Auto insurance systems by province and territory
Who sells the mandatory cover, how injuries are paid and what you can shop around for in each part of Canada.
The table compares the structure of each system, not prices. Who sells mandatory cover tells you whether you can shop for your basic policy at all. Injury model shows whether injuries are paid mainly by no-fault benefits or whether you keep the right to sue. Minimum liability is the legal minimum third-party liability for a private passenger vehicle; most drivers buy far more. Sort by any column or use it to find the guide for your province.
Select a column header to sort.
| Province or territory | Who sells mandatory cover | Injury model | Minimum liability | What you can shop around for | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | ICBC (Basic Autoplan) | Enhanced Care no-fault since 1 May 2021; lawsuits limited | $200,000 in Basic | Optional coverage from ICBC or private insurers | ICBC, BC Utilities Commission, BCFSA |
| Alberta | Private insurers | Tort with accident benefits; care-first model scheduled for 1 January 2027 | $200,000 | Whole policy | Alberta Superintendent of Insurance, AIRB |
| Saskatchewan | SGI Auto Fund (plate insurance) | No-fault by default, with a tort option | $200,000 in basic | Extension packages from SGI CANADA or private insurers | SGI |
| Manitoba | MPI (Basic Autopac) | Pure no-fault (PIPP); no lawsuits for injuries | $500,000 in Basic | Extension coverage from MPI and some private insurers | Manitoba Public Insurance |
| Ontario | Private insurers | Accident benefits plus limited tort; most benefits optional since 1 July 2026 | $200,000 | Whole policy | FSRA |
| Quebec | SAAQ for injuries; private insurers for property damage | Public no-fault for bodily injury; no lawsuits for injuries | $50,000 property damage liability | Private policy (civil liability and damage to your vehicle) | SAAQ, AMF |
| New Brunswick | Private insurers | Tort with accident benefits | $200,000 | Whole policy | FCNB, New Brunswick Insurance Board |
| Nova Scotia | Private insurers | Tort with accident benefits | $500,000 | Whole policy | Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, NS Utility and Review Board |
| Prince Edward Island | Private insurers | Tort with accident benefits | $200,000 | Whole policy | PEI Superintendent of Insurance, IRAC |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Private insurers | Tort with accident benefits | $200,000 | Whole policy | Superintendent of Insurance, Public Utilities Board |
Minimum limits, benefit amounts and the dates of reforms are set by provincial law and can change. Confirm the current figures with the body in the last column before relying on them. The three territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) have private markets with their own minimum limits; check with the territorial superintendent of insurance. In BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the public basic plan also includes coverages not shown here (such as underinsured motorist or damage coverage for your own vehicle); see the guide for each province. Sources: ICBC, SGI, Manitoba Public Insurance, SAAQ, AMF, FSRA, Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators.