Open ProvincesCar insurance in Alberta: what is compulsory and where to buy it
How car insurance works in Alberta: public or private model, the compulsory coverage and the proof you need to register a vehicle, from the official pages.
Compulsory insurance and where to buy it
Private insurance, compulsory: basic coverage (accident benefits and third-party liability) is required by law, with a $200,000 minimum third-party liability (most drivers buy $1 million or $2 million). Alberta's Care-First system, with no-fault injury benefits paid by your own insurer, starts January 1, 2027 under the Automobile Insurance Act; the benefit regulation was still in draft: check the Superintendent of Insurance.
Minimum liability limits are the legal floor: most drivers buy more. Some figures come from older handbooks or archived copies of the law, as noted: confirm with the registry or regulator before relying on them. Your premium depends on your record, vehicle and territory, and shopping around is allowed where insurance is private. Rules, fees and programs change and were read on 2026-11-14: confirm with the official source. General information, not legal advice. Quebec follows its own rules: see atlasquebec.ca.
Guides for this province
- Renting in Alberta: rights, rent increases and average rents
- Working in Alberta: minimum wage, standards and wages
- Moving to Alberta: health card, driver's licence and taxes
- Cost of living in Alberta: prices, rent, wages and taxes
- Buying a home in Alberta: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
- Health care in Alberta: health card, drug plans and dental help
- Studying in Alberta: tuition, student aid and grants
- Seniors in Alberta: pensions, supplements and programs
- Taxes in Alberta: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
- Families in Alberta: child benefits and family programs
- Documents and ID in Alberta: birth certificate and change of name
- Starting a business in Alberta: register a name, GST/HST and licences
- Problems and disputes in Alberta: consumer complaints, small claims, workplace injury and legal aid
- Driving and vehicles in Alberta: switching your licence and what is required
- Photo ID card in Alberta without a driver's licence: who can apply, documents and fee
- Getting married in Alberta: marriage licence, fees and documents
- Health card in Alberta: who qualifies, waiting period and how to register
- When someone dies in Alberta: death certificate, estate and probate
- Registering a child for school in Alberta: age, documents and where to sign up
- Child care in Alberta: fees, finding a space and subsidies
- Immigrating to Alberta: nominee program, steps and processing times
- Accessible parking permit in Alberta: how to apply
- Alcohol rules in Alberta: legal age and where to buy
- Car insurance in Alberta: what is compulsory and where to buy it
- Cannabis rules in Alberta: legal age, where to buy and where to use
- Disability income and supports in Alberta: how to apply
- Prescription drug coverage in Alberta: public plans and how to enrol
- Emergency preparedness in Alberta: alerts, evacuation and your 72-hour kit
- Separation, parenting and child support in Alberta: free help and enforcement
- Help for family violence and victims of crime in Alberta
- Fishing and hunting licences in Alberta: where to buy and what you need
- Health advice line (811) in Alberta: speak to a nurse any time
- Indigenous relations and services in Alberta: who does what
- Marriage licence fee in Alberta
- New drivers in Alberta: graduated licensing stages and minimum ages
- Provincial parks and camping reservations in Alberta
- Probate fees in Alberta: what an estate pays
- Social assistance in Alberta: how to apply for income support
- Social housing and rent help in Alberta: how to apply
- Student loans and grants in Alberta: where to apply
- Voting in Alberta: register, check your status and find your election office
- Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Alberta