Canada Car Insurance Money Saving Tip

You can utilize many tips and tricks when you are looking into auto insurance. However, there is one major one that we usually forget to look into that can help you save money:

Those who are shopping for car insurance in Canada usually remember to discuss the obvious factors that can help their premiums with their agent. These are generally driver's training classes they have taken, dropping collision coverage from an older car, using your car only for pleasure and not work, and the like. However, those who get a quote in Canada may forget to mention that they have anti-theft devices installed on their auto. If you do not mention you have this, you may be missing out on some major insurance discounts over the life of your auto insurance premium!

Canadians pay approximately 1.2 billion per year in auto theft costs. This includes legal bills, the insurance costs, as well as any medical bills that occur if the theft involved injuries. It is therefore in everybody's best interest, even Canadian insurance companies, to use anti-theft deterrents on your vehicle and to get the insurance discounts associated with having them. Any type of insurance discount gets you more money in your pocket!

You can use three different types of anti-theft devices. When you know and understand them, you can get a better price on your Canadian auto insurance quote:

1. Mechanical - Devices such as a locking bar can prevent the steering wheel from moving, until the owner unlocks it himself or herself.

2. Car alarms - You can install an alarm in your car that causes alarms and lights to go off if someone tries to break into your vehicle.

3. Electronic - These are immobilizers that will cut off the power to the ignition, making the car impossible to start.

These three anti-theft devices probably sound very familiar to us. The most familiar are the electronic immobilizers, as the Government of Canada has just recently made them mandatory. These three categories can be broken down as well into two more categories of anti-theft deterrents:

Active Devices: These anti-theft deterrents require that you have to turn them on yourself to make them operate.

Passive Devices: These come on automatically when the engine is turned off, so you do not have to worry about forgetting. Canadian auto insurance companies prefer that their customers have passive devices as they consider them the better of the two. This is because we do not run the risk of forgetting to turn them on, causing our cars to be stolen.

Take advantage of all the possible discounts you can receive before you settle on a car insurance quote. Write down any anti-theft devices your vehicle may have, what kind it is, and anything else that you believe could save you money on your auto insurance. Ask about each discount. Do not just assume that because an engine immobilizer is now mandatory that you automatically get the discount. Make a point of asking to receive every discount you are entitled to!