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Name Product CAFCI Accident Forgiveness Min. Liability Coverage Discounts Available Online Claims Available Provinces
Surex Auto Insurance
Yes
$1,000,000
Up to 25%
Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, PEI, Yukon
Submit one application and receive quotes from 10+ insurers. Save up to 25% on your car insurance, plus get access to an insurance advisor.

Who it might be good for: Drivers looking to use an insurance broker to compare multiple pricing and coverage options.
Aviva Car Insurance
Yes
$1,000,000
Up to 25%
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Yukon
Aviva car insurance offers customizable policies, discounts and optional insurance coverage add-ons. Get a free quote through Surex.

Who it might be good for: Drivers looking to customize their auto policy.
Travelers Car Insurance
Yes
$1,000,000
Up to 25%
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Yukon
Travelers auto insurance offers a selection of coverage options for just about any type of vehicle. Get a free quote through Surex.

Who it might be good for: Drivers looking to get car, motorcycle, classic car, motorhome or recreational vehicle coverage.
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It’s quick and easy to compare car insurance quotes online in order to find the best deal out there. Our guide breaks down the different types of car insurance coverage available in Canada and walks you through how to find the right type of insurance for your needs.

27 million
people holding a driver’s license in Canada
23 million
light vehicles registered
1.2 million
heavy duty vehicles registered
730,000
motorcycles registered

Statistics as of 2018

How much does car insurance cost?

The average cost of car insurance in Canada is $1,151 per year, or $96 a month, but rates vary based on your car, location, and a host of other factors.

What factors affect my car insurance quote?

Your insurance quote comparisons can look quite different across several companies. That’s because insurers use info about you to determine your driving risk and set your quotes, based on factors like whether you park on the street or in a safe neighborhood and how many kilometres you drive each year.

The 10 biggest factors that affect your rates are:

Your car

Your location

Your driving history

How much you drive

Your past claims

Your age

Your credit score

Your job

Your marital status

Your gender

Types of car insurance

Liability insurance

The most basic policy. Liability insurance provides coverage for any damages you may cause to someone else’s vehicle or property. It also covers losses like injury and death which your vehicle causes other people. This means if you smash into a Mercedes, you won’t be paying the repair costs from your pocket. However, it won’t cover the expense of repairing damages to your own vehicle.

Best for: Mandatory coverage for everyone

Collision insurance

This level of insurance provides coverage for repairing or replacing your own vehicle if you hit another car or object. It could also protect you if you get into an accident with an uninsured motorist. It usually includes mandatory liability coverage.

Best for: Those who want a bit more coverage for themselves and their vehicle without the price tag.

Comprehensive insurance

If you want premium coverage, this is the option for you. It’s the only policy type that offers “real, proper, actual” protection for your car. It covers theft, vandalism, storms, flood, hail, fire, key replacement, emergency accommodation, rental cars, accidental damage (to name a few) – in addition to everything covered by cheaper policies.

Best for: Those who want peace of mind, knowing they have the highest coverage available.

Emma Balmforth's headshot
Find discounts you may be eligible for to save on your car insurance premium

"I was paying over $1,200 a year in car insurance with Economical and every year my insurance would increase by a few more dollars a month. I switched to TD Insurance after noticing they offered an alumni discount through my University. After submitting a few simple details, I received an online quote and managed to cut my car insurance by 50% a year. Paying a year at a time instead of monthly also allows me to save money with TD, which wasn’t an option with my previous insurer."

Producer

How do I compare car insurance?

Ever wonder why insurance policies and quotes are different for every insurer? Make sure you’re comparing equivalent rates to get the strongest insurance quotes.

  • Balance the best coverage with the cheapest rates. The goal is to get the right coverage for you with the best deal. But consider every factor that might be important, such as discounts you qualify for, how easy it will be to make claims or whether you’ll pay extra for perks you need.
  • Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Check for the same perks and coverage, and make sure the deductible and pay schedule are the same. If you’re not getting good rates from the big national companies, look for a company that specializes in the coverage you need.
  • Get multiple quotes. It’s helpful to consider at least two to three of the cheapest quotes with the same level of coverage you need. And while it’s good to consider discounts in your initial search, make sure you’re also considering the final price too.
  • Check for exclusions. Read the fine print on your car insurance quote before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure you’re covered for everything you expect, and avoid claim caveats like cancellation fees.

Annual car insurance rates by province and territory

10 tips for getting cheap car insurance

No one wants to overpay for car insurance. And it’s hard to compare policies to get enough coverage at the right price. The best way to save is by shopping around for cheap car insurance.

1. Start with customized quotes.
Different people can pay drastically different prices for car insurance even at the same company. Compare car insurance companies that can offer you the best deal for you individually, not across the board. You can also compare local insurance companies, which tend to have higher customer satisfaction rates than their big-name counterparts and could potentially have lower rates.

