The Basics of Car Insurance

The basic idea behind car insurance is relatively simple – an insurance company collects payments from the many to pay for the losses of the few.

Every Canadian is obligated to pay insurance premiums in order to retain legal ownership of their vehicle. Those payments flow into a large pool of money, which is then used by the insurance company that owns it to pay the claims filed by their clients. In general, there are more people paying premiums than there are people making claims, which means that there is always enough money in the pool to pay for any claim.

Since a driver’s insurance is a yearly contract, the premiums are based on the amount of money the insurance company thinks it will need to pay all the claims during the coming year.

Premiums

A premium is the amount that a car owner has to pay in order to maintain their insurance. There are at least two types of premiums – monthly and annual. Monthly premiums are more common than the annual ones because they require smaller payments.

The amount paid is supposed to reflect the probability of the owner making a claim, which insurance companies base on several factors. History is one of them, but the more important one is the driver’s statistical group, because it appears to be more reliable. There are reasonable limits as to how far an insurance company can go when it comes to determining who pays what, with several of them being imposed by law. However, the general principle is that the people who are unlikely to make a claim will pay less than the people who are more likely to do so.

What Insurance Pays For

Insurance only pays for the losses outlined in the car owner’s contract, which is why every owner should read their policy or discuss what is covered and what is not with their insurance representative. An insurance company will not pay for every problem a car owner may have because it is not a maintenance contract. The main reason why insurance exists is to help car owners deal with the financial difficulties that may arise in the wake of unpredictable events – such as car accidents or extreme weather conditions.

However, there are events that can be predicted and, as such, may not be covered by the insurance contract. For instance, if a car owner lives in an area where floods are constant, it means that flooding is actually predictable in this instance and, as such, cannot be used as a reason to make an insurance claim.

What Happens to the Money Paid

The money that car owners pay to insurance companies returns to car owners in the form of claims. There is also a specific amount that goes back to communities in the form of government taxes on insurance. Other amounts cover industry operating and regulatory costs and go to industry profit.

Buying or Renewing Insurance

There are three common ways of buying car insurance – through a broker, from an agent or directly from an insurance company.

A broker is usually connected to several insurance companies, which means that they have more chances of obtaining a good insurance deal for their client. In order get in touch with a broker, it is best to ask for a referral from a trusted friend or relative. One can also contact the insurance brokers’ association in their province or the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada.

An agent, on the other hand, works with one insurance company and, as such, can only set up a person with only one possible insurance offer. The best way to get in touch with an agent is via a referral from a trusted friend or relative.

A good agent or broker should be licensed by the province and able to explain the insurance policy and coverage in a clear and precise manner. They should also be willing to take the time to ensure that the potential policyholder understands all the intricate details before signing their contract. In order to find out whether an agent or broker is properly-licensed, it is a good idea to contact the corresponding provincial licensing body.

When it comes to contacting an insurance company directly, it is best to do it either through a website or call centre agent. Not all companies do that, but those that do are known as “direct writers.” To get in touch with a direct writer, one can contact the Canadian Association of Direct Response Insurers on their website or by phone at 416-773-0101.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us at any time or visit the Unhaggle.com.

Have a Car in Mind? See the latest incentives, rates and rebates now!

Updated on March 26, 2013

The use of the Site indicates your unconditional acceptance of these terms of service. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion to update or revise these terms of service. Your continued use of the site following the posting of any changes to the terms of service constitutes acceptance of those changes.

Use of the Site: You may use the Site only in accordance with and subject to these Terms of Service and the Site's Privacy Policy. Once you complete and submit your registration you have opted-in to receive email communication from us. You may not use the Site for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Service, or to solicit the performance of any illegal activity of other activity which infringes the rights of Unhaggle or others. Notwithstanding any other rights or restrictions in these Terms of Service, you may not use this Site to:

Transmit via or through the Site any information, data, text, images, files, links, or software except in connection with your authorized use of this Site or otherwise in response to specific requests for information by us.
Introduce to the Site or any other computer or website viruses, worms, Trojan horses and /or harmful codes.
Obtain unauthorized access to any computer system.
Impersonate any other person including but not limited to, a registered user of this Site or an employee of Unhaggle.
Invade the privacy or violate any personal or proprietary right, including intellectual property rights, of any person or entity.
Misrepresent the identity of a user or use a false e-mail address.
Tamper with or obtain access to this Site or any component of this Site.
Conduct fraudulent activities.
Collect or harvest information regarding other users of the Site for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, for sending such users unsolicited commercial email.
Abuse special discounts, awards or incentives offered by Unhaggle. Unless otherwise specified, only one offer is valid per person, maximum two per household.

