Coverages Offered in Alberta
We have explained vehicle insurance and licensing using clean and simple language. Where words or expressions used here differ from the wording of the Canadian Direct Insurance policy, the Canadian Direct Insurance policy wording will prevail.
What coverage do I get under my Canadian Direct Insurance auto insurance policy?
The wording of automobile policies is complicated and is subject to approval by provincial government officials. It is important that you read the policy carefully because it sets out precisely what insurance coverages you have, who is covered by the insurance, and how you make claims.
We have answered some common questions below. These are only general overviews. To understand the details, please read the policy thoroughly.
What is Third Party Legal Liability (Section A)?
This section provides coverage up to the dollar amount you have chosen. This is the amount of protection you have if someone sues you because your vehicle injures or kills someone else or damages their property. In Alberta you are required to buy a minimum of $200,000 of coverage, but up to $5,000,000 is available.
Canadian Direct Insurance will investigate this type of loss and hire a lawyer to defend any claims against you. If you are sued successfully for more than the amount you have chosen, you can be held personally responsible for the balance.
What is a "Collision" Loss?
Collision coverage insures you for loss or damage caused to your automobile when it hits another vehicle or another object, such as a lamppost, wall or surface of the road.
What is a "Comprehensive" Loss?
Comprehensive coverage insures you against losses other than collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism and impact with animals.
What are Accident Benefits (Section B)?
Accident benefits are paid to you, your passengers, or pedestrians who suffer injury or are killed in an auto accident, no matter who is at fault. These benefits include limited income replacement for the time you are unable to work, supplementary medical services (beyond what your medical insurance plan covers), death benefits for families who lose a family member in a car crash and funeral expenses up to a set limit.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage provides compensation to you for up to $200,000 if you are injured or killed through the fault of a motorist who “hits and runs” or who has no insurance.
What is Loss or Damage to Insured Automobile (Section C)?
We offer two coverages in this section and they are optional - you don't have to buy them - but without them your car is not protected from collisions, vandalism, theft, etc. Most people buy Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
Collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle if it collides with another vehicle, object or person. The coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle whether you are at fault or not. If you're not at fault, we attempt to recover any payout from the other motorist's insurance. Collision insurance also covers rollovers.
Comprehensive insurance covers loss or damage to your vehicle by any cause except what is covered under Collision. Windshields are paid for under this coverage. Other typical losses are due to theft, vandalism, impact with animals, and fire.
Each of the coverages under Section C has a deductible. This is the amount you pay before your insurance “kicks in”. The greater the deductible, the less your premium will be. No deductibles apply in the case of fire, or the theft of the entire vehicle.