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Laws in Alberta require drivers to buy a mandatory amount of insurance, as stated by the Alberta Insurance Act. The industry is regulated by the Superintendent of Insurance of the Alberta Treasury Board and Finance and the Automobile Insurance Rate Board.
But there are some ways in which car insurance in Edmonton is not quite the same as in other parts of the country. For one, The province's car insurance system has elements of no-fault and tort-based systems. The province also uses a grid rating system (also referred to as "the Grid") to determine the maximum amount an insurance company can charge you. It considers things such as when you received your driver's license, the number of driving convictions you've had, the number of at-fault claims you've made in the last six years, and the length of license suspension in the past 15 years.
As a driver, your rates will go up or down depending on these factors (and others). But they can never exceed the maximum premium outlined on the Grid for a driver with your record.
Insurers must compare the base premium determined by the Grid to the policyholder's quoted premium and charge the lesser of the two. Only a few Albertans end up paying the Grid rate.
You can see where you fall on the spectrum by using the Grid rate calculator from AIRB.
Coverage | Designation | Description |
---|---|---|
Third-party liability | Mandatory | Coverage for when you're found responsible for an accident that causes injury or damage to someone else. |
Accident benefits | Mandatory | Covers the cost of medical care for you and your passengers. Coverage extends to rehabilitation, funeral expenses, death benefits, and income replacement. |
Direct compensation for property damage (DCPD) | Mandatory | Covers the cost of replacing your vehicle and pays for replacement transportation costs. You receive the benefit if you were not at fault for causing the accident. Partially at-fault drivers may still qualify for DCPD. Their benefit will be proportionate to the percentage of fault allocated to them. There’s no deductible for this coverage, however you can ask one in exchange for a slightly lower premium. |
Collision | Optional | Will pay to repair or replace your car if it's involved in a collision with an object other than a car. Carries a deductible. |
Comprehensive | Optional | Will cover damage to your car caused by something other than a collision. Insurable perils include falling objects, vandalism, theft, and fire. Carries a deductible. |
Specified perils | Optional | Covers the same types of perils as comprehensive insurance. You must specify which ones you want coverage against. Carries a deductible. |
Comprehensive Cover Limited Glass (SEF 13D) | Endorsement | Reduces the amount of coverage for glass damage in your policy. In return, you get a lower premium. |
Loss of Use (SEF 20) | Endorsement | Compensation for transportation costs (taxis and public transportation), up to a pre-determined limit. You'll only get this benefit if your vehicle is damaged due to a loss covered by your policy. |
Legal Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobiles (SEF 27) | Endorsement | Extends physical damage coverage (and deductible) to rental cars. |
Accident Rating Waiver (SEF 39) | Endorsement | Prevents your premium from increasing after an at-fault accident. |
Limited Waiver of Depreciation (SEF 43R) | Endorsement | This waives depreciation on the repair or replacement of a new vehicle. Only applicable if an insurable peril damages it. |
Family Protection (SEF 44) | Endorsement | Protects you if you’re involved in a collision with an underinsured or uninsured driver. The Family Protection endorsement will bridge the gap if the costs exceed the other driver’s insurance benefit. |
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Upon looking at RATESDOTCA Insuramap* – a tool that shows premium data across the province – we discovered that Edmonton’s average annual car insurance premium is $2,124, roughly 7% higher than Alberta’s annual average of $1,991. As a rule, auto insurance rates are higher in major city centres like Edmonton than their rural or suburban counterparts. Why? Because insurance companies assume that large cities have a higher risk of collisions, theft, insurance fraud, and other situations that could trigger a claim.
Curious about how your car insurance bill compares to that of your neighbours? We pulled the data for you in the table below. Insurers group their rates by forward sortation area – which is the first three characters of your postal code. Our table does the same, with the rates arranged from cheapest to most expensive.
