the complete guide to BuyInG a car
Don ’ T Leave THe LoT wITHouT IT !
Insurance Know-How
Auto insurance is compulsory in Alberta , but there are many different plans . AMA offers complete insurance services , and recommends bundling your home and auto insurance for bigger savings .
“ Buy the best you can afford ,” says karen Mcdougall of AMA insurance . “ You ’ re buying the promise of somebody taking care of you in the event of an accident .” Speak to an AMA insurance advisor to make sure you ’ re covered and brush up on some insurance lingo :
Third-party liability Mandatory in Alberta , it covers the cost if you hurt someone else . AMA recommends at least $ 1 million in coverage , preferably $ 2 million
accident benefits Also mandatory , it covers medical and rehabilitation costs if you or your passengers are killed or injured in a collision
collision Covers the costs of repairing your vehicle after a collision or rollover comprehensive Covers damage to your vehicle after most things not covered by Collision , like hitting an animal , fire , theft or vandalism
Loss of use Covers the cost of renting a car , or using taxis and buses , while your damaged car is being repaired
Limited waiver of depreciation Provides the full value — not the depreciated value — of a new replacement vehicle if your new car is written off , within a specified time
Glass Covers the cost of repairing a chip or if you require a complete windshield replacement
Limited glass Removes coverage for repairing a windshield from your Comprehensive policy , in order to lower the premium
Get an insurance quote online : AMAInsurance . ca
Before DrIvInG off the lot in your new ride , be sure you ’ ve got everything you legally need to get behind the wheel . ( if you buy from a private seller , it ’ s your responsibility to be sure the paperwork is complete .) Follow this list of essentials before turning the key :
Insurance the biggest expense after the vehicle itself , and the most variable . it ’ s compulsory in canada to have auto insurance to drive on a public road . get a quote at ama . ab . ca / Insurance .
LIcence pLaTe it stays with you , not with the vehicle . if you ’ re trading in a vehicle , swap the plate over . if you ’ re buying for the first time , or buying an additional vehicle , you need a new plate . visit an AMA centre to buy one along with your registration . Your plate must be linked to a vehicle when first purchasing , so you ’ ll need to provide the vehicle identification number of your new car .
reGIsTraTIon every vehicle must be provincially registered annually in order to drive legally on the road . A sticker on your licence plate proves it . Sign up for vehicle registration Auto-renew to automatically renew your registration every year : ama . ab . ca / Automatic .
DrIver ’ s LIcence it must be valid and represent the province in which you currently live . if you ’ ve moved from another province , you have 90 days to transfer your licence . For a class-5 licence , your local AMA centre can do this for you . driver : Antonio _ diAz / iStock
32 Spring 2017
AMA inSider