Can I Rent a Car With My Auto Insurance

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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.

See how our customers save big on auto insurance.

Customer	Location	Vehicle	Lowest rate	Average rate	Saved
Quote from November 28, 2021 Customer Female, 36 years old	Location ontario	Vehicle 2010 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL 3DR	Lowest Rate $68/mth $817/yr	Average Rate $103/mth $1,234/yr	Saved $35/mth 34.00%
Quote from November 28, 2021 Customer Male, 26 years old	Location ontario	Vehicle 2007 ACURA TL TYPE S 4DR	Lowest Rate $156/mth $1,877/yr	Average Rate $287/mth $3,444/yr	Saved $131/mth 45.00%
Quote from November 28, 2021 Customer Male, 26 years old	Location ontario	Vehicle 2019 DODGE/RAM TRUCK/VAN RAM 1500 SPORT CREW CAB 4WD	Lowest Rate $209/mth $2,507/yr	Average Rate $344/mth $4,126/yr	Saved $135/mth 39.00%

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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.

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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.

Alberta

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$1,316

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

British Columbia

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

Yes

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$1,832

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Manitoba

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

Yes

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

Yes

Average Rates

$1,140

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

New Brunswick

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

Yes

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$867

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Newfoundland and Labrador

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

No

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$1,168

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Northwest Territories

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$978

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2017

Nova Scotia

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$500,000

Direct Compensation

Yes

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$891

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Nunavut

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$963

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2017

Ontario

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

Yes

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$1,505

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Prince Edward Island

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$816

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Quebec

Private Insurance

No

Public Insurance

Yes

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$50,000

Direct Compensation

Yes

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$717

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Saskatchewan

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

Yes

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

Yes

Average Rates

$1,235

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2020

Yukon

Private Insurance

Yes

Public Insurance

No

Mandatory Coverage:

Third-Party Liability

$200,000

Direct Compensation

No

Uninsured Motorist

Yes

Accident Benefits

Yes

All Perils

No

Average Rates

$812

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2017

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.

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 75+ 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

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.

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