When it comes time to purchase home insurance in Calgary, you may quickly become surprised by how difficult it is to find an accurate estimate. While you may be looking for a set number or general idea of how much you can anticipate paying, it’s often a struggle to find an exact cost.


This is because a number of variables are factored into home insurance, thus impacting how much you will need to pay. No two homes feature the same home insurance policy, so let’s explore some of the factors that influence the monthly payments.


Calculating Home Insurance


The Extent Of Your Coverage


To begin, the amount of coverage you want on your home is a major factor in calculating your home insurance in Calgary. Some homeowners may opt for a more basic policy, while others may include coverage against sewage backups, hail damage, or roof ice damming. 


Additionally, your standard policy may not cover the cost of rebuilding your home in the event of an unexpected accident. Therefore, some homeowners choose to add a guaranteed replacement cost to their provision, which will naturally make the payments go up in price.


The Location


Your location actually plays a large role in calculating your home insurance. Areas with higher crime rates, for example, may experience higher home insurance rates, as insurance companies are anticipating break-ins, vandalism, and theft.


The Distance From A Fire Station Or Hydrant


Fire is a major concern for any homeowner. Fortunately, living close to a fire station or hydrant offers both peace of mind and lower rates. 


This isn’t typically a concern for more urban areas, but those who live in more remote or rural areas may have to contend with higher rates, as fire response tends to be further away.


The Age Of The Home


As with most things in life, the older your home is, the more likely you’re going to experience a few issues. Between leaky pipes and old, faulty wiring, older homes are more likely to require an insurance payout, and therefore, their rates will be higher.


Fortunately, home renovations can work in your favour. By rejuvenating your home, you can actually see your home insurance rates decrease, as you’re actively working to reduce the ageing of your home.


The Heating System


Surprisingly, your heating system can also impact your Calgary home insurance calculations. Oil heating is deemed riskier than a gas furnace or electric heating, as there is the potential for a leaky oil tank. Additionally, a wood-burning stove poses a greater risk for house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.


Therefore, if you’re hoping to lower your rate, gas or electric is the way to go.


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]


Thinking about our death and the ways in which our loved ones will have to respond is not a popular or enjoyable train of thought. However, while we’d like to focus on the now, planning for the future and what we leave behind is also important.


Life insurance is one such way that we can take care of our loved ones, even after we’re gone. By contacting your Calgary insurance broker, you can get set up today, affording you some peace of mind.


But what exactly is life insurance, and why should you get it? Let’s take a look at a few reasons below.


Defining 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.


4 Reason To Get Life Insurance


You Have Children


The birth of a child is generally the number one motivator to get life insurance. You want to feel confident that your child or children will be financially secure, and if you’re the breadwinner, this pressure can seem to amplify. On the off chance that you don’t make it home one day, life insurance will cover bills, such as for the mortgage, food, and education, thus maintaining your child’s quality of life.


You’re Supporting Ageing Parents


Assisted living or nursing homes can be expensive– even government-subsidized ones. If your parents rely on you for financial support to ensure their quality of life, consider investing in life insurance. This will ensure that they can continue to live comfortably, despite your absence.


You Have Student Loans


Did you know that student loans are the only form of loans that don’t disappear once you’ve passed? This means the financial burden will be shuffled onto family or a loved one, thus forcing them to continue with monthly payments. Life insurance benefits can be put towards your student debt, thus alleviating the pressure from another’s shoulders.


Your Job or Hobbies Are High-Risk


If you work in a dangerous or high-risk environment, you have a greater risk of dying at work than someone who sits at a desk all day. Extreme hobbies also increase the likelihood of you dying from unnatural causes. By purchasing a life insurance policy, you can ensure you are covered each time you step out the door.


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]

Having your home invaded is difficult and unpleasant, but it can happen to anyone. Knowing what to do helps take some of the stress out of the situation. Follow these steps from insurance companies in Calgary if you experience a break-in.

Home Insurance Tips On How To Handle A Break-IN

  1. Do Not Confront the Burglar
    If you arrive home to discover it was broken into, don’t go inside. The burglar might still be there or you could disrupt criminal evidence. Call the police immediately and wait for them to determine the scene is safe. If you’re at home when the break-in happens, find a safe location immediately, preferably one that’s outside the house. Contact the police immediately, and don’t try to confront the burglar.
  2. File a Police Report
    After the police arrive and secure the scene, it’s time to begin the police report. Determine what items were stolen and the extent of the damage. Provide the police with any information you have about the event, such as footage from an alarm system. Insurance companies in Calgary often use this information when they process claims.
  3. Contact Your Insurance Company in Calgary
    Notify your home insurance company within 24 hours of a break-in to start a claim. They can help you recover the value of the stolen items. Give the insurance company all the information they need to complete the claim.
  4. Clean Up After the Break-In
    Once the police file their report and the Calgary home insurance claim is in process, it’s time to clean up the damage. Put away any items that were strewn about, remove markings from walls, secure broken windows or doors, and do everything you can to get your home back to normal.

