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05/28/2025

Learn how to avoid distracted driving

Do you know the top reasons drivers get distracted? Learn how the smallest distractions can affect your focus – and how to avoid them

survey of British Columbians with a valid drivers license who drive regularly found that 93% of BC drivers consider themselves to be focused drivers,

https://youtu.be/3_j3DGNWz7Q

12/24/2024

How to Shop for Car Insurance: 10 Tips to Help Save You Money

1. Choose Your Deductibles Wisely
Your deductible – the amount you would pay out-of-pocket for repairs after making a valid claim with your insurer – is one of the most important figures to consider when obtaining car insurance. It’s meant to limit your share of the repair bill to only what you can comfortably cover yourself, at which point your insurer steps in and pays the rest of the tab, so opting for a $1,000 deductible on your collision coverage is basically saying: “If I’m unexpectedly in an accident, I could pay as much as $1,000 out-of-pocket toward repairs, but no more.”

If you ever need to file a claim, a low deductible is nice in the moment. However, the deductible is also a factor in determining your premiums. That nice, super-low $250 deductible might not be worth it in the long run if it means paying more each month for your insurance premium. If you’re comfortable with a higher deductible and you lease or finance your vehicle, keep in mind that the lender may have a maximum allowable deductible for certain coverage.

When you set your deductibles, be honest with yourself: how much can you really afford to pay for a claim, in the unfortunate event that you actually have to file one? We recommend comparing prices with a couple of different deductibles selected, and considering the trade-offs between paying a lower premium, or paying less out-of-pocket after an accident.

2. Bundle Your Home and Auto Insurance Together
For most insurers, car insurance is just one of multiple products they offer, and that means potential savings for customers if they bundle their home and auto insurance together through the same provider. Why is that? Think of it like a bulk discount, where the more volume you buy in toilet paper, foodstuffs, or other consumer goods, generally, the more you save.

When you insure both your car and your home through the same insurer, they will typically offer you reduced premiums for giving them more business.

3. Insure All Your Vehicles Through the Same Insurer
Just like bundling your home and auto insurance together under the same provider can help you save, you can also save by covering multiple vehicles under one policy. For anyone living in a household with more than one vehicle, insuring multiple vehicles with the same insurer can usually provide you with a significant discount. TD Insurance customers can save even more by bundling their car insurance with coverage for an ATV, snowmobile, motorcycle, or motorhome.

4. Before You Buy a Vehicle, Shop for Insurance Rates
One of the ways to save on auto insurance is simply by making a wise decision when it comes to your choice of chariot. Some vehicles are more crashworthy than others – meaning they are better able to protect vehicle occupants in a collision – and there is no hard-and-fast rule for assessing crashworthiness based on vehicle type; you may “feel” safer in a crossover, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will protect you better than a sedan when it counts.

Additionally, some vehicles have safety technology in place that can help you avoid an accident in the first place. Features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic lane-centering can help keep you safe, which can also help keep premiums down. However, those systems also depend on a number of high-tech gizmos like cameras and sensors, which can become easily damaged in a crash, representing a different kind of risk to insurers.

If you happen to be searching for your next set of wheels: get insurance quotes before you make a purchase, and consider comparing several different vehicles that you might be interested in. Vehicles with a higher safety rating, for example, could have lower rates for coverage related to inuries. Alternatively, you could expect to pay more for theft-related coverage for vehicles that are more prone to being stolen.

5. Consider Your Coverage
When shopping for insurance, consider the age of your vehicle and type of coverage that makes most sense. For older vehicles, or vehicles that you have fully paid off, you can save you some money if you’re willing to remove some or all of your optional physical damage protection, such as Comprehensive or Collision coverage. This means that your liability to other drivers is covered, but any damage you cause to your own vehicle is not covered. To do this, weigh the cost of these coverages against the value of your vehicle and your chosen deductible to see if this makes sense. It’s a calculated risk, but if you’re driving a cheaper vehicle, it can make up the difference in a hurry.