2. Hunt for discounts.
Some insurers offer discounts to drivers for a variety of reasons such as having a clean record, paying an annual premium all at once or being a safe driver for a certain period of time. If the insurance company you’re with offers more than just auto insurance, consider bundling all your insurance through them, like home and car insurance. Most companies offer a group discount, even if it’s just for more than one car.

3. Get the right coverage for your car.
Make sure you are getting the appropriate coverage for the car you’ve driving. Consider skipping collision or comprehensive coverage for an old car. The value of your car determines your maximum payout if it’s stolen or totaled, meaning these policies are not very useful for older vehicles.

4. Raise your deductible.
A higher deductible means lower premiums but if you get in an accident, you will have to pay more up front. For example, if you have a $500 deductible on a $2,000 accident, you’d pay $500 before your insurance company covers the other $1,500. With a $1,000 deductible, you’re paying $1,000 and your insurer covers the remaining $1,000.

5. Look into pay-per-kilometre insurance.
If you drive under a certain amount of kilometres every year, you can tell your insurance company and possibly qualify for a low mileage discount. This is a common discount that many drivers actually qualify for but are not aware of. If you only use your car for occasional short trips, you can sign up for a usage-based insurance program that determines your rates based on how much you drive.

6. Avoid accidents and tickets.
These 2 are surefire ways to make your premium go through the roof. If you live in a high risk area or are prone to getting in accidents, look into a provider that offers accident forgiveness, where your first accident won’t make your premiums go up.

7. Take a defensive driving course.
If you have a less than stellar driving record, sign up for a defensive driving class. Most insurers will give you a discount on your premiums. Your local provincial service centre can point you in the right direction.

8. Combine policies with your parents or spouse.
Look into being a nominated driver on your parents’ insurance. Their rates might go up, but it could be less overall than keeping your solo policy. And because married drivers tend to file fewer claims, you’ll often get a discount on your premium just for getting engaged or married. Married couples can also save by combining their insurance on one policy to save money.

9. Check and maintain your credit history.
Most auto insurance companies take your credit history into account for your pricing. The reasoning behind it? Research actually shows that people with a higher credit score tend to make fewer claims.

10. Choose the right car.
Newer, cheaper cars tend to be cheaper to insure. Luxury cars have a higher sticker price and tend to cost more for as long as you use it. It’s worth buying a cheaper car, especially if you’re a young driver. If you haven’t purchased a car yet or are getting ready to shop for a different car, compare insurance prices for car models you’re interested in. The insurance price differences might surprise you.

Changing your insurer

There’s a common misconception that changing car insurance is a huge hassle. In reality, it isn’t as hard as you think. There are a few times where you should actively consider changing policy. If your circumstances have changed, chances are your premiums may alter too. Consider finding a new insurer when:

  • Your policy comes up for renewal
  • You change cars
  • You move into another home
  • The number of drivers using your car changes
  • You’ve just celebrated a birthday
  • Your driving record has changed

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Find a new car insurance policy

Before you abandon ship, it’s a good idea to have another one you can climb aboard first. Compare car insurance policies side-by-side. Be sure to consider not just price but what features you need in a policy and how much coverage you want, especially if you’re looking at a comprehensive policy.

Step 2: Take out the new policy before you cancel the old one

When do you want to switch? Some people prefer to do it so they can benefit from discounts from their new company, while others like to change at the end of the payment period. If you’re switching companies mid-policy, take note of the cancellation fee. This fee is usually in your policy documentation, so check it out to see how much you need to pay. Before you cancel your old policy, make sure you accept the new policy and have the letter of confirmation from the insurer. This prevents you being without coverage while you change over.

Step 3: Cancel your old policy.

Inform your old insurer in writing that you are cancelling your policy. Ensure you receive written confirmation that the policy is cancelled. Aim for your new policy to take effect on the same day your old policy is cancelled.

Step 4: Profit!

Enjoy the benefits that come with switching to a better policy. Go out and buy yourself something fantastic!

Your car insurance questions answered

Finding the right coverage

Policy information

Purchasing, renewing or cancelling your policy

What you will/won’t be covered for

Roslyn McKenna's headshot
Written by

Publisher

Roslyn McKenna Ayers is insurance manager at ValuePenguin and a former publisher at Finder, specializing in home and auto coverage. Her expertise and analysis has been featured on Bankrate, MSN and Reader's Digest. She holds a BA in writing and communications from Maryville College. See full bio

Jaclyn Hurst's headshot
Co-written by

Associate Publisher, Investments

Jaclyn Hurst was an associate publisher at Finder. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Redeemer University and a University Certificate in Management Foundations from Athabasca University. She’s as passionate about business and finance as she is about the great Canadian outdoors, organic Sumatra coffee and music. See full bio

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