If you want to see how your premium compares to what's currently offered on the market, consider comparing quotes via RATESDOTCA’s online comparison tool. It's free, and it only takes a few minutes (we promise). Alternatively, you can consult an insurance broker or an agent.
Forward sortation area | Neighbourhood | Average annual premium |
---|---|---|
T6T | Larkspur, Laurel, Silver Berry, Southeast Edmonton | $1,940 |
T6J | Blue Quill, Calgary Trail South, Duggan, Ermineskin, Greenfield, Keheewin, Rideau Park, Skyrattler, Southwest Edmonton | $1,940 |
T6X | Ellerslie, Ellerslie Industrial, Southeast Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6W | Ambleside, Blackmud Creek, Heritage Valley Area, Rutherford, Southwest Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6R | Bulyea Heights, Carter Crest, Falconer Heights, Haddow, Hodgson, Leger, MacTaggart, Magrath Heights, Rhatigan Ridge, Southwest Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6N | Edmonton Research and Development Park, Parsons Industrial, South Edmonton Common, Southeast Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6M | Donsdale, Gariepy, Jamieson Place, Oleskiw, Rural West, The Hamptons, Wedgewood Heights, West Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6L | Bisset, Crawford Plains, Daly Grove, Greenview, Jackson Heights, Kiniski Gardens, Meyokumin, Mill Woods Town Centre, Minchau, Pollard Meadows, Sakaw, Southeast Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6K | Ekota, Kameyosek, Lee Ridge, Menisa, Meyonohk, Michaels Park, Mill Woods Town Centre, Richfield, Satoo, Southeast Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6H | Allendale, Brander Gardens, Calgary Trail North, Empire Park, Lendrum Place, Pleasantview, Southwest Edmonton, Strathcona Junction | $2,100 |
T6G | Garneau, McKernan, South Central Edmonton, University of Alberta | $2,100 |
T6E | Coronet Industrial, Davies Industrial West, McIntyre Industrial, Papaschase Industrial, Queen Alexandra, Rosedale Industrial, South Central Edmonton, Southeast Edmonton, Strathcona Junction | $2,100 |
T5T | Belmead, Callingwood South, Glastonbury, Summerlea, Terra Losa, West Edmonton | $2,100 |
T5S | Armstrong Industrial, Edmiston Industrial, McNamara Industrial, Morin Industrial, Northwest Edmonton, Place LaRue, Stone Industrial, West Edmonton | $2,100 |
T5R | Elmwood, Jasper Park, Jasper Place, Laurier Heights, Meadowlark Park, Parkview, West Edmonton | $2,100 |
T5P | Britannia Youngstown, Canora, Glenwood, Jasper Place, West Edmonton | $2,100 |
T5N | Crestwood, Glenora, Grovenor, North Central Edmonton, West Edmonton | $2,100 |
T5M | Alberta Park Industrial, Garside Industrial, High Park Industrial, Huff Bremner Estate Industrial, Inglewood, Jasper Place, Northwest Edmonton, West Edmonton | $2,100 |
T6A | Capilano, Eastgate Business Park, Forest Heights, Fulton Place, Gold Bar, Northeast Edmonton | $2,115 |
T6S | Clover Bar Area, Northeast Edmonton | $2,126 |
T6P | Maple Ridge, Maple Ridge Industrial, Southeast Edmonton | $2,126 |
T6C | Avonmore, Bonnie Doon, Cloverdale, Coronet Addition Industrial, Holyrood, Idylwylde, King Edward Park, South Central Edmonton, Southeast Edmonton | $2,137 |
T6B | Davies Industrial East, Eastgate Business Park, Girard Industrial, Kenilworth, Lambton Industrial, Morris Industrial, Northeast Edmonton, Pylypow Industrial, Roper Industrial, Southeast Edmonton | $2,137 |
