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Best car insurance companies in Canada
Compare the best car insurance companies in Canada to find the right policy for your unique set of needs and budget.
If you’re in the market for car insurance in Canada, there are plenty of companies to pick from. That said, figuring out which option is the best fit for your particular set of needs can be a bit tricky. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our top picks in a number of different categories to help make your decision easier.
Find out which car insurance companies set themselves apart from the competition in our guide below.
What are the 10 best car insurance companies in Canada?
While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly which provider offers the best car insurance in Canada, we compared some of the best options to find out which companies excel in certain areas. We came up with the following findings:
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Best car insurance for cheap rates: Travelers Canada
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
Travelers Canada offers some of the cheapest rates for car insurance across the board. It’s available in almost every province, and you can apply for a quote quickly and easily online. It offers a number of different discounts to help you save money and lets you bundle your car insurance with your home insurance for enhanced savings. Just be aware that customer reviews complain about rate hikes and a poor level of client service.
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Best car insurance for customer experience: belairdirect
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
belairdirect has the highest rating for customer service on InsurEye, a leading independent car insurance review site in Canada. Despite some negative feedback, customers seem happy with the overall customer service experience. This service also lets you sign up for its mobile app, which will reward you with up to a 25% discount for safe driving. Just be aware that you might pay higher rates with this company and it’s only available in Alberta, BC, Ontario and Quebec.
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Best car insurance for group discounts: The Personal
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
The Personal auto insurance is a reputable insurance company that’s best known for offering discounted group policies across Canada. This means you could save money just for being an employee with a certain group (like the Canadian Armed Forces) or a member of a university or association. You can easily check if your group has a partnership agreement with The Personal by entering your group name into its online database. The Personal also offers a number of other discounts, such as student discounts and loyalty savings, as well as discounts for bundling packages.
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Best car insurance for all-inclusive coverage: Allstate
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
Allstate is a Canada-wide brand name car insurance company that offers extensive coverage for a reasonable price. This includes mandatory coverage, enhanced coverage and a laundry list of additional endorsements, such as ticket forgiveness and disappearing deductible coverage. Allstate also offers a large swath of discounts, including its Drivewise mobile app which tracks your safe driving habits to save you money. Just be aware that some customers report rate hikes with this company, and it’s got mixed reviews about its customer service.
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Best car insurance for fast claims: Intact Insurance
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
Intact offers affordable insurance in many Canadian provinces and is particularly well-known for its 30-minute claims guarantee. This guarantee promises that your car insurance claim will be opened within 30 minutes of you calling in to report an incident. If not, the company indicates it will write you a cheque for the full amount of your annual premium up to a maximum of $1,000. Just be aware that negative reviews report rate hikes and you may need to download an app to be eligible for certain discounts.
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Best car insurance for online service: The Co-operators
- Roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
The Co-operators is available across Canada and has high ratings for customer satisfaction. You can apply for a quote quickly and easily online from anywhere in the country. It’s also possible to file a claim with The Co-operators using its easy mobile app. As an added bonus, you’ll get entered for a chance to win a monthly prize of $1,000 when you register to use its online services. It also offers an online account that lets you manage your policy and make changes to your coverage from anywhere.
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Best car insurance for perks and discounts: AMA, BCAA or CAA
- Roadside assistance – included with membership
- New car protection – unclear
- Accident forgiveness
You can turn to your local automobile association for the best perks and discounts on your car insurance. Some examples of the benefits you’ll receive are accident forgiveness, low usage discounts, safe driving discounts and bundling services. You’ll also get roadside assistance included when you sign up as a member for a low monthly fee. This will in turn give you big savings on your car insurance – so it’s a win-win. Just be aware that some customers complain about poor customer service and a slow claims process in some instances.
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Best car insurance for bundling policies: Aviva
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
Aviva offers affordable prices for its car insurance and gives you the chance to combine multiple policies for extra benefits. You’ll be able to bundle your home and auto insurance and you can even get extra coverage for rental properties and recreational vehicles like snowmobiles and ATVs in some provinces. When you pay for multiple policies at once, you’ll get a sizable discount along with an additional $1 million in coverage as well as a single deductible if the same claim affects more than one policy. Your policies will also renew on the same date for added convenience.
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Best car insurance for certified repairs: RSA
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
RSA offers a number of special benefits when you sign up for auto insurance. One of its biggest value-adds is its lifetime repair guarantee for your vehicle. RSA works with a network of trusted repair facilities to get your repairs done right the first time. All repairs completed at these facilities will be guaranteed for as long as you insure your vehicle with RSA. This means you’ll never have to pay for the same repair twice. Just be aware that RSA charges higher-than-average rates, so you may pay more in the long run even with the repair guarantee.
