Car Insurance Guide for Canada Super Visa Holders
Canada super visa holders who are planning to drive must buy Canadian car insurance.
Car insurance is mandatory in Canada. The purpose of car insurance is to cover costs related to injuries or damage to the car(s) involved in an accident. Western Financial Group will answer your questions about getting car insurance as a newcomer on a super visa to Canada.
Western Financial Group, a 100% Canadian company, can help you navigate your car, home, condo insurance, tenant, and travel insurance as a Canada super visa holder.
Did you know? All drivers in Canada must keep their vehicle ownership, driver’s license, and car insurance with them at all times when behind the wheel of car. That applies to everyone.
Did you know? As a super visa holder, you can drive if you have a valid license and Canadian car insurance. You will eventually need a Canadian driver’s license.
Your guide to car insurance as a parent or grandparent on a 5-year Canada super visa:
What if I come to Canada on a super visa and want to drive?
Most provinces and territories allow you to drive with your valid foreign license (and, in many places, with an International Driving Permit or IDP) for a limited time, which is typically 60 to 180 days, depending on where you are living.
For example, in Ontario, you can use your foreign license and IDP for up to 3 months; in Quebec, it’s 6 months; in Alberta and British Columbia, it’s 90 days.
Then you will need to apply for a Canadian provincial/territorial driver’s license to drive in Canada. This process typically involves knowledge and road tests, but some regions offer license exchange programs if your license is from a country with a reciprocal agreement.
A Western Financial Group car insurance expert will answer your questions about car insurance as a newcomer on a super visa in Canada.
Why do I have to get car insurance as a newcomer on a super visa?
Without a valid driver’s license and car insurance in Canada, it is illegal to drive.
What if I borrow a car or get a rental car as a super visa holder?
Car insurance and a valid license are mandatory if you rent a car in Canada.
If you’re borrowing a family member’s car or a friend’s car, you should be listed as a secondary or occasional driver on their car insurance policy. Otherwise, you may not be protected in the event of an accident.
What super visa holders need to know about buying car insurance in Canada
What car insurance do I need as a super visa holder?
As a super visa holder, you must meet the same car insurance requirements as other drivers in Canada.
Minimum car insurance needed in Canada
- Third-party liability coverage is mandatory in Canada and each province and territory has its own minimum coverage requirements. Liability coverage covers losses such as injury or death and covers damage to the other party if you are found to be at fault for an accident.
- Accident benefits/bodily injury insurance covers the cost of your own medical expenses and loss of income when you are in an accident.
- Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re in an accident with someone who has no insurance.
Optional car insurance in Canada
- Comprehensive coverage: Protects against damage from events like hail, fire, flooding, vandalism, and theft.
- Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car in case of an accident.
- Accident forgiveness coverage: It helps protect you from increased insurance costs after your first at-fault accident.
Ask your Western Financial Group car insurance expert to help you get the right coverage for your driving situation as a super visa newcomer to Canada.
How much is car insurance on average in Canada
The average car insurance cost in Canada in 2025 is approximately $1,725 per year, or about $144 per month.
This is a national average, and actual rates vary significantly depending on the province, your age, driving record, vehicle, and insurance history.
Private and government-run car insurance in Canada
Government-run (public) car insurance is mandatory in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. These three provincial governments are the only providers for basic mandatory auto insurance coverage. In Quebec, the government covers bodily injury, but property and other car insurance coverage must be bought privately.
Canada’s other provinces and territories have a private insurance system for vehicles.
Did you know? You can buy government-run car insurance from Western Financial Group as a Canada super visa holder
Western Financial Group is authorized to sell and renew ICBC car insurance policies in British Columbia.
Western Financial Group is authorized to sell and renew Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) Auto Fund car insurance.
Western Financial Group is authorized to sell and renew Autopac insurance policies in Manitoba. Autopac is the mandatory basic car insurance provided by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).
How to buy car insurance if you are a Canada super visa holder
Determine your car insurance needs: What amount of coverage do you need for your car? Is your car new, used, or leased? You can consider optional coverages like comprehensive and collision insurance coverage for more protection.
Your car: Is your car leased? Car insurers and leasing companies in Canada generally expect leased vehicles to be fully insured with comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to the mandatory minimum liability coverage. The leasing company wants to protect its investment in the vehicle, which they still own during the lease term.
What about luxury and brand new vehicles: Luxury and brand new cars in Canada typically need to be fully insured with comprehensive and collision coverage, in addition to mandatory liability insurance.
Why? The high value and repair costs of luxury and new vehicles mean that basic insurance isn’t enough to protect the owner’s investment.
Get quotes: Get multiple price quotes and compare how much it will cost to insurance your car. You can also use online comparison tools to view and compare multiple insurance quotes.
Western’s price quote advantage: Western is a national insurance brokerage and we work with Canada’s leading insurance companies to get you multiple insurance quotes for your car insurance policy. You pick the car insurance quote that meets your needs at the right value for you as a newcomer and super visa holder.
Choose your policy: Once you select a policy, then you apply for car insurance coverage. You'll need to provide information about the car and yourself as a super visa holder. It’s important to provide accurate information on the application form so that the insurer can calculate an accurate price for you.
Read your car insurance policy: Understand what is covered and what isn’t covered. Review your deductibles and policy limits.
Bundle your insurance: You can bundle your car and home to save money. Ask your Western Financial Group insurance expert about bundling to save.
What about a soft credit check?
A soft credit check looks at the information in your credit report and, most importantly, does not impact your credit score. Your Western Financial Group insurance broker will request your informed consent prior to checking your credit report.
In many cases, a soft credit check will allow Western insurance broker to give you the best price for your car insurance.