T5V | Carleton Square Industrial, Gagnon Estate Industrial, Garside Industrial, Hawin Park Estate Industrial, Kinokamau Plains Area, Mistatim Industrial, Mitchell Industrial, Northwest Edmonton | $2,137 |
T6V | Baranow, Cumberland, Hudson, Mistatim Industrial, Northwest Edmonton | $2,148 |
T5Z | Belle Rive, Eaux Claires, Klarvatten, Lago Lindo, Mayliewan, Northeast Edmonton | $2,148 |
T5Y | Bannerman, Brintnell, Clareview Campus, Cy Becker, Fraser, Gorman Industrial West, Hairsine, Matt Berry, McConachie Area, Miller, Northeast Edmonton | $2,148 |
T5X | Baranow, Baturyn, Beaumaris, Carlisle, Dunluce, Eaux Claires, Lorelei, Northwest Edmonton | $2,148 |
T5K | Downtown, North Central Edmonton, Oliver | $2,148 |
T5J | Downtown, Downtown Edmonton, North Central Edmonton | $2,148 |
T5W | Abbottsfield, Beacon Heights, Beverly, Highlands, Industrial Heights, Montrose, Newton, Northeast Edmonton | $2,195 |
T5L | Baranow, Bonaventure Industrial, Calder, Dominion Industrial, Dovercourt, Hagmann Estate Industrial, Huff Bremner Estate Industrial, McArthur Industrial, Northwest Edmonton | $2,195 |
T5H | Boyle Street, Central McDougall, McCauley, North Central Edmonton | $2,195 |
T5G | Alberta Avenue, Edmonton Municipal Airport, North Central Edmonton | $2,195 |
T5E | Calder, Evansdale, Glengarry, Griesbach, Killarney, Lauderdale, Northeast Edmonton, Northwest Edmonton | $2,195 |
T5C | Balwin, Belvedere, Delwood, Kildare, Kilkenny, Northeast Edmonton | $2,195 |
T5B | Alberta Avenue, Bellevue, Cromdale, Eastwood, Industrial Heights, Montrose, North Central Edmonton, Northeast Edmonton | $2,195 |
T5A | Belmont, Belvedere, Casselman, Homesteader, Kennedale Industrial, Kernohan, Northeast Edmonton | $2,195 |
Premium source: RATESDOTCA Insuramap*
Even though car insurance premiums in Edmonton are on the hefty side, there are pockets where drivers pay less than the provincial average.
Take the neighbourhoods of Duggan (T6J) and Wild Rose (T6T), located in Edmonton’s south end. Drivers in both locations pay approximately $1,940 annually, or 8.7% less than the average Edmonton driver and 2.6% less than the average Albertan. It's a savings of $51.
The data are clear: drivers in major Alberta cities pay the most for car insurance, and Edmonton is no exception. That said, it does not have the highest premiums in the province, as that honour belongs to Calgary, which has an annual premium of $2,230.
With that in mind, here’s how Edmonton’s premiums compare to other cities in the province (arranged by population size):
City | Geographic designation/population size | Premium |
---|---|---|
Calgary | Large urban / 1,481,466 | $2,230 |
Edmonton | Large urban / 1,128,811 | $2,124 |
Airdrie | Medium / 83,925 | $2,000 |
Lloydminster | Medium / 20,845 | $1,849 |
Okotoks | Medium / 32,563 | $1,849 |
Grande Prairie | Medium / 67,265 | $1,806 |
Lethbridge | Medium / 107,225 | $1,780 |
Stony Plain | Small / 19,106 | $1,724 |
Morinville | Small / 10,775 | $1,724 |
Medicine Hat | Medium /66,381 | $1,722 |
Red Deer | Medium / 109,234 | $1,712 |
Sylvan Lake | Small / 17,146 | $1,712 |
As you can see from the table, Edmonton is the second most expensive city to get car insurance in the province (after Calgary). It costs Edmonton drivers $412 more per year than the cheapest car insurance cities like Sylvan Lake, Red Deer and Medicine Hat.
