The Ultimate Car Insurance Renewal Checklist: What to Review Before You Renew

Don’t Hit “Renew” Until You Read This!

Your car insurance renewal notice just arrived. What will you do?

Most drivers click “renew” right away. They don’t think twice. But that quick click could cost you hundreds of dollars. You might even have gaps in your coverage.

Here’s the truth. Car insurance costs jumped 19% in 2024. They’re still going up in 2025. The average driver now pays $2,189 per year. That’s a 78% increase over ten years.

This affects Alberta drivers too. You might live in Fort Saskatchewan. Or Edmonton. Or Sherwood Park. You need to be smart about your car insurance renewal.

This checklist will help you. You’ll make better choices. You’ll save money. And you’ll get the right coverage when you need it.

Why Your Car Insurance Renewal Matters

Think about this for a moment. You spend more time picking lunch than reviewing your policy. Yet your policy protects one of your biggest assets.

Here’s what’s happening right now:

• Premiums are going up (about 7% in 2025)
• Insurance companies use new pricing methods
• More people shop around for better rates
• Many drivers saw rates jump 20-50% recently

Here’s the good news. You have options. Insurance companies want to keep you. They’re competing for your business.

Your Complete Car Insurance Renewal Checklist

1. Check Your Coverage and Deductibles

Look at these items:

• Your liability coverage limits
• Your collision and comprehensive deductibles
• Extra coverage like rental car help
• Roadside assistance

Why this matters: Your life changes. Your car insurance should change too.

Say you had a $500 deductible five years ago. Now you have more savings. You could raise it to $1,000. This could lower your premium by 15-30%.

Or maybe you own more assets now. You might need higher liability limits. This protects what you’ve built.

Quick tip: In Alberta, you need basic coverage. But think about optional coverage. Does it fit your life?

Got a 10-year-old car? Is it paid off? You might not need comprehensive coverage anymore. You might not need collision coverage either.

2. Compare Prices from Different Companies

This step is a must. The same coverage can cost way more at different companies. We’re talking hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Recent facts:

• More people switched policies in 2024-2025
• People who compare rates save over $500 per year
• Prices vary a lot in the same province

How to compare:

• Get 3-5 quotes with the same coverage
• Look at more than just price
• Check customer service ratings
• See how they handle claims
• Ask if bundling saves you money (usually 5-25% off)

Farnese Insurance Brokers in Fort Saskatchewan does this work for you. We’re an independent broker. We work with many insurance companies. We find your best match. We save you time and money.

3. Update Your Information

Check these details:

• How many miles you drive now
• Are you working from home?
• Did you change your address?
• Any new drivers in your home?
• Did you add safety features to your vehicle?
• Has your credit score improved?

Why this helps: Driving less now? You could get a discount.

Did you add a dashcam? What about an anti-theft device? Many insurers give you credit for safety features.

A better credit score can cut your car insurance costs too. Some studies show this clearly. Drivers with great credit pay up to 114% less. That’s compared to those with poor credit.

4. Ask About Discounts

You might miss out on savings. Here are common car insurance discounts:

• Bundle discount – Combine home and auto
• Good driver discount – No accidents for 3-5 years
• Safety features – Anti-lock brakes, airbags, anti-theft
• Low mileage – Under 12,000 km per year
• Mature driver – Age 55 and up
• Group memberships
• Paperless billing
• Loyalty rewards

Important note: Your insurer won’t always apply every discount. You need to ask about each one.

5. See If Your Insurer Still Works for You

Think about:

• How did they handle your claims?
• Is their customer service good?
• Can you manage your policy online easily?
• What are their financial ratings?
• Do they have local offices?

Location matters a lot: Do you live in Fort Saskatchewan? Or Edmonton? Or Sherwood Park? Having a local broker like Farnese Insurance means real benefits.

You get face-to-face service. You get personal attention. You work with someone who knows Alberta. They understand winter driving risks. They know about hail damage concerns.

6. Read Your Renewal Papers Carefully

Your renewal documents have key information:

• Price changes – Why did they change?
• Coverage changes – Did they reduce something?
• What’s not covered
• Grace periods – How long before coverage ends?

Watch out: Did your premium jump a lot? Did you have no claims or tickets? Ask why. Then shop around.

Smart Money Tips

Make These Strategic Choices:

Start early: Don’t wait until the last minute. Review your car insurance 30-45 days before renewal. This gives you time. You can compare without rushing.

Understand rate increases: Repair costs went up 3.7% in early 2024. This builds on bigger increases from before. Natural disasters push costs higher. So do parts shortages. And inflation. But you can still find better rates.

Bundling can help: Combining home and auto insurance usually saves 15-25%. But check the math first. Sometimes separate policies cost less. Even from different companies.