6. Lower Mileage Can Mean Savings
If you’re spending less time on the road, there’s a good chance you can save on your policy. With vehicle usage being a rating factor that helps determine your premiums, driving less will likely mean lower premiums. If your driving habits have changed, for example if you are no longer commuting to and from work, it’s worth reaching out to your insurer to understand if there are some savings to be had.

If you have a dependent child on your policy that is a full-time student at a post-secondary institution, you could qualify for an additional discount because they aren’t driving as much if at all while away at school. And anyone with kids on their auto insurance policy can attest that anything that can help save some money is a great thing.

One thing to take note of – this often works both ways. If your driving habits change - for example your mileage increases or you begin a longer commute - remember to reach out to your insurer so you have the right coverages in place.

7. Sign Up for a Usage-Based Insurance Program
To put in simple terms, if you are a safer driver, you can often find cheaper insurance rates. Modern technology has made it possible for insurers to assess how you drive, while you drive. By volunteering to transmit relevant driving data – what times of day you drive; how aggressively you brake, accelerate, and take corners; how fast you cruise; etc. – to your insurer, you may qualify for a cheaper rate. In the past, this was accomplished by using a dongle that you would plug into your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics port, but these days, it’s more typically assessed through a dedicated app on your phone.

The data collected about your driving habits could help lower your premium because it represents yet another tool your insurer can use to assess your risk level. Aggressive drivers are seen to be higher-risk, so if you can demonstrate safe driving habits you could save on your premium. For example, qualified drivers in Ontario or Quebec covered by TD Insurance who sign up for the TD MyAdvantage program can get up to a 25% discount on their renewal for good driving behaviours, including 10% (5% in Quebec) just for signing up, downloading the app, and using it to submit consistent driver data.

8. Keep A Good Driving Record
One of the best ways to save money on your car insurance is to simply keep a good, clear driving record. Obey all traffic laws, drive defensively, and pay close attention to the speed limit. Speeding to the store to reserve your copy of Halo Infinite might seem worth it at the time, but it won’t be if it means an expensive ticket and a higher insurance premium.

9. Take A Driver Training Course
Newly licensed drivers may benefit from additional savings for completing an accredited driver training program. Even experienced drivers can benefit from more advanced driver training courses to keep their driving skills sharp. Being a safer driver can translate to insurance savings in the long term, as you are less likely to be involved in an accident.

10. Look for Alumni or Employer Special Rates
Are you a member of an alumni group or professional association? Some insurers offer preferred home and auto insurance rates for college or university students or alumni, those belonging to certain professional associations, and other groups. TD Insurance, for instance, offers discounts for over 750 alumni groups, employee groups, and professional organizations.

Individually, each of these discounts tends to be for only a modest amount, but every penny counts – especially when you look at the total savings over the years you will be driving your car. And your insurer might also be able to make recommendations on other ways that you can save. TD Insurance puts those savings in terms that are easy to understand -- new customers, on switching both their home and car insurance policies, reported an average annual premium savings of approximately 28%*.

12/24/2024

Auto Insurance Claims 101: What to Know When Making A Claim After A Car Accident

What to do following an accident
While contacting your insurance company is critical, there are some other steps that should come before, including:

Checking for injuries. If someone is injured, call 911
Moving yourself out of harm’s way
If your car is drivable, move to the shoulder of the road or towards the nearest curb
Go to the side furthest from the road or stay in your car if it isn’t safe to exit
Whether or not you need to contact police can vary depending on the province you’re in and the circumstances of the accident. For example, in Ontario, you are required to contact police if anyone is injured, if the total damages to all vehicles exceeds $2,000 or you suspect there may be criminal activity involved, i.e. driving under the influence. If in doubt, always call in to report.

Once you confirm that everyone’s safe and police have been contacted (if necessary), you can start taking action on your insurance claim.

