Your Premium News - September 2019
Thinking Ahead - Make sure your car is ready for the change of season.
Keep your car in tip-top shape.
Have you been on a few summer road trips since your last oil change? Check your owner’s manual for the recommended service interval, and schedule one if you’re due.
Make road safety a priority.
With kids going to and from school and the weather changing, it’s a good idea to allow yourself extra time to get where you’re going. Give your emergency kit a once-over – you’ll want fresh batteries in the flashlight now that the evenings are darker, for example.
Plan ahead for next season.
Before you know it, temperatures will have dipped to frost. Make an appointment to have winter tires put on your car now, before the calendar fills up with kids’ activities, work trips and visits with friends.
Update your insurance coverage.
Have you moved over the summer? You will need to report your address change to an Autopac agent. Maybe you’ve started to carpool to work and are only using your vehicle for pleasure travel now. This would need to be modified in your policy. You can speak to an Autopac specialist at your nearest CAA Store!
More Autopac questions? Visit us in store for Autopac services or call 204-262-6065.
Five reasons why having Condo or Tenant Insurance could save you a ton.
Think property insurance is just for people who own houses?
Think again.
If you rent an apartment, condo, house or even a room in a detached home, you should be looking at tenant insurance. If you own a condo or a townhome, look for condo insurance.
Here’s why both are well worth their premiums.
- If Something in Your Unit Affects Your Neighbours, You Could Be Liable.
Suppose your dishwasher overflows and floods the suite beneath you. If that water ruins their carpets, furniture or tech equipment, guess who’s likely liable? You. Without insurance, you’ll be paying for damages to their unit and to their belongings. - You’ll Be Covered for Any Upgrades You’ve Made.
Have you installed carpeting, hardwood floors or ceramic tiles? Built custom cabinetry or counter tops? Once you’ve informed your insurer of these upgrades and made any necessary updates to your policy, if these were damaged somehow, their repair or replacement cost would be covered by your insurance. - You’ll Be Protected If Someone Is Injured on Your Property.
Yes, it can happen. What if a friend tripped over your carpet and fell, injuring himself so he couldn’t work? Without the proper insurance, you’d be liable. Plus, no matter how strong your friendship, legal action can come between the best relationships. - Your Living Expenses Will Be Covered in the Event of a ‘Loss of Use.’
Pipes can burst, fires can spread, flood water can rise. Should your place become unlivable, insurance may cover ‘loss of use’ costs like a hotel, food and other living expenses incurred while being displaced from your home. - If You Experience a Flood, Optional Water Coverage Will Take Care of Your Losses.
In heavy rainfall, sewers can back up and flood right into basement suites. That’s what makes optional water coverage so smart – it ensures your belongings are protected.
Get protected.
Deductibles – What you need to know.^
Many travellers are not aware that they can opt-in for a deductible in exchange for savings on their travel insurance premium. Deductible options are available on many of CAA’s travel insurance plans and are open to all travellers. It’s your choice if you want to accept. The deductible is the amount that you must pay before any remaining eligible expenses are reimbursed under your policy.
Deductibles (which are available only in US dollars, except for the Visitors to Canada Plan deductibles which are in Canadian dollars) can be a good option for travellers who are looking to save on their insurance premium cost. If you are interested in a deductible, you should be comfortable with paying the amount of the deductible upfront and out of pocket. Deductibles apply per condition or event, so if you have multiple claims, you may need to pay the deductible multiple times if the claims occur as separate events. For example, damage to your luggage during transport and then later-on during your trip seeking medical treatment would be two separate events and require you to pay your deductible amount each time. Deductibles cannot be changed or added once your policy is in effect. Deductibles range from $300, $1,000 and $5,000 depending on the premium saving you want. Also, deductibles are not available on certain insurance plans.
If you have any questions about deductibles, please contact a CAA Travel Insurance expert today! And remember, CAA Members save 10% on travel insurance!*
CAA Members save 10% on CAA Travel Insurance.*
Health & Dental Insurance
Common Myths about Health Care Insurance.
Are carrots really good for your eyes? No. They won’t correct or improve your vision – no matter how many you eat.1
Can going outside with wet hair really make you sick? No. Viruses and infections are what makes you sick – not cold air.2
Can you really get the flu from having a flu shot? No. The viruses used in the flu shot are inactivated (killed), so you cannot get the flu from them.3
While there are many health myths like these floating around out there, there are almost as many misconceptions about health and dental care insurance.
Here are a few of the most common misconceptions – and the truth behind them.
Myth: People who are fit and healthy don’t need health care insurance.
You may be in tip top condition today, but life has a way of happening when we least expect it, and serious accidents or illnesses can happen to anyone – at any time – leaving you financially vulnerable if you have to pay for things like prescriptions drugs, registered specialists or accidental dental services.
Myth: Only the main breadwinner needs health care insurance.
If yours is like most families today, it takes two people to make a household work. Moreover, if you have children, the odds of them needing health and dental care are high – and even basic healthcare-related costs like dental check-ups can add up fast.
Myth: Health care insurance is expensive.
There are many different health and dental care plans to choose from. Some cost more than others because they offer more comprehensive coverage and higher annual maximums. By choosing a plan that fits your needs and budget, you’ll avoid the costly error of having no coverage at all – when both routine and unexpected health and dental expenses arise.
Myth: The government will cover all my health care needs.
While provincial health insurance plans in Canada cover many things, they do not come close to covering everything, including prescription drugs, registered specialists and therapists, vision care, semi-private or private hospital accommodation, ambulance transportation and more. Many routine dental care expenses, like check-ups, fillings, cleanings, scaling, x-rays, extractions and restorations are also not covered by provincial plans. Without health and dental insurance, you will have to pay for these expenses out of your own pocket.4
Myth: I’m covered anywhere I travel in Canada.
If you’re outside your home province and the clinic or healthcare facility you go to isn’t set up to bill another province directly, you will have to pay for the medical and/or dental care you received and wait to be reimbursed later. If the health care service you need is more costly where the incident occurred than it is in your home province, you’ll be on the hook for the difference.
Myth: My money can be better used elsewhere.
If a serious accident, illness or injury occurs you’ll quickly realize that health care insurance was a wise investment. The younger you are when you apply, the lower your premiums will be.
The truth is that health care costs can quickly become a financial burden for your family. CAA Health & Dental Insurance offers you an economical way to protect yourself from these expenses.