Posts tagged: Roadside Assistance

Car Insurance is Not an Option For Drivers in Canada

No matter where you are driving in Canada, the law requires that every driver has car insurance. Automobile insurance is mandatory in all provinces and territories. Your vehicle must be covered under an insurance policy with a minimum set coverage, If you are caught driving without insurance you can be fined, have your driver’s license suspended, and even have your vehicle towed and impounded. Fines can range from $5000 to $50,000.
If you are in an accident while driving without insurance, you could face a number of consequences that include:
? If another person is injured or there is a loss of life and you are at fault, you could be liable for all vehicle damages, medical costs, and other losses
? You will not be entitled to receive compensation for your own injuries and damage to your vehicle, as well as other losses such as income.
? You may be prohibited from filing a claim against another driver if they are at fault.
If convicted of driving without insurance, your insurance company could label you as a “high risk” driver and increase your premiums. They could also cancel your policy.
There are a number of factors that determine the amount you will pay for insurance. They include:
New Driver: New drivers do not have a driving history so companies normally rate them as “high risk.” Insurance premiums will likely be expensive until you have established a good driving record.
Driving Record: Your driving record will affect your insurance premium. Insurance companies look at how long you have been driving and the number of convictions you have acquired. Convictions can include speeding tickets, car accidents, and traffic violations such as running a red light. If you have a clean driving record, your premiums should be low.
Type of Car: The type of car you drive will affect your premium. Vehicles are rated according to the make (truck, SUV, expensive sports car). Companies look at the risk of theft, vehicle collision history, and injuries associated with the type of car. The age of the car and mileage is also a factor when determining rates
Common insurance discounts include: age discount, multi-vehicle discount, multi-line discount (insuring your home and auto with the same insurer) anti-theft device discount, low mileage discount, and auto club membership discount.
There are a number of features that can be included in an insurance policy. The two most important forms of coverage are:
Collision Coverage: This coverage compensates for damage to your vehicle as a result of a collision with another vehicle or object.
Third-Party Liability: This insurance covers you if you are held legally liable when your vehicle injures someone or damages their property. Liability is mandatory in all provinces and territories in Canada.
In some provinces there are limitations on how much compensation you can receive. For instance, in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, the maximum amount one can claim for pain and suffering is $2,500. This capped amount is separate from what you receive in insurance benefits. Pain and suffering claims are separate from claims of property damage, medical expenses, or loss of employment income.
There are a number of places where you can purchase car insurance. You can buy it from an insurance broker, insurance agent, or direct writer. Insurance brokers sell policies for a variety of insurance companies. Insurance agents represent only one insurance company. Direct writers are insurance companies that sell their own insurance directly to the customer. The insurance company is responsible for providing the coverage that is noted on a driver’s Certificate of Automobile Insurance. You are only covered for what is listed on the certificate. Prices vary among companies so make sure you shop around.
Because car insurance is mandatory in Canada, you should always have insurance before you drive. The costs getting caught without it are much greater than the actual cost of acquiring insurance.

Tags: , , ,

categories Cananda | July 13, 2009 | comments Comments (0)

Road Safety: What You Need to Know

Road safety is everyone`s concern, though many people aren`t even sure of what it means. This simple phrase covers a lot of areas, all of which involve staying safe and being responsible on the road. It applies to everyone who drives, cycles or even walks and the idea is to keep everyone out of harm`s way.
When it comes to road safety, cars and trucks are by far the most dangerous thing on the road. The sheer weight and speed make them potential weapons when used irresponsibly and this has brought about quite a few laws to help protect both those in the cars and those outside.
Drinking
Drunk driving causes over 13,000 deaths every year, but most people still think nothing of having a couple of beers before hitting the road. Unfortunately, even if you don`t feel drunk, your reflexes are impaired and even a few seconds difference can cause death when dealing with a motor vehicle.
While there are laws against drinking and driving, it still lies in the hands of the people to stop this problem. If you`re going to go out partying, assign a designated driver or call a taxi to get home safely. And don`t let others who have been drinking get into the driver`s seat.
Novice Drivers
New drivers are a high risk category. While everyone makes mistakes sometimes, some of those errors can be deadly. With this in mind, new laws have been passed in many states to help new drivers learn to drive safely. Extended learning periods, minimum required driving times and requiring new drivers to be accompanied by an older driver are all methods of keeping the roads secure while young people learn the ropes.
Alertness
After you`ve been driving for a while, it`s easy to get complacent, especially if you are very familiar with the route you`re taking. Did you know that the majority of accidents take place within a few minutes from home? People are familiar with their neighborhood, so they tend not to pay as much attention as they ought to, with tragic results.
Road safety means paying attention and being alert. Stop completely at stop signs, pay attention to the lights and keep an eye out for the unexpected. It`s also important to wear a seat belt and to strap children into their car seats, even if you`re just popping down the street for a moment. It only takes a second for everything to change and you want to be prepared.
Motorbikes and Bicycles
Of course, road safety isn`t only in the hands of those who drive heavier vehicles. Motorbikes are particularly dangerous to the rider because of the lack of protection. While a motorbike may not do nearly as much damage to a car as another vehicle might, these types of accidents have the highest rate of mortality. The safety factors can be boosted by using appropriate protective gear, driving responsibly and keeping the bike in good shape.
Bicycles can also affect road safety. We`ve all seen cyclists who fail to check behind them and swerve into traffic, or who dodge between vehicles in a hurry. This not only poses a threat to the cyclist, it can also cause a car accident as someone swerves to get out of the way. Drunk cycling might sound funny, but it`s also a huge cause of deaths in the US.
Road safety is something we all need to consider when out and about. Be responsible when you are out and about, whether on foot or driving and take care. Being safe is everyone`s responsibility.

Tags: , , , ,

categories Travel Saftey | June 6, 2009 | comments Comments (0)