What to do following an accident
Report the incident to your insurance company.
Exchange critical information with the driver(s) of the other car(s) involved:
Name
Address
Contact phone number
Driver’s license number
Insurance information (including policy number)
License plate number
Make, colour and model of the other car
Take pictures of the scene and of any damage
If it’s safe to do so, consider capturing some other accident details:

Witness contact information (if there are witnesses)
Details regarding the scene of the accident (like any major intersections or road conditions)
The police report. You can ask officers at the scene for the police report number. If police are not at the scene, you should call your local police station to report the accident as soon as possible. It’s also important to report a hit and run to the police right away.
Some provinces or regions may also require additional accident reporting. For example -

In Atlantic Canada, an accident must be reported to the police if the damage is significant, if there are any injuries or if you suspect a crime, such as the other driver being impaired.
In Quebec, if no one is injured, you will need to fill out a Joint Report with the other driver.
In Ontario, you should bring your car to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours.
In Alberta, if the repair cost is high enough, you will need to bring your car to a Collision Reporting Centre to get a damage sticker, which the auto shop needs to begin repairs.
If your vehicle is not drivable, you should arrange to have a tow from a reputable towing company. The TD Insurance mobile app makes this easy for customers by providing quick access to towing services with the touch of a button.
This may seem like a lot to remember but keep in mind your insurance company will support you along the way. The TD Insurance mobile app offers customers a convenient accident tool-kit to help navigate the steps following an accident, along with other useful features, such as towing & roadside assistance and the ability to locate one of our preferred vendor repair shops. Plus, you can start a claim immediately on your phone. If you are already a TD Insurance customer download the mobile app now to ensure you're prepared for the unexpected.

What happens next?
Whether you're initiating a claim following an accident or another type of loss, from this point on it's your insurance company's job to make the rest of the experience as quick and as painless as possible.

Regardless if you start your claim online or over the phone, your insurance company will first need to gather necessary information to ensure they understand the situation fully and completely. From here your insurer can confirm coverages that were in place at the time of loss. Once your claim has been initiated, you will be assigned an Adjuster who will oversee your claim and be your main point of contact throughout the process.

Assuming your claim involves damages to your vehicle, your Adjuster will arrange an appraisal to assess damages and determine whether the vehicle can be repaired. If you've lost the use of your vehicle due to the loss and provided you are eligible, your insurer can arrange a temporary rental vehicle to keep you on the road while your claim is being handled.

And, when it comes to making vehicle repair less stressful, TD Insurance offer customers a convenient one-stop-shop in several markets. At the TD Insurance Auto Centres, they can walk you through the claims process, assess damages, repair your vehicle and provide you with a rental car. Alternatively, you can choose to use one of hundreds repair shops within their preferred vendor network or, even use your own preferred shop. The choice is yours.

In the event that your vehicle cannot be repaired or is otherwise considered a Total Loss, your claim will move to the settlement stage, where the Adjuster will move to offering you a payment, which is generally based on the Actual Cash Value of your vehicle, or "used" value of the vehicle, immediately prior to the loss, less the deductible (if applicable). If your vehicle was newer, you may have additional coverage, such as a Limited Waiver of Depreciation, which effectively waives the right for the insurer to apply depreciation to your settlement, thus increasing the settlement amount - often significantly. Again, if you're unsure of your coverages, you can always consult your policy documentation or contact your insurer directly to confirm.

If your claim involves injuries that you sustained from the accident, your Adjuster will work with you and the appropriate medical professionals to help get on the road to recovery.

Once all aspects of the claim are settled, your Adjuster will move to close the claim.

A question that often comes up during the claims process is whether or not your premium will be affected. This can be a difficult question to answer as it depends on a variety of factors, including the type of loss, the province you live in and other considerations, such as whether you have some form of accident forgiveness. If your premiums are affected, the change won't be reflected until your next renewal. It's also important to note that many factors go into determining your premium. Things like where you live, the type of car you drive, how far you drive each day and other considerations can all affect the price you pay.

