How your driving record impacts your insurance premiums
Anyone with a history of traffic tickets and driving convictions in the past three years and/or previous auto insurance claims in the past six years will likely be charged a higher-than-typical auto insurance rate.
Your driving record will also list any driver education you’ve had and how long you’ve had your licence. Insurers consider this information when deciding on your quote. (The more driver training you’ve had, the better!)
Why your vehicle use matters
If you’re in Calgary and are a daily driver or someone who puts a lot of mileage on your car on a regular basis, you may be charged a high car insurance rate. The more often you drive, the greater your chances of getting into an accident, not to mention the wear and tear on your car.
No driveway? If you park on the street most days, your vehicle is also at a higher risk of getting hit. But if you keep your vehicle in a garage when it’s not in use, there’s less likelihood of it getting damaged—and you might get a discount on your insurance.
How your relationship status can affect your insurance
Are you married or in a common-law relationship? If so, you’ll likely get a lower car insurance rate than singles would. That’s because insurers expect you may have kids, and you will therefore drive more safely. They also believe you’ll likely stay home more, which means less chance you’ll get into an accident.
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How much is car insurance in Calgary?
On average, Alberta drivers pay $1,703, based on data from the first half of 2024. And if home-sweet-home is in an urban area like Calgary, your auto insurance rates will likely be higher than that. That’s because densely populated places are riskier in terms of accidents and auto theft.
Want to get a sense of what rates are like in your Calgary neighbourhood? You can look up the five-year weighted average premium and the cost of claims per policy for your postal code on the AIRB site.
But, to give you some idea of cost: According to Ratehub.ca, these are the annual auto insurance premiums for a single 38-year-old driving a Ford F150 XL Reg Cab four-wheel-drive pickup truck, with a clean driving record and all of the mandatory coverage plus two recommended optional coverages, as of mid-February 2025. To estimate the cost of insuring different vehicles in Calgary, read MoneySense’s guide to comparing auto insurance quotes.
| Gender | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $3,246 | $4,515 |
| Female | $3,147 | $4,515 |
| Gender X | $3,246 | $4,515 |
How to lower your car insurance in Calgary
The Alberta government recently announced it’s moving to a type of no-fault insurance system, which means that in most cases, legal claims and personal injury lawsuits against at-fault drivers won’t be allowed. Instead, the injured person’s insurance company will cover the costs.
The government says this means premiums will go down because insurers will bear fewer costs. How much it will go down is uncertain, though!
The new system is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027. In the meantime, you can take your own steps to lower your auto insurance premiums. Here are some ideas for you, from the AIRB.
1. Keep a clean driving record
Drivers who’ve taken driver training and those with no at-fault accidents and/or driving convictions—like speeding tickets or distracted driving—are less risky in the eyes of insurers.
For instance, according to the AIRB, a driver with no prior convictions who gets a minor conviction (such as speeding or failing to signal) could see a rate increase of 15%. A driver with no prior convictions who gets a major conviction (such as speeding in a school zone) could see their auto insurance rates jump by an average of 31%. And if a driver gets a Criminal Code conviction (such as impaired driving), their rate could go up by 111%.
2. Bundle your policies for insurance savings
Albertan insurers want you to sign up for as many of their products as they can. To entice you to do that, they offer discounts (usually 5% to 10%) if you bundle different types of insurance—like home and auto.
3. Outsmart auto thieves
Sadly, car theft is rising in Canada, notes the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), so consider installing an anti-theft device like a brake lock, an alarm or a steering column collar. You might get a discount on your insurance premiums.
Similarly, insurers in Alberta will charge people more if the car they drive is in demand with thieves. (See above for Équité Association’s list of the most-stolen vehicles in Alberta.)
4. Get winter tires
Reduce your risk of a weather-related accident by installing winter tires. Your insurer may offer you a discount if you do. (For buying tips, read MoneySense’s guide to buying winter tires.)
5. Drive less
The more often you drive, the higher your risk of being in a car accident. Insurers may offer you lower rates if you don’t drive for your daily commute, for example. While alternatives like public transit, walking and cycling may not work for everyone, you could save money if they do for you.
6. Simplify your coverage
Not all vehicles need the same type of coverage. If your car is older, you might consider forgoing collision coverage, for instance. The less coverage you have, the lower your premiums will be.
7. Shop around for quotes
Car insurance is a major purchase, so it pays to comparison shop so you get the best deal.
Calgarians can get a good deal on car insurance
Yes, auto insurance can be pricey in Alberta, especially in Calgary. It’s worth taking the time to do all you can to lower your insurance rates. Doing so could save you thousands of dollars over the years you own your truck or car.
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Read more about auto insurance:
- Your complete guide to car insurance in Canada
- Compare car insurance quotes from top providers in Canada
- How to compare auto insurance quotes for Toronto
- Compare high-risk auto insurance quotes for Ontario
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