What happens if you get into an accident outside your province?

By: Jessica Mach on July 29, 2025

This article has been updated from a previous version.

If you get into an accident outside your province, your Canadian auto insurance policy will generally provide coverage, but the specifics depend on your policy and the location of the accident.

Car accidents are an unfortunate reality on Canadian roads, with over 1,900 fatalities and nearly 120,000 injuries reported in 2023. While most accidents occur close to home, many Canadians find themselves in unfamiliar territory when traveling out of province or abroad.

For instance, did you know that Ontario consistently records some of the highest accident rates in Canada, and urban centers like Ottawa see spikes in collisions during winter months? These statistics highlight the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, especially when driving outside your home province.

Let’s break down what your auto insurance policy will and won’t cover in these situations.

Can you file a claim for an out-of-province accident?

You can file a car insurance claim for an out-of-province accident, but the process and coverage details depend on the province where your policy is issued and the jurisdiction where the accident occurs.

Auto insurance is provincially regulated, which means that the rules regarding out-of-province claims will vary from province to province. Before heading out on a road trip, you should always check with your insurance provider exactly what, and how much you’re covered for and whether you’ll need to buy extra coverage.

Alberta drivers

Alberta’s private insurance market provides flexibility for drivers traveling out of province, but there are important considerations to ensure you’re adequately covered during your trip:

Mandatory coverage: Alberta requires a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability insurance. While this meets the legal requirement, it’s strongly recommended to increase coverage to at least $1 million. This is especially important when traveling to the U.S., where medical and legal costs can quickly exceed basic coverage limits.
Uninsured motorist coverage: Alberta policies include protection against accidents involving uninsured drivers, which is particularly valuable when driving in jurisdictions like the U.S., where some states do not mandate auto insurance.
Optional add-ons for out-of-province travel
- Collision insurance: Covers damage to your own vehicle, regardless of fault, ensuring you’re not left with repair costs after an accident
- Comprehensive insurance: Protects against risks like theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage, which can be more common when traveling in unfamiliar areas.
- SEF 27 endorsement: If you plan to rent a vehicle outside Alberta, this endorsement extends your coverage to the rental car, saving you from purchasing costly insurance from the rental company.

When traveling out of province, Alberta drivers should also be aware that their claims will generally be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where the accident occurs. This means that if an accident happens in another province or state, the local rules and processes will apply. To avoid surprises, it’s a good idea to review your policy with your insurance provider before embarking on a trip.

British Columbia drivers

B.C. drivers are also well-covered when road-tripping out-of- province. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)’s Autoplan, which is the minimum mandatory auto insurance plan that is required of all B.C. drivers, provides coverage everywhere in Canada and the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska.

Jurisdiction considerations: In most cases, your insurance claim will be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where your accident happened. This means that if your accident takes place in Vermont, any court proceedings would also have to happen in-state.

Manitoba drivers

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) provides Autopac, the mandatory auto insurance program for all Manitoba drivers, ensuring coverage across Canada and the United States. If you’re a Manitoba driver and get into an accident out of province, here’s what you need to know:

Personal injury protection plan (PIPP): This plan covers medical expenses, income replacement, and other benefits if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This protection applies even when the accident occurs outside Manitoba.
Third-party liability: If you’re at fault in an accident, your third-party liability coverage protects you against claims for injuries or property damage caused to others. It’s recommended to increase your liability limit, especially when traveling to the U.S., where claims can be significantly higher.
All perils coverage: This protects your vehicle from damage caused by collisions, theft, vandalism, or weather-related incidents. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident outside Manitoba, this coverage ensures you’re not left with repair costs.
Jurisdictional rules: Accidents outside Manitoba are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where the accident occurs. This means that if you’re involved in an accident in another province or state, the local rules and processes will apply.
Extended travel: If you plan to be out of Manitoba for an extended period, consult your Autopac agent to ensure your coverage remains active. Special arrangements can be made to renew your policy while you’re away.

Autopac coverage does not extend to Mexico. If you’re traveling there, you’ll need to purchase separate insurance.

Newfoundland and Labrador drivers

Newfoundland and Labrador operate a private insurance system with mandatory and optional coverages. Drivers traveling out of province should be aware of the following:

Mandatory coverage
- Third-party liability: A minimum of $200,000 is required, but higher limits are recommended for better protection.
- Uninsured automobile coverage: Protects against injuries or damages caused by an uninsured driver.
Optional add-ons
- Accident benefits: While not mandatory in Newfoundland, these are highly recommended for additional protection. They cover medical expenses, disability income, and funeral costs.
- Collision and comprehensive insurance: Protects against at-fault accidents, theft, vandalism, and weather-related damages.
- Endorsements: Options like SEF 27 (rental car coverage) and SEF 44 (family protection) can provide added peace of mind during travel.
Direct compensation model: Newfoundland uses a direct compensation system for property damage claims, meaning you deal with your own insurer for damages when not at fault.

Ontario drivers

For Ontario residents, there’s some good news: even though the province has a private insurance market, the provincial government has minimum coverage requirements that all drivers are required to have.

The Ontario Automobile Owner’s Policy, which most Ontario drivers have, provides coverage for “incidents occurring in Canada [and] the United States of America.”

Under Ontario law, all auto insurance policies must provide:

Liability coverage: This covers the cost of settling a legal claim if someone else is injured or killed, or if their property is damaged).
Accident benefits: This provides benefits if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. These benefits include supplementary medical care, a tax-free income benefit, an allowance if you can’t work, an allowance if a caregiver is injured, and funeral expenses.
Uninsured automobile coverage: This covers damage to your car if you’re hit by an uninsured driver; it also provides coverage if you’re a victim of a hit-and-run scenario.
Direct Compensation - Property Damage (DC-PD): Covers damage to your vehicle and its contents if another driver is at fault, provided the accident occurs in Ontario and involves a vehicle insured by a licensed Ontario insurer.

As of January 2024, Ontario drivers can opt out of DCPD coverage. However, this decision only affects accidents within Ontario and does not impact out-of-province claims.

Quebec drivers

Quebec operates a dual insurance system, with bodily injuries covered by the public plan administered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), even for accidents occurring outside the province. Property damage, however, is handled by private insurers. This system ensures that Quebec residents are protected in most scenarios, but there are key considerations for out-of-province travel:

Liability insurance: Quebec mandates a minimum of $50,000 in third-party liability insurance for property damage. This also extends to bodily injuries caused to non-residents of Quebec when driving outside the province.
Collision insurance: While optional in Quebec, collision insurance is highly recommended for out-of-province travel. It covers damage to your own vehicle, even if you are at fault, and eliminates the need for personal legal action to recover compensation.
Medical and hospital insurance: The SAAQ reimburses costs not covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) for accidents outside Quebec. However, additional medical and hospital insurance is advised to ensure better access to care in foreign jurisdictions.

For extended stays outside Quebec, drivers may be able to add a "use outside Quebec" endorsement to their policy (varies by insurer), especially if the trip exceeds 30 days.

Do you need to buy additional coverage?

This depends on the circumstances of your trip.

If you’re driving in the U.S., it’s important to note that many states have lower minimum coverage thresholds than you’ll see in Canada. This means that if you get into an accident with an American driver, they may not have enough insurance coverage to pay you for damages.

This is where extra coverage will come in handy. To avoid unexpected expenses, talk to your broker or insurance provider about short-term, add-on options before you leave for your trip.