Your Alberta Care-First Renewal: What's Changed and How Much You Could Save

Reviewed by Nichola Petts, insurance expert at Western Financial Group | Last updated: Oct 29, 2026

Quick answer

Alberta auto insurance renewal notices priced under the new Care-First system go out from November 1, 2026, for policies taking effect on or after January 1, 2027. Alberta's Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB) projects an average premium reduction of about $297 (13.7%) per private passenger vehicle, and expects about 88% of those vehicles to see a decrease. Young drivers are projected to save the most, while motorcycle premiums are expected to roughly double. Your own renewal will depend on your driving record, vehicle, location and coverage choices.

This article focuses on what you'll see on your renewal and what to do about it.

New to Care-First? Start with our explainer, Care-First Car Insurance in Alberta: What Drivers Need to Know Before 2027.

When will my renewal show Care-First pricing?

• November 1, 2026: Insurers begin sending renewal notices with Care-First pricing for policies taking effect on or after January 1, 2027.
• November and December 2026: Most drivers with early-2027 renewals receive their Care-First pricing.
• January 1, 2027: Care-First takes effect province-wide.

Your renewal date and your claims rules aren't the same thing. Care-First applies to collisions on or after January 1, 2027, even if your policy doesn't renew until later in the year. For example: if your policy renews in June and you're injured in a February collision, the new claims rules apply. When the new pricing reaches your policy is a separate question, so ask your broker how the timing works for your renewal.

How much could I save on car insurance under Care-First?

Now for the question most households will ask: what will it cost? According to the Automobile Insurance Rate Board, approved insurer filings show lower premiums on average for private passenger vehicles. Here's how the published averages and sample profiles compare:

The AIRB also expects most private passenger vehicles to pay less: about 88% are projected to see a decrease, roughly 10% an increase and about 2% no change.

Treat these figures as a guide, not a promise about your bill. Your insurer, driving record, location, vehicle and coverage choices all help determine your premium. Two neighbours with similar cars could see different results, especially if one has recently added a driver or changed coverage. Learn more about what affects the cost of car insurance in Alberta.

Want to see your own number?

Get a free, no-obligation quote and a Western broker can compare your Care-First renewal with options from other insurers.

Why are young drivers saving the most?

If your household has recently added a new driver, you've probably noticed what that can do to an insurance bill. Under the current system, higher expected injury lawsuit costs contribute to young drivers' premiums. Reducing those costs is expected to bring some of the largest savings for these households. For more ways to keep costs down, see how young drivers can save on insurance.

Why are motorcycle premiums going up?

For motorcycle owners, the outlook is different. Riders face a higher risk of serious injury in a collision, so expanded injury benefits increase expected claims costs for this vehicle class. The AIRB projects motorcycle and moped premiums to rise by about $445 a year on average. If you've budgeted around last year's premium, speak with your broker about your motorcycle insurance before renewal rather than assuming the car-insurance savings will carry over.

Why might my renewal not match the headline savings?

A few moving parts can push your renewal away from the average:

• The Grid rating system is being repealed. The Grid limited basic insurance premiums for some drivers. Its removal, together with your individual rating factors, can affect how much you save or whether your premium increases.
• Your claims and convictions still count. Injury benefits no longer depend on who caused a collision, but an at-fault claim or driving conviction can still raise your premium.
• Life changes since last year. A new driver, a different vehicle or a change in coverage can outweigh the Care-First savings.

If the number on your notice leaves you scratching your head, ask your broker to explain what's changed and compare available options.

What am I paying for under Care-First?

Under Care-First, most people injured in a collision turn to their own insurer for treatment and financial support instead of suing the at-fault driver. Published benefits, subject to eligibility and benefit rules, include:

• Medical and rehabilitation treatment with no overall dollar cap for reasonable and necessary eligible expenses until maximum medical recovery. The current system generally limits these benefits to $50,000 over two years.
• Income replacement based on 90% of net income, calculated using a maximum annual gross income of $125,000. That's a calculation threshold, not a promised $125,000 payment.
• Permanent impairment benefit paid as a lump sum: up to $298,520 for catastrophic injuries, and up to $189,055 for non-catastrophic injuries.
• Spousal death benefit of $75,623 to $600,000, depending on the deceased's income.
• Additional supports, such as personal care assistance, critical care attendance, and travel and accommodation for treatment.