Premium source: RATESDOTCA Insuramap*
Population size source: Government of Alberta
You can take many different routes to buy car insurance. You can choose to buy directly from an insurance company, compare rates with a broker, or use a comparison service.
A good rule of thumb is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before you settle on one. This is the strategy endorsed by Alberta’s auto insurance regulator, the Automobile Insurance Rates Board (AIRB), and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. The fastest and cheapest route to shop the market is to use an insurance comparison quotes service like RATESDOTCA.
Here’s a list of major car insurance providers, including brokers, companies, and comparison services, with a presence in Edmonton and beyond.
Company | Company type | Phone | Address |
---|---|---|---|
Alberta Motor Association Insurance Company | Insurance company | 1-780-474-8777 | 10310 G. A. MacDonald Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6J 6R7 |
Aviva Insurance | Insurance company | 1-780-428-1822 | 10130 103 St NW #1900, Edmonton, AB T5J 3N9 |
Chubb Insurance Company of Canada | Insurance company | 1-403-261-3881 | 330 5 Ave SW #2400, Calgary, AB T2P 0L4 |
Economical Insurance | Insurance company | 1-800-661-3274 | 10158 103 St NW #300, Edmonton, AB T5J 0X6 |
Insurance Hotline | Quotes comparison | 1-855-821-7312 | 225 King St W, Suite 1000, Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2 |
Intact Insurance | Insurance company | 1-780-428-7544 | 10830 Jasper Ave #700, Edmonton, AB T5J 2B3 |
LowestRates.ca | Quotes comparison | 1-855-487-6911 | 1910 Yonge St. Suite 401, Toronto, ON M4S 3B2 |
Millennium Insurance Corporation | Insurance company | 1-780-467-1500 | 2457 Broadmoor Blvd #200, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0Y6 |
Peace Hills General Insurance | Insurance company | 1-780-424-3986 | 10709 Jasper Ave #300, Edmonton, AB T5J 3N3 |
Portage La Prairie Mutual Insurance Co | Insurance company | 1-780-423-3102 | 12220 Stony Plain Rd, Edmonton, AB T5N 3Y4 |
RATESDOTCA | Quotes comparison | 1-844-726-0907 | 225 King St W, Suite 1000, Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2 |
RBC Insurance | Insurance company | 1-780-944-5832 | 3904 17 St NW unit h-006, Edmonton, AB T6T 0C2 |
Scoop Insurance | Insurance broker | 1-866-456-6620 | 300 Lincoln St. Unit 22, Welland, ON L3B 4N4 |
TD Insurance Home & Auto | Insurance company | 1-780-409-0281 | 10025 102A Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2Z2 |
Travelers Canada | Insurance company | 1-800-363-1072 | Scotia 1, 10060 Jasper Ave Suite 2500, Tower 1, Edmonton, AB T5J 3R8 |
Wawanesa Insurance | Insurance company | 1-780-469-5700 | 5008 86 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5S2 |
While there is no substitute for experience and a clean driving record, follow these tips to get the cheapest car insurance in Edmonton:
Edmonton is one of the coldest major cities in the world, with snowfall expected as late as May and early as October. If you own a car in Edmonton, you need winter tires. If your safety is not incentive enough, consider that insurance companies will offer discounts of up to 5% for drivers who have them.
The Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is the city's public transit agency, operating the Edmonton Light Rail Transit (LRT) line as well as a large fleet of buses. For a city whose history and economy is so intertwined with oil and gas, the public transit system is surprisingly extensive, stretching all the way from Edmonton to the neighbouring cities of Beaumont, Spruce Grove and Fort Saskatchewan. The entire fleet is wheelchair accessible too.
Insurance companies take your annual mileage and daily commute into account when calculating your premium, so leave the car at home and save on insurance!
