Winter Tires – ‘Tis The Season The season of winter driving is upon us, and by now you should have had your tires (all four of them) changed to snow tires, or winter tires as they are also known. No – not all-season tires, which some (non-expert) people claim are good enough. For winter driving in some places, sure… but this is Canada!It is recommended by many driving experts that you get purpose-built winter tires which have special compounds and tread ...
Everyone knows that as soon as you drive a new car off the lot its value starts to depreciate, and the more kilometres you put on, the more its value drops. That’s a reality of car ownership, however… What if you put 50,000 km on your shiny new car, which depreciates its value to half of what you paid; then your teenager gets in an accident driving it and now it’s a write-off. Will you get ...
Did you know there are many kinds of discounts available on home and auto insurance? Talk to your insurance broker about which ones might apply to you, and keep some money in your wallet! They include: Discounts to non-smokers for homeowner or tenant insurance Discounts for households armed with security systems, deadbolt locks and smoke alarms Discounts for buying your auto and homeowner or tenant insurance with the same insurance provider Discounts for buying your auto and homeowner or ...
At least half of all insurance companies in Canada now use ‘credit scoring’ as a way to gain a sense of the risk you pose for future claims. Insurers see credit as a reflection of your personal level of responsibility and behaviour when it comes to managing financial obligations. After the uncertainties in the economy in recent years, every industry – including insurance – is nervous about the growing numbers of people losing their jobs, ...
The results of a study released in July 2011 indicate a dramatic feeling among consumers that their insurance policies aren’t clear or easy enough to read – results that won’t surprise you if you’ve ever dealt with a direct writer or bought insurance online! The case for using a local insurance broker is reinforced by the new Accenture study of 7,000 people in 13 countries. Results include: 62 percent said it was very important for their insurer to ...
You’re so proud of your new car; between driving it around to show friends and family, and preparing for a cross-province trip to test out the wheels, a couple of weeks have gone by since the purchase… Have you forgotten anything?? Did you notify your broker or insurer about your newly acquired vehicle (defined by the Ontario Auto Policy as “an automobile or trailer that you acquire as owner and that is not covered under any ...
Have you ever stopped to think about just how much personal information your insurance company has about you, including your… Driving record (accidents, etc.) Loss history Marital status Medical information Home’s value and the value of its contents Financial details – including mortgage holder and credit history Employment information Analysis or opinions about you Information that may be traced back to you Video images or observations Your information can be passed around, too; your insurance company can share your personal information with, and glean more information ...
We don’t mean to alarm you (excuse the pun)… but how are your smoke alarms? You DO have smoke alarms in your home, right? Aside from their obvious life-saving role for your family, the proper installation and upkeep of smoke alarms in your home can lower your insurance premiums – 10% or more in annual savings! The logic is simple: If you take fewer risks as a homeowner – in this case, an early warning system ...
With temperatures reaching the high 30s Celsius in Ontario this summer, you’re probably counting your blessings if you have a swimming pool in your yard. But did you know that a pool involves various risks and factors that make it a vital part of discussions with your insurance broker? Some issues to discuss with your broker include: Having a swimming pool could be a criterion used to determine your homeowner’s insurance premium – especially if the pool ...
You are renting, so insurance is not something you think about when it comes to your residence… after all, the landlord’s insurance has you covered, right? Wrong. There are several ways in which having tenant insurance protects you from loss and liability, including the following: Any upgrades you’ve done to your rented home may not be covered by your landlord’s insurance. Your personal belongings – artwork, furniture, electronics, clothing, carpets, appliances – are not covered by your landlord’s ...