Care-First Auto Insurance Starts January 1, 2027
Alberta is moving from its current collision-injury system to Care-First, with a greater emphasis on treatment, rehabilitation, income support and standardized benefits.
Every Alberta auto policy switches on January 1, 2027
AIRB says all auto insurance policies in Alberta will automatically move to the Care-First system on January 1, 2027. The change affects how accident injury benefits are delivered and how claims are managed, while risk-based insurance rating remains part of the system.
AIRB — Alberta's Care-First system →What Care-First is designed to change
The system emphasizes access to reasonable and necessary medical and rehabilitation care instead of requiring injured people to rely on litigation for additional care.
Income-replacement benefits are designed to cover a larger range of employment and life situations than the current basic accident-benefit structure.
The reform is intended to move more injury compensation into scheduled benefits and away from court-based claims.
New forms, benefit rules and dispute processes are being built for accidents that occur on or after January 1, 2027.
What does not become “one price for everyone”
AIRB says Care-First maintains risk-based rating. A driver's premium can still depend on approved rating variables such as driving history, vehicle, location, coverage and other insurer-specific rating factors. Care-First changes the injury-compensation framework; it does not turn Alberta auto insurance into a flat-rate product.
The Grid also disappears on January 1, 2027
Through the end of 2026, Alberta's Grid can limit the price of mandatory basic coverage for certain drivers. AIRB says the Grid will be repealed when Care-First begins, with no replacement Grid. That is a separate pricing-system change happening on the same date as the injury-benefit reform.
Read the Alberta Grid / high-risk driver guide →Care-First expands the injury-benefit framework
Government and AIRB comparison materials describe broader medical and rehabilitation support, income replacement, caregiver support, assistance with daily living and permanent impairment benefits under the new system.
Compare Care-First benefits with the current system →What drivers should do during 2026
Care-First is not yet in force for accidents occurring in 2026. Current policy rules still matter until year-end.
Collision, comprehensive and other optional coverages remain separate purchase decisions.
Forms, regulations and insurer communications are continuing to be finalized ahead of January 1, 2027.