Name: Lakeview Insurance
Address: Calgary, AB
Telephone: 403-287-2521

The housing market in the city has seen condo sales rising lately. The next step for these new condo homeowners is to find insurance companies in Calgary to secure their homes from potential losses or damages.

However, condo insurance is vastly different from a house’s insurance coverage and its price. If you’re a recent condo homeowner, read on to find out what you can expect to pay for condo insurance and what its coverage entails.

Finding Condo Coverage from Insurance Companies in Calgary

Why Have Condo Insurance?

You might be asking yourself: “Why do I need coverage when I pay condo fees? Doesn’t condo fees act as a form of insurance coverage?” The short answer to that question is yes and no.

Your condo fees provide some insurance coverage, but it’s technically meant to help cover any losses, damages, or liability claims to public spaces in the condo building. For example, the condo’s insurance would cover any instances that occur within common areas like the elevator or on-site gym. In essence, their coverage is mainly focused on the collective – where it goes toward the building as a whole.

Depending on the condo, they can cover certain parts of your unit that are core to the building (e.g. windows & light fixtures). However, they don’t cover liability cases, damages, or losses within your condo unit. For instance, if someone broke into your unit and stole any valuables from you. According to how a condo works, that’s considered your responsibility to handle.

In these scenarios, finding the right insurance companies in Calgary for personal condo insurance comes in handy.

What Types of Condo Insurance Exist?

Like any insurance, not all coverage is the same. Depending on your preferences for coverage, you want to see what insurance brokers in Calgary offer for insurance policies.

For the most part, you can expect personal condo insurance to commonly cover the following:

Personal liability
Personal property
Unit improvements
Additional protection for contingency scenarios
Loss assessment
Loss of unit
Other living expenses

If you’re looking for more from your condo insurance policy, there are other options available such as:

Directors & officers’ liability
Overland water
Sewer backup
Identity theft

What’s the Cost of Condo Insurance?

As you recall, insurance plans all have varying degrees of coverage. In turn, it can affect how much you need to pay for your condo insurance. Naturally, the more coverage you want, the more it will cost you. Meanwhile, the less coverage, the less you will have to pay each month.

Plus, that’s not accounting for other factors such as:

Property type
Credit score
Replacement cost
Location
Internal construction
Renovations
Claims history
Pets
Special use

However, if you need substantial numbers, the average cost of condo insurance in Calgary is between $30 to $50 per month (around $400 to $600 per year). These monthly payments aren’t too bad – and there are ways you can further lower your condo insurance. Either way, it’s a reasonable price for personal peace of mind as a condo unit owner.

Lakeview Insurance Brokers Ltd. has been a highly dedicated member of the Independent Brokers Association of Albert and has been family-run since 1979. Our brokers take the time to ensure you get the best policy that suits your needs. Contact us today to get started at 403-287-2521 or send an email to [email protected]

The rising insurance rates are a financial concern for many with home insurance in Calgary. Inflation has been felt across the country, with rates for home insurance in Canada has risen by 4.9%. Yet, other factors are at play that affect home insurance rates. If you’re a new or potential homeowner, learning what influences home insurance rates can help you financially for home ownership in the long run. See how here.

Factors Influencing Rates for Home Insurance in Calgary

As mentioned before, inflation has certainly affected the rates for home insurance in Calgary and across Canada. However, good insurance companies in Calgary can tell you there is more to consider that you can have some control over. Take the following factors into account to help avoid raising your home insurance rate further.

Your Home Address

The location of your home is a big factor in how high your home insurance rate will be. Some neighbourhoods in the city will have higher rates due to the risks of flooding or hailstorms, resulting in needing to file more claims because of damages. Beyond that, you need to consider your neighbourhood’s crime rate as well. There is a risk of higher theft, resulting in needing compensation for the losses from insurance companies in Calgary.

Your Home’s Makeup

Another factor that influences the rates of home insurance in Calgary is the build of your house. Is it old? If so, insurance companies in Calgary consider older homes to have more issues because they can be easier to damage. In this case, you need to repair and find better materials for your home that are more durable. Furthermore, you want to ensure your home systems (e.g. plumbing, electrical, heating, etc.) are in working order – lest they lead to home damage. Keeping these in mind, you can avoid potential damages if they occur.

Your Credit Score

Credit scores are important to keep in check – especially for home insurance in Calgary. You want to ensure you’re paying your monthly home insurance payments consistently. If you don’t, insurance companies in Calgary can tell you that it negatively affects your credit and insurance rate. So, do your best to avoid missing payments or if you do, reach out to your insurer to devise a negotiable option.

