Car Insurance for Newcomers

It is illegal to drive without car insurance in Canada. If you own a car, you must get insurance coverage. If you regularly drive a car that belongs to a relative or friend, you should make sure you’re listed on their car insurance plan.

You can get different types of car insurance plans, including coverage for either or both:

• injuries to yourself and damage to your car or
• the costs of damages and injury to others if you’re at fault in an accident

Your car insurance cost depends on the plan you choose and your:

• age
• driving record
• living location
• driving experience

The cost also varies between insurance companies. For this reason, you should:

• make sure you understand what each plan covers
• contact a few companies for details about the price of their insurance plans.

Can I get car insurance with an international driver’s license in Canada?
You can apply for car insurance with a Canadian driver’s license or an international driver’s permit. Most visitors get short-term Canadian car insurance, which is valid for up to six months.

Types of insurance

Here is an overview of types of insurance.

Liability coverage protects you if you are in an accident and you’re held legally liable for property damage, injury or death to other people. This coverage is mandatory in Canada, although the minimum amount may vary per province.

Collision coverage covers the damage that can affect your vehicle as a consequence of a crash with another vehicle or object, even if you’re at fault.

Comprehensive coverage insures your car against other types of damage such as vandalism — slashed tires and keying to name just two examples! — theft, fire or flood, and so on.

Loss of use covers your transportation costs (such as a rental car) during the time your vehicle is being repaired or replaced