Mail and package theft is unfortunately common whether you live in an apartment or detached home. Thieves target mail because it’s often very easy to steal. Packages often contain valuables and can even have personal information which can aid in identity theft.   Here are some tips to prevent mail theft:  Have your package sent to the nearest pickup point instead of delivered to your home. It can be more inconvenient but at least it won’t be stolen from your front porch or vestibule!   If you can work from home, try to be there when you’re expecting a delivery.  ..read more

Who doesn’t love an ugly Christmas sweater? Whether yours is homemade, bought with intention, or found in the back of a closet, these sweaters are a great way to celebrate the holidays. But what happens if that ugly Christmas sweater is stolen or damaged? It all depends on how it’s insured.   Insuring an Ugly Christmas Sweater Under Property Insurance  Whether you own or rent a house, condo or apartment, your property insurance includes contents coverage. This covers your personal belongings up to a specified limit if they’re damaged by an insured peril such as fire or theft. If ..read more

Burst pipes are a nightmare for any homeowner or business owner. Not only can they cause extensive damage, but the cleanup can also be challenging due to cold weather. Most burst pipes are caused by frozen pipes. Here’s how to prevent burst pipes during Alberta’s cold winters.  1. Ensure pipes are properly insulated.   Insulation is important for keeping the heat in your home or building. However, even with proper insulation, there can be cold spots inside cabinets or because of a faulty furnace. Ensure your home or building is properly insulated. If this has been done or it’s not po ..read more

Did you know that broken furnaces contribute to many property insurance claims each year? If your furnace dies or isn’t properly operating in cold weather, your home’s temperature can drop and cause frozen or burst pipes, resulting in damage. Keeping your furnace in good repair can save you money over the long term and protect your home.   Types of Furnaces in Alberta’s Homes Most Albertans have forced-air central furnaces heating their homes. These work by heating air and blowing it through ducts throughout the home. Different fuels heat the air, including:  Electric – Very ef ..read more

Famous for its wind, sunshine, coulees, bridge and post-secondary education institutions, Lethbridge is a great prairie city to visit. It makes a good day trip from Calgary or weekend trip if you’re coming from further away.  (We have two locations in Lethbridge and more in the surrounding communities, so we might be a little biased – we love it down here!) Explore the River Valley Parks  The Oldman River winds through the coulees, dividing Lethbridge into two parts. The river valley is beautiful and perfect for walking or biking. Most of the valley in and around Lethbridge has been ..read more

Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be unpredictable, many Albertans have returned to the office. This means using their personal vehicle for commuting, driving more, travelling for work and finally getting to vacation outside of the province.   The Impact of Returning to the Office on Your Car Insurance  During the pandemic, you may have done the following to your car insurance:  You were no longer commuting or had a reduced number of kilometers for commuting.   You had a reduced number of kilometers driven per year.   Your vehicle was parked (not being drive ..read more

An engagement ring signifies a promise. While these rings vary in size, style and value they’re often treasured by their wearer. It can be devastating to lose your engagement ring, especially if you cannot afford to replace it – like you’ve broken that promise. While insurance can’t fix the loss, insurance for engagement rings can help replace the ring. Even better, this coverage is often already included as part of your homeowner, condo, or tenant insurance policy. Standard Coverage for Jewellery Most homeowner, condo or tenant insurance companies include jewellery as part of the personal bel ..read more

Alberta’s housing market varies greatly depending on where in the province you are located. Some areas have remained stagnant while other areas have experienced huge growth in prices. The real estate market can also fluctuate over the year or due to events like the pandemic. If the market value of your home has changed, you may be wondering if your home insurance is affected. The answer is no, the Alberta housing market doesn’t affect your home insurance. This is because the market value of your home is not what is insured – it is the cost of rebuilding your home. Market Value vs Replacement V ..read more

Whether you’re buying a new home or price shopping for an existing property, you’ll need to provide certain information to get a home insurance quote in Alberta. While you may be able to request a quick quote while providing limited information, when you do move forward to insure your home, you’ll have to answer a lot of questions. The more details provided in the initial quote request, the more accurate your home insurance quote will be. Here’s the information you may need to provide for a home insurance quote in Alberta: The home’s address. The year the home was built. The type of home (sin ..read more

Alberta’s hailstorm alley stretches from High River north to Red Deer. This area sees many storms producing hailstones capable of severe damage. In fact, the top two costliest hail losses in Canadian history, causing $1.3 billion and $524 million in insured damages to property, occurred in this region in 2020 and 2014, respectively.   Fortunately, our weather observational and predictive technology is improving. This can give more warning of incoming hailstorms and allow people to react or be pr ..read more