Your Claim History

All insurance companies in Calgary can attest that too many claims contribute to a higher rate. You want to keep claims low and have an inexpensive rate by only filing when necessary (e.g. severe damage or loss). Plus, you can find some home insurance in Calgary that can offer discounts for not filing claims in a long time.

Your Loyalty as a Client

Sometimes it pays to be a good client. When you have had home insurance in Calgary for a long time, insurers consider it a good sign. As a result, you can expect a lower rate. However, if insurance companies in Calgary see you’re switching insurers constantly as a red flag. It raises suspicion that you’re not trustworthy with payments or have stirred up issues previously, which results in a higher rate.

Inflation currently defines our economic climate in Alberta. Prices aren’t what they once were years ago. Consequently, you can expect car insurance in Calgary has changed since then. With this guide, you can help navigate car insurance in 2022 Alberta. See how here.

How Car Insurance Works in Alberta

Car insurance in Alberta is divided between basic and additional coverage. Basic coverage is mandatory by law and entails accident benefits and third-party liability. An established maximum amount makes this basic coverage affordable and accessible. Meanwhile, additional insurance coverage is more for collision cases and is not required by law.

It allows you to find personalized car insurance in Calgary for policies with more options for protection. However, not all insurance companies in Calgary have the same coverage and rates. But, it’s worth noting that the Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB) regulates automobile insurance rates in Alberta. So, you can expect to find the car insurance that suits your needs and finances since prices vary.

What Affects Car Insurance in Calgary

As you might know, your driving history impacts how much you would have to pay for the premium on your car insurance. These can include:

Collisions
Frequent claims of serious injuries
Fraudulent claims
Distracted or impaired driving
Theft

These are just a few examples. However, you need to factor in where you live, which affects your premium rate. For instance, the premium rates for car insurance in Calgary will be higher than in rural places. The reason is that a bigger city has a bigger risk of theft, accidents, and even weather-related events. In turn, rates would be higher. Even if that’s the case, it doesn’t mean you can’t find insurance companies in Calgary that offer affordable rates.

How to Save on Car Insurance in Calgary

It’s not impossible to try and save on car insurance in Calgary during this time. Here are a few things you should consider to help you save!

Follow the Road Rules

This suggestion is an obvious one – but it’s worth the reminder. The safer you are on the road, lessens the chances of car accidents. It’s worth being a defensive driver for your and others’ safety while also helping to lower your insurance.

Be Cautious of Claims

You can’t help if you need to file a claim. That’s part of the process of insurance coverage. However, be cautious of filing too many claims. Doing so increases your insurance. So, only submit a claim if the damage is severe enough.

No Missing Payments

You don’t want to miss car insurance payments for your best interest. When you do, you will have to pay more to make up for it. If you can’t avoid a missed payment, then contact your insurer ASAP to help negotiate options on what to do.

Raise Deductible

Paying might initially seem counterintuitive to saving money on car insurance. However, raising your deductible helps to lower your rates. In turn, it will help save you money in the long term.

Proactive on Protection

Avoid having to go through insurance by finding ways to protect your vehicle. In Calgary, winter is notorious for collisions. So, ensure you’re equipped with the right tires. Also, regarding theft, consider installing security devices for your car.

Combine Insurances

You can find insurance companies in Calgary that can bundle your car and home insurance. In this way, you’re saving on costs through dual coverages. It’s a win-win scenario!

The cost of home insurance in Calgary has recently become a hot topic issue. According to the insurance comparison site RATESDOTCA, their 2021 study illustrated that the average cost of home insurance rose at more than three times the inflation rate over the past decade.

No homeowner with insurance is happy about this development – but there is a way around it.

Here are a few ways you can save on home insurance, so you don’t need to spend further than you’ve had to pay.

Combining Your Insurances

If you have automobile insurance, your best bet to save on home insurance is by combining these two insurances under one provider. It’s not an uncommon practice to do so. You would be surprised by how much you can potentially save through either special discounts or being able to reduce your premium. In this way, you’re simultaneously saving money on both home and automobile insurance. It’s a win-win scenario!

Paying a Higher Deductible

Initially, it might not seem ideal to pay more for a deductible. After all, you want to save money, not spend more of it. However, if you decide to pay more towards an insured loss, you can expect to save more on your premium. By paying more than your minimum deductible amount, you can potentially reduce the cost of your home owner’s policy.

Before paying more in deductibles, do keep in mind if your home insurance has any separate deductible for damage from major disasters. It is an important detail to consider, especially if you live in an area of Calgary that has been prone to flooding.

Maintain Your Credit Score

Keeping your credit score in good standing is generally ideal. However, it’s particularly important if you’re hoping to save further on your home insurance. With insurers, part of figuring out what your premium amount should be means having access to your credit history. When an insurer notices you have a particularly poor credit score, you can expect an insurer to double the amount for your premium potentially. Ensure your credit score remains in good standing so you don’t pay the consequences through higher home insurance premiums.

Safeguard Your Home

Home insurance is all about coverage for various forms of loss that can occur to your home. In this case, prevention is key to saving money on your home insurance—for example, combat theft loss by implementing security measures that will deter them. Also, security isn’t the only means of preventing potential losses. Keep up with your home’s maintenance by conducting any necessary repairs. It promotes safety in your home, so the likelihood of a loss occurring will be slimmer, and you won’t need to make any possible insurance claims.

Paying Annually Instead

You would be surprised by how much insurance companies will reward you for paying annually instead of monthly. It might not seem great to pay a huge sum upfront, but some insurers will give you potential discounts for making the switch. Plus, you don’t need to worry about it for another year by paying a large amount right off the bat. It saves you money and the stress of meeting monthly home insurance payments.

Insurance brokers in Calgary can offer a variety of insurance depending on your specific needs for coverage. When it comes to saving money on insurance, there will be different methods on how to save depending on what type of insurance you have adopted.

Check out how you can save money on most standard insurances!

Combining Insurances

Paying for two different types of insurance can get costly. If both insurances are a necessity, then combining them can be proven to be cost-effective. One popular combination insurance companies offer is paying your home and car insurance together under them exclusively. Not only do you receive a discount for doing so, which saves you money and can cut some costs on your premiums as well. In essence, you’re getting more bang for your buck by taking advantage of these types of bundled insurance plans.

Reducing Coverage

Sometimes a little goes a long way. It makes sense that folks would want maximum coverage in case the worst occurs and their bases are all covered. However, there is such a thing as going overboard when it comes to insurance coverage. You might be spending unnecessary money on coverage that you might not even use at all. Best to review the details of your insurance coverage and discern what policies to keep or eliminate. In this way, you can not only have insurance that best reflects your needs and save money as well.

Higher Deductibles

Paying out of pocket may seem unappealing when dealing with a claim. But when you increase your deductibles, your future self will be thanking you in the long run for doing so. How does considering a higher deductible save you money when you’re paying more? Let us explain. Higher deductibles can be incredibly beneficial in the case of a major loss and can lower your premiums. Lower premiums are certainly worthwhile for those with travel insurance that plan to be abroad for months. It helps bring extra ease to finances for a traveler.

Pay Premiums Annually

Many are used to paying most bills monthly. With insurance, you can pay monthly as well, but it might not be the best method to pay for coverage. Monthly payment lapses with your insurance might have you spending more than necessary. By paying your premiums annually, you only need to worry about paying one big sum once a year. This route has proven to be the best in cost saving as some insurance companies can offer you discounts for choosing to pay annually instead of monthly. If you can swing paying a large amount, then this would be highly lucrative for you to consider in the long term.

Finding mold in your home is never a good sign. Mold found in a home can not only pose a serious risk to individuals, but it can inflict damage to a home.

Home insurance is meant to protect a home by covering damages – yet many don’t know if mold damages can be covered.

See how mold affects home insurance coverage below!

Mold’s Debatable Coverage

Mold is a form of damage. However, there is a reason why it’s a contested damage claim – the basis comes from how mold occurs. A house environment that is damp, moist, with organic material is a surefire recipe for mold to easily spread.

There are multiple ways mold can thrive in the home, such as:

Roof leaks
High interior humidity
Overflowing washing machines
Flooding
Poor ventilation
Leaky pipes

Home insurance companies might not cover mold as damage based on the rationale that it’s a byproduct of the homeowner’s potential negligence. From a home insurance company’s perspective, a failure to act on home repairs or upkeep can be seen as grounds for your damage claim to be considered moot. As a result, many home insurance companies typically don’t cover mold damage claims.

Home Insurance Policies

Every homeowner has unique needs and expectations – which is why there are various home insurance companies in Calgary. Not every home insurance company will have the same type of policy for coverage. The range of coverage can be either minimal or a lot, depending on where you get home insurance from.

Some home insurance has unique policies that can even cover niche damages. In which case, there is a possibility of finding home insurance that can cover mold damages to a certain degree by having a cap amount. It’s more of finding the right home insurance company that would consider mold as a legitimate damage claim.

Coverage For Mold

There are ways to go about getting coverage for mold damages. It comes from knowing how to prove to home insurance companies that can be linked to a form of loss.

Mold damage can be considered if the homeowner can prove they have been actively preventing mold. A home inspection reporting the general condition of a house can be potentially beneficial in supporting your claim. If you know you maintain good upkeep in your home, it can prove to insurers in writing from a third party that your claim is valid.

A paper trail of receipts from home repair companies that failed to repair damages correctly could support your claim – like a leaky roof. It shows insurers you put the effort towards preventing mold and unfortunately paid the price from a poorly done repair.

Pet insurance, also known as veterinary insurance or pet health insurance, provides reimbursement for veterinary treatment. Owners pay a premium to an insurer in return for coverage of specified medical costs associated with illnesses and injuries.

How Pet Insurance Works

Typically, owners claim against their policy after taking their pet to the vet. The vet invoices the owner for their fees and sends a claim form to the insurance company. The pet insurer then decides whether or not to reimburse the owner after checking if all procedures were within policiy guidelines. What is returned varies from policy to policy. Still, it typically includes veterinary fees, hospital stays, and prescription medication.

Top Pet Insurance Benefits

Pet insurance has numerous advantages. Here are some of the benefits pet owners stand to reap from insurance.

Pet insurance allows you to seek treatment for your pet without worrying about the costs involved. Many owners cannot afford veterinary fees and so put off treatment until their pet’s condition deteriorates further, increasing the cost of treatment and putting their pet at risk. Insurance is particularly valuable for young pets not yet eligible for pre-existing condition exclusions.

Depending on your preference and budget, you can choose to pay your premiums monthly rather than annually or quarterly. Most veterinarians also accept direct debit from most insurers, so you do not even have to worry about making a payment every month! The charges are often pre-authorized from your account, so it’s as easy as making a credit card or debit card payment.

Considerations for Pet Insurance

Many pet Calgary insurance brokers do not exclude pre-existing conditions if they are insured before developing any symptoms. Meaning you can ensure your healthy pet at a very low cost and then be covered should they acquire a condition later down the track.

Some insurance companies set limits on how much they will pay for your pet’s health care each year. If this limit is met, further treatment is excluded from the policy even if you still have money left in your account. Most pet insurance policies do not restrict annual payments or require that you reach a certain limit before any more benefits are paid out. Meaning you know your maximum liability and can budget accordingly.

Many pet insurance companies offer an ‘excess waiver.’ This means that if you take your pet to the vet for treatment and are liable for excess, the company will pay it for you. Usually, this is only available once per condition, so it’s important to check your policy details. You can also choose not to insure your pet if you find a good deal without an excess charge!

Some pet Calgary insurance brokers have limits on how much they will pay out in total over the lifetime of the policy or during a calendar year – usually around $10,000 or $20,000, depending on age and other factors. Others offer unlimited lifetime cover, which means you never need to worry about making a claim.

Pet insurance is affordable protection for your pet. With so many financial and emotional benefits, it’s not surprising that pet insurance has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the insurance industry. With pet insurance, your pet can get the treatment it needs when it needs it most. Choose the best Calgary insurance brokers to help you find the most comprehensive pet insurance.

While car insurance in Calgary may be a necessity, it doesn’t mean you should be breaking the bank every month in an effort to keep your vehicle street-legal.

Fortunately, there are several ways to save money on your car insurance, allowing you to put your savings into more exciting expenditures. Let’s explore some of your money-saving options below!

6 Ways To Save Money on Car Insurance

Shop Around

Surprisingly enough, prices often differ between companies. Therefore, it’s only practical to explore your options and get quotes from a handful of places.

If you’re not sure of which companies to start with, consider asking your friends and family for recommendations. While quotes are based on a range of factors, such as age, driving record, and type of vehicle, those close to you will be able to offer up information on what they pay on car insurance. This allows you to establish a baseline for what you can expect your payments to look like before you even speak with a broker.

As a note, the cheapest option may not necessarily be the best one. Ensure your car insurance in Calgary has adequate coverage, allowing you to feel secure whenever you hit the road.

Bundle Your Insurance

Insurance companies often offer discounts when you choose to purchase two or more types of insurance from them. Therefore, if you already have home insurance, consider reaching out to your insurance company to explore car insurance savings.

Take A Driving Course

Some insurance companies offer discounts on car insurance if you have taken a driver’s education or defensive driving course. This is because you have taken steps to prove that you have added competency behind the wheel, thus decreasing any likelihood of risk.

Have A Clean Record

The cost of your car insurance in Calgary often correlates with your driving record. More accidents and violations? Expect your insurance to go up. But if you steer clear of any trouble, your car insurance company will often reward your spotless record by decreasing your car insurance after a few years.

Bundle Vehicles

If you have several drivers and several vehicles in your household, consider insuring them all together. Many insurance companies will offer bulk rates, thus making it more cost-effective to insure three cars together than separately.

Review Your Coverage

Many types of coverage are more important than you may think, so speak to your broker before altering your auto insurance plan. However, older cars may not be worth collision or comprehensive coverage, as the value of the car may not hold up against what you’re actually paying.

We want to protect our loved ones, even after we’re gone. One such way in which we can accomplish this is by purchasing life insurance. By contacting a Calgary insurance broker, you can feel confident that your family will be looked after, despite your absence.

But what exactly is life insurance, and what does it cover? Let’s explore that below.

Understanding Life Insurance & Its Coverage

What is life insurance?

Life insurance aims to protect your family financially. By purchasing a policy, you are forming an agreement with a life insurance company, in which they will bestow a lump sum of tax-free money to the person of your choosing if you die. In exchange, you pay the life insurance company a set amount of money periodically; this amount is known as your insurance premium.

It is up to you how much money would be paid out to your beneficiary upon your death, which in turn impacts your insurance premium. Naturally, the more your policy is worth, the higher your premium will be.

What can life insurance be used towards?

Your beneficiary is able to use the life insurance death benefit in any way they choose. However, the money is usually put towards financial responsibilities that the policyholder would have contributed to while alive, such as the mortgage, bills, tuition, and other costs of living. The money also typically goes towards covering funeral costs.

What types of death are covered by life insurance?

Life insurance policies cover the majority of deaths, with few exclusions. As long as your policy is active and up-to-date at the time of your death, life insurance will cover:

Natural causes: This can include old age, illnesses such as cancer, and unexpected health conditions, such as a heart attack.

An accident: This can include a car accident or an accidental overdose on prescription drugs.

Suicide: This is typically covered, provided it occurs after the policy’s “suicide clause” period has ended. If your policy has this clause, its average lifespan is approximately two years.

Homicide: This is applicable unless the beneficiary has played a role in the policyholder’s murder.

What does life insurance not cover?

There are a few instances in which your own actions, or failure to act, can impact your life insurance coverage. You will not be covered if you die while engaging in criminal activity and may not be covered if you die while participating in a dangerous hobby, such as skydiving. Additionally, your eligibility is put at risk if you allow your policy to lapse or lie on your application.

It may surprise you how affordable life insurance is. For more information, reach out to your Calgary insurance broker today!

No one likes to think of travel plans going awry when they’re dreaming of adventure and relaxation. However, being prepared and planning ahead can save you money in the long run, ensuring a bump in the road doesn’t ruin your entire vacation.

Trip cancellation insurance is a great way to protect yourself and your finances. But exactly what does this type of insurance do for you? Let’s take a look.

Exploring Trip Cancellation Insurance

What is trip cancellation insurance?

Unfortunately, we can’t see into the future when we’re booking our vacations. This means that, despite best efforts, issues can arise, whether due to our own fault or to uncontrollable circumstances. That’s where trip cancellation insurance comes in.

Trip cancellation insurance protects your trip before departure. This means it reimburses you for non-refundable and/or non-transferable deposits on prepaid travel arrangements and cancellation penalties that a hotel, airline, transportation provider, or tour operator may charge.

This means you can be sure that you’re not losing money on extra fees that are designed to make cancelling a hassle.

Does trip cancellation insurance cover expenses during your trip?

Trip cancellation insurance only covers you before you leave. That’s why it’s often bundled with trip interruption insurance, which protects you after departure.

Happy mature woman exploring her travel destination before going on a journey

Trip interruption insurance covers extra costs if you need to return home earlier or later than you had planned and reimburses you for non-refundable and/or non-transferable portions of used, prepaid travel arrangements.

Cutting your trip short is already stressful enough; don’t worry about adding additional cancellation fees to your plate as well.

How much does trip cancellation insurance cost?

The cost of trip cancellation insurance is largely dependent on the price of your vacation. When purchasing travel insurance in Calgary as a package, which includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, and medical insurance, you can expect to pay between 4% and 10% of your trip costs. This means that you might pay between $40 and $100 for a $1000 trip.

If you are hoping to simply purchase trip cancellation insurance, rather than the entire bundle, then it will naturally cost less. For a more definite quote, it’s recommended that you contact a trusted travel broker.

Trip cancellation insurance allows you to take some of the uncertainty away that can come with planning in the future. If you are wondering if it makes sense for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional and ask for advice.