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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.

Below is a table outlining the average cost of auto insurance in Quebec over time, according to the most recent data from Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA) and Statistics Canada. It’s clear to see that the cost of insurance has trended upwards significantly from 2012 - nearly a 100% increase in average monthly premiums. In the last few years Quebec drivers have seen larger rate increases and the Applied Rating Index is already reporting a +14% increase as of Q2 2025 YoY.

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, Quebec drivers only need to purchase a minimum of $50,000 in civil liability coverage, while 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 auto insurance rates and coverage options across all different providers to make sure you're selecting the best option out there.

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 to get cheap auto insurance in Quebec.

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.

When comparing car insurance quotes on Ratehub.ca, opting for policy discounts such as usage-based insurance and bundling policies are two additional steps you can take to ensure you're getting the cheapest rate possible. Here's what we found when looking at Ratehub.ca Quebec user data from September 2025.

48% of Quebec users opt-in for telematics – When exhibiting safe driving habits, drivers can save between 10 to 30% by participating in a telematics (or usage-based insurance) program. Keep in mind, however, that you may also see a surcharge in Ontario if you're deemed a risky driver. 

33% of users opt-in to bundle their home and car insurance in Quebec – Every P&C insurer offers its own version of a bundling discount (typically up to 25% off). The savings aren't just limited to your car policy. You'll also see a discount on your home insurance.

In Quebec, drivers are required to purchase an auto policy in order to legally operate a vehicle, but despite that mandate, they do have some freedom of choice when it comes to selecting their policy. Given that Quebec is a hybrid market, drivers have the option to select which company they want to purchase a policy from, and they also have some control over their final policy coverage. 

Mandatory auto insurance coverage 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.

Optional car insurance coverages 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.