Membership Eligibility: The Site is available to members who are 18 years and older, residents of Canada, and who have not been suspended or removed by Unhaggle for any reason. By becoming a member you represent that you are of legal age and that you reside in Canada. If you do not qualify, you may not use the Site. As a member, you agree to provide true accurate, current and complete information about yourself as prompted by the Site's registration form. Members may not have more than one active account.

Additional Terms and Conditions: Additional terms and conditions may apply to specific portions of the Site or your membership which terms are made part of these Terms of Service by reference. You agree to abide by such other terms and conditions. If there is a conflict between these Terms of Service and the terms posted or emailed for, or applicable to, a specific portion of the Site or your membership, the latter terms shall control with respect to your use of that portion of the Site or your membership.

Proprietary Rights: You acknowledge and agree that the content materials and other components (including but not limited to logos, graphics, button icons and page headers) available on the Site are the property of Unhaggle and are protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks or other proprietary rights and laws. You agree not to sell, license, rent, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, adapt, edit or create derivative works from content or materials on the Site. Use of the content and materials for any purpose not expressly permitted in these Terms of Service is prohibited.

Submissions: Any comments, ideas, notes, postings, message suggestions or other communications or information posted on the Site submitted to Unhaggle, or otherwise communicated in connection with your use of the Site (collectively ,"Submissions") shall be and remain the exclusive property of Unhaggle with no further compensation to you. As such we will own exclusively all such rights, titles and interests and shall not be limited in any way in the use, commercial or otherwise, of any Submissions. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ANY DISCLOSURE OR ANY SUBMISSION TO UNHAGGLE CREATE ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY ON THE PART OF UNHAGGLE. YOU ARE WAIVING ANY AND ALL RIGHTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE IN THE SUBMISSION AND YOU AGREE THAT ANY SUBMISSIONS BY YOU WILL NOT VIOLATE ANY RIGHT OF ANY THIRD PARTY, INCLUDING COPYRIGHT TRADEMARK PRIVACY OR OTHER PERSONAL OR PROPRETARY RIGHTS. YOU ALSO AGREE THAT NO SUBMISSION BY YOU WILL BE OR CONTAIN LIBELOUS OR OTHERWISE UNLAWFUL, ABUSIVE OR OBSCENE MATERIAL. YOU ARE AND SHALL REMAIN SOLEY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF ANY SUBMISSIONS YOU MAKE. YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT TO UNHAGGLE THAT UNHAGGLE IS FREE TO IMPLEMENT THE SUBMISSION IF IT SO DESIRES, AS PROVIDED OR AS MODIFIED BY UNHAGGLE, WITHOUT OBTAINING PERMISSION OR LICENSE FROM ANY THIRD PARTY. Unhaggle takes no responsibility and assumes no liability for any content submitted or posted by you or any third party.

LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES: No Implied Endorsements: This Site may contain links to other websites on the internet. You acknowledge that we have no control over such websites and that we are not responsible for the accuracy, content, legality or any other aspect of any linked website. In no event shall any reference to any third party, third party website or third party product or service be construed as an approval or endorsement by us of that third party, third party website or of any product or service provided by a third party.

Indemnification: By using this Site, you agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Unhaggle's respective officers, directors, employees, successors, agents, subsidiaries, partners, contractors, vendors, manufacturers, distributors, representatives and affiliates from any claims, damages losses, liabilities, and all costs and expenses of defense, including but not limited to, attorneys' fees, resulting directly or indirectly from a claim (including without limitation, claims made by third parties for infringement of intellectual property rights) by a third party that arises in connection with (1) your use or misuse of the Site; (2) your breach of the Terms of Service; or (3) your violation of any law or the rights of a third party. You agree to cooperate as fully as reasonably required in the defense of any claim. Unhaggle reserves the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you.

