Cannabis & Road Safety

as of today, cannabis is now legalized in canada.  this recent shift in policy, has some canadians showing a strong concern for the number of cannabis impaired drivers that will now be sharing our roads.  drunk driving is something that we as a society have shown zero tolerance for, and have tests in place to monitor alcohol levels.   we should assume the same zero tolerance policy will be enforced  when it comes to drug use, although how it will be monitored is still somewhat of a grey area.

a recent poll conducted by the insurance bureau of canada found the following:

• 79% of Canadians are concerned about cannabis-impaired drivers on the road once cannabis becomes legal.
• 84% of Canadians believe that driving while high poses a real risk.
• 70% of Canadians believe that driving while high is as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol.
• 43% of Canadians stated that they do not know how long to wait before it is safe to drive once they have consumed cannabis.
• 61% of Canadian cannabis users believe it’s safe to wait less than three hours after consuming cannabis to drive.
• 62% of Canadian cannabis users have either driven or been a passenger in a car where the driver had recently consumed cannabis.
• 60% of Canadians believe that police will use a cannabis-impairment test equivalent to the breathalyzer.

as responsible drivers, we need to continue to treat impaired driving as an inexcusable offence.  whether it’s alcohol or drugs, motor coordination and reaction times will be delayed when your judgement is impaired.

 impaired driving kills, just don’t do it.

#don’tdrivehigh

Snowbird Travel Insurance

we have officially entered snowbird travel season.  thanksgiving dinner has been eaten and leftovers devoured, and now seniors and retirees are in search of sun, sand and most importantly no snow.

however, prior to departing, ensuring that your travel insurance is in order is a key component.

first and foremost, you need to buy what fits.  things to consider are your age, medical history, trip duration, lifestyle and budget.  travel insurance comes in all shapes and sizes.  your deductible amount can’t alter your premium significantly which is something also worth considering.

discussing your health with your family physician is an important component as well.  you need to pay attention to pre-existing conditions as well as exclusions prior to departing.   this is the perfect time to contact your broker to make certain you understand what you are covered for prior to heading south for the winter.

safe travels.  say hi to the palm trees for us.

Fall Insurance Checklist

In between raking leaves and eating all things pumpkin, fall is the perfect time to make sure everything is in order as we head into arctic tundra season.

Things to consider….

1. winterizing your vehicle to ensure you are prepared for any roadside emergencies (this includes winter tires)
2. retiring seasonal vehicles.  before storing boats or RVs for the winter it’s important to do a few maintenance checks to ensure they remain in good working condition when you choose to take them out come springtime.
3. snow birds.  before you head south for the winter, make sure you have taken all the necessary steps to prevent water damage from burst pipes while away.  safe guarding your fireplace, making certain downspouts are working properly are essential.  winterizing your home is a priority, and should not be taking lightly.  please review your policy wordings or call your broker for advice prior to departing.
4. travel insurance.  if you are lucky enough to escape the cold and find hibernation in a warm climate, make sure you have the appropriate travel insurance to cover yourself in the event it becomes necessary.

Fall is one of our favourite seasons. Cheers to apple cider, football, and enjoying all of the colours.  Stay safe, stay smart.

cap on premium increases and the affect on consumers

A recent article published by the Calgary Herald is shining light on the auto insurance crisis in Alberta due to the NDP government placing a cap on premium increases.

This cap has the potential to leave some Albertans unable to obtain car insurance and some insurance companies pulling out of the province all together.

You can obtain more information on this topic from the link below.

NDP’s cap on premium increases leaves auto insurers in 'crisis': industry

How Distracted Driving Can Affect Your Insurance Rate

It’s important to note that many Alberta insurers are now treating distracted driving tickets as “major or serious convictions.” Not only are violators paying large fines, but their insurance rating is also being negatively affected.  This can impact their insurance premium by hundreds, or thousands of dollars, in families with multiple vehicles depending on the insurer.

In short, it is important that whenever you are behind the wheel, your focus is 100% on the road.  Not only for the safety of yourself, but for the other drivers you share the road with.

Drive safe.

read more

Product Expansion – Life Insurance

We are so excited to announce that we have expanded our product offering to include Term Life & Critical Illness insurance.  We are eager for an opportunity to assist our customers navigate these products and find the best solution for their unique needs.

To provide our customers with the highest level of service and knowledge,  we’re proud to announce the addition of Adam K. Duncan to our Sproule Insurance team of brokers.  Adam comes to us with many years of experience, and an extensive understanding of these important products.

Please connect with us at information@sprouleinsurance.com or, directly with Adam at adam.duncan@sprouleinsurance.com if you are interested to find out what we can do for you.

system upgrade

Please note we are in the process of upgrading our phone system to better serve our customers and our current provider has taken our system off line to accommodate the switch.   We can be reached at information@sprouleinsurance.com in the interim. Thank you for your patience.

sign up for renewal reminders

In case you need a handy, helpful reminder on vehicle registration (we sure do!) you can opt in for automated alerts via Service Alberta.

And just like that, you’re organized!

Look Who’s 5?

Sproule Insurance is officially 5 years old!

We are incredibly proud of our first 5 years in operation.  We believe our success is attributed to the mutually beneficial relationships we’ve established with vendors, insurers, customers, and with those that trust and support us with their generous referrals.

We are honoured to represent industry leading insurance companies, insurers that strive to ensure their products are genuine, and work extensively to take care of our clients.

To our customers, past, present, and future, we are grateful you’ve decided to choose us.  We will continue to develop the brokerage to simplify your insurance experience while backing you with personal, qualified advice when you need it.

I would like to thank our staff for all their time, effort, dedication, and confidence in developing our brokerage vision.  You are responsible for our achievements.

So today, as we indulge in endless forkfuls of cake, we also wanted to take this opportunity to THANK  YOU all for your loyalty and patronage through the years.  Without you, there would be no us.

Cheers!  Now who wants to come help us eat the rest of this cake?

Tips for Dealing with the Melting Snow

With record snowfalls this winter and temperatures warming up, the City of Calgary is offering tips to homeowners to ensure they are aware of the action they need to take to protect their homes with the expected rapid snow melt we’re about to experience.

• Clear off those catch basins to allow water to flow and avoid pooling
• Point downspouts away from your home’s foundation
• Clear snow away from your foundation and window wells
• Check your furnace and exhaust vents to make sure they are clear of ice and snow

Implementing these simple tips could go a long way to reduce the risk of a potential loss.

Snow Melting Tips