How much is car insurance in New Brunswick?

Average car insurance in New Brunswick is $1,000–$1,300/year, making it one of the more affordable provinces. Saint John and Moncton have slightly higher rates than rural NB.

What is the minimum car insurance in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick requires minimum $200,000 third-party liability, accident benefits, uninsured motorist protection, and direct compensation property damage coverage.

Is New Brunswick a no-fault province?

New Brunswick uses a modified tort/direct compensation system. Accident benefits are paid on a no-fault basis through your own insurer, but you retain the right to sue for injuries beyond the threshold.

What companies offer car insurance in New Brunswick?

All major Canadian insurers operate in New Brunswick, including Intact, TD Insurance, Aviva, Co-operators, Wawanesa, and Belair Direct. Using a broker to compare quotes is the best approach.

Car Insurance New Brunswick | Complete Guide 2026

New Brunswick operates a private, competitive car insurance market where you can shop freely for all your coverage. The province uses a direct compensation property damage (DCPD) system, meaning if another driver is at fault, your own insurer handles your vehicle repairs — simplifying the process compared to chasing the at-fault driver’s insurer. New Brunswick has some of the most affordable car insurance rates in Canada, making it one of the better provinces for drivers frustrated by Ontario or Alberta costs.

New Brunswick uses a private insurance market with regulated rate caps. Compare to average car insurance by province and learn more in the car insurance guide for Canada.

New Brunswick Insurance Overview

Market Structure

Feature	Details
Market type	Private, competitive
Regulator	Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB)
Minimum liability	$200,000
Injury system	Modified tort with direct compensation
Can shop all coverage	Yes

Direct Compensation System

Under DCPD, when you are not at fault in a collision, your own insurer pays for your vehicle repairs (up to your coverage limits), then seeks reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer. For you, this means faster service and dealing only with your own insurer — a significant convenience over the traditional tort process.

Average Costs in New Brunswick

By Driver Profile

Profile	Annual Cost
Experienced driver, clean record	$900–$1,200
Average driver	$1,000–$1,300
New driver (0–2 years)	$2,000–$3,000
Young driver (under 25)	$2,200–$3,500
Driver with at-fault claim	+30–60%

By City and Region

Location	Average Annual
Saint John	$1,100–$1,500
Moncton	$1,000–$1,400
Fredericton	$1,000–$1,300
Miramichi	$950–$1,250
Bathurst	$950–$1,250
Edmundston	$900–$1,200
Rural New Brunswick	$850–$1,200

Saint John has slightly higher rates than other NB cities, reflecting higher urban density and claims frequency. Fredericton and Moncton are comparable. Rural areas benefit from lower traffic volume and fewer accidents.

Mandatory Coverage

What New Brunswick Law Requires

Coverage	Minimum
Third-party liability	$200,000
Accident benefits	Statutory
Uninsured motorist	Required
Direct compensation (DCPD)	Required

Accident Benefits

New Brunswick’s statutory accident benefits provide basic compensation for injuries:

Benefit	Amount
Medical and rehabilitation	$50,000
Income replacement	80% of gross income, up to $250/week
Death benefit	$10,000
Funeral expenses	$2,500

For drivers without comprehensive disability coverage through work, enhanced accident benefits are worth considering.

Optional Coverage

Common Additions

Coverage	Purpose
Collision	Covers damage to your vehicle in a crash
Comprehensive	Theft, fire, hail, flooding, vandalism
All perils	Combined collision and comprehensive
Increased liability	Raise minimum above $200,000
Loss of use	Rental car during repairs
Accident forgiveness	Protect your record after first at-fault claim
Waiver of depreciation	New vehicle protection (within 2 years)

Increasing Liability

The $200,000 minimum is widely considered too low for meaningful protection.

Liability	Annual Cost to Add
$500,000	+$20–$40
$1,000,000	+$40–$70
$2,000,000	+$60–$100

How to Save on New Brunswick Car Insurance

Strategy	Savings
Compare 4–6 insurers	15–30%
Bundle home and auto	10–20%
Keep a clean driving record	20–50% long-term
Increase deductible	10–20%
Winter tires	Up to 5%
Anti-theft device	Up to 10% on comprehensive
Pay annually	2–5%
Driving school (young drivers)	10–15%
Low-mileage discount	5–10%

Brokers vs Direct

In New Brunswick, independent brokers access multiple insurers at once and are often the fastest route to competitive pricing. Direct writers (TD Insurance, Belair Direct) are worth checking too, but never limit yourself to a single quote.

Top Insurers in New Brunswick

Insurer	Notes
Intact Insurance	Market leader nationally
TD Insurance	Competitive multi-product discounts
Aviva Canada	Strong Atlantic presence
Co-operators	Cooperative model, good service
Wawanesa	Competitive in Atlantic Canada
Belair Direct	Lower overhead, competitive pricing
Economical (Definity)	Broker channel
Gore Mutual	Broker-distributed

New Brunswick vs Other Provinces

Province	Average Annual
Ontario	$1,900–$2,400
BC	$1,800–$2,400
Alberta	$1,400–$1,900
Nova Scotia	$1,100–$1,500
New Brunswick	$1,000–$1,300
PEI	$950–$1,300
Newfoundland	$900–$1,200
Quebec	$800–$1,300

New Brunswick is consistently among the most affordable private-market provinces for car insurance.

Filing a Claim in New Brunswick

Step	Action
1	Contact your insurer immediately
2	File police report if injuries, crime, or significant damage
3	Document the scene (photos, witness information)
4	Exchange insurance and contact information
5	Submit claim through your insurer’s app, phone, or online portal
6	Bring vehicle to approved repair facility
7	Pay deductible to the repair shop

If you disagree with a claim decision, you can contact the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick (FCNB) or use the General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) for dispute resolution.