Compare cheap car insurance quotes for free.

On average, Canadians save up to 23% per year by comparing quotes with us.

Get quotes from 50+ Canadian providers in 3 minutes.

Get quotes from 50+ Canadian providers in 3 minutes.

Compare rates from Canada's leading auto insurance providers

26,744 Canadians

have compared rates and saved money over the last 24 hours

What our users say:

March 15
Absolutely amazing!
Absolutely amazing! Got a great deal and the best agent possible! Thank you very...
Adam Michael Peters
March 15
I found the representative a good…communicator
I found the representative a good communicator and he help me to feel comfortabl...
James Mirowski
March 15
Very friendly voice o the other end
Very friendly voice o the other end, and very happy with my quote
Joe Moreira
March 15
It was a professional and fast answer…
It was a professional and fast answer to my request, it couldn’t be more perfe...
Mahrez Djellouli
March 15
very satisfied
agent was very very helpful explain a lot of things we dint know very happy wit...
Joao Medeiros
March 13
Great service
Very helpful
Jessica
March 8
Easy to use and logical site
Easy to use and logical site
keith houghton
March 8
Fast and knowledgeable response to…
Fast and knowledgeable response to enqueries
Andrew Leung
March 7
The best thing that they follow up.and…
The best thing that they follow up.and they are honest. Adel
Adel Almousa
March 6
Very helpful team !
Very helpful team !
Shivali Patel
March 5
Shilakha Dhawan was a pleasure
Huge thanks and appreciation Shilakha Dhawan for making this so quick and easy!!...
Chris
March 2
Good rates quick and easy
Good rates quick and easy
Gina Cauz
March 1
Great phone service
Great phone service
Joseph William Toland
February 27
Gave honest advice
Gave honest advice, no push for higher price.
Frank Gerzsenyi
February 24
Great customer service
Great customer service. Informative. Educated and fast service.
Adounis Hamade
February 15
Super fast seriously half the price!
Super fast seriously half the price of my previous broker. I worked with Khadija...
N. Gul
January 31
Representative was extremely helpful…
Representative was extremely helpful and was able to assist in all our needs.
Laura Dunsford
January 19
I was treated very well
I was treated very well, the person that was helping me was very helpful and fou...
Tim Bob
January 18
Great service
The response to my inquiry was quick. I received a phone call a few hours later ...
Sherri Leclerc
December 4
Quick turnaround
Quick turnaround, I am really happy with the process so far.
Breno Mendonca
November 11
process was easy and professional
The process was easy and professional
James Robichaud
November 1
The young man was very courteous and…
The young man was very courteous and professional. We didn't qualify due to low...
Teresa Penning
October 26
Quick and friendly response.
Quick and friendly response.
Dan Rochon Rochon
October 13
prompt respond
prompt respond, knowledgable
Brano Lapin
September 27
The agent was Patient and knowledgeable…
The agent was Patient and knowledgeable answered all my questions
Richard Young
August 31
The agent (Jan) was most professional
The agent (Jan) was most professional, courteous, and friendly.
Kewal Khanna
July 27
They gave me a lot of important…
They gave me a lot of important information
Liliana FERNANDEZ
July 13
THE PERSON ANSWERED ALL MYY QUESTIONS
THE PERSON ANSWERED ALL MYY QUESTIONS
Antonio
June 23
One Stop Shop - best rates with multiple companies
Found great rates with multiple companies which made it very easy to quickly ass...
Maryann O

How comparing auto insurance quotes works. Hint: it’s free!

Compare

Next, we’ll show you quotes from 50+ Canadian providers. It’s free, with no commitment.

Save

When you find the best quote, secure your rate by talking to a licensed broker or agent.

Compare quotes from Canada’s leading auto insurance companies.

Looking for the best rates on car insurance? You've come to the right place. Just fill out our insurance form and click the 'Get Started' button to find quotes from car insurance brokers across the country. Auto insurance rates for the same driver can vary widely between insurance companies, which is why you need to compare auto insurance rates to get the best deal.

Front view of a car. Illustration.

See how our customers with collision coverage save big on auto insurance.

