Average Car Insurance by Province
The map below shows the average annual car insurance premium for each Canadian province and territory.
Average Car Insurance Premium by Province
Provincial Car Insurance Rates
| Province | Average Annual Premium | Monthly Cost | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $2,000 | $167 | Private |
| British Columbia | $1,850 | $154 | Public (ICBC) |
| Alberta | $1,650 | $138 | Private |
| Newfoundland | $1,350 | $113 | Private |
| Manitoba | $1,200 | $100 | Public (MPI) |
| Saskatchewan | $1,150 | $96 | Public (SGI) |
| Northwest Territories | $1,100 | $92 | Private |
| Nova Scotia | $1,050 | $88 | Private |
| New Brunswick | $1,000 | $83 | Private |
| Nunavut | $1,000 | $83 | Private |
| Yukon | $950 | $79 | Private |
| Prince Edward Island | $950 | $79 | Private |
| Quebec | $750 | $63 | Public/Private |
Why Car Insurance Costs Vary by Province
Regulatory Model
| Model | Provinces | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Public insurance | BC, MB, SK, QC | Government sets rates, often lower |
| Private competitive | ON, AB, NB, NS, PE, NL | Market rates, more variation |
| Hybrid (QC) | Quebec | Public injury, private damage |
Cost Factors by Province
| Province | Key Cost Drivers |
|---|---|
| Ontario | High fraud, dense traffic, expensive benefits |
| BC | ICBC losses, high repair costs |
| Alberta | Higher vehicle values, urban growth |
| Quebec | Public injury coverage reduces premiums |
| Atlantic | Lower traffic, less fraud |
| Prairies | Public systems control costs |
Public vs Private Auto Insurance
Public Insurance Provinces
| Province | Insurer | What’s Covered | Private Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC | ICBC | Basic liability + injury | Optional top-up |
| Manitoba | MPI | Basic + injury | Optional top-up |
| Saskatchewan | SGI | Basic + injury | Optional top-up |
| Quebec | SAAQ | Injury only | Private vehicle damage |
Pros and Cons
| Factor | Public Insurance | Private Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Price competition | No | Yes |
| Rate stability | Generally | Can fluctuate |
| Claims process | One insurer | Varies |
| Coverage options | Limited | More variety |
| Dispute resolution | Government | Courts/arbitration |
Average Car Insurance by City
Ontario Cities
| City | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Brampton | $2,800 |
| Vaughan | $2,500 |
| Toronto | $2,400 |
| Mississauga | $2,300 |
| Ottawa | $1,700 |
| Hamilton | $1,800 |
| London | $1,600 |
Other Major Cities
| City | Province | Average Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | BC | $2,100 |
| Calgary | AB | $1,800 |
| Edmonton | AB | $1,700 |
| Montreal | QC | $900 |
| Halifax | NS | $1,200 |
| Winnipeg | MB | $1,300 |
What Affects Your Car Insurance Rate
High-Impact Factors
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Location | Up to 50% difference |
| Age | Young drivers 200–300% higher |
| Driving record | 15–50% increase per infraction |
| Vehicle type | Luxury/sports 30–50% higher |
| Claims history | 10–30% per claim |
Moderate-Impact Factors
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Credit score (where legal) | Up to 25% |
| Mileage/commute | 5–15% |
| Insurance history | 10–20% |
| Home ownership | 5–10% discount |
| Multiple policies | 5–15% bundle discount |
Low-Impact Factors
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Vehicle colour | None (myth) |
| Gender | Limited or none |
| Profession | Minor if any |
How to Lower Your Car Insurance
Immediate Savings
| Action | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Shop around | 20–40% |
| Increase deductible | 10–25% |
| Bundle home + auto | 5–15% |
| Remove unnecessary coverage | 5–15% |
Long-Term Savings
| Action | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | 15–30% |
| Usage-based insurance | 10–25% |
| Take defensive driving course | 5–10% |
| Ask about group discounts | 5–15% |
Required Coverage by Province
Minimum Liability Limits
| Province | Minimum Bodily Injury | Recommend |
|---|---|---|
| BC | $200,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Alberta | $200,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Ontario | $200,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Quebec | $50,000 | $2,000,000 |
| All others | $200,000 | $2,000,000 |
Standard Coverage Types
| Coverage | What It Covers | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party liability | Others’ injuries/damage | Yes |
| Accident benefits | Your injuries | Yes (most provinces) |
| Collision | Your vehicle damage (at fault) | No |
| Comprehensive | Theft, vandalism, weather | No |
| Uninsured motorist | Hit by uninsured driver | Yes (most provinces) |
Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers
Facility Association Rates
| Driver Profile | Typical Premium |
|---|---|
| DUI conviction | $5,000–$8,000 |
| Multiple at-fault accidents | $4,000–$6,000 |
| License suspension | $3,000–$5,000 |
| New driver (under 25) | $3,000–$4,500 |
High-risk drivers can be placed in the Facility Association, where premiums are significantly higher.
Car Insurance Tips
Shopping Tips
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Get 3–5 quotes | Rates vary significantly |
| Compare online | Fast initial quotes |
| Call for details | May find additional discounts |
| Review annually | Rates and circumstances change |
Coverage Decisions
| Situation | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| New/financed car | Full coverage (collision + comprehensive) |
| Older car (<$5,000 value) | May drop collision |
| Liability risk | Higher liability limits |
| Emergency fund | Higher deductibles acceptable |
Key Takeaways
- Car insurance varies dramatically by province, from $750 in Quebec to $2,000+ in Ontario
- Public insurance provinces (BC, SK, MB, QC) generally have more stable pricing
- Location, age, and driving record are the biggest rate factors
- Shopping around annually can save 20–40%
- Higher liability coverage ($2M) costs little more than minimums