Get auto insurance that’s right for you
If you own a vehicle of any kind, you probably know that insurance is required by law. Plans vary widely depending on your vehicle, how you use it and what province you live in.
British Columbia and Manitoba
In these provinces, mandatory auto insurance is provided by government plans. For your convenience most of our offices can provide service for these plans.
Saskatchewan
In this province, mandatory insurance is provided by a government plan.
For your convenience, you can call your local Co-operators office to discuss policy enhancements that will increase your third-party liability limit and decrease your deductibles to better meet your needs.
Quebec
Your public automobile insurance plan provides coverage for injury or death caused by an automobile accident.
You are also required to purchase at least $ of third-party liability coverage from a private insurance company. Contact your local Co-operators office to purchase this coverage and build a plan that suits your unique needs.
All other provinces and territories
In Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon, auto insurance is mandatory and available from private insurance companies like The Co-operators.
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Insurance by Province
In Canada, there’s no one-size-fits-all auto insurance solution. It is handled a bit differently in each province. Some have government auto insurance plans, some rely on private insurance companies and others use a combination of both to meet the need. Whether you’re new to auto insurance or moving and want to know what you need, our summary of the main differences in auto insurance by province will help make it a bit easier.
British Columbia
Auto insurance is provided by the provincial government through ICBC.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
Optional coverage:
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Alberta
Auto insurance is provided by private insurers, like The Co-operators. The government has not introduced no-fault insurance, so they operate under a Tort system. If you suffer injury or damage in an accident and you are not at fault, you need to contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover your loss.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Uninsured Auto
Optional coverage:
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Saskatchewan
Auto insurance is provided by the provincial government through SGI. You can purchase increased limits and lower deductibles through private insurance companies, like The Co-operators.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
Optional coverage:
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Manitoba
Auto insurance is provided by the provincial government through MPI.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Collision and Comprehensive
Optional coverage:
- Increased optional coverage and limits
- Lower deductibles
Ontario
Auto insurance is provided by private insurers, like The Co-operators. No-fault auto insurance means you enjoy the convenience of working directly with your own insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Direct Compensation – Property Damage
- Uninsured Auto
Optional coverage:
- Increased Accident Benefits coverage
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Quebec
Your Accident Benefits coverage for injuries is provided by the provincial government through the SAAQ. All other coverage is provided by private insurers, like The Co-operators. No-fault auto insurance means you enjoy the convenience of working directly with your own insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
Mandatory coverage:
- Accident benefits – government insurance
- Civil Liability – private insurance
- Property Damage – private insurance
Optional coverage (all offered by private insurance companies):
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Newfoundland and Labrador
Auto insurance is provided by private insurers, like The Co-operators. No-fault auto insurance means you enjoy the convenience of working directly with your own insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Direct Compensation – Property Damage
- Uninsured Auto
Optional coverage:
- Accident Benefits coverage
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
New Brunswick
Auto insurance is provided by private insurers, like The Co-operators. No-fault auto insurance means you enjoy the convenience of working directly with your own insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Direct Compensation – Property Damage
- Uninsured Auto
Optional coverage:
- Increased Accident Benefits coverage
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Prince Edward Island
Auto insurance is provided by private insurers, like The Co-operators. No-fault auto insurance means you enjoy the convenience of working directly with your own insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Direct Compensation – Property Damage
- Uninsured Auto
Optional coverage:
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Nova Scotia
Auto insurance is provided by private insurers, like The Co-operators. No-fault auto insurance means you enjoy the convenience of working directly with your own insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Direct Compensation – Property Damage
- Uninsured Auto
Optional coverage:
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Auto insurance is provided by the private insurers. The Co-operators is available in Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
Mandatory coverage:
- Third party liability
- Accident benefits
- Uninsured Auto
Optional coverage:
- Collision
- Specified Perils
- Comprehensive
- All Perils
Did you know?
- No-fault auto insurance means you enjoy the convenience of working directly with your own insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault for the accident.
- Even when the government doesn’t provide auto insurance directly, they still regulate the coverage and rates provided. Provincial governments provide a standard auto policy all companies must follow.