At the end of the day, no one wants to be in a position where they need to use their insurance, but everyone should feel confident that their insurance will be there for them in their moment of need. While your insurance company is there to help you navigate the claims process, it's important that you have confidence in your coverage and know what to do if something were to happen.

12/24/2024

Condo Insurance: What’s Covered, and Other Things You Need to Know

Purchasing a condominium can be an exciting next step in your life. Unfortunately, sometimes things go wrong—even in a condo. When this occurs, you will want to ensure that you have the right insurance coverage. But what does that really mean?

Understanding what your policy covers, and how it works, can help you to feel confident, even when faced with unexpected circumstances. In this article, which we put together with the help of TD Insurance, we will explore condo home insurance policies and what they cover.


What Kind of Insurance Coverage Do You Need for a Condo?
Unlike auto insurance, home insurance isn’t mandatory by law, however, your mortgage company and/or condo corporation may require it as a condition of your financing / ownership of the property. Even it a situation where home insurance isn’t required, considering the size of the investment in your home and your belongings, as well as your financial well-being, it’s highly advisable to have home insurance to protect you in the event of the unexpected. To fully understand your insurance and the kind of coverage that you need, it is important to learn what kind of coverage your policy provides.

Contents Coverage
Contents coverage protects your personal belongings in event of a loss. Imagine everything which would fall out of your condo were it to be flipped upside down. From standard household items like furniture and appliances to higher valued items like jewelry or fine art to name a few. Now, think about how much it would cost to replace all that stuff. That is the amount of contents coverage you require. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to purchase additional coverage for your high-value or specialty items. TD Insurance offers a range of Add-ons to customize your coverage to fit your needs.

Building Coverage
When you own a condo, you are both a part-owner of the common elements and the sole owner within your unit. This means you will have coverage under two insurance policies. The condo corporation (sometimes referred to as the strata corporation or syndicate) is responsible for insuring the common elements, which includes those parts of your unit included in the “standard unit definition”.

Your insurance policy provides three different categories of coverage related to the building.

First, coverage for any upgrades to your unit finishes (generally called “unit improvements and betterments”).
Secondly, coverage for special assessments levied by the condo corporation due to damages caused by an insured peril.
Thirdly, coverage to protect you in the event that the condo corporation has no insurance, or its insurance is inadequate or not effective.
This may sound complicated, but TD Insurance offers a simple global coverage solution to help you ensure you are protected in the event something goes wrong.

Additional Living Costs
If your condo was unlivable due to a covered loss, where would you go? Most condo insurance policies will provide coverage for additional living expenses you incur. This coverage also helps you if you are ordered by a civil authority to leave you home, for instance, to escape from an approaching wildfire or flood.

Personal Liability
As nice as it is to have guests over, believe it or not, this can come with some risks. Accidents do happen, even when we are careful. Personal liability coverage provides financial protection in the event you are held responsible for injury to another person or for damage to their property.

How Much Coverage Should You Get?
Your insurance coverage is the amount and extent to which your insurance will cover a financial loss you suffer in the event that something goes wrong. The limits and specific types of coverage you need can be unique to each individual, depending on their situation. In short, there’s no one-size-fits-all policy. Talking with your insurance company directly can help you understand how much coverage you need based on your personal circumstances, and the associated premiums you'll pay for that coverage. It’s also a good idea to check with your condo corporation to see if they have any specific requirements, or recommended coverage amounts, based on their experience and the coverages afforded by the condo corporation’s policy.

When you partner with an insurance professional, like TD Insurance, to find the best coverage for you, it will help you feel more confident in your policy. Through their guided digital quote process, TD Insurance will explain the relevant coverages and make a specific coverage recommendation based on your unique needs. If you still have questions, you can easily contact one of their licensed insurance advisors to ask additional questions or get expert advice.

