Wali Hassan is 21 years old and has been driving for as long as he's been legally able in Alberta — he got his learner's permit at 14 and full licence when he turned 16.
Now, as an adult with a newly financed vehicle, he's required by the terms of his financing to get full insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverage.
He said he shopped around with four providers and ultimately went with the cheapest option he could find: $590 per month in premiums, totalling $7,080 for the year.
"You would expect I'm driving a Lamborghini, but it's a Honda Civic," said Hassan, an Edmonton resident.
The 2018 Honda Civic is the first vehicle he's insured, so he expected to pay more than long-insured drivers. But Hassan figured his driving history, with no traffic tickets or licence suspensions, would have counted for more in his favour.
But he said the quotes he received were "absurd" — one was as high as $880 per month — so he ultimately went with the cheapest policy he could find, which comes with a $2,500 deductible.
"So I'm just hoping I don't get into any accidents because, if I do, then my life is pretty much over," he said.
Experiences like this are becoming more common in Alberta, according to the provincial auto insurance rate regulator, which anticipates things will get worse before they get better.
Read more from CBC's Robson Fletcher.
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