What your auto insurance plan must include
While insurance plans vary by province, these are the most common types of insurance you must have before you can use your vehicle. Make sure you check the following when you compare auto insurance quotes:
Liability: If you are in a car accident and are held legally liable for other people’s injuries, or for damage to another person’s vehicle or property, your insurance company will pay up to the total amount listed on your policy. You are responsible for amounts above that limit.
Accident Benefits: This covers medical expenses not covered by a provincial health plan, plus loss of income as the result of an auto accident. In some provinces, you may be entitled to additional benefits if you are someone’s caregiver. Accident Benefits are paid regardless of who was at fault in an accident. Not available in Quebec.
Uninsured Automobile: This coverage protects you and your family if you are injured or killed by a hit-and-run driver or an uninsured motorist. It also covers damage to your vehicle caused by an identified uninsured driver. Coverage is not available in Quebec. Vehicle damage is not covered in Alberta, Yukon and NWT.
Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD): Available only in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, P.E.I. and Newfoundland, this covers the cost of loss or damage to your car in an accident for which you were not entirely responsible. To qualify, the other driver has to be identified, insured and found to be at least partially at fault. In some provinces, you can no longer sue another person for damage to your car.
Your insurance company will look at the degree to which you are responsible for the accident and your deductible to determine how much compensation you will receive. You will be paid if you were partly or not at all responsible for the accident. Be sure to review your car insurance policy for specific details, restrictions and exclusions.
Value-added coverage
You may want additional coverage to be sure you’re fully protected in case of an automobile accident, theft or damage. Here are some coverage options to consider:
Collision: You are covered for the cost of repairs or the actual cash value of your vehicle in the event of a collision subject to your deductible.
Specified Perils: This covers you for specific perils such as fire, lightning, theft*, windstorm, earthquake, hail, explosion, riot and others.
Comprehensive: With this option, you are covered for losses to your vehicle other than those covered by Collision. Some examples include vandalism, falling or flying objects and theft.* Your policy explains the exclusions of this coverage. The deductible may apply.
*Comprehensive and Specified Perils do not insure your car against theft if a member of your household steals your car, or if an employee whose job involved using or maintaining the car steals your vehicle.
All Perils: All Perils combines Collision and Comprehensive coverage and protects your vehicle against theft by a person who lives in your household or an employee.
The most popular combination is Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
Optional coverage with endorsements
For extra protection, add the following to your insurance policy:
Accident Forgiveness: If you have this coverage, the first accident on your policy won’t affect your insurance rates, provided you have been licensed and accident-free for six years. This coverage is included in the provincial coverage plan, but not available separately in Quebec.
Loss of use: If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, stolen or destroyed, this endorsement covers the costs of temporary transportation, such as renting a vehicle or taking a bus. You’ll be covered up to the maximum amount specified in your policy or until your vehicle is recovered, repaired or an offer of settlement is presented.
Legal liability for damage to non-owned automobiles: This endorsement may cover you if you damage a vehicle you don’t own while it was in your care and control, such as a rental vehicle.
Family protection endorsement: Receive additional benefits if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough coverage to pay a claim for injury or death. This only applies if the other driver has less insurance coverage than you.
Limited waiver of depreciation: This coverage protects against the loss of value or depreciation of a new vehicle if, as a result of an accident, your vehicle is beyond repair and must be replaced. This coverage is available up to the first five years of a vehicle lease or ownership. You may receive an amount up to the price you paid for the vehicle or the manufacturer’s suggested price. Some items on the bill of sale may not be covered, such as administration fees. You can only add this endorsement if you have insured your vehicle with Collision and Comprehensive coverage, Collision and Specified Perils coverage or All Perils coverage.
Additional coverage: You can also buy insurance for a stereo or other components installed in your vehicle.
To learn more about car insurance, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Online tools
Get an online quote right now for your Auto insurance, or find a Financial Advisor near you to get started on creating the policy you need. Once you have insurance with us, you’ll be able to make a claim quickly and easily using your iPhone.
