A Buyer’s Guide to Car Insurance Companies in Canada
Canada is home to more than 100 private and public auto insurance companies, from popular national carriers like Intact to regional mutual insurers and government insurance companies that serve only a small geographic area.
For drivers in Ontario, Aviva, Co-operators, and Intact are among the best car insurance companies, but other popular auto carriers include:
- Allstate Canada
- Aviva
- Belairdirect
- CAA Insurance
- Co-operators
- Desjardins
- Economical Insurance
- Intact
- National Bank Insurance
- PC Insurance
- Pembridge Insurance
- RBC Insurance
- Sonnet
- Square One
- TD Insurance
- Wawanesa Mutual
The average cost of car insurance varies across Canada, with rates as low as $100/month in some provinces and $150/month and above in high cost of living (HCOL) areas. In Ontario, the average cost of all-perils car insurance is $163/month for a single car and driver with no history of accidents or tickets, and $300/month for a household with two cars and two drivers.
Learn more about each carrier below.
There’s no single car insurance company with the best rates and service for all drivers in Canada. Insurance companies pursue different business strategies in each province, with pricing models, coverage offerings, and discount opportunities varying across the country.
Your personal risk profile also shapes the “best” option for you. Your driving record, number of vehicles, homeownership status, type of vehicle, and personal budget all impact your rates and needs. Work with a licensed broker or read our tips for finding the best fit below.
Large car insurance companies
Intact, Aviva, and TD Insurance are the largest providers of personal auto and home insurance in Canada, according to 2025 data from S&P Global. The following table shows recent earned revenue figures for Canada’s 10 largest personal property and casualty companies.
Large insurance companies have more resources than small insurers. This can make it easier to provide 24/7 claims support, responsive customer service, best-in-class digital tools, and even competitive rates. But large insurance companies aren’t necessarily cheaper than small ones, and while size can expand service options, many customers prefer the personal touch of service from a local company.
Small car insurance companies
Smaller car insurance companies, including mutual companies owned entirely by policyholders, are plentiful in Canada. Many of these smaller insurers operate in a limited geographic region and may specialize in a particular type of car insurance, such as classic car insurance or coverage for high-risk drivers with a history of tickets and accidents.
Popular small auto insurance companies in Ontario include:
- Coachman Insurance Company
- Commonwell Mutual Insurance
- Dufferin Mutual Insurance Company
- Echelon Insurance Company
- Gore Mutual Insurance Company
- Grenville Mutual Insurance Company
- Halwell Mutual Insurance Company
- PAFCO Insurance
- Pembridge Insurance Company
- The Personal
- Portage Mutual Insurance
Most small insurers work with local brokers and don’t sell insurance online; however, an emerging group of digital-first insurers offer an alternative to both the large insurance leaders and the traditional brick-and-mortar regional insurer:
- Sonnet Insurance
- Square One Insurance
Not necessarily. While small auto insurance companies may offer cheaper rates thanks to a smaller operating budget, they may also have less wiggle room when it comes to pricing than large insurers, who can afford to offer deep discounts to certain market segments while maintaining overall profitability through a large customer base.
On the other hand, small insurers companies may spend less on advertising, digital tools, and large customer service departments, allowing them to charge more reasonable rates for local customers.
Public auto insurance companies
Three Canadian provinces—British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan—operate on a public auto insurance system, with mandatory car insurance provided by the provincial government and private options available for added coverage. Quebec operates on a hybrid system, with essential no-fault bodily injury coverage provided by the government and property damage insurance offered by private carriers.
Canada’s four public auto insurance companies are:
- Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)
- Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)
- Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)
- Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)
Auto insurance companies specializing in classic and collector cars
Hagerty leads the classic car insurance market in Canada, but some standard auto insurance providers also offer policies for antique and collector vehicles, often through a partnership with Hagerty.
Many standard insurance companies in Canada won’t insure a car more than 20 model years old. Antique and collector vehicles require specialized insurance, which may be available from the following carriers:
- Hagerty Insurance
- Allstate Canada (partnered with Hagerty)
- AMA Insurance (partnered with Hagerty)
- CAA Insurance
- Chubb Insurance
- The Co-Operators
- Echelon Insurance
- RBC Insurance (partnered with Hagerty)
Classic car insurance is often subject to stricter requirements than standard auto coverage. Depending on the carrier you choose, the following may apply:
- You will need a daily driver: You typically can’t insure a classic or antique vehicle as your primary vehicle and must show that you have a standard insured vehicle that you use for daily driving.
- Your car must meet age requirements: Each insurers’ definition of a “classic” or “antique” vehicle varies, but typically only vehicles at least 20–30 years old qualify.
- You may have a cap on annual mileage: Some insurers don’t allow you to drive your classic car more than a few thousand kilometres per year.
- You may need an appraisal: In order to get agreed value coverage with OPCF 19A, most classic auto insurers will require an appraisal.
- You may have additional coverage choices: In addition to standard and required coverage types, you might be able to add coverage for spare parts, OEM repairs, or other unique options.
Auto insurance companies with home and auto bundles
If you own your home—even if the mortgage is not yet paid off—you can earn significant savings on car insurance by purchasing home and auto insurance in a “bundle” from the same company.
Most insurance companies in Canada that sell both home and auto insurance reward bundling customers with a discount. Discounts may be as low as 5% off your annual car insurance premium or as high as 20% or more.
The most competitive home and auto bundles in Ontario come from belairdirect, Intact, Aviva, and The Co-operators, all of whom offer a maximum discount of 15% or more on auto insurance bundles:
Other carriers offering multi-line discounts for auto insurance advertise discounts around 5–10%. You can compare bundled home and auto insurance quotes by requesting quotes directly from each insurer or by working with a broker like