Posts Tagged ‘Nova Scotia car insurance’

Discounts Available on Nova Scotia Auto Insurance Coverage

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Nova Scotia car insurance companies offer discounts to customers in a number of circumstances. For example, if you buy your coverage from the same company that sold you a home or commercial policy, you would qualify for a discount on both policies.

Many car insurance companies will also offer a discount when a customer insures more than one vehicle. If you live in a multi-vehicle household, consider choosing one car insurance company to cover all of them.

Driving a car that is equipped with an anti-theft device will also get you better pricing on your policy. This measure makes your vehicle less likely to be stolen, which lowers your risk of having to make a claim under your policy.

New drivers who have taken (and passed) an approved driver’s education course can also qualify for a discount. Drivers of any age or level of experience can benefit from taking a defensive driving course. This type of program can serve as a refresher program and help them correct any bad driving habits they may have picked up over the years. To find out whether taking one of these programs will lead to lower pricing on your Nova Scotia car insurance coverage, contact your insurance company.

When you are shopping around for coverage, be sure to ask the insurer about available discounts and which ones you would qualify for.

Nova Scotia Car Insurance and Soft Tissue Injuries

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Under Nova Scotia provincial law, there is a cap of $2,500 in place on how much an injured person can claim for soft tissue injuries. This level of compensation is meant to cover pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

To receive a higher level of compensation, the victim must be able to show that the injury caused permanent pain, an impairment or a disability that makes it impossible for him or her to return to their previous occupation.

The cap can also be lifted if the victim cannot perform his or her housework, yard work or maintenance on his or her home.

A third instance where an accident victim in Nova Scotia can get a higher level of compensation is where the soft tissue injuries are accompanied either by significant scarring (to the point of disfigurement) or amputation of a limb.

A person who meets this threshold may be compensated by the at-fault driver and his or her Nova Scotia car insurance company at a higher level, which may range from $25,000-$55,000.

Along with receiving compensation for pain and suffering, an injured person can make a claim for past and future lost income. The amount of any benefits received under the Employment Insurance sickness plan or long-term disability coverage will be deducted from the amount awarded.

Factors that Affect Nova Scotia Car Insurance Rates

Monday, November 1st, 2010

When a Nova Scotia car insurance company is determining how much to charge a customer for his or coverage, it uses a formula to do so. The specifics of how each company decides what to charge are a closely-guarded secret, but each company looks at similar factors as part of this process. Not every company will give the same level of weight to each one, which is why prices can vary significantly between providers.

One factor that you can be sure that your car insurance company is going to consider is your driving record. If you have been involved in an accident or you have moving violations on your driving record, you are going to be charged more for your car insurance coverage than a customer who has a clean record.

Your age and gender also have a lot to do with the rates you will be charged as well. Young male drivers are charged the highest rates for car Nova Scotia car insurance coverage, simply because they are the segment of the population that is most likely to be involved in an accident. Once you reach the age of 25, your car insurance rates should drop.

Where you live is also factored in when a car insurance company is quoting rates. If you hang you hat in an area that has a lot of car thefts, you can expect to pay more for your coverage as a result.

Nova Scotia Car Insurance Policy Limits

Saturday, October 30th, 2010

Drivers in Nova Scotia are required to have a minimum of $500,000 in coverage in place for liability claims. This part of of the policy pays for damages that you caused in an at-fault accident. It includes claims for injuries, as well as the cost of repairing the other driver’s vehicle.

Many people who live in Nova Scotia choose to buy a policy with a $1 million limit for liability claims, and some insurance companies will write a policy that provides an even higher level of protection. While having a policy that provides $1 million or more in coverage may seem excessive to some people, in the case of a serious accident where the injuries are serious, this may not be enough protection.

Choosing a Nova Scotia car insurance policy that carries only the minimum amount of coverage may seem like a good one, especially since no one expects to be involved in a car accident when they get behind the wheel. The fact is that even the best drivers can have an accident, and the coverage offered by the car insurance company stops once the policy limit is reached.

Any damages owed above the amount of the policy limit must be paid by the at-fault driver personally. Paying a slightly higher rate for more protection is money well spent when an accident occurs.