find a broker

Find a Broker

FR

LoginMy Account
Western Financial Group Western Financial Group
  • Personal

    Home Insurance

    Home Insurance

    Condo Insurance

    Renter's Insurance

    Seasonal Property Insurance

    Mobile Home Insurance

    Vehicle Insurance

     

    Car Insurance

    Motorcycle Insurance

    RV Insurance

    Boat Insurance

    ATV Insurance

    Snowmobile Insurance

    Vehicle Replacement Insurance

    Health & Life Insurance

    Life Insurance

    Disability Insurance

    Critical Illness Insurance

    Mortgage Life Insurance

    Financial Insurance

     

    TFSA

    GICs

    RESPs

    RRSPs

    Travel Insurance

     
  • Business

    Commercial Insurance

     

    Business Insurance

    Business Life Insurance

    General Liability Insurance

    Commercial Property Insurance

    D&O Liability Insurance

    Rental Property Insurance

    Legal Protection Insurance

    Errors & Omissions Insurance

    Cyber Liability Insurance

    TotalProtect Insurance

    Fleet Insurance

    Farm Insurance

    Product Liability Insurance

    Employee Benefits

    Employee Benefits

    TotalGuard Insurance

    Group Insurance 

     

    All Insurance Programs

    AMM Municipal Insurance Program

    CRA Insurance Program

    CVMA Insurance Program

    Crop Inputs Insurance Program

    Haven Municipal Insurance Program

    Hospitality Insurance Program

    Juno Restaurant Insurance

    BCRFA Restaurant Insurance

    Groupex Insurance Partnership

    CAM Movers Insurance

    Musical Instrument Insurance

    Independent Retail Insurance

    CAMA Insurance Program

    Biz Benefits Partnership

     

    Event Liability Insurance

     

    Charity Events or Fundraising Insurance

    Conferences and Conventions Insurance

    Corporate Events and Seminars Insurance

    Farmers’ Market Insurance

    Festival Insurance

    Hole-in-one Contest or Golf Tournaments Insurance

    Product Launches and Promotional Events Insurance

    Sporting Event Insurance

    Wedding Insurance

    Industries

    Cannabis

    Construction

    Contractors

    Daycares

    Greenhouses

    Hotels and Motels

    Manufacturing

    Municipalities

    Professional Services

    Property Management

    Retail

    Restaurants, Cafes, Delis, Fast Food

    Skilled Trades

    Technology

    Welders

  • Services

    MyWestern

    Payment Setup

    Registry Services

    Community Emergency Resources

    Personal Insurance Claims

    Commercial Insurance Claims

    Risk Management

  • About Us

    About Western

    Who We Are

    Executive Team

    Divisions

    Partners

    Western Coast Insurance

    Wyatt Dowling Insurance

    Sustainability

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Western News

    Blogs

    Careers

    Contact

    Communities Foundation

    Our Giving Programs

    About the Foundation

    Annual Giving Reports

    Annual National Walk

    Community Infrastructure Grants

    Foundation FAQs

    Sponsorship

    Western Communities Foundation

    Your donation will help improve local communities.

