Mandatory car insurance in Canada depends on the province or territory where your vehicle is registered and used. Public insurance programs, private policies and injury benefits work differently across the country. Start with the rules for your home jurisdiction, then ask how your policy responds when you travel or move.
What does mandatory car insurance cover?
Separate three questions when reviewing a policy: what pays for injuries, what covers liability to others, and what pays to repair your own vehicle? A requirement to carry liability insurance does not, by itself, tell you whether your own collision damage is insured. A lender or lease can also require protection beyond the legal minimum.
Ontario: check your accident-benefit choices
For a new Ontario policy purchased on or after July 1, 2026, medical, rehabilitation and attendant care remain mandatory accident benefits; other benefits, including income replacement, are optional. Review those choices explicitly instead of assuming income support is included. See FSRA's July 2026 changes.
DCPD is normally included, but Ontario permits a written election giving up recovery for collision damage. Discuss the consequences before signing. Our first car insurance guide for Ontario explains the required and optional coverages, with links to FSRA.
Alberta and British Columbia use different systems
In Alberta, basic automobile insurance includes required third-party liability and accident benefits. Collision and comprehensive are optional under the current system. DCPD generally directs eligible not-at-fault vehicle damage claims to your own insurer. Consult Alberta's guides to automobile insurance and collision claims. Alberta has announced a new Care-First system for January 1, 2027; that future change should not be confused with the rules applying in 2026.
British Columbia requires ICBC Basic Autoplan. It includes Enhanced Accident Benefits, Basic Vehicle Damage coverage and third-party liability, with their own rules. Optional collision coverage addresses damage to your vehicle when you are responsible for a crash. An Autoplan broker can explain the limits and additional choices. Read ICBC's Basic insurance guide rather than applying Alberta's policy terminology to B.C.
Quebec: public injury protection and private liability
Quebec's public automobile insurance plan compensates eligible injury and death claims under its rules. It does not replace the private civil liability insurance a vehicle owner must carry. Property damage and optional protection for your own vehicle need a separate review with your private insurer or broker. The SAAQ explains the public plan and private insurance requirement.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan include vehicle damage in basic coverage
Manitoba requires valid registration and Autopac coverage to operate a vehicle. Basic Autopac includes personal injury protection, all perils vehicle coverage and third-party liability. Deductibles, limits and exclusions still matter; review options with an Autopac agent. See MPI's vehicle insurance guide.
Saskatchewan's compulsory SGI plate insurance is purchased with vehicle registration. It includes collision and comprehensive protection, personal injury benefits and liability, subject to its terms. Additional insurance can extend basic protection. Read SGI's registration and insurance guide before assuming collision is always an optional extra across Canada.
Atlantic provinces and the territories: check the local rules
Do not carry an Ontario coverage checklist into Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut without checking it. Confirm each jurisdiction's current liability requirement, injury-benefit rules and vehicle-damage claims process with a locally licensed provider. Use the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators' provincial and territorial directory to find the relevant regulator and official guidance.
Before pickup day, a road trip or a move
- Confirm the named drivers, vehicle, home address, vehicle use and effective date on your insurance documents.
- Ask which coverage would respond to a collision, theft, injury or damage to someone else's property, and what deductible applies.
- Tell your insurer about a move or change in use, and check registration and insurance deadlines in the destination jurisdiction.
- Obtain valid proof of insurance from the insurer or authorized licensed provider before driving. Submitting an online request does not activate a policy.
You can start an auto insurance request through Insurance Genie. The licensed organization handling your request must confirm its service area, available insurers, eligibility and coverage. Insurance Genie does not issue insurance certificates or promise placement in every province and territory.