What Factors Can Influence Your Premiums?
Your insurance rates can vary, even from those of your neighbours. Some influencing factors are beyond your immediate control but there are also decisions that you can make to influence your rates.

Coverage Amount
How much coverage you want and what risks you’re covered for, impacts your premiums. As a general rule, the more coverage you have the more likely you are to pay a higher premium. It makes sense because the insurance company may have to pay out more under a wider variety of circumstances.

Risk
Insurance rates can differ significantly from one area to the next. A lot of the time, this comes down to overall risk. Areas that are known to have a high number of claims are generally considered a higher risk for insurance companies and are rated accordingly. Premiums may be higher since it is more likely that they will have to pay claims in that area. Your own home insurance claims history may also be considered, along with other factors, like whether you live in your condo or rent it out.

Discounts & Savings
Many insurance companies offer discounts or additional savings that can help reduce your costs. Some common examples include preferred rates for alumni & professionals, savings for bundling your condo and car insurance together (in areas where TD Insurance offers Auto coverage); and even savings for purchasing your condo insurance policy online.

The Takeaway
As a condo owner, you will want to ensure that both you, and your property, are financially protected. TD Insurance can help you to navigate through the insurance buying process and will work with you to help you find ways to save on your insurance premiums.

Learn more about Condo Insurance, and get a quote with TD Insurance to see how much you could save.

12/11/2024

Hike or snowshoe to a frozen waterfall
Wells Gray Provincial Park near Clearwater, about a 90-minute drive north of Kamloops features 28 waterfalls. Four of these, including the famous Helmcken Falls, can be accessed by hiking or skiing along the park's self-guided frozen waterfall tours. You may also find a frozen waterfall closer to home, including at Whistler Olympic Park, Nairn Falls near Pemberton, and at Fairy Creek Falls near Fernie.

https://holidays.bchydro.com/tb_app/515239?utm_campaign=f25_holiday&utm_content=textlink&utm_medium=email&utm_source=connected_tps6

Just because the majority of British Columbians live in a moderate climate with more rain than snow in winter doesn’t mean we don’t know how to embrace the season. Cold and snowy areas do exist in the province, and there are a lot of underappreciated ways to have fun throughout B.C. 

12/11/2024

Adults in Canada Can Now Qualify For Up To $250,000

CllFamily Protection and Peace of Mind
The free online tool at People Protection can help you request affordable life insurance quotes in less than a minute. Find out how much coverage you are eligible for to start protecting your family now. It’s easy to qualify for up to $250,000 in life insurance coverage at affordable monthly rate with no need medical exam.

The best thing is, it’s 100% free to see if you qualify with no obligation. Get a free quote in just minutes, there's no reason to wait to protect your family and your assets.8

12/07/2024

While "what’s old is new again" is a timeless adage, it feels as though it's reached a fever pitch in recent years. But in 2025, it will no longer be enough for legacy brands to dust off old successes — they’ll need to reinvent themselves, leaning on both past and present, or “nowstalgia,” to appeal to modern audiences.

😘😗😙

Why is this happening and why will it continue? On one hand, these brands are appealing to former customers who are longing for prior golden days.

According to a Pew Research report, 58% of Americans believe life in the United States is worse now than it was 50 years ago — a percentage that has risen by 15 points since the 2021 survey. And on the other, they’re reaching a new, younger audience that’s looking to quell the fear of missing out on the heydays of prior generations.

