that the rates in BC & Sask are definitely lower as far as I'm concerned. In Victoria, I'm paying half of what I paid in Edmonton. (If I was in the heart of Vancouver, my rates would still be a lot cheaper).

[Swivel Hips]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

As someone who's lived in Alberta, Sask, & now BC, let me assure you that the rates in BC & Sask are definitely lower as far as I'm concerned. In Victoria, I'm paying half of what I paid in Edmonton. (If I was in the heart of Vancouver, my rates would still be a lot cheaper).

Weird. As I say, when I was living in Manitoba, albeit that was in the mid to late 1980s, insurance rates were about double of what I would have been paying in Alberta. However, I know that in the 25 or so years since then, private insurance rates have skyrocketed.

It would be interesting to know what I would be paying in Manitoba now. I'm paying about $1,000 a year in Alberta right now. I drive a 2001 Ford Taurus with complete coverage.

Cheers,

SH

[Footballhead]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I'm in the same boat as DDS - I don't pay much, but I have a spotless record. Which is the way it should work. If people drive like idiots and cause accidents or get lots of tickets, they should pay a lot more.

[Numberz]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I'm in the same boat as DDS - I don't pay much, but I have a spotless record. Which is the way it should work. If people drive like idiots and cause accidents or get lots of tickets, they should pay a lot more.

I'm not sure how the system works, but you should be able to get credibility back. Because if there isn't, then there isn't much incentive for someone to improve their driving...and also someone shouldn't be penalized for being a bad driver when they were younger.

[Muley69]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

Alberta and B.C. / Sask really don't have wide disparities in insurance prices. Only bad drivers will have higher rates which is the way it should be.


If you go to no-fault insurance, you HAVE to accept that if you get in an accident you can't really sue for damages.

When you have at-fault insurance (tort system), you have to accept that your driving record will determine the rates you pay, but your liability coverage and awards for damages is better.

[budha]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I used to drive a 2003 Buick Century and my rates were less then $850 a year. Now I had a clean driving record so I got full bonuses (Kid cracked it up on the weekend so that is why I used the past tense). I know when I lived in ALberta and moved to Saskatchewan my rates actually went up (Had a 1999 Cavalier). My brother on the other hand moved to Alberta and it cost 2 or $3000 for 6 months on his truck (under 25 at the time and not a great driving record), the first thing he did when he came back to Saskatchewan was put Sask plates back on his truck.

I know that in Saskatchewan your license goes up with every point that you get. I have known people that had to play into the hundreds per year to get their license renewed ($25 with a clean driving record).

[glenvb]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I don't know about rates...but ICBC is the heart and soul of bureaucratic ineptitude and officiousness. If there's a company on the face of this planet with less ability to do what they're tasked with doing, I haven't come across it. I've had nightmares dealing with them, and I have a spotless driving record.

I'm usually on the left side of the political spectrum...but please, somebody expose ICBC to some competition so they're forced to get their act together!

(not that I'm bitter)

PS: My ICBC rate for a 1997 Subaru Legacy wagon is $1200 per year. But we do live on the most dangerous highway in Canada, which might jack up the rates.

[budha]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I don't know about rates...but ICBC is the heart and soul of bureaucratic ineptitude and officiousness. If there's a company on the face of this planet with less ability to do what they're tasked with doing, I haven't come across it. I've had nightmares dealing with them, and I have a spotless driving record.

I'm usually on the left side of the political spectrum...but please, somebody expose ICBC to some competition so they're forced to get their act together!

(not that I'm bitter)

PS: My ICBC rate for a 1997 Subaru Legacy wagon is $1200 per year. But we do live on the most dangerous highway in Canada, which might jack up the rates.

I have heard horror stories about ICBC from my in laws (live in Golden). If I had my choice between Alberta's system and ICBC, I would take Alberta's any day.

[esks4life]

Re: Public Auto Insurance - Does it work?

I was under the impression that Sask had the lowest rates in the country. I only pay $950 a year for a "99 vehicle. My parents have a 2004 SUV and it's $1320 for the year.