| Insurance is sold through four main channels | | | | Saskatchewan,insurance against damage to a |
| in Canada. | | | | vehicle is available on a voluntary basis. If |
| | | | this insurance is not purchased and the |
| Brokers- selling products of different | | | | vehicle driver is totally at fault in an |
| insurance companies. | | | | accident, there will be no recovery at all |
| | | | for vehicle damage. |
| Agents- selling only the products of one | | | | |
| insurance company. | | | | Insurance companies are registered with and |
| | | | supervised by the federal or provincial |
| Direct sellers- generally selling only the | | | | governments regardless of whether they are |
| products of a particular company via | | | | foreign-owned, part of big conglomerates or |
| telephone from call centres. | | | | mutual and stock companies. |
| | | | |
| Group plans- sold either through the people | | | | Generally, insurance companies use the same |
| above or through the workplace, alumni | | | | basic policies for auto insurance, since this |
| association, professional association, or | | | | area is regulated by government, so you will |
| other group affiliations. | | | | have to look at the details of service and |
| | | | products to see which company might provide |
| If you want auto insurance, coverage for your | | | | you with the best service and options for |
| home, condo or your belongings in a rental | | | | your vehicles. There are a number of options |
| unit, or travel insurance, you will need a | | | | in home insurance among companies. |
| product (as they call insurance policies) | | | | |
| from one of the approximately 213 private | | | | Ask friends and relatives about their |
| Property and Casualty (P & C) or general | | | | insurers. Were claims paid promptly without a |
| insurance companies. If you want life or | | | | great deal of red tape? Were insurers capable |
| health coverage, you will need a product from | | | | of dealing with a number of claims during |
| one of the about-100 Life companies. There | | | | catastrophes like the Great Ice Storm or |
| are compulsory auto insurance plans, run by | | | | major power outages or floods? Did insurers |
| government, in British Columbia, Manitoba and | | | | offer a range of plans customized to the |
| Saskatchewan and, in Quebec, bodily injury in | | | | clients specific needs. Of course, premiums |
| auto accidents is provided by the government | | | | for insurance coverage vary greatly among a |
| insurer. | | | | number of insurers. No matter what you hear, |
| | | | premiums for auto insurance, in particular, |
| When you first set out to buy insurance, take | | | | vary by insurer, sometimes by very large |
| a close look at your needs. For instance, | | | | amounts. And when one insurer will not touch |
| consider your liability. If you drive a car | | | | a prospective customer, another company will |
| or own a home, liability insurance will | | | | accept the client with open arms. It all |
| protect you for the liability you have for | | | | depends on what an individual insurance |
| causing injury or death to other people or | | | | company feels is an acceptable risk at the |
| damage to their property. Consider your | | | | premium price. |
| losses if you become sick or die; health and | | | | |
| life insurance can protect you and your | | | | There are insurers who will take on unusual |
| family against some of these losses. Be | | | | risks. For instance, there are insurers who |
| careful when considering coverage. For | | | | will cover pets including what could be very |
| instance, except for Manitoba and | | | | expensive veterinarian bills. |