Don’t Let Winter Stop Your Business
It’s 6 AM in Calgary. It’s freezing cold. Your driver turns the key. Nothing happens. The battery is dead.
Now what? Your schedule is ruined. You might lose clients. You might lose money. Does this sound familiar?
Alberta winters are hard on vehicles. Really hard. The temperature drops way below zero. Ice covers the roads. Snow piles up. Your business vehicles take a beating.
But here’s good news. You can protect your vehicles. Good care helps. Good insurance helps too. Let’s see how.
Winter Is Hard on Your Vehicles
Look at these numbers. Alberta had over 100,000 car crashes in 2021. That’s 280 crashes every single day. Winter causes about 50,000 crashes each year in Canada.
Why does this happen? Cold kills batteries. Your battery loses half its power in winter. Salt on roads eats metal. This costs fleets $3 billion every year. Ice makes roads slippery. You can’t see well. Crashes happen more.
Your vehicles are your business. When they stop working, you lose money.
See Alberta’s crash numbers here
Get Your Vehicles Ready for Winter
Fix Your Batteries First
Cold weather kills batteries fast. Is your battery over three years old? It might die soon. Cold cuts battery power in half.
Here’s what to do: Test every battery before winter. Replace weak ones now. Put in block heaters. They keep engines warm at night. Your vehicles will start easier.
Check Your Tires
Your tires touch the road. Worn tires are dangerous. Bad tires cause 33% of breakdowns.
Here’s what to do: Check how deep your tire tread is. You need 4/32 inch at least. Rotate your tires often. Use winter tires. Many insurance companies give you a discount. You can save 5% to 15% from November to April.
Take Care of Fluids and Brakes
Regular fluids freeze when it’s too cold. Salt ruins your brakes.
Here’s what to do: Use winter oil. Get 5W-30 or 0W-30 oil. Check your antifreeze. It should work at -40°C. Use special winter washer fluid. Look at your brake lines. Check for rust. Do you have air brakes? Drain them every day.
Winter Damage Costs Money
How much does winter damage cost?
A broken radiator costs $800 to $1,500. You also lose work days. Rust from salt costs thousands. Crash damage costs even more.
But wait. There’s more. When your vehicle sits in the shop, you lose money every day. Customers get mad. You might break your contracts.
Good insurance saves you from these costs.
Insurance Protects Your Vehicles
Good insurance is your safety net.
Collision Coverage pays when winter causes crashes. Did you slide on ice? This covers it.
Comprehensive Coverage pays for weather damage. Hail dents your truck? Windshield cracks from cold? Ice falls on your van? You’re covered. Weather damage cost Canada $8.6 billion in 2024.
Liability Protection protects your business. Your driver causes a crash? You won’t pay huge bills. No lawsuits hurt your business.
Roadside Assistance helps when you break down. It’s -30°C outside. You need a tow? Battery boost? Fuel? You get help fast.
Reliant Insurance knows Alberta. We protect businesses like yours. Our coverage fits your needs. We understand winter.
Your Winter Checklist
Smart owners prevent problems.
Before Winter Starts:
- Test all batteries
- Put on winter tires
- Change to winter oil
- Replace old wipers
- Test your heaters
All Winter Long:
- Check vehicles weekly
- Test brakes daily
- Wash off salt
- Check tire pressure
- Keep emergency kits ready
Every Month:
- Check your insurance
- Tell your insurer about changes
- Review claims with drivers
- Write down all repairs
Your Questions Answered
Q: What does fleet insurance cost in Alberta?
A: Most businesses pay $2,500 to $5,000 per vehicle each year. Your cost depends on your vehicles and drivers. Call Reliant Insurance for your price.
Q: Do I need winter tires in Alberta?
A: The law doesn’t require them. But you should use them. Insurance companies give discounts. Save 5% to 15% from November to April.
Q: What if my vehicle breaks down?
A: Roadside help covers you. You get towing and battery boosts. You get fuel if needed. No coverage? You pay $100 to $500 each time.
Q: Does insurance cover weather damage?
A: Yes. Get comprehensive coverage. It covers hail and ice. It covers cold damage too. Basic coverage does NOT cover weather.
Q: How do I pay less for insurance?
A: Use winter tires. Train your drivers. Keep clean records. Add GPS to your vehicles. Put all vehicles on one policy. Keep repair records.
Work With Reliant Insurance
Alberta winters are tough. You need help from people who know.
Reliant Insurance protects Alberta businesses. We know your challenges. We work with companies in Calgary and Edmonton. We help rural businesses too.
Our coverage keeps your vehicles safe. Your business keeps running.
Don’t wait. Protect your business now.
Want to protect your vehicles?
Call Reliant Insurance today. Get a free talk with us. Go to reliantinsurance.ca now. Talk to our team.
About Reliant Insurance: We help Alberta businesses. We keep you safe through winter. We keep you making money.