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Best car insurance for special-risk coverage: Economical Insurance
- Optional roadside assistance
- New car protection
- Accident forgiveness
Economical has been one of Canada’s leading special risk providers since 1968. It’s well-versed in providing car insurance coverage to customers with a not-so-perfect driving record. It also offers a top-rated service guarantee to make sure that any claim you make is dealt with in a timely and proficient manner. Just be aware that Economical has higher than average prices when compared to its competitors, though you may be able to qualify for a number of discounts depending on your personal circumstances.
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How do I find the best car insurance company for me?
There are a couple of factors that you’ll want to take into consideration when looking for the best car insurance for your personal situation.
- Affordability. Think about how much you’re willing to pay for your car insurance and figure out what level of coverage you need. Then compare five to seven providers working in your area to find the best solution for your budget.
- Customer service. Compare customer reviews for the insurance companies you’re most interested in to find out which one offers the best customer service. This will ensure that you get friendly support and fast processing should you need to file a claim.
- Reputation. Make sure that the company you pick has a good reputation and doesn’t engage in any dodgy practices like hiking your rates or avoiding your phone calls when you want to file a claim.
- Endorsements. Look for a car insurance company that offers the endorsements you’re interested in. These can include first accident forgiveness, loss-of-use compensation, rental vehicle coverage and other add-ons.
- Discounts. Consider what discounts you might be eligible for and look for a car insurance company that will help you save money. Check out the comprehensive list of car insurance discounts you may be eligible for below.
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What’s the best type of car insurance policy for me?
The best kind of insurance policy for you will likely be the cheapest policy that includes all the features you need. Check out our list of some of the best policies for certain categories of vehicles and drivers to see where you fit:
- Best for cheap cars. You’ll likely only need to purchase third-party liability for older or less expensive vehicles (which will save you money on collision/comprehensive insurance).
- Best for older vehicles. You may want to consider car insurance that comes with roadside assistance for vehicles that are more likely to break down unexpectedly.
- Best for new vehicles. You’ll typically want to get collision and comprehensive coverage added on to your policy if you’re still paying off your car or it would cost a significant amount to replace or repair after a collision.
- Best for infrequent drivers. You may want to think about a low mileage program that will only charge you for the number of kilometres you drive if you only use your vehicle recreationally or for infrequent outings.
- Best for safety-conscious drivers. You could benefit from signing up for a mobile app that tracks your driving habits and rewards you with discounts and cash rebates when you follow the rules of the road.
- Best for students or seniors. You could reap rewards if you sign up for a car insurance company that offers targeted discounts if you’re studying at post-secondary or are 60 years of age or older.
What questions should I ask to find the best policy?
There are a number of questions you can ask the car insurance provider that you’re thinking of getting a policy with to make sure it’s a good fit. These can include but aren’t limited to the following:
- What discounts can you offer me?
- How long will my premiums be guaranteed to stay the same?
- How much will my premiums increase if I get into an at-fault accident?
- Will my policy cover other drivers for my vehicle?
- What kind of deductible will I have to pay if I need to file a claim?
- How long will it take for you to pay out in the event of a claim?
- Will you cover taxi fares or rental car costs if my vehicle is out of commission?
- What factors affect my premium, and how can I make it lower?
- How will my car be repaired if I get into an accident?
- Does my policy include towing and roadside assistance?
- Are there any exclusions to my car insurance policy that I should be aware of?
- Are there any optional coverages that will help me to save money in the long run?
- Can I take advantage of a first-time accident waiver on my policy?
- Do you offer special discounts for bundling car insurance or insuring multiple vehicles at one time?
What should I know before I apply?
Eligibility requirements
To apply for car insurance anywhere in Canada, you’ll usually need to meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a valid Canadian driver’s licence
- Own the vehicle you wish to insure
- Fulfill additional criteria based on which province you live in.
How to apply
If you want to apply for auto insurance, you just need to follow these simple steps.
- Visit the website of the car insurance company you’re interested in to submit an application for a quote online.
- Provide the necessary documentation – such as a valid driver’s licence and proof of purchase for your vehicle.
- Get verified and work with your provider to negotiate the terms of your car insurance if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Bottom line
Finding the best car insurance companies in Canada for your personal situation can be a bit of a process but it may end up saving you a major headache in the long run. That’s why it pays to take the time to compare providers to find the best fit. As a rule of thumb, you should look for the provider that offers the best combination of cheap rates and top-notch customer service on a suitable level of coverage designed to meet your needs.
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