Calgarians Face Insurance Hike: Older Vehicles Under Scrutiny
Calgary drivers are navigating a tightening landscape when it comes to vehicle insurance, with many facing rising premiums and new inspection requirements. Notably, vehicles over 12 years old now frequently necessitate a safety inspection before they can be insured. This trend underscores a broader push by insurers to ensure roadworthiness, impacting thousands of local vehicle owners.
As Calgary braces for winter, ensuring vehicles meet safety standards becomes even more crucial. While minor cosmetic damage might not impede a vehicle's roadworthiness, significant issues like windshield cracks can be decisive. Alberta's Vehicle Equipment Regulation mandates that windshields remain clear and unobstructed, free from damage that impairs the driver's vision. A crack exceeding 12 millimeters in diameter, especially within the wiper-swept area, could lead to a failed inspection and potential fines.
This particular detail holds significant weight for Calgarians, given the city's reputation as a "windshield replacement capital" in Canada. The combination of frigid winter temperatures, fluctuating Chinook winds, and the salt and gravel mixture used on roads creates an environment where chips and cracks are exceptionally common. These small damages are prone to spreading rapidly in cold weather, exacerbated by temperature changes from vehicle defrosting. The high frequency of windshield damage is so prevalent that insurers in Alberta often charge for auto glass coverage separately, acknowledging the near certainty of a claim.
The stricter insurance criteria reflect a province-wide concern over increasing collision rates, severe winter conditions, and distracted driving, all contributing to Alberta's high insurance premiums. For Calgary residents, proactive vehicle maintenance and timely repairs are no longer just good practice, but essential steps to meet these evolving requirements, avoid additional costs, and ensure their vehicles remain safe on our challenging winter roads.
