Average Car Insurance Rates Across Canadian Provinces

Across Canada, car insurance rates vary thanks to a multitude of factors, such as the way in which provinces offer insurance coverage to their drivers.

There are both public and privately run insurance programs throughout the country. 

For instance, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia rely on provincially run coverage, while the rest of the country uses private insurance through multiple independent insurance companies.

Overall, private insurance coverage has proven to be the most affordable option in Canada, thanks to the competitive nature of the market, which drives lower prices.

Although this is not always the case in all provinces, it is certainly the most effective way to offer insurance coverage as a whole.

To give you an idea of what insurance rates look like across Canada, here is a breakdown of the least expensive to the most expensive insurance rates within the country.

We’ll also look at some facts about the auto insurance climate within each province.

Note: This data is current as of July 2022, according to Canada Drives.

Canadian Auto Insurance Rates by Province

canadian Flag along with the flags of the 10 Canadian Provinces

Quebec – $717 Average Annual Premium

Quebec has the least expensive insurance premiums of all the Canadian provinces. Rates are not increasing at the same pace as in other provinces.

Because Quebec’s insurance regulations are not as strict as other provinces, rates remain low.

  • The combination of private and public insurance in Quebec allows for additional coverage on top of basic insurance packages.
  • The no-fault system for accidents limits liability and reduces the overall cost of insurance.

Prince Edward Island – $861 Average Annual Premium

Prince Edward Island relies on private insurance, which has kept rates low for many years.

Plus, PEI has one of the lowest rates of accidents in the nation, so there are fewer claims to pay out.

  • PEI has one of the most efficient privatized car insurance systems in Canada.
  • Rates remain low due to competition and a decrease in auto insurance claims each year.

New Brunswick – $867 Average Annual Premium

New Brunswick used to enjoy even lower rates, but an increase in claims (largely due to distracted driving), has driven prices in the past few years.

  • Auto insurance in New Brunswick accounts for 2.8% of after-tax disposable income – the lowest percentage after Alberta.
  • Insurance reforms in New Brunswick maintain premiums on the lower end of the scale and reward safe drivers.

Nova Scotia – $891 Average Annual Premium

Nova Scotians have benefited from lower car insurance rates since reforms in 2003.

Driving history plays a large factor in car insurance rates, and coverage can affect an insurance premium by up to 30%.

  • Nova Scotia experiences a lower number of accident claims per year compared to the rest of Canada.
  • Nova Scotia rewards safe drivers with lower insurance premiums.

Manitoba – $1,140 Average Annual Premium

Manitoba operates similarly to British Columbia, with a crown corporation issuing car insurance. Therefore, there is no shopping around for insurance if you don’t like the rates.

  • In 2021, the province agreed to reduce auto insurance rates by 8.8%.
  • Despite its high insurance rates, it is still considered middle-of-the-road compared to the other Canadian provinces.

Newfoundland & Labrador – $1,168 Average Annual Premium

Even though Newfoundland and Labrador have a comparatively small population, they have experienced some of the biggest rate jumps in the country.

This is because this province operates under the “tort” system, where you can sue an at-fault driver for injuries, lost wages, and other damages.

  • Rising rates are largely blamed on an increase in accident claims and vehicle-related lawsuits.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador offer only private insurance options, so rates are competitive.

Saskatchewan – $1,235 Average Annual Premium

Saskatchewan relies on a provincially-run insurance agency, so there is no shopping around in this province as well. 

Plus, all drivers are required to carry third-party liability insurance up to $200,000.

  • Saskatchewan only takes driving records into consideration when determining rates – they do not consider age, gender, or location.
  • A significant portion of Saskatchewan drivers are considered to be underinsured.

Alberta – $1,316 Average Annual Premium

Alberta car insurance rates are the third most expensive in Canada, experiencing a $300 increase since 2015.

  • Insurance expenses only account for 2.7% of disposable income.
  • Previously, insurers could only face a rate increase of 5% per year, but this cap was removed in 2019.

Ontario – $1,528 Average Annual Premium

Ontario is one of the most populated provinces in Canada and the second most expensive when it comes to auto insurance.

Experts indicate that a high frequency of claims, lawsuits, and injuries are the main culprit for recent rate hikes.

  • There are also high levels of insurance fraud and organized crime that impact private insurance companies.
  • Overall, the higher rates in Ontario can be attributed to the fact that this province has the most drivers in the country.

British Columbia – $1,832 Average Annual Premium

Coming in with the highest average insurance rates is the province of British Columbia. Their insurance is run by a crown corporation, so there is no comparing rates to save money.

  • BC runs a break-even profit system, but operational costs often outdo revenues.
  • In the spring of 2021, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia reduced premiums by around 20%.

How to Save Money on Your Car Insurance

While you can’t change the average annual premium in the province you call home, there are certain things you can do to lower the cost of your car insurance:

If you live in a province with privatized insurance, the most important thing you can do to reduce your rates is to shop around for better insurance rates

Car Insurance in Alberta

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Our expert team of brokers is ready and available to provide you with a quote or to answer any questions you may have.

Your insurance policy shouldn’t break the bank or prevent you from purchasing a vehicle.

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