Shockingly, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) estimates that as many as 60% of Edmonton’s stolen cars are left with keys inside prior to being stolen. In an effort to combat these numbers, Edmonton Police Service, the RCMP and the IBC have launched the “Lock Out Auto Theft” campaign to help drivers protect themselves and their vehicles from crime.
Make your car less attractive to thieves by securely locking it, and installing an approved car alarm or GPS tracker.
One sure-fire way to reduce your car insurance premium is to bundle it together with home or tenant insurance. By using the same insurer for multiple products, you will receive what’s known as a multi-line discount, sometimes saving you as much as 15% off each individual policy. This is also true if you have more than one vehicle. Insuring them all with the same company will incentivize the insurer to offer a better deal.
If you are a young driver under the age of 25, or only recently got your license, you will face the highest insurance rates. You are paying for a lack of experience. Once you have had your licence for six years, assuming you have a clean record, you can look forward to more affordable premiums.
In the meantime, driver education courses are available. Insurance companies offer reduced rates for successful completion of these, because not only are you learning valuable skills, but it demonstrates a willingness to be safe and considerate behind the wheel. Find available programs by consulting this list of licensed training schools in Edmonton.
Usage based insurance (UBI), sometimes called telematics or pay-as-you-drive insurance, makes use of a device installed in your car to monitor your driving habits.
Most companies offer a discount simply for signing up to such a program, and if you demonstrate good, defensive driving, you will be rewarded with even greater discounts. Some of the metrics used to determine your rate are average speed, acceleration, braking and time spent driving.
If the UBI device determines you are not driving safely, you will not receive the discount, but your rates cannot be increased because of it. In an expensive city like Edmonton, this is a great solution for good drivers who are sick of paying high premiums caused by the bad habits of others.
Every year, when your auto insurance is up for renewal, spend a few minutes reviewing your existing coverage. If circumstances have changed you may be able to remove some protections that you no longer need. If you are confident that you are a safe driver and can afford to pay a higher deductible in the event of a claim, commit to a higher deductible and you will receive lower quotes.
If you are alumni of the University of Alberta, a City of Edmonton employee, or a member of a local trade union like Local 488 or CUPE Alberta, additional discounts may be available. Look on your organisation’s website for information about which insurance companies are affiliated.
Additionally, ask if you can pay your entire annual premium in one lump sum in exchange for a better deal. Many insurers welcome this as it cuts down on their administrative costs.
Comparing quotes from top insurance providers is the best way to save on Edmonton car insurance. All you have to do is spend a few minutes on our site and we’ll show you multiple rates side by side. Finding the best coverage for the lowest price has never been this easy.
First things first, compare rates. The easiest and quickest way to comparison shop for cheap car insurance in Edmonton is through RATESDOTCA. Alternatively, drivers should talk to their providers about discounts. Discounts are available that reward drivers for their experience on the road, for bundling policies, and installing anti-theft devices, among other things.
Edmonton has a lot to offer its citizens and visitors. It is the capital of Alberta and has a population of about 1 million. As a result, a dense population results in more cars, leading to more collisions, theft, and insurance claims.
As a large metropolitan city serving a dense population, Edmonton residents can take advantage of ridesharing programs. Companies that provide ridesharing programs in Edmonton include:
Many of these companies offer insurance coverage to their drivers. For example, as of 2020, Uber provides commercial insurance by Economical Insurance in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. Drivers receive:
$2 million of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, $2 million of third-party liability coverage, loss or damage to a vehicle and coverage between trips. The insurance provides $1 million of third-party liability coverage if your insurer denies coverage.
Just remember to always inform your insurance provider of your plans to become a driver for a ridesharing app, even if the app offers coverage. Not doing so could void your personal auto insurance policy (and having one is a prerequisite for rideshare drivers).
Each province is different when it comes to temporary car insurance. Alberta does not have temporary options. The province allows drivers to use an existing plate and registration for up to 14 days. There are no six-month policies available in Alberta.