Use these steps after a break-in to initiate a home insurance claim and return order to your home as quickly as possible.

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].

Some decisions shouldn’t require much thought, like deciding to buy home insurance. Preparing for the unexpected can save you a bundle if something does happen. But the fact that it’s easy to decide to get insurance doesn’t mean it’s easy to find the right policy without spending too much.

Use These Tips To Help You Save Money On Home Insurance in Calgary

  • Compare Calgary Insurance Companies
    Shop around and see if any insurance companies in Calgary are offering discounts. Check memberships as well; sometimes being a veteran, part of a college alumni association, or other clubs and associations can get you a discount.
  • Improve Your Home
    Upgrading your home can lower premiums as well, particularly if you’re in an older home. Ask insurance companies in Calgary if they’ll give you a lower rate if you complete home improvements that make the house safer. This usually involves a core element, like plumbing or wiring.
  • Understand the Difference between Actual Cash Value and Replacement Cost
    Home insurance comes with a variety of options that affect the price. One big one is whether you choose a policy with actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost. ACV is the current value of your home and property, while replacement cost is what it takes to replace your home and property. A replacement cost policy generally has higher premiums, but is a better choice for homeowners.
  • Agree to a Higher Deductible for Your Home Insurance
    Increasing your deductible can significantly reduce premiums. Just remember that means you’ll need to pay more before insurance kicks in, so set aside the necessary funds.
  • Consider an Umbrella Policy from Insurance Companies
    It doesn’t save money initially, but is a big benefit if you ever need home insurance in Calgary for a large claim.

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].

A lot of people don’t realize the value that insurance can bring to the table. These companies serve the purpose of helping to cover you in the event of an accident, and if you encounter trouble, a good insurance company will be there for you.

The Four Essential Offered By An Insurance Company in Calgary

  1. Providing Compensation
    Let’s say that you had a fire where everything burnt down. Having an insurance company in Calgary available will provide you with the necessary compensation to get the things that you need to get back on your feet. Starting from scratch again feels horrible, and that’s where one of these companies could help.
  2. Protecting Loved Ones
    Life insurance policies have the intention of protecting loved ones from a drastic loss of income. Let’s say that you have reached a level of comfort in your life, but you’ve become dependent on a loved one. With life insurance, should something happen to that individual, you will be given enough cash to where you won’t see your lifestyle change drastically.
  3. Car Insurance
    Car insurance is one of the most common options out there. And with good reason. In the event of an accident, who covers the damage? That’s what insurance companies in Calgary seek to resolve. They will take the person at fault’s insurance and use it to cover the damages from the accident.
  4. Travel Insurance
    There is nothing worse than travelling overseas and finding yourself in an emergency. That is why it is vital that you get travel insurance to cover you if something goes wrong while you are abroad.  

These are some of the services that are the most essential when it comes to insurance companies. You want to make sure that you have hired a company that will also back you up in your hour of need. Choosing the best insurance broker Calgary company carefully will make a big difference over the long term.

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].

You have a couple of questions that you have to ask your insurance broker in Calgary to ensure that you get the best deal. A lot of people find the insurance aspect confusing, and you have to ask the right questions. Before you begin your relationship with your agent, you should be able to trust them for an insurance quote.

What’s the Experience and Qualifications?

You have to stay alert to the dangers of insurance companies Calgary choices that don’t have much experience or qualifications. Ask the broker about their license and look them up on their licensing. You should also check for disciplinary actions that were taken against the broker because this is a bad sign.

What’s the Company That You Work With?

Check to see what kind of competitive quotes they can offer you in comparison to the other insurance brokers. Brokers that work with many different companies will have access to a variety of quotes. Getting an insurance quote from one of these companies will give you plenty of savings.

How Much Do You Communicate with Clients?

When it comes to insurance brokers, you eliminate much of the errors that can take place. A great insurance agent will always keep your best interests at heart. They will also send regular newsletters out to their clients, and they will inform them about everything going on in the industry.