Benefit amounts are shown at 2025 levels and will be indexed annually for inflation.

The right to sue is limited to specific circumstances, such as when the at-fault driver is convicted of certain Criminal Code or Traffic Safety Act offences, or when losses exceed what the policy provides. Supporters point to lower legal costs and faster access to care; critics, including the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association, question whether some injured people will be fully compensated. A broker can explain your coverage; questions about your legal rights belong with a lawyer. For full program details, visit the Government of Alberta's Care-First website.

Does Care-First change coverage for damage to my vehicle?

Your recovery and your car's repairs are two separate conversations. Care-First focuses on injury claims; optional collision, comprehensive and all-perils coverage are still priced and chosen separately, so they deserve a look at renewal. For example, if an Alberta hailstorm dents your parked car, the relevant protection is generally comprehensive or all-perils coverage, subject to your policy and deductible, not Care-First injury benefits. Here's more on whether your car insurance covers hail damage.

What should I do when my Care-First renewal notice arrives?

• Put it beside last year's policy. Compare the premium, coverage and deductibles so you're looking at more than the final number.
• Check it against the averages. If your change is far from the figures above, ask your broker why.
• Catch up on life's changes. Added a driver, replaced a vehicle or sold the second car? Make sure your policy reflects who's driving and what you own.
• Review what you'd pay toward a vehicle claim. Weigh your deductibles and optional damage coverage against your budget.
• Ask about optional coverages. Ask whether any optional or top-up coverages are available under Care-First and whether they make sense for you.
• Compare insurers. Insurers have filed different Care-First rates, so a broker can check whether another insurer offers a better price for the same coverage.

Care-First renewal and pricing FAQs

When will I receive my Care-First renewal notice?

Notices with Care-First pricing go out from November 1, 2026, for policies taking effect on or after January 1, 2027. If your policy renews later in 2027, you'll receive Care-First pricing with that renewal.

Why is my renewal different from the $297 average?

The $297 figure is an average across private passenger vehicles. Your premium also reflects your insurer's rates, your driving record, vehicle, location and coverage, plus the repeal of the Grid rating system.

Could my premium go up under Care-First?

It can. The AIRB expects about 10% of private passenger vehicles to see an increase, and motorcycle and moped premiums are projected to roughly double on average. Ask your broker to explain any increase and compare options.

Should I shop around when my Care-First renewal arrives?

It's a good time to. Insurers have filed new Care-First rates, so prices can differ more than usual. A broker can compare several insurers at once without you having to start from scratch.

Why are motorcycle insurance rates going up in Alberta?

Riders are more likely to be seriously injured in a collision, so expanded injury benefits increase expected claims costs for motorcycles. The AIRB projects an average increase of about $445 a year, or roughly 100%.

What happens to the Alberta Grid rating system?

The Grid rating system is being repealed alongside the move to Care-First. Drivers whose basic premiums were limited by the Grid may see a smaller saving, or an increase, as a result.

Does Care-First affect my collision or comprehensive coverage?

Care-First changes injury benefits, not vehicle damage coverage. Collision, comprehensive and all-perils coverage are still optional, and your renewal is a good time to review your choices and deductibles.

Talk to a local Western broker

You don't have to make sense of every line on your renewal alone. Whether you're insuring the family car, adding a new driver or wondering why your motorcycle premium looks different, a Western Financial Group broker can explain the changes, compare available options and help you review coverage that fits your life. Visit your nearest Western branch or request a quote online.

You'll also be working with an award-winning brokerage. Western received the Canadian Business Excellence Awards for Private Businesses in 2025 and 2026, recognizing customer experience, employee engagement and innovation.