When your Insurance Provider pulls out
Over the last couple of years, several insurers have reduced or exited their Alberta auto and home insurance business, saying claims costs and weather losses are too high for the premiums they’re allowed to charge. That’s now showing up as letters and emails saying, “We won’t be renewing your policy.”
In most cases:
Your coverage continues to your usual expiry date, but
You’ll need to find a new insurer at renewal, often in a smaller, more selective market.
Treat that letter as an early warning light, not something to file and forget.
Three steps you can take now
If you’ve received a non‑renewal notice, or you’re worried you might, here are three practical preparation steps pulled from public consumer resources:
1. Build a simple home insurance file
In one folder (paper or digital), gather:
Current policy and renewal date.
Age of property and any recent inspection reports or permits (roof, electrical, plumbing, major renos).
Photos of the home exterior
Information on key systems - electrical wiring, plumbing type, siding material, roofing material, sump pump etc.
A short list of past claims with dates and rough amounts.
This makes it faster and less stressful to answer questions and get comparable quotes.
2. Contact a licensed broker early
Many Alberta consumer guides recommend talking to a broker if your insurer exits:
They can see which companies are still writing your kind of risk (location, home age, claims history).
When you call, clearly explain whether the letter says your company is leaving Alberta or whether it’s a personal non‑renewal for other reasons – that distinction matters.
3. Prepare a short list of coverage questions
Recent reporting shows insurers responding to higher weather risk by raising deductibles and narrowing coverage for hail, water and flood, especially in higher‑risk areas. Before you talk to anyone, jot down a few questions, for example:
“What are my hail, water, and sewer backup deductibles?”
“Are any of those perils excluded for my address?”
“If I wanted lower deductibles or broader coverage, is that available, and what would it cost?”
You’re getting organised so that when you do speak with a licensed insurance professional, you can make the most of that conversation.
For anything beyond this kind of basic preparation, the best next step is to work directly with a licensed insurance broker or advisor who understands your specific situation.
This note is information only, drawn from public news and regulator sources – not legal, financial, or insurance advice.
Insights, never insurance, legal or financial advice.
