Factors To Consider for Car Insurance in Charlottetown
Charlottetown is an energetic, colourful, and peaceful coastal city of 38,000 people. As the capital and largest city on Prince Edward Island, many opportunities for employment, entertainment, and family fun are within driving distance. To choose the best car insurance in Charlottetown, you need to consider your family’s unique needs.
Family Drivers
There are nearly 10,000 families in Charlottetown, and many have kids. Teens and college-age adults make up about 15% of the population.
The right car insurance coverage for your family depends on the age of drivers, where they travel, and how many vehicles you own. Many parents prefer a larger cap for personal injury coverage and collision insurance — if only for the peace of mind when teens are on the road.
The Daily Commute
With a diverse and growing economy, the region offers both careers and education. Some people work in traditional fields such as agriculture or fishing, and others are involved in renewable energy, healthcare, or aerospace. Approximately 80% of local business professionals commute to work in a personal vehicle.
Considering how important your family’s main vehicles are for daily activities, it’s important to plan for emergencies. Make sure your car insurance in Charlottetown can help you repair or replace your vehicle quickly. Collision coverage and direct compensation coverage for property damage are two effective options.
Snow and Ice
Ice and snow contribute to 20% of serious car crashes in the region. Slippery conditions and poor visibility make it harder to brake, and your vehicle can slide off the road or hit stationary objects.
Several types of car insurance can help with winter driving risks:
- Liability coverage: To pay for repairs or medical costs if you hit another vehicle
- Personal injury: To provide coverage for medical care if you get into an accident, including wildlife collisions and single-car crashes
- Comprehensive insurance: To pay for vehicle repairs if your parked car gets hit by hail, heavy ice, fallen tree branches, and other damage
- Collision insurance: To repair or replace your automobile after a crash, even if you lose control because of icy roads
Charlottetown’s annual climate is milder than other places in Canada’s Atlantic provinces, but it still gets cold in winter. On average, the temperature drops below zero 140 days a year. Freezing conditions are common in December and January.
Mandatory Insurance Coverage
Prince Edward Island requires all drivers to carry basic car insurance. The minimum policy must have $200,000 for:
- Third-party liability coverage
- Direct compensation for property damage (similar to no-fault coverage)
- Accident benefits coverage (another name for personal injury insurance)
- Uninsured automobile coverage
For many commuters and frequent drivers, this basic coverage simply isn’t enough to account for the costs of car accidents on the island. You always have the freedom to request a larger coverage cap for car insurance in Charlottetown.
Uninsured or Intoxicated Motorists
Getting hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance can be frustrating. It’s not fair to pay for repairs out of pocket when someone else breaks the law. If the other driver is under the influence, there’s a greater risk of serious injuries.
Several types of insurance can help in this situation:
- Uninsured motorist: Covers the full cost of your repairs and medical care after an accident with an uninsured driver
- Underinsured motorist: Covers the costs that exceeds the other driver’s insurance plan
- Unidentified vehicle: Covers your expenses after a hit-and-run accident
Drinking and driving is a significant problem on Prince Edward Island. There are 50% more cases in the region than the average in other parts of Canada.