Your Premium News - August 2021
Coverage for Travelling in Canada
Members save 10% on CAA Travel Insurance.3
Learn more about coverage for travelling in Canada.
It’s Important to Have the Right Home Insurance
No matter what type of dwelling you live in, you should protect yourself and your assets—and the best way to do that is with home insurance. Home insurance protects you from unexpected events such as fire and theft.
So, what is the right insurance for you? To find out, it’s best to talk to an insurance broker. Before you make an appointment, be prepared by gathering some basic information about your home. Once you gather what’s needed, your broker will be able to help find you the right policy.
The most important factors in determining the insurance you need is the type of dwelling you live in and whether you are an owner or renter. Below is a handy guide to the three main types of dwellings and what information you should collect before talking to a broker.
Homeowner’s Insurance
A homeowner’s insurance policy covers the building, contents and outbuildings (such as a sheds and garages). When calculating your insurance coverage, the amount corresponds to the replacement value, which is calculated using the following information you can provide to your broker:
- Construction type
- Year built
- Style of home (i.e. bi-level, two-storey, bungalow)
- Total square footage of finished living areas
- Type and age of roof
- Foundation type
- Type of plumbing, heating and electrical
- Number of bathrooms
- Finished basement
- Garage/carport or other attached structures (identifying size)
- Type of alarm system, if any, and whether it is monitored
- Sump pump / backup / backwater valve
- Mortgage information
- Claims and Insurance history
Tenant’s Insurance
If you rent an apartment or house, tenant’s insurance can help replace your belongings after a loss due to fire, theft, water damage or other insured perils. It can also cover costs for additional living expenses if you need to live elsewhere while your apartment is repaired, as well as coverage for liability. To get the right coverage, determine:
- Value of contents (how much would it cost to replace your belongings such as clothes, electronics, furniture, etc.)
- Age of the building
- Style of apartment block/house
- How many storeys
- Building construction type (wood, brick, etc.)
- Type and age of roof
- Type of plumbing, heating and electrical
- Claims and insurance history
Condominium Insurance
Depending on the type of condo you live in, your condo corporation’s insurance may cover losses to the building and common property elements, but not personal contents, liability or improvements to your unit. In order to prepare a quote for your condo insurance, your broker will need to know:
- Condo type (standard, common or bareland) The condo corporation’s bylaws is the best place to look—bring a copy to your appointment
- Sale price of the unit and mortgage amount
- Building construction and type
- Age of the building
- Age of roof
- Type of plumbing, heating and electrical
- Presence of a backwater valve
- Claims and insurance history
Talking with a CAA Manitoba Insurance Broker is the best place to get started. If you already have home insurance, our brokers are happy to discuss your needs and determine whether you have the right coverage. You don't need to be a CAA Member to get insurance with CAA, but Members enjoy exclusive perks, including saving up to 10% on CAA Home Insurance.1.
Get protected.
Hitting the Road?
Are you planning a road trip? Before your wheels hit the road, make sure your car is at its peak and that you have the right insurance coverage. It’s always worth the time, effort and money it takes to keep your vehicle in good condition. A well-maintained car is less prone to breakdowns, runs better and will have a higher resale value.
Here are a few ways to get your car road trip ready:
Get your car serviced
Make sure everything is in good working order by taking your car to a CAA-Approved Auto Repair Services facility. If you’ve been putting off routine work—like oil changes or brake jobs—they can help with that too.
Make the outside sparkle
The old adage is ‘a clean car runs better’. Wash your vehicle's exterior with a car shampoo you can pick up at NAPA Auto Parts. Avoid dish soap and other household cleaners as they can wreck your car’s finish. If you’d prefer to outsource the job, a drive-through touchless car wash with an undercarriage bath is a good option.
Deep clean the interior
For the doors and dashboard, mix five tablespoons of vinegar to one litre of warm water. For the floors, apply a foaming carpet cleaner, then suck away the dirt with a steam extractor. You can typically rent them from big box stores for around $30 a day.
Test your battery
Extreme temperatures can wreak havoc on the sensitive innards of batteries. If your battery is labouring or more than five years old, consider calling CAA’s Battery Service. A technician will come to you and test the battery, free of charge. If it needs replacing, they can sell you a new one—Members even save $25 on the price of a CAA Premium Battery—and replace it on the spot.
Make sure you have the right insurance coverage
If you are hitting the road you’ll also want to ensure that you have the right insurance coverage for your vehicle and driving habits.
Safety and coverage for trailers
If you’re towing a utility trailer, camper trailer or boat trailer, the most important thing is to do so safely and be properly insured. Here are a few tips:
- Take it slow and steady
- Accelerate slowly
- Steer gently
- Stop gradually by applying your brakes at intervals
- Drive at a steady speed (speed limit or slightly below)
- Pull over and let traffic pass if it’s piling up behind you
- Drive to weather conditions. If it’s rainy or windy, slow down
- Register your trailer and install its licence plate
Coverage for collector vehicles
MPI’s Collector Vehicle Program provides superior year-round insurance coverage which reflects the infrequent use of collector vehicles and the extraordinary care and maintenance owners provide for them. The program offers Basic all-perils protection throughout the year, with the convenience of not having to switch to Lay-Up or another insurance product in the winter months.
Talk to an Autopac specialist
No matter what type of vehicle you’re driving in Manitoba, when it’s time to talk about insuring your car, trailer, or collector vehicle, call us to speak with an Autopac specialist at CAA.
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