The Top 6 Things You Need to Know About DCPD Insurance

DCPD is a mandatory coverage that applies to your not at-fault portion of a collision between two vehicles.

The introduction of DCPD in Alberta does not change the automobile coverage, only who pays for the damage.

If your vehicle is involved in a collision and you are not-at-fault, your vehicle damage will be paid for by your DCPD coverage rather than by another person’s insurance company.

If your vehicle is considered partially at-fault, then the not-at-fault portion will be paid by your DCPD and your at-fault portion will be paid by your collision coverage (if purchased).

DCPD is a more streamlined process that provides the advantage of dealing with your own insurer to process your claim resulting in:

1. Better service

2. Receiving compensation quicker so your vehicle can be repaired with less delay

DCPD is one of the insurance reforms that will help to stabilize premiums for the long term by reducing costs associated with subrogation (the process insurers use to determine who pays for a claim following an accident).

No. These changes took effect January 1, 2022, regardless of your insurance renewal date and will be reflected in your new policy documents when they are sent at renewal time.

DCPD covers your vehicle damage, damage to contents and loss of use in the event you are not at-fault for an accident (or a portion of the repairs based on the percentage you are not at-fault).

If you are at-fault in an accident then your collision coverage (if you have it) will cover the costs for damage to your vehicle. If you don’t have collision coverage you will pay these expenses out-of-pocket. This is the same as the previous system.

If you are 50% at-fault then you will pay 50% of the damages either through your collision coverage or out-of-pocket and 50% (the not-at-fault portion) will be paid through your DCPD coverage.

Any medical or rehabilitation expenses will be covered by your Accident Benefits regardless of who is at fault.

Yes, the at-fault driver will always be held accountable. Even though your insurer pays for your loss, the at-fault driver will have the accident added to their driving record.

In many cases – particularly for personal auto insurance – if you are 100% not at-fault in an accident, making a DCPD claim will not affect your premium. In other cases – especially commercial auto insurance – the answer is less clear. For specific inquiries please contact us! We are working hard to assist you, our customer, with all the implications DCPD has and to serve you the best way we can.

Yes, DCPD only applies to damage to the vehicle and its contents, it does not cover other damages such as injuries or additional property damage.

DCPD does not prevent drivers from pursuing legal action for other damages.

Yes. DCPD coverage is already used in several provinces, including: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island.

DCPD Regulation helps determine the degree of fault for the collision. Your insurers claim representative will use these regulations as well as information about the accident to assess responsibility. This information is gathered from sources such as statements from other drivers, witnesses or passengers as well as police reports and estimators.

See examples of how DCPD regulation works in various accident scenarios:

Automobile Insurance Rate Board Accident Examples

Province of Alberta DCPD Regulation

DCPD coverage automatically comes with no deductible. It may be possible to add one to your policy.