Bell: Albertans to pay less for auto insurance — now there's a twist to the story

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsNationalPoliticsOpinionColumnists Bell: Albertans to pay less for auto insurance — now there's a twist to the story There's more to this story than meets the eye Author of the article: By Rick Bell Published Sep 11, 2026 Last updated 49 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Trans-Canada Highway traffic heads back into Calgary from the west on Victoria Day at the end of the long weekend, Monday May 19, 2025. Gavin Young/Postmedia Article content Do not pop the champagne just yet. There is a twist to the tale. Article content A couple of years ago, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talked about a new auto insurance scheme. The premier talked about it often. The premier wanted insurance premiums to go down. Article content Article content The injury lawyers would lose almost all their lawsuit action, there would be a first-class benefit package if you were hurt in a collision and the price tag for insurance premiums on your vehicle would come down in a big way. Article content Article content A $400-a-year cut in auto insurance premiums was tossed around as a ballpark number. Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content This week, as reported by your scribbler who has pushed non-stop for lower premiums, the province’s Automobile Insurance Rate Board released some concrete numbers, effective this coming January. Article content They say the numbers are solid. They are not pie in the sky. They are real. The savings come from cutting out almost all the lawsuits after a collision and having generous payouts provided for treatment of injuries, lost income and other costs. Article content Almost nine out of 10 Alberta drivers would catch a break. Article content For a typical middle-aged Alberta driver with a typical car, the premiums drop more than $500 a year. Article content For young drivers, their savings were much larger. Article content Moving from middle-age to seniors, the decrease would be about 20 per cent. Article content A good news story. Promise made, promise kept. Article content Then a voice speaks. Article content The new insurance is going ahead Jan.…