    Donate

1-866-860-1958

Get a Quote

Get a Quote

Main Menu

  • Personal
    • Home Insurance

      • Home Insurance

      • Condo Insurance

        Renter's Insurance

        Seasonal Property Insurance

        Mobile Home Insurance

    • Vehicle Insurance

       
      • Car Insurance

      • Motorcycle Insurance

        RV Insurance

        Boat Insurance

        ATV Insurance

        Snowmobile Insurance

        Vehicle Replacement Insurance

    • Health & Life Insurance

      • Life Insurance

        Disability Insurance

        Critical Illness Insurance

        Mortgage Life Insurance

    • Financial Insurance

       
      • TFSA

        GICs

        RESPs

        RRSPs

    • Travel Insurance

       
  • Business
    • Commercial Insurance

       
      • Business Insurance

      • Business Life Insurance

        General Liability Insurance

        Commercial Property Insurance

        D&O Liability Insurance

        Rental Property Insurance

        Legal Protection Insurance

        Errors & Omissions Insurance

        Cyber Liability Insurance

        TotalProtect Insurance

        Fleet Insurance

        Farm Insurance

        Product Liability Insurance

    • Employee Benefits

      • Employee Benefits

        TotalGuard Insurance

    • Group Insurance 

       
      • All Insurance Programs

        AMM Municipal Insurance Program

        CRA Insurance Program

        CVMA Insurance Program

        Crop Inputs Insurance Program

        Haven Municipal Insurance Program

        Hospitality Insurance Program

        Juno Restaurant Insurance

        BCRFA Restaurant Insurance

        Groupex Insurance Partnership

        CAM Movers Insurance

        Musical Instrument Insurance

        Independent Retail Insurance

        CAMA Insurance Program

        Biz Benefits Partnership

         
    • Event Liability Insurance

       
      • Charity Events or Fundraising Insurance

        Conferences and Conventions Insurance

        Corporate Events and Seminars Insurance

        Farmers’ Market Insurance

        Festival Insurance

        Hole-in-one Contest or Golf Tournaments Insurance

        Product Launches and Promotional Events Insurance

        Sporting Event Insurance

        Wedding Insurance

    • Industries

      • Cannabis

        Construction

        Contractors

        Daycares

        Greenhouses

        Hotels and Motels

        Manufacturing

        Municipalities

        Professional Services

        Property Management

        Retail

        Restaurants, Cafes, Delis, Fast Food

        Skilled Trades

        Technology

        Welders

  • Services
    • MyWestern

      Payment Setup

      Registry Services

      Community Emergency Resources

      Personal Insurance Claims

      Commercial Insurance Claims

      Risk Management

  • About Us
    • About Western

      • Who We Are

        Executive Team

        Divisions

        Partners

        Western Coast Insurance

        Wyatt Dowling Insurance

        Sustainability

        Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

        Western News

        Blogs

        Careers

        Contact

    • Communities Foundation

      • Our Giving Programs

        About the Foundation

        Annual Giving Reports

        Annual National Walk

        Community Infrastructure Grants

        Foundation FAQs

        Sponsorship

LoginMy Account

FR

1-866-860-1958

Get a Quote

Find a Broker

Car Insurance Tips for Newcomers to Canada

Car Insurance Tips for Newcomers to Canada

You’re a newcomer to Canada and you’re ready to get behind the wheel and drive.

You need to know that car insurance is mandatory in Canada. You can’t legally drive without it.

After getting set up, all drivers in Canada should always carry proof of car insurance while driving to avoid any charges or fees. You can keep proof of insurance as either a paper copy in your car or an electronic file on your phone.

What is covered in basic auto insurance?

The basic coverage required in all provinces is third-party liability insurance. Third-party liability is your standard, essential auto insurance which covers you for injuries or damages to others if you're at fault in an accident. The minimum limit required varies by province.

Optional Coverages: There are optional additional coverages you may want to consider when building out your insurance plan, such as collision coverage (for damage to your vehicle), comprehensive coverage (for non-collision incidents like theft or vandalism - link here to other article), and accident benefits (for medical expenses and lost wages).

If you choose optional coverage like collision or comprehensive, you'll probably have to pay a deductible if you file a claim. The deductible is simply the portion of the repair costs you're responsible for before the insurance kicks in. A Western Financial Group car insurance expert will be able to help you understand how much of a deductible to expect and will explore the best options for your needs.

Ask about No-Fault Insurance: Some provinces have a no-fault insurance system, meaning your insurance company covers your losses in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

British Columbia (BC):

○ BC has a government-run auto insurance system known as the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Private insurance options are limited.

○ Basic coverage includes third-party liability, accident benefits, and underinsured motorist protection.

○ Optional coverages include collision and comprehensive, but you must purchase these from private insurance companies.

○ ICBC premiums are determined based on your driving record, years of driving experience, and the number of at-fault accidents you've had. See our note on driving experience at the bottom of this section.

Alberta:

○ Auto insurance in Alberta is privatized, allowing you to choose from various insurance providers.