Before you go with an insurance broker in Calgary, you should first check to see that they will always act with your best interests at heart. A company that doesn’t display honesty with you when it comes to selling you insurance shouldn’t be trusted. You’re better off finding another company to help you. One of the signs that you have a dangerous agent is that they refuse to tell you the negative aspects of the insurance policy, or one that says they don’t mind bending the law for you. This is a bad sign that shows they will be dishonest. In most cases, they won’t break the law for you. They will rip you off.

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].

What considerations should you have when looking at Calgary home insurance? You have a couple of traits that you can use to measure the value of a broker. Let’s have a look at what separates a good broker from one a bad one.

Look at Expectations

You should ask your insurance brokers Calgary company for a quote. In doing this, you discover how fast they can come back to you with a quote, and you can measure their effectiveness overall. Also, pay close attention to how the Calgary home insurance company explains your coverage. Does it seem cloudy? This could signal a red flag.

What Type of Insurance Do You Need?

Some insurance companies Calgary options will offer more value than others based on what you want to achieve. Meanwhile, you have other policies that will have maddening limitations. For example, some will only give you the necessary coverage when you want full coverage for your home.

Do They Have Experience in Home Insurance?

Finding a Calgary home insurance company that has experience in this specialized field can lead to a better offering. Before you ever trust a company, check their technical knowledge of home insurance. Look at the letters they have after their name. Some of the most common designations include:

  • ARM
  • CPCU
  • CRM
  • CIC

The most important insurance designations are considered the CPCU and the CIC. However, while this lends credibility to the Calgary home insurance broker, a professional continuing their education and constantly reading about the industry has an even greater importance. You want a company that stays sharp.

These traits in an insurance can spell the difference between a good company and a bad one. Unfortunately, you usually don’t learn the difference until you have to fall back on their policy, but you can tell a lot about a company based on the terms inside the policy, reviews and how they act.

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].

What can you do to make your Calgary home insurance company lower the price of your premiums? Saving money on your home insurance can help you save for a new car or a family vacation. Here are a couple of things you can do to get a better price from your Calgary insurance brokers.

Lower Home Insurance Premiums by Installing Deadbolt Locks

On all of the exterior doors, you should install a deadbolt lock to add more security to your home. Deadbolt locks don’t have springs, which adds additional security. You can cut your premium by as much as five percent with your Calgary home insurance company.

Pay Your Home Insurance in a Timely Fashion

Some Calgary insurance companies will give you an incentive if you pay every 10 days instead of 30. Prompt paying could lead to getting a discount.

Pay For Home Insurance Six Months in Advance

Some people prefer to pay Calgary insurance companies six months in advance. While it means spending more money at one time, making payments in advance can also lower the overall cost of your home insurance Calgary premium.

Shop Around For Good Insurance Policies

If you haven’t shopped around for your insurance, you may not be able to spot a reasonable price when you see one; going with the first insurance provider you come across could be a mistake. Additionally, if you do shop around for other Calgary insurance brokers, you can compare prices and services. If you find a company you like, you may want to ask if they will lower their prices, based on the research you have done.  

Avoid Filing Home Insurance Claims For Small Things

Filing too often for things can lead to your Calgary home insurance company raising the rates or even dropping you as a client. Avoid filing for small items and be reserved when it comes to more considerable expenses.

These are the five different ways that you can save a little extra on your insurance premiums. Keeping these tips in mind can lead to extra savings.

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].

When it comes to car insurance, you need to understand how much you should be paying for it. There are reasonable prices and bad prices, but the truth is no insurance company will charge the same amount because a variety of factors come into play. On average, statistics show that Albertans pay $114 for car insurance in a year.

Cost Factors of Auto Insurance

There are a few factors that your Calgary insurance company consider into the cost of your insurance. First, they will look at the frequency of vehicle collisions in your area. In doing this, they can assess the risk you present in filing for compensation. They will also look at the density of deer in your area, and the frequency of collisions with wildlife as this also plays a role in the rates from your Calgary insurance company. In addition, your insurance brokers in Calgary will look at how many car accidents you have been involved in and assess the risk from there.

The Role of Age, Gender and Marital Status in Car Insurance

There is a link between age and experience. Often, drivers with less experience cause more accidents than experienced drivers. For that reason, your Calgary insurance company will raise the premiums on younger drivers.

Gender also plays a role because males have a higher likelihood of accidents than females, which causes the car insurance Calgary company to raise the rates for men.

Interestingly enough, marriage also plays a role in insurance rates as married drivers have a lower likelihood of getting into accidents.

The price is determined as a result of insurance brokers looking at the data to identify the riskiest drivers to insure. The higher the risk, the more you will pay. When looking at auto insurance, you should shop around to look at the different prices and get a better idea of what your rates will be.

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].