Compare car insurance quotes in Quebec & save today
In under five minutes, compare personalized car insurance quotes from Quebec's top providers – free of charge.
How to get car insurance in Quebec with Ratehub.ca
Share information
Tell us a little about yourself and your auto coverage needs.
Compare quotes
We instantly show you auto insurance quotes from top Quebec providers.
Save money
Choose your quote and secure your car insurance rate online.
Why you should choose to compare with Ratehub.ca
1,200,000
monthly active users
12 years
experience in the Canadian market
5-star rated
quality and respected service
Proudly Canadian
partnering and serving Canadians
How does Quebec car insurance work?
Matt Hands, VP, Insurance
Auto insurance in Quebec operates under a unique system that combines public and private insurance components – this means that you'll receive some coverage from the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), but you'll also need to purchase additional coverage from other insurers. Here's a basic overview of how it all works.
Public auto insurance in Quebec
As mentioned, the public insurance component is managed by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). It covers personal injury resulting from automobile accidents, meaning that if you are injured in a car accident, your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and income replacement benefits are covered by the insurer.
Private auto insurance in Quebec
The private insurance component covers property damage and liability. This includes damage to your own vehicle, damage to other people's property, and liability if you are responsible for causing injury or damage to others in an accident.
Why is car insurance cheaper in Quebec?
Quebec consistently ranks as the cheapest province in Canada when it comes to auto insurance. This is due to various factors, including the hybrid auto insurance system and lower mandatory coverage limits. For instance, while drivers here only need to purchase a minimum of $50,000 in civil liability coverage, all other provinces require at least $200,000 for third-party liability claims (or $500,000 in the case of Nova Scotia).
The Quebec government also regulates auto insurance rates to ensure fairness and affordability for consumers. Insurers must submit rate proposals to regulatory authorities for approval which helps prevent excessive rate increases across the board. And while other provinces, such as Ontario, also have regulated rates, various external factors – including auto insurance fraud (often linked to organized crime) – only widen the large gap in pricing between the two provinces.
Quebec also runs on a no-fault auto insurance system, but this doesn't mean you won't be deemed at fault in any given accident. Instead, under the no-fault system, anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident in Quebec is covered by the SAAQ – regardless of whether they were the driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist – and regardless of who was at fault.
Plus, under the direct compensation for property damage (DCPD) system, if your vehicle needs to be repaired or replaced after an accident, you'll only be handling claims with your own private insurer – again, regardless of who was at fault. This streamlines the claims process and ensures that you can receive prompt service from your provider.
When you register your vehicle with the SAAQ, you automatically enroll in the public insurance plan. The registration fees include the premium for personal injury coverage. You must then purchase private insurance from a licensed insurance company. It's advisable to shop around and compare rates and coverage options across all different providers to make sure you're selecting the best option out there.
Mandatory types of car insurance in Quebec
The following types of car insurance are mandatory in Quebec – it is standard for all auto policies across the province to include these coverages.
Civil liability
Accident benefits (provided by SAAQ)
Optional types of car insurance in Quebec
Here are a few optional coverages you can add to your Quebec auto insurance policy to increase your protection, as well as your peace of mind.
Collision
Comprehensive
Specified perils
All perils
Emergency roadside assistance
Quebec endorsement forms
How much is car insurance in Quebec?
According to Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA), the average cost of Quebec car insurance in 2023 was $897. Could you be paying less? Find out more by comparing free, personalized quotes with us today.
compare quotesThe average cost of car insurance in Quebec over time
Below is a table outlining the average cost of auto insurance in Quebec over time, according to data from Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA). The average premium was $897 in 2023, with an annual increase of 12.6% compared to the previous year.
To break down the cost of Quebec car insurance in 2023, the average premium by coverage type is as follows: civil liability insurance at $407, collision insurance at $368, and comprehensive insurance at $209.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Quebec
While market factors play a big role in the cost of your auto insurance, there are still many steps you can take to ensure you're getting the best rate possible. Here, we cover eight different tips for cheap auto insurance in Quebec.
Shop and compare
Research which auto insurance companies offers the cheap premiums. While rates may change overtime, comparing Quebec car insurance quotes with us is free.
Stay loyal
Quebec auto insurance companies tend to give discounts to drivers who remain an active customer for years – especially if there's family members and multiple vehicles on the policy.
Bundle your policies
If you use the same insurance company for both your home and auto insurance needs, your insurer will often thank you with a dip in premiums.
Get a multi-car discount
If you have multiple drivers and vehicles in the same household, putting them all on one policy can save you money.
Ask about discounts
If you’re a member of a large corporation, union, or a school alumnus, you could b eligible for cheaper car insurance – just ask your broker or agent for group rate options.
Pay annual premiums
Paying auto insurance premiums monthly adds administrative costs to your insurer, so if you’re able to pay annually, you can lower your rate. It also shows the company you're planning to stay loyal.
Maintain a good driving record
If you’re a safe driver, you can reduce your chances of an accident. Car crashes stay on your insurance record for years and can result in higher premiums.
Take a course
Completing an accredited defensive driving course can qualify you for a discount, as it demonstrates your commitment to safe driving.
Factors that impact your Quebec car insurance quote
There are many individualized factors auto insurance companies look at, in order to determine your personalized quote. Generally speaking, the more risk you bring, the more expensive your Quebec car insurance policy will be – here are a few factors you should be aware of.
Age
Young drivers tend to pay the highest rates. So while most people don't look forward to growing old, at least cheaper premiums come along with it.
Gender
Men are more commonly involved in car accidents, so they tend to pay higher insurance rates. It might not be fair, but insurers like to limit their risk.
Location
Living in busy, populated cities, such as Montreal, can impact your insurance rate negatively – you're more prone to collision and theft.
Vehicle type
Vehicles that cost more to repair and replace inevitably come with increased auto insurance rates. The same goes with highly-stolen cars.
Driving history
Traffic convictions will impact your insurance rate negatively. Insurers like to minimize their risk, so drive safely for the best rates possible.
Driving behaviour
More time on the road increases your chances of having to make a claim. So driving less can actually lower your auto insurance rate.
License class
Graduating through the Quebec licensing system – and obtaining your full license will lead to cheaper auto insurance rates due to the added experience.
Vehicle use
If you use your vehicle for business purposes, you'll most likely need to pay more for insurance. Pleasure-use cars tend to come with cheaper rates.
Are you getting the cheapest car insurance in Quebec?
In just a few steps, you can view customized car insurance quotes from the province's top providers – find your lowest Quebec auto insurance rate with us today.
Recent news: Quebec’s SAAQclic deemed a costly failure
Recently, the province's auditor general, Guylaine Leclerc, condemned Quebec's auto insurance board (SAAQ) for its failed rollout of the SAAQclic – an online system, originally intended for tasks like renewing licenses and scheduling driver's tests. This project has gone over budget by at least $500 million, with the estimated total reaching over $1.1 billion. And two years later, the system still isn't functioning properly.
The report revealed that the SAAQ ignored warnings about technical issues before launching the platform, leading to increased in-person visits instead of the expected digital convenience. Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault accused SAAQ leadership of misleading the government and called for accountability.
The SAAQ has since replaced many key figures, but current CEO Éric Ducharme says most problems have been addressed. However, he has not committed to an investigation into the failures – and has justified the $500 million surplus for future maintenance issues.