12/07/2024

Based on the data from the past 15 years, the most cost-efficient vehicle for purchase price, maintenance, and resale value in the western Canadian market, specifically Vancouver, BC, is the Toyota Corolla. Here's a detailed analysis:
Purchase
The Toyota Corolla is consistently one of the most affordable compact cars, with a starting price around $21,500 for new models6. For optimal cost-efficiency, consider purchasing a used Corolla that is 2-3 years old. This age range offers the best balance between depreciation and remaining useful life.
Maintenance and Reliability
Toyota consistently ranks among the brands with the lowest maintenance and repair costs over time3. The Corolla, in particular, is known for its excellent reliability and low maintenance requirements.
Fuel Efficiency
The Corolla offers impressive fuel economy, with recent models achieving around 7.3 L/100km combined city/highway driving4. This contributes significantly to long-term cost savings.
Resale Value
Toyotas, including the Corolla, are known for their strong resale value. To maximize your return, plan to sell the vehicle when it's about 5-7 years old or has around 100,000-120,000 km on the odometer.
Best Time to Buy
The optimal time to purchase a used Corolla is during the winter months, particularly January and February25. Demand is typically lower during this period, and dealers are more motivated to clear inventory, often resulting in better deals and more room for negotiation.
Best Time to Sell
The best time to sell your Corolla is typically in the spring or early summer when demand for used cars increases5. Avoid selling during the winter months when demand is lower.
By following this strategy, you can minimize depreciation, benefit from low maintenance costs, and maximize resale value, making the Toyota Corolla the most cost-efficient vehicle choice for the Vancouver market.

In this comprehensive video, Automotive Engineer David Chao explains how to decide which car to buy so that you can maximize value and satisfaction. Specifi...

12/07/2024

Save up to $20/month on 5G Infinite Plans for yourself and up to 9 others in your household (up to $240 in savings/year on each line)! Plus, you can access additional limited time offers and hardware savings throughout the year too. This offer is available to new and existing Rogers customers.*

VIEW OFFERS

To view the current BCAA Member exclusive offers, visit the BCAA Member Rogers Portal. If you have any questions about the exclusive offers on the Rogers Portal, please email [email protected] or call 1-888-316-6777.

08/30/2024

USEFUL ADIVCE FOR THE LST OF THE BBQ SEASON
I bought a top sirloin to cook at home, cooked one half and placed the other half in the fridge for tomorrow. Patches of my steak turned greyish overnight. Did it partially rot overnight?
I am a butcher who has been in the business for almost sixty years, holding every position on the ladder from the bottom to the top, and worked in every segment of the retail meat business. I know meat.

If you kept it cold, your top sirloin is fine. When red meat is cut, the color is a purplish red. Within minutes, it will “bloom” to a bright red (assuming it is a quality meat). This is part of the oxidation process. As the meat ages, the red will diminish, eventually turning grayish brown. This is all part of the blooming process, and does not indicate that the steak is spoiled or of lesser quality. Top sirloin actually blooms much quicker than most other cuts.

I do not eat fresh meat. When I have to buy fresh, rather than aged beef, I will let it sit in my fridge for at least ten days. This gives it time for the enzymes to continue their work of tenderizing the meat and vastly improving the flavor.

The next time you buy a sirloin (or any beef cut), go ahead and cook half, and put the other half in the fridge again. Put it in a zip lock bag, push out as much air as you can, then put it on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Don’t touch it for ten days. When you take it out, don’t be afraid of what you see or smell. The dark brownish color is beautiful, and tells you that your steak will be delicious. The smell as you open the bag is just a remnant of the gasses of the ageing process and the enzymes at work. Pat it dryish with a paper towel (do not wash it!), season it with 3/2/1 seasoning, and cook it however you like. It will be the most delicious top sirloin you have ever eaten.

Now if you do that with a ribeye instead, you will never go back to top sirloin. However, top sirloin is an excellent steak for the price.

So what is 3/2/1?

It is my seasoning that I’ve used for around fifty years. You mix four parts granulated garlic, two parts finely ground black pepper, and one part salt. Originally the mix had three parts garlic instead of four, hence the name 3/2/1. However, when I made the change, the name was already known by all the family and literally hundreds of friends and fellow grillers, so I couldn’t change the name. It is light on salt so it can be used liberally. It is great as is, and it can also be used as a base to add one to two parts additional elements such as chili powder, rosemary, oregano, etc, depending on the meal you are cooking.

Enjoy