Payment method matters: Many insurers give 3-5% off for paying yearly. That’s instead of monthly. Plus you avoid monthly fees.

Numbers You Should Know

Recent reports tell an important story. Full coverage car insurance in 2025 averages $175 per month. That’s $2,101 per year across North America. But this changes by location. Some areas see rates over $250 per month.

Why costs keep rising:

• Car repairs cost more than ever
• Vehicles have expensive technology now
• Climate disasters happen more often
• Medical costs for injuries are up
• Parts are harder to get

Good news for you: Rate increases are slowing down. Experts predict 4-7% increases for 2025. That’s better than the 12-19% jumps we saw recently.

Read the full 2025 Auto Insurance Trends Report from The Zebra for detailed statistics.

Your Action Plan

30-45 days before renewal:

• Mark when your policy expires
• Get your current policy papers
• Write down any life changes
• Check your driving record

2-3 weeks before renewal:

• Get quotes from at least 3 companies
• Call Farnese Insurance Brokers
• Talk to a professional about your needs
• Figure out savings from changing deductibles

1 week before renewal:

• Make your final choice
• Make sure you have no coverage gap
• Check that all discounts are applied
• Save all your papers

Why Choose Farnese Insurance Brokers

Farnese Insurance has served Fort Saskatchewan since 1993. Here’s what makes us different:

• Independent broker – We work with many top companies 
• Local experts – We know Alberta’s unique needs 
• Personal service – Dedicated brokers help you 
• Full options – Auto, home, business, travel, farm insurance 
• Save time – One call, multiple quotes, best coverage

We work for you. Not the insurance company. Our job is finding you the right car insurance. At the best price.

Common Questions Answered

Q1: How often should I shop for car insurance?

You should review your car insurance every 1-2 years. Also check when big things change. This includes moving. Or getting married. Or buying a new car.

Rates are changing a lot now. Checking yearly is smart. Many drivers haven’t compared rates in 3+ years. They overpay by $500-1,000 each year.

Q2: Will shopping hurt my credit score?

No. Getting car insurance quotes uses a “soft inquiry.” This doesn’t affect your credit score.

When you buy a policy, insurers may run a “hard inquiry.” This has a tiny impact. It’s temporary. The money you save is worth way more. Much more than any small credit concern.

Q3: What if my car insurance expires between policies?

Never let your coverage lapse. Not even for one day.

A gap in car insurance causes problems. Big problems. You’ll pay higher premiums on your new policy. Sometimes 20-30% more. You could lose your license. You might get fined. And you’ll be driving illegally.

When switching insurers, be smart. Make your new policy start when the old one ends. Exactly when it ends.

Q4: Can I negotiate my renewal rate?

You can’t usually “negotiate” rates the old way. Premiums are regulated. They’re based on risk.

But you can use competing quotes. Call your current insurer. Show them a better quote. Ask if they can match it. Ask about more discounts. Many companies would rather keep you. Even at a lower rate. Better than losing you.

Q5: Is it worth switching to save $200-300 per year?

Yes! That’s $200-300 in your pocket. Over ten years? That’s $2,000-3,000 saved.

But think about more than just price. Look at their reputation. How do they handle claims? Check customer service quality. Make sure coverage is good.

The cheapest option isn’t always best. Not if they make claims hard. Working with a trusted broker like Farnese Insurance is smart. You get great rates AND quality coverage.

Don’t Miss This Opportunity

Your car insurance renewal isn’t just paperwork. It’s a chance. A chance to save money. A chance to get better coverage.

More drivers shop for better rates now. More than ever before. Companies are fighting to earn your business. This means better deals. For smart consumers who do their homework.

Take action now: Don’t wait for your renewal notice. Review your car insurance today. Starting sooner gives you more power. More time too. To make the best choice.

Ready to see how much you could save? Contact Farnese Insurance Brokers in Fort Saskatchewan today. Get a free quote comparison. No obligation.

Our team will review your current coverage. We’ll explain your options. And we’ll help you find the best car insurance. For your needs. And your budget.

Call us at (780) 998-0252
Email: Info@farneseinsurance.com
Visit us: 117 Town Crest Rd #103, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 0G7

Find our Edmonton and Sherwood Park locations on our Locations Page

Your car insurance renewal doesn’t have to be hard. Or expensive. Let Alberta’s trusted independent brokers show you the difference.

Remember this: The best time to review your car insurance was yesterday. The second best time is right now. Don’t let your next renewal pass. Get the coverage you deserve. At a fair price.

Serving Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and all of Alberta since 1993. Family-owned, locally operated, and committed to protecting what matters most to you.