CustomerLocationVehicleLowest rateAverage rateSaved
Quote from March 17, 2024
Customer
Female, 18 years old
Location
ontario
Vehicle
2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA PREFERRED 4DR
Lowest Rate
$728/mth
$8,741/yr
Average Rate
$1,223/mth
$14,671/yr
Saved
$494/mth
40.42%
Quote from March 17, 2024
Customer
Male, 47 years old
Location
ontario
Vehicle
2003 FORD ECONOLINE E350 SD XLT DIESEL
Lowest Rate
$91/mth
$1,089/yr
Average Rate
$131/mth
$1,566/yr
Saved
$40/mth
30.46%
Quote from March 17, 2024
Customer
Female, 20 years old
Location
ontario
Vehicle
2021 DODGE/RAM RAM 1500 TRADESMAN QUAD CAB 4WD
Lowest Rate
$490/mth
$5,881/yr
Average Rate
$607/mth
$7,283/yr
Saved
$117/mth
19.25%

Auto insurance quotes are compared from CAA, Coachman Insurance Company, Economical Insurance, Gore Mutual, Onlia Insurance, Pafco, Pembridge, SGI, Travelers, Zenith Insurance Company

Compare car insurance quotes online to get the lowest rates.

At LowestRates.ca, we’ll help you compare the most competitive offers from Canada’s leading auto insurance companies. You’ll get the best car insurance estimates sent directly to you, so you can get the most affordable price on the car insurance policy that suits you best.

How does auto insurance differ from province to province?

Auto insurance systems, coverage, and rates vary greatly depending on where you register your vehicle.

Some provinces, like Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia, have government-provided auto insurance programs. Quebec uses a hybrid system – the government provides personal injury coverage while direct compensation property damage coverage is set by private insurers.

Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and the territories have privatized auto insurance markets.

What can I do to get cheap car insurance?

It's easy — if you know how. Here are some of the best ways to lower your auto insurance premiums:

Shop around

We'll show you the most competitive rates from all the top insurers. Now you can compare quotes all in one place.

Buy the right coverage

Avoiding extra frills in your policy and paying for only the coverage you need will lower your premiums.

Drive responsibly

Your driving record impacts your rate. Fewer infractions and fines equals cheaper insurance.

Pay on time

Prompt payments can save you money on late fees and lower your premiums. Insurers love a good customer.

Bundle up

Adding a house, motorcycle, RV, or other type of insurance policy to your car insurance plan can lower your rates.

Be safe, not sorry

Safety features like winter tires and alarm systems can help reduce your insurance premium.

Stick with one insurer

Most auto insurance companies give special discounts to customers who stay with them for a number of years.

Take a course

A defensive driving course makes you a better driver and can significantly reduce your car insurance premiums.

Keep driving

The math is clear: more experience on the road equals lower car insurance premiums. Young drivers almost universally pay higher rates for car insurance. While it’s difficult for new drivers to secure cheap car insurance rates, you may be able to lower your rates by maintaining good grades and attending driving school.

Look at location

Where you drive affects your premiums. Some areas are associated with higher rates of car accidents and theft.

Choose the right car

Cars with high crash-test scores, low theft ratings, and less powerful engines tend to have cheaper insurance rates.

Track your driving

With a usage-based car insurance policy, you can turn your low-risk driving habits into lower premiums.

Your auto insurance questions, answered.

 

How do I find the cheapest auto insurance rates?

LowestRates.ca makes it simple – just fill out our auto insurance form with your driver details (postal code, driving experience, vehicle make and model, etc.).

We'll find the auto insurance quotes available to you. We rank quotes from cheapest to most expensive.

Once you've compared car insurance rates and selected your quote, you'll be able to speak directly with an car insurance broker who'll help you lock in your rate with the insurance company. Shopping for auto insurance online has never been quicker or easier.

What if I’m an Uber driver or I drive for another ride-sharing service?

Since 2016, ride-sharing insurance plans have been available in Canada and LowestRates.ca is one of the few places where you can buy them.

Ride-sharing insurance is for drivers who use their personal vehicles to transport paying passengers

Here's why you need to buy ride-sharing coverage:

  • Your personal auto insurance policy doesn't cover you if you drive for a ride-share company (and could be cancelled at any time).
  • A commercial auto insurance policy (used by taxi services) is way too expensive for the average ride-share driver.
  • Ride-sharing insurance gives you and your passengers the coverage you need at an affordable price (many ride-sharing plans are less than $100 per month).

Want a quote for ride-sharing insurance? Look no further. Start your application on LowestRates.ca.

How do I choose the right coverage?

Every province and territory has rules around the mandatory amount of insurance you have to buy to legally operate a car.

Essentially, no matter where you live in Canada you need to buy third-party liability insurance. The minimum benefit you need to purchase in most parts of Canada is $200,000. Outliers are Quebec ($50,000) and Nova Scotia ($500,000).

But, if you're financing your car with a car loan, or are leasing, your lender may require that you buy more coverage than the mandatory minimum. They want to protect the underlying asset in the event you get in an accident and the car is a total write-off.

But if you’re not relying on third-party financing, the choice is yours. When it comes to shelling out for optional coverages like collision and comprehensive this is the general rule: it’s worth it for brand new cars and luxury cars.

