In the Yukon, the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance supervises and regulates insurance. Car insurance is mandatory in the Yukon and provided by private insurance companies and brokers. The smallest and western-most territory has instituted standards for mandatory coverage that includes at least $200,000 in third-party liability insurance protecting drivers in the event they cause injury or death to a third party. You are also required to have: No-fault insurance, Accident Benefits, and Uninsured motorist protection. It’s recommended you speak to your private insurer about additional coverage options. For instance, there are four optional auto insurance coverages, including collision, comprehensive, specified perils, and all perils.
Here is an overview of the available car insurance coverages in Yukon:
Coverage | Description |
---|---|
Public Insurance |
Basic auto insurance coverage provided by the Provincial government. This generally includes liability, accident benefits and uninsured motorist coverage.
Available: No |
Private Insurance |
Auto insurance policies created & sold by private insurance carriers. Though these carriers must still abide by Federal and Provincial regulations.
Available: Yes |
No-fault insurance |
Having no-fault insurance doesn’t mean you can’t be found at fault. This coverage means you must first deal with your own insurance company for all claims, whether you’re at fault or not. But, Yukon will allow a no-fault driver to sue an at-fault driver for additional damages and costs that are not covered by their accident benefits.
Available: Yes |
Third-party Liability Insurance |
Protects against damage caused by you while driving and includes injury and death to others and property damage. This is the only insurance coverage that is mandatory across Canada. Minimum coverage for Yukon is $200,000.
Available: Yes |
Accident Benefits |
Covers your medical benefits if you’re injured in a crash, whether you’re at fault or not. The coverage includes your medical costs, while also paying for additional recovery costs, such as rehab, income replacement, and payment for and attendant care, if needed.
Available: Yes |
Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DCPD) |
Covers damage to your vehicle and its contents, and for the loss of use of your vehicle when damaged – if another person was at fault. This coverage only applies if the crash occurs in a province where DCPD is mandatory, if two or more insured vehicles are involved, and if both insurers are licensed within that DCPD province.
Available: No |
Uninsured Motorist |
Uninsured motorist coverage protects against injuries you and your family members sustain in a crash caused by an uninsured motorist. It can also cover your vehicle damages, if the uninsured driver is able to be identified.
Available: Yes |
Collision Insurance |
Protects against damages sustained in a collision. This insurance covers you if your car is damaged in a crash – in both cases whether you crash into another other car or whether you crash into a stationary object.
Available: Yes |
Comprehensive Insurance |
Protects against any losses a car owner may suffer, from events not related to driving. Such losses could include theft or damage from attempted theft; vandalism; environmental damage to a car from floods, fallen trees, and hail, etc.
Available: Yes |
Specified Perils |
Covers your financial losses for damage caused specific perils – but only for perils chosen specifically for your policy. Available coverages are for theft; fire; damage from hail, lightning, wind, or flooding; earthquakes; explosions; riots; aircraft crash damage; and damage sustained during any transportation relocation.
Available: Yes |
All Perils |
This combines the coverages you get with collision and comprehensive insurance. Additionally, all-perils also covers you if an employee, or someone who drives or services your car, steals it. It also covers you if someone you live with steals your vehicle.
Available: Yes |
Emergency roadside assistance |
This service covers you for roadside callouts for emergencies such as dead batteries, towing, flat tires, keys locked in your car, empty gas tank, etcetera. Many insurance companies offer roadside assistance either included or in addition to other coverages.
Available: Yes |
*Table information sourced from http://www.ibc.ca (2017)
Drivers in Yukon pay around the national average for car insurance in Canada at just over $800. Due to the territory’s recent rising auto insurance costs, it is vital to compare car insurance quotes to ensure you’re getting the best policy to cover what you need while staying within budget. In fact, citizens of Yukon are encouraged to compare rates and consult with various insurers before finalizing their car insurance policy. Informed consumers help to create a more competitive market, which often leads to both better rates and service from car insurance providers.
The government of Yukon tried to eliminate some factors like gender, age, and marital status but the private insurers fought hard to keep them, stating it was too difficult to process rates without these factors. Even though insurance applications are relatively standard, you’ll find that insurance rates often differ between providers. For instance, every insurance company determines their own rates based on who they presently insure, how many active claims are on their current financial accounts, and the company’s overall tolerance for risk. The average premium in any given area is the result of the amount and cost of all claims. If you live in a densely populated area, you’ll likely pay more.
Here are 7 factors that determine your car insurance premium.
At Ratehub.ca, we generate car insurance quotes for everyone in the Yukon using our car insurance calculator from Canada’s top providers all from one easy-to-use form. Research which car insurance company provides the coverage you want for your budget using the CLEAR table. In Yukon, rates change often, but lucky for you shopping for rates with us is free.
Some auto insurance companies will give loyalty discounts to drivers who remain active with them for years. Especially if they add family members or multiple vehicles to their policy.
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.
If you have multiple drivers and vehicles in the same household, by putting them all on one policy can save you money.
The model of car you drive, its safety rating, its price, the amount of times it gets stolen – all affect your automobile premium. Research which automobiles have a low occurrence of theft to save on auto insurance. Yukon operates using the Canadian Loss Experience Automobile Rating (CLEAR) system. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada it is an accurate and credible resource for claims on any particular passenger vehicle. You can use it to find your car.
Your deductible is the portion you pay when settling a claim before your insurer will pay the rest. If you’re willing to double your deductible, it could save you money.
If you’re a member of CAA-National (which covers the Yukon), a large corporation, union, or a member of your school alumni, you could get cheaper car insurance
Paying monthly adds administrative costs to your insurer, so if you’re able to pay in full annually you can lower your premiums.
If you’re a safe driver, obey the rules of the road and drive according to road conditions you can reduce your chances of an accident. Car crashes stay on your insurance record for up to ten years and can result in higher premiums.
You can save up to 5% simply by adding winter tires to your car. With winter driving conditions being so treacherous throughout Yukon it pays to be safe!
You can even install a telematics device to collect driving data. With user-based insurance (UBI) you can earn discounts based on not driving far or often, and on advanced stats like how carefully you brake and accelerate.
If you’re new to driving, a driver’s education course will save money. Your car insurance provider will think of you as a safer driver if you’ve been trained by professionals.
Once you’ve reached 15 years old, you can apply for a learner’s license in the Yukon. The Yukon operates with a Graduated Driver Licensing Program. Let’s take a look at their 3-stage approach from learner, to novice, to a full driver stage.
Learner's license - Stage 1 (or level one) eligibility criteria:
You need to be at least 15 years of age
Provide proof of legal name, date of birth, and signature. (e.g. Passport, birth certificate)
Pass a sign and written test
Pass a vision test
Pay the associated test fees
Display the “L” sign on the back of your car every time you drive
Must maintain zero blood alcohol level
You can’t use a hand held or hands-free device while driving
Your co-driver must hold a valid class 5 license for at least 2 years
Novice Stage (Stage 2) licence (or level two) eligibility criteria:
Complete 50 hours of driving in Stage 1
Must be 16 years old
Must have had your learner’s license for 5 months
Pass a road test
Pay an administrative fee for the road test
Full licence or Stage 3 (or level three) eligibility criteria:
Hold Stage 2 license for 18 months
Apply at any Motor Vehicles Office