Alberta auto insurance is profoundly affected by trends. As a consumer, it’s to your benefit to understand both current and emerging developments in the industry, since this will help you stay ahead of the curve as changes occur.
Right now is an exciting time for the Alberta auto insurance industry, since a wide range of new technologies are finding their way into the plans of insurance providers. Other advancements are a few years away, but appear poised to revolutionize not only the insurance industry, but the way people live their daily lives.
The Rise of Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars have been in development for quite some time, but they are now on the cusp of becoming a practical reality. Extensive research studies and pilot projects are ongoing, and some insiders are predicting that we could see the first self-guided vehicles on the roads by the end of the decade.
Self-driving vehicles are controlled by powerful servers, which communicate over wireless Internet connections. They’re also connected to intricate networks that collect and analyze traffic data so the vehicles react much the same way they would if they were being piloted by a regular human driver.
Vehicles are automatically able to adjust their speeds according to posted limits, and have advanced sensors that read signs, react to traffic lights and respond to other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and obstacles on the road. They are poised to change the Alberta auto insurance industry in a number of key ways.
First, they are expected to decrease accident rates. Self-driving vehicles aren’t subject to human error, and research studies have generated encouraging results in terms of the safety and reliability of self-driving technologies.
Analysts also predict that the rise of self-driving vehicles will result in an overall decrease in private vehicle ownership rates. Once self-driving vehicle technologies have been fully rolled out, driver-free cars will cruise the streets much like taxicabs seeking fares. You’ll be able to request a self-driving car using a smartphone app, travel to your destination, then disembark and order a ride home whenever you need it.
More Examples of How Self-Driving Vehicles Will Change the Way We Drive
If you have teenagers, chances are you’ve experienced the trepidation that comes with handing over the car keys to a newly licensed driver. Self-driving cars provide a powerful solution to this age-old problem.
Parents will be able to set controls that will greatly enhance safety. It’s a well-established fact that teens and young drivers have higher accident rates than their older, more experienced counterparts, and parents will be able to use automated driving technologies to:
- Set speed limits
- Enforce curfews
- Limit the number of passengers allowed in the vehicle
- Restrict drivers to agreed-upon geographic areas
- Communicate with teens while they’re in the vehicle
Teens might not like these features as much as their parents will, but they will almost certainly help curb accident rates. That’s something that benefits everyone on the road, regardless of age.
Weird Weather and Changing Climate Patterns
Weather patterns are changing, and in Alberta, precipitation rates are on the rise, particularly in regards to hail. As far as the Alberta auto insurance industry is concerned, hail is a very costly problem.
It’s a good idea for vehicle owners to be proactive about protecting their cars and trucks from hail damage. With a little planning and foresight, you can greatly reduce your risk and lower your chances of needing to file a hail damage-related claim.
Here’s a quick run-down of the key strategies:
- Keep vehicles in a garage or covered carport when they’re not in use
- Get off the road and seek overhead shelter if you get caught in a hailstorm while driving
- Keep blankets in the vehicle so you can cover your car and reduce the impact of hail if you’re not able to find overhead shelter
When the cold weather is poised to return, you should also review key winter driving safety principles that will help keep you safe.
Why Lane’s Insurance Is a Great Choice for Alberta Auto Insurance
Lane’s Insurance is a leading Alberta-based brokerage. The company’s representatives work for you, not the insurance providers, so you’re always guaranteed the most competitive available rates on your insurance needs. In addition to providing extensive resources, Lane’s backs up their great rates with outstanding service and top-notch claims support.
Visit Lane’s Insurance online today to get a fast, free Alberta auto insurance quote.