Did you know? Choosing a higher deductible on your car insurance policy can lower your monthly or annual premium.
What are the main car insurance terms that a super visa holder needs to know?
- Liability Insurance: Like all drivers in Canada, a super visa holder must have mandatory liability insurance when driving. This covers injury or damage they may cause to others. Each province sets minimum liability limits, but typical minimum coverage starts at $200,000 or $300,000 and it’s recommended to have $1 million or more for better protection.
- Comprehensive and collision coverage: These are usually optional coverages unless the vehicle is leased or financed. They cover damages to the insured vehicle from non-collision perils (theft, vandalism, weather) and collision accidents respectively. For Super Visa holders driving their own vehicles, it’s important to understand these can protect the car’s value beyond mandatory liability.
- Deductible: The fixed amount the insured pays out-of-pocket before the insurer covers the rest of a claim. Higher deductibles typically lower the premium but increase the upfront cost when making a claim.
- Authorized Insurer or Broker: Insurance must be purchased from a company or broker licensed and authorized to operate in the relevant Canadian province.
- Proof of insurance: Super Visa holders must carry valid insurance documentation while driving, sometimes called an insurance card or policy declaration.
- Foreign driving experience: Some insurers may or may not recognize driving experience from the Super Visa holder’s home country, which can affect premiums.
- Not providing proof of past driving experience; Some Canadian insurers will credit foreign driving history to reduce your premium.
- Buying only the minimum required car insurance coverage
- Not comparing price quotes
- Overlooking or not being aware of province-specific insurance rules
- Waiting to get car insurance until after you purchase your vehicle; don’t delay this step because you can’t legally drive without insurance
- Not informing your insurer of how you intend to use your car
- Assuming that monthly payments are the only option; you can pay annually
- Not asking about car insurance discounts
- Not asking about the use of telematics to help reduce your car insurance
What are common mistakes to avoid when buying car insurance as a newcomer on a Canada super visa?
Avoiding these mistakes will help you get the right car insurance coverage as a Canada super visa holder.
Advantages of buying car insurance with Western Financial Group as a super visa holder
- Western is a national insurance broker partnering with Canada’s leading insurance companies to get you car insurance that will help you save money.
- Western will get you multiple car insurance quotes for you to choose from to meet your coverage needs.
- Western can help you customize your car insurance.
- Western will help you bundle your car and home to save.
- Western puts you, the customer, first.
- Western has been in the insurance business for over 100 years!
- We are 100% Canadian and we know the Canadian market.
You can reach a Western home insurance expert by phone, text, or email. Fill out our form and get a quote for your car insurance needs (and all your insurance needs) as a Canada super visa holder.
Speak to one of our insurance experts now: 1-866-860-1958.
Let’s recap. What you need to know about Canada’s super visa
Who is eligible for the super visa?
The Canada super visa is available to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The key requirement is that the applicant has a child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian living in Canada.
Who can come and how long can you stay on the super visa?
- There is no specific list of eligible countries for the Canada super visa.
- It allows newcomers to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, with the possibility of extending their stay for another 2 years while in Canada.
Do Canada super visa holders need medical insurance?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) mandates proof of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurer to obtain a super visa. This medical coverage must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency health coverage, and cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
If a super visa holder plans to stay for multiple years, up to a maximum of five years, they must renew or extend their private medical insurance before the initial policy expires to maintain the required coverage throughout their stay in Canada.
Did you know? TuGo is Western Financial Group's trusted travel insurance provider.
Where are most of Canada’s new citizens from in 2025?
Most newcomers to Canada in 2025 are coming from countries in Asia and Africa, with India remaining the top source, followed by the Philippines and China (People’s Republic of China). Other significant source countries include Nigeria, Cameroon, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Eritrea, and the United States.
Final thoughts
Car insurance doesn’t have to be complicated for Canada super visa holders. Do your research and make sure that you are properly insured and have a valid license to drive in Canada. Drive confidently, protected with the right car insurance.
5 FAQs
Will my foreign driving experience get me a car insurance discount?
Super Visa foreign driving experience may or may not result in a car insurance discount for super visa holders. Some car insurers in Canada do not have to honor driving experience acquired outside North America, and often treat newcomers as new drivers, which means paying higher premiums. Providing official driving records from your home country may help, but acceptance varies widely by car insurer.
Is buying a car going to be expensive for me in Canada as a super visa holder?
Do not underestimate the cost of car ownership in Canada, including insurance, car payments, maintenance, fuel, and unforeseen expenses. If you plan to be a car owner, make a realistic budget for any car payments, car insurance, gas, and maintenance monthly and yearly, for example. Western Financial Group will get you multiple insurance quotes to choose car insurance that suits your needs and budget.
Is it easy to drive in winter in Canada?
Driving in snow and ice can be difficult and dangerous and you will need to adjust your driving habits as a super visa holder to Canada’s winter conditions. Safety should be your biggest concern when it comes to winter driving in Canada.
How do snow tires help winter driving?
Snow tires (winter tires) significantly enhance driving safely in winter because these tires are made from a softer, more flexible rubber that remains pliable in freezing temperatures. Regular (all-season or summer) tires harden below 7°C, reducing their grip. The flexibility of winter tires means tread designs that dig into snow and ice and improve their ability to grip slippery surfaces.
Can I get Canadian car insurance and keep my foreign driver’s license?
You will need to get Canadian car insurance to drive legally in Canada. Most provinces allow you to drive with a valid foreign driver’s license for a limited time, typically between 3 to 6 months. You will need to get a valid Canadian driver’s license to continue driving legally. Western Financial Group can help you get car insurance as a newcomer.