Disclaimer of Warranty: THE SITE, ITS CONTENT AND ALL TEXT, IMAGES MERCHANDISE AND OTHER INFORMATION ON, ACCESSIBLE FROM OR AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS AVAILABLE" AND "AS IS" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT SPECIFICALLY, BUT WITHOUT LIMITATION, UNHAGGLE DOES NOT WARRANT THAT (1)THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE IS FREE OF ERRORS; (2)THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED ON THIS SITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR FREE OF ERRORS; (3) DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED OR (4) THIS SITE OR THE SERVER(S) THAT MAKES IT AVAILABLE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

Limitation of Liability: IN NO EVENT SHALL UNHAGGLE OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS, SUBSIDIARIES, DIVISIONS, DISTRIBUTORS, SUPPLIERS, AFFILIATES OR THIRD PARTIES PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THIS SITE BE LIABLE TO ANY USER OF THE SITE OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR LOSS OF USE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF UNHAGGLE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF UNHAGGLE OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS, SUBSIDIARIES, DIVISIONS, DISTRIBUTORS, SUPPLIERS, AFFILIATES OR THIRD PARTIES PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THIS SITE TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND CAUSES OF ACTION RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THIS SITE WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO UNHAGGLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPLICABLE EVENT OR PROMOTION GIVING RISE TO SUCH LIABILITY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL UNHAGGLE OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS, SUBSIDIARIES, DIVISIONS, DISTRIBUTORS, SUPPLIERS, AFFILIATES OR THIRD PARTIES PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THIS SITE HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES ARISING OUT OF OR OTHERWISE INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOSS OF ANY DATA OR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN YOUR ACCOUNT OR OTHERWISE STORED BY OR ON BEHALF OF UNHAGGLE.

You hereby acknowledge that the preceding paragraph shall apply to all content, merchandise and services available through the Site. Because some provinces do not allow limitations on implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain damages in such provinces some or all of the above disclaimers or exclusions may not apply and liability will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

International Use: We make no representation that information on this Site is appropriate or available for use outside Canada. Those who choose to access this Site from outside Canada do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws, if and to the extent local laws are applicable.

Unavailability of Site; Termination; Fraud: We may alter, suspend, or discontinue this Site in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, without notice or cost. We may in our sole discretion, terminate or suspend your use or access to all or part of the Site, or your account or membership for any reason, including without limitation, breach of these Terms of Service. If at any time, we notify you that your access to and/or use of the Site or your account is terminated, you must cease and desist from all such access and/or use immediately. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, refuse to ship, or recall from the shipper any order if fraud is suspected. In the event these Terms of Service or your membership or account are terminated the restrictions regarding intellectual property matters, the representations and warranties, indemnities, and limitations of liabilities set forth herein (as well as any other of your obligations which by their nature should survive termination) will survive termination.

Copyright Infringement: Notice and Take Down Procedures: If you believe that any materials on this Site infringe your copyright, you may request that they be removed. This request must bear a signature of the copyright holder or an authorized representative and must : (a) identify the allegedly infringing materials; (b) indicate where on the Site the infringing materials are located; (c) provide your name and contact information; (d) state that you have a good faith belief that the materials are infringing; (e) state that the information in your claim is accurate; and (f) indicate that "under penalty of perjury" you are the lawful copyright owner or are authorized to act on the owner's behalf. Our contact for copyright issues relating to this Site is: Copyright Agent: Unhaggle Inc., [email protected].

Choice of Law and Forum: These Terms of Service and any dispute of any sort that might arise between you and Unhaggle or its parent, subsidiaries or affiliates shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario, without regard to its conflict of law principles, as it is applied to agreements entered into and performed therein, and excluding the United nations Convention on Contracts for the Sale of Goods, as amended from time to time. Any action brought to enforce this Agreement or matters related to the Site will be brought in either the provincial or federal courts in Ontario, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything contained in these Terms of Service to the contrary we shall have the right to institute judicial proceedings against you or anyone acting by, through or under you, in order to enforce our rights hereunder through reformation of contract specific performance, injunction or similar equitable relief. You consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably waive any objection including without limitation any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens which you may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such jurisdiction. Any claim or cause of action you have with respect to use of the Site must be commenced within one (1) year after the claim arises.

Miscellaneous: Unless otherwise specified herein, these Terms of Service, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Unhaggle with respect to the Site and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals (whether oral, written, or electronic) between you and Unhaggle with respect to the Site. If any part of these Terms of Service is held invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be construed in a manner consistent with applicable law to reflect, as nearly as possible the original intentions of the parties, and the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. The failure of Unhaggle to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive Unhaggle's right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches. Unhaggle's failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. The section headings contained in these Terms of Service are included for convenience only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the terms of these Terms of Service.