Any car that you couldn't buy new again or pay to repair should have extra insurance on it.

A car’s value depreciates rapidly, and after a few years of use, you may decide to drop your extra coverage. Is the extra cost worth the benefit your insurance company will pay? It’s your call.

How much does car insurance cost?

Estimating your car insurance premiums can be challenging. Car insurance estimator tools geared for Canadian drivers require less information, but this also makes them less accurate. Car insurance costs vary considerably throughout the country. That’s why it’s so important to compare quotes online. The provinces with the highest car insurance premiums are Ontario and B.C. There are multiple factors that affect rates in each province:

    • Regulatory regime - Some provinces have public insurance: B.C., Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, and Quebec, which actually has a hybrid public-private regime. Elsewhere in Canada, auto insurance is provided by private companies, which are also subject to provincial regulations.
    • Loss ratios - Insurance companies have different loss ratios in every province or territory that they operate in. The loss ratio is the amount of revenue earned through premiums versus claims paid out. A high loss ratio means an insurance company isn’t generating as much profit because they’re paying a lot out in the form of claims.
    • Population - Densely populated cities tend to have higher auto insurance premiums, the data show. That’s because more cars on the road mean a higher likelihood of collisions and theft.
    • Right-to-sue laws - Quebec has some of the lowest insurance rates in the country because drivers do not have the right to sue for damages. In Ontario, you do have the right to sue for damages (on top of your insurance payout), if your injuries are severe. Lawsuits cost insurance companies a lot of money and they pass on that expense to consumers.
    • Mandatory minimums - Each province has different rules about how much insurance you need to buy. Some provinces make you to buy a lot of it. For example, in Newfoundland and Labrador, drivers need to buy $500,000 worth of car insurance. The more insurance coverage you need to buy, the higher your bill will be.

    What do I need to be eligible for car insurance in Canada?

    To be eligible for car insurance in Canada, you need to meet the following requirements:

    • You must be a resident of Canada.
    • You need to have a valid driver’s licence. This applies even if you don’t have a full driver’s licence.
    • The car must be for personal use.
    • You must not have been convicted of auto insurance fraud in the last 10 years.
    • You must be honest with your insurance company. You can't deceive the insurance company about where you live, the car you’re insuring, or whether you’ve made any modifications to the car.
    • Past losses or convictions may make it harder to find an insurance company that’s willing to offer you coverage. But, you can still buy Facility Insurance or go with an insurance company that specializes in high-risk drivers.

    What determines the cost of auto insurance?

    Your auto insurance rate is determined in large part by:

    • Your licence level: Not having a full licence will cause your premium to be higher. Conversely, having a full licence has a positive effect on your car insurance rates.
    • Your driving history: Insurance companies favour drivers who have many years of claims-free driving experience. Having little driving experience (approximately less than 10 years), previous claims and driving convictions will push your car insurance rates up. Car insurance rates for new drivers are also among the highest. 
    • Your age: Being a young driver puts you at a higher probability of being in a collision, according to actuarial data: you’re new to driving and are likely going to make some mistakes.
    • Your sex: Unfortunately, men often pay higher rates than women.
    • Your postal code: Urban dwellers pay more than drivers in rural areas.
    • The amount of coverage you buy: Buying a comprehensive car insurance policy will raise your premium.

    Is car insurance mandatory in Canada?

    Yes, if you’re operating a car in Canada, it’s mandatory to hold car insurance. However, you do not have to have insurance to buy a car (or even inherit it). You just won’t be able to drive it.

    The penalties for driving a car without insurance can vary by province. In short, they are:

    • A fine.
    • Licence suspension of up to a year.
    • Having your vehicle impounded.

    If you get into a collision and you don’t have insurance, you will be responsible for any damages. In most cases, it’s very rare for one person to be 100% at fault, so the chances of you needing to pay up are good.

    You’re also denied the right to sue for any type of accident benefit. That's money that can help cover any loss of income and hospital expenses

    If you get into a collision in a borrowed car, the insurance premium belonging to the owner will increase.

    Getting caught driving without car insurance will seriously impact your ability to get insurance — and get it at a low rate.

    Who offers the cheapest and best car insurance in Canada?

    A singular auto company insurance that offers the cheapest auto insurance to all its customers doesn't exist. Your auto insurance rate depends on your driving profile.

    Price also depends on the insurance provider’s own risk tolerance. A company that has recently experienced record losses will often charge higher premiums to new customers.

    Even if they seem interchangeable, insurance companies are not all alike. That's why we stress the importance of comparing auto insurance quotes. Without the ability to compare, it’s impossible to know which insurance company can offer you the lowest premium. The variation in price is quite big. It'll surprise you.