○ Basic coverage includes third-party liability and accident benefits.

○ Optional coverages include collision, comprehensive, and other add-ons like loss of use and rental car coverage.

○ Premiums are influenced by factors such as your driving record, vehicle type, and location.

Ontario:

○ Ontario has a mixed public-private auto insurance system.

○ Basic coverage includes third-party liability, accident benefits, direct compensation-property damage (DCPD), and uninsured automobile coverage.

○ Optional coverages include collision, comprehensive, and endorsements for increased coverage limits.

○ Insurance rates in Ontario tend to be higher due to a higher population density and increased accident frequency.

Quebec:

○ Quebec has a unique auto insurance system operated by the government agency Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).

○ Basic coverage is provided by the SAAQ and includes third-party liability and personal injury benefits.

○ Quebec does not have private insurance for personal injury, but you can purchase additional coverage from private insurers for property damage liability and more.

Manitoba:

○ Manitoba operates under a public auto insurance system called Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).

○ Basic coverage includes third-party liability and basic personal injury protection.

○ Optional coverages are available for increased liability limits, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

Saskatchewan:

○ Saskatchewan has a government-run auto insurance system provided by the Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI).

○ Basic coverage includes third-party liability and injury benefits.

○ Optional coverages include increased liability limits, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador):

○ These provinces have private auto insurance systems.

○ Basic coverage typically includes third-party liability and accident benefits.

○ Optional coverages like collision, comprehensive, and endorsements may vary between insurers and provinces.

Hot tip: Graduated Licensing

If you're an immigrant and new driver to Canada, you may need to work with graduated licensing programs in most provinces, including the popular destinations of Ontario, B.C., and Alberta. These programs have specific restrictions and requirements for new drivers, which we’ve linked to below. Keep in mind, this is not a comprehensive list. Check your province of choice for the most up-to-date knowledge.


See graduated licensing for British Columbia

See graduated licensing for Ontario

See graduated licensing for Alberta

Does my driving experience outside of Canada count towards a better insurance premium?

If you’re an experienced driver already, and are specifically immigrating from the U.S., get ahead of the curve and be sure to have a copy of your driving record on hand before immigrating to Canada. This simple step will help you get the best possible premium for your experience level. The fewer incidents you have on record, the better your rate may be.

Drivers from outside of the U.S. may or may not be able to apply their past driving experience within Canada, as Canadian insurance companies take into account your experience with Canadian driving rules, traffic conditions, and unique weather conditions. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to the individual insurance provider. It’s still worth having an official copy of your driving experience on hand, but we can’t guarantee that it will count towards a lower auto insurance premium.

How much should I expect to pay for auto insurance as an immigrant to Canada?

There’s no way for us to provide an average number without knowing more about your individual background, driving experience, and new home province. Insurance premiums can vary widely based on specific factors such as your driving record, age, gender, location, the type of car you drive, and more.

Need to know more? You’re in the right place already. At Western, we help customers access auto insurance across Canada. Reach out today to chat with one of our insurance experts.

GET A QUOTE

Recent Blog Posts

Basic Boating Safety
What's Basic Boating Safety?

May 14, 2025


Common Home Insurance Claims Canada
What are Canada's Top Home Insurance Claims?

May 13, 2025


Mark Missal Farm Insurance
Western's Farm Insurance Has Roots in Our Communities

May 8, 2025


Western Financial Group

2025 Western Financial Group. All rights reserved.

Privacy / Legal | Accessibility Guidelines | Fair Treatment of Customers Policy | Terms of Use | Compensation Disclosure | Complaints Process | Media Relations | Mergers & Acquisition | Careers | Sitemap

 

Western Financial Group acknowledges that its Head Office is situated on the sacred gathering ground of the buffalo and the healing place of the Medicine Tree. We honor the Blackfoot Nations, including the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai, as well as the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta. As a company with team members and operations across Canada, we also recognize and honour the diverse Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast — including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis — who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial, and we reaffirm our commitment to working together as a community, laying the foundation for reconciliation through education and mutual respect.