Vehicle Inspection For Insurance in Alberta: All You Need to Know

Although driving is an essential everyday activity, it comes with its fair share of risks. The danger associated with driving depends on the person’s driving skills and whether they respect traffic laws or not. However, it has also been noticed that adequately maintained and inspected automobiles have a lesser probability of getting involved in road accidents.

Other than safety, most countries have numerous laws that make vehicle inspection mandatory during registering for a new second-hand vehicle and ensure the safety requirements are met.

So today, we will be highlighting some of the essential factors that Alberta residents must keep in mind while carrying out a vehicle inspection for insurance Alberta. To compare the best car insurance in Alberta, visit https://www.surex.com/insurance/auto-car/alberta.

Why is a vehicle inspection necessary?

Some of the main reasons why the auto inspection process is mandatory include:

1.   Insurance costs will be lower

Operating a defective vehicle can be dangerous, and it might lead to severe injuries that can be fatal. Therefore most companies use safety inspections to keep their insurers from operating faulty automobiles. Some auto insurance providers also offer you a discount if you periodically get your vehicle inspected.

2.   Spending less on fuel

If there are any issues with your vehicle, your fuel consumption rate will increase drastically. Thus, your fuel costs would increase. Vehicle inspection will help identify those defects.

3.   Preventive maintenance

Vehicle inspection also helps identify smaller problems before they grow into bigger and costlier issues. If the vehicle gets damaged beyond repair, it will reduce the value of your car, and the insurance premium charges might increase.

4.   Extending the longevity of your automobile

Well-maintained automobiles and those verified to be in optimal working conditions last longer than other automobiles. Therefore vehicle inspection helps to reduce the cost of repairs and replacement. Moreover, it maximizes your automobile’s overall worth and extends its lifespan.

Vehicle inspection rules in various Canadian provinces

The rules and regulations regarding car safety vary throughout the different Canadian provinces. So, you must check your local vehicle safety regulations and guidelines before insuring your vehicles.

  • When a resident of Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Manitoba buys an automobile, it can only be registered with the government after completing a safety check. In most cases, car dealerships are responsible for safety checks of new cars as regulated by the province’s law.
  • On the other hand, private sellers do not need to perform safety checks for their used cars before selling. However, they are free to do it for customer satisfaction. If it is not done, you must carry out a safety inspection at any motor vehicle inspection stations throughout Canada before buying a second-hand vehicle.
  • In some provinces, like New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the government has directed all vehicle owners to inspect their cars for safety annually. This regulation is also applicable in the province of Nova Scotia.
  • Car owners of Alberta do not need to perform vehicle inspections for passenger vehicles. But, the regulations differ for cars imported from other jurisdictions.

For out-of-province vehicle inspection, you have to get a Request for Vehicle Inspection Form that you can obtain from any center in Alberta. This inspection form will be handed over to the technician inspecting your vehicle. You must also submit your driver’s license, insurance proof, and vehicle registration documents.

General car inspection by a mechanic

A mechanic usually checks for the following systems during Alberta vehicle inspection for insurance:

1.   Suspension

Whenever a mechanic checks your vehicle’s suspension system, they usually scan for the condition of the shock absorbers, struts, tires, and irregularities in other components.

2.   Brakes

The brakes are one of the most critical vehicle components you must check regularly. Properly functioning brakes are essential to ensure the vehicles’ safety and that they can stop the car on time before a mishap occurs.

Usually, car brakes come in two forms: disc brakes and drum brakes. You must check these braking systems periodically with the help of a brake service expert, and if you notice any wear and tear, you must replace them immediately.

3.    Steering system

A well-functioning steering system is necessary to ensure road safety and comfort while driving. So while checking the steering system, mechanics usually search for defects in the steering arm, gearbox, pump, steering fluid, and many other components.

4.   Vehicle emission system

Vehicle emissions have a different standard and are regulated in their category. This safety check ensures that your vehicle’s engine runs smoothly and efficiently and does not produce too much emission.

Some checked components are the EGR Valve oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, and throttle position sensor. You must take your car to an auto repair shop and have any irregularities fixed immediately to ensure that your vehicle passes the local regulations.

5.   Seat belt and hoses

In this section, the mechanics ensure that the hoses and belts are intact and work as designed. After a season of road trips and adventures, it’s time for Car Detailing Cairns to restore your vehicle’s shine and ensure it looks its best.

6.    Exhaust system

The exhaust system of your vehicle is linked to the emission components. This system is responsible for ensuring that the exhaust gasses are correctly evacuated via the pipelines away from the cabin. The main components checked during this inspection are the muffler, catalytic converter, tailpipe, and exhaust manifold.

A malfunctioning exhaust system can lead to fatal accidents and health hazards for the car driver and increase air pollution.

7.   Tires

Canadian tire regulations are responsible for mandating the condition of the vehicle tires to ensure road safety. Using worn-out tires can be quite risky and may lead to multiple problems like skidding, loss of grip, and inability to drive on specific roads.

Tire inspection is taken quite seriously during the technical assessment of your vehicles. Some of the other components that are checked during a vehicle inspection for insurance in Alberta are:

  • The electric system
  • Transmission
  • Engine cooling system
  • Lights and indicators

Endnote

We hope that these details about getting a vehicle inspection for insurance in Alberta will help you understand the process and encourage more residents to conduct regular inspections.

Vehicle inspection regulations are lenient in Alberta. However, it is recommended that you annually perform these checks to ensure road safety and longevity of the vehicle. If you’re a car dealer aiming to quickly increase profits and want to learn how, take a look at more info here!