    At what age does car insurance become cheaper?

    There’s a myth that car insurance premiums become cheaper after you turn 25, but there’s no evidence to back this up. And no insurer that we know of offers an over-25 policy.

    Cheap car insurance for new drivers can be hard to find, but we have good news. According to LowestRates.ca data, car insurance premiums gradually decline every year after age 18, with the biggest drop in price occurring on average between the ages of 20 to 21. Your rates will continue to fall if you maintain a clean driving record and make zero claims.

    What is no-fault car insurance?

    No-fault car insurance means the insurance company will pay your claim, regardless of whether you're at fault. Every province in Canada has a no-fault insurance regime to varying degrees. Some provinces allow people to sue for damages, while others, like Quebec, do not. The no-fault system is seen as a good one since it prevents delays in claim payments and access to medical care.

    Types of auto insurance coverage.

    Getting the best auto insurance policy isn't just about the lowest price. It's also about finding the right coverage, so you'll be financially protected if you get into an accident.

    Here are the categories of coverage available in Canada:

    Liability insurance

    Third-Party Liability insurance is mandatory throughout Canada. It covers damages caused to another person or vehicle in an accident. Damages include medical bills, lost earnings, legal fees, and other expenses. You'll want enough insurance to cover a judgment against you so that your personal assets won't be at risk.

    Accident benefits

    Accident benefits provides financial support for medical expenses if you are injured in a car accident. It can also be put towards funeral expenses should you be killed in an accident. It's mandatory to purchase accident benefit coverage in Canada, except in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    Emergency road service

    ERS insurance provides you with roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown or mishap while you're out driving. It also covers the cost of getting your car back on the road. Those costs may include light mechanical labour, an oil or gas delivery, new batteries, a boost, tire changes, locksmith services, or even a tow. With help on the way, ERS takes the stress out of a breakdown.

    Comprehensive insurance

    Comprehensive auto insurance covers damages resulting from incidents other than car accidents or collisions. Comprehensive coverage includes protection from hazards like extreme weather, vandalism, falling objects, fire, theft, and flooding.

    Collision insurance

    Collision insurance covers damage to your car in the event of a vehicle rollover or a collision with another vehicle or object. If your car is totalled, collision insurance will pay the cost of replacing it.

    Uninsured motorist coverage

    Covers costs related to your injury or death after an accident caused by another driver who is either uninsured or unidentified, as in the case of a hit-and-run driver. Keep in mind that this coverage only pays for damage to your vehicle if the uninsured driver is also identified.

    Your questions about comparing car insurance quotes on LowestRates.ca, answered.

    Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about our car insurance comparison service.

    Where do our car insurance quotes come from?

    We’ve partnered with 50+ Canadian insurance providers to bring you your quotes. Our quotes are calculated using the individual insurance company’s quoting software and underwriting.

    Are car insurance quotes from LowestRates.ca free?

    Yes. Getting a quote from LowestRates.ca is always free. After you fill out our form, we’ll show you a page with results from all the companies we quote that can offer you coverage.

    Are the insurance quotes I see guaranteed?

    No, we can’t guarantee the quotes you see — but they should approximate the final price. In order to get a guaranteed rate, you must speak with an insurance broker.

    After we put you in touch with the insurance broker who can secure your lowest rate:

    • The broker will pull up your driving and insurance history.
    • They will verify the information with you over the phone to ensure they’re accurate.
    • The broker may tell you to buy a different type of policy than the one you applied for, which might also affect the price.

    What happens when I receive a car insurance quote I like?

    We assume the quote you like best is the lowest one you’re shown.

    Once you complete our form, we’ll show you a list of quotes and provide a reference number for the lowest quote you’re offered.

    In most circumstances, the brokerage will get in touch with you right away. Or, you can call the broker directly with the phone number we provide.

    The broker we connect you with will have access to the answers you provided on our form. They’ll be ready to discuss your lowest quote and take you through the process of buying a policy.

    We’ve designed our service so that we do all the heavy lifting for you.

    Jessica Vomiero

    Jessica Vomiero

    About the Author

    Jessica is the former Associate Editor for LowestRates.ca. Before joining the team, Jessica worked as a National Online Journalist with Globalnews.ca and previously spearheaded the launch of the Business Section at one of Canada's largest technology websites, MobileSyrup.

    Read More

    Auto insurance news

    Read More Like This

    *Shoppers in Canada who obtained an auto insurance quote on LowestRates.ca from January to December 2023 saved an average  of 23% The average savings percentage represents the difference between the shoppers’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third lowest quoted premiums generated by LowestRates.ca.