EXPANDING THRESHOLD EXPECTATIONS
The Alberta government plans to raise the damage threshold beyond which motorists in a collision must report to police from $2,000 to $5,000. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said that this move will free up police resources and will also better reflect the rising cost of auto parts and repair services.
Numbers from the Insurance Bureau of Canada indicate that in 2022, the average property damage collision claim in Alberta was $6,756. Alongside individual driver rates, the commercial carrier collision reporting threshold will also be increasing to $5,000 in the new year. Last August, the Edmonton Police Service announced it was partnering with a private company to open a pair of collision reporting centres in the city where staff would assist drivers through the process of filing a police report. Edmonton police will respond to calls to more serious collisions, including those involving a fatality, serious personal injury, criminal activity, or uninsured or suspended drivers.
Apart from the two Edmonton locations, collision reporting centres are also found in Spruce Grove, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Calgary Police Service has its system of reporting collisions at district police offices. Future increases to the collision reporting threshold will be adjusted for inflation based on annual calculations using the Statistic Canada Consumer Price Index, said the Albertan government.
REV UP THE GIVING SEASON
CARSTAR Red Deer and CARSTAR Red Deer South recently donated $5,000 to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau and Red Deer Food Bank for the holiday season.
With 2023’s contributions, CARSTAR Red Deer and CARSTAR Red Deer South have donated a total of over $40,000 since 2003. Moreover, in 2023, the two shops increased their annual donation to celebrate the 20th anniversary of supporting these organizations as well as with the goal of tackling the fact that inflation costs across Alberta have left many families in greater need of food and supplies.
The Red Deer Christmas Bureau is a non-profit organization established over 60 years ago to help children and their families in need at Christmas. The organization’s community initiatives like the “stuff-a-bus” campaign aim to provide families with a full Christmas meal and for parents to be able to provide toys for their children.
“Our shop owner always lets us know that giving back to the community isn’t possible without the work we do,” said Jorge Moreno, journeyman refinish technician. “I’m proud to be part of the team and a company that does go the extra effort to give back and help out those in need, especially during the holiday season!”
For the holiday season, CARSTAR Canada also rolled out a national campaign, CARSTAR Drive to Donate, encouraging shop owners from across the country to donate to their local food banks.
