Drinking & Driving? You are Liable!

Have a Safe Holiday
The holidays are upon us and this is the time we like to get together with friends and family who we maybe haven’t seen in a while, time for office parties and functions and just lots of extra celebrations going on. At this time, people tend to celebrate with Libations and Spirits, and some may go overboard. This does still tend to be a yearly problem but it is more prevalent during the holidays.

You may see advertisements for Driver Services, where someone will drive you & your car home, you may have a designated driver in your group or you may take public transportation (transit, train, taxi, etc). You may also have a friend or a family member pick you up. These would be the responsible options.
There are people who do not know their limit and may take a chance and drive their vehicle home. Some may make it home without any incidents where as some may not be so lucky and may have an accident with another vehicle, may lose control and go off the road into a ditch, tree, etc. or even worse, they may actually be involved in a fatality accident or become a fatality themselves.
Are you aware of what coverages you have on your auto policy with regards to being charged with impaired driving?

You may think that if you have an accident you will be covered by your insurance however, as with all insurance policies, there are always some exclusions. Did you know that your claim can be denied if you are impaired? Under the SPF1 (Standard Auto Policy Form) the insurance company will not be liable where the insured drives or operates the automobile:

1. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs to such an extent as to be, for the time being, incapable of the proper control of the automobile; or
2. While in a condition for which he/she is convicted of an offence under Section 253 of the Criminal Code (Canada) or under or in connection with circumstances for which he/she is convicted of an offence under Section 254 of the Criminal Code (Canada).

What this all means in layman’s terms is that if you have an accident, and you are charged with being impaired, your insurance policy will only cover you to the minimum statutory limits of $200,000 CDN for third party damages. Can you afford to fix your vehicle on your own or worse, pay someone millions of dollars for the loss of a life? Contact Alpine Insurance in Calgary if you need further explanation of these exclusions.
Looking for a Taxi? Alpine Insurance in Calgary, suggests using the new Late Night Ride Home Taxi Stands which are operational 10:00PM-3:00AM Thursday-Sunday AM. These stands are at the following locations in downtown Calgary:

• Murrieta’s West Coast Grill
• West Restaurant & Bar
• Bankers Hall
• Vinyl Retro Dance Lounge
• 355 Mansion & The Whiskey
• The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
• Hudson’s Canadian Tap House
• Ship & Anchor Pub
• Melrose Cafe & Bar
• Metropolitan Grill
• Morgan’s Pub

Taxi Phone Numbers:

• Advance Cabs – 403-777-1111
• Associated Cabs – 403-299-1111
• Black Top Taxi – 403-735-3222
• Checker Yellow Cabs Ltd. – 403-299-9999
• Delta Cabs – 403-278-9999
• Mayfair Taxi – 403-255-6555

There are other options, such as a Designated Drivers Service.
Think Twice – Don’t Drink and Drive. It may save your life, the life of another or your livelihood.
Click here for more information from Alpine Insurance on common policy exclusions.