In my time as an insurance agent, I have dealt with countless Clients who are new to Alberta. And of course, the first thing that I as your insurance agent will want to see before insuring you is a record of your driving history.

The good new is that with 2 key documents, this process is relatively seamless.

So, which documents do I need?

1.    Claims Experience Letters - One of the first documents that will make your auto insurance hunting experience run smoothly, are your insurance records from your prior carrier, which are often referred to as  'claims experience letters'. This letter should detail who the policy holder was, the period of time the policy was in force, and if there were any accidents that occurred on the policy.

2.    Drivers Abstract - The next piece of information you may need is a drivers abstract. This can be provided to you at your motor vehicles branch, and they will give details of any traffic violations, suspensions and lapses in your drivers licence.

With these two documents, it will give your Alberta insurance provider the information they need to give you the best rate possible.

Naturally, remembering to request these documents prior to moving is the easiest and quickest way to obtain them, but most times they can also be sent to you or your provider once you arrive at your destination in Alberta.

What happens if I do not get this information?

Without the proper documents, your Alberta insurance company will not have any details of your prior driving history, and therefore may not give you any credit for your years of driving. They can rate you as if you are a brand new driver, resulting in a higher premium until these records are provided to them.

Different provinces have different methods of determining your auto insurance premiums, so the rates can vary. Being prepared when you are obtaining quotes and purchasing insurance with your prior driving history in hand will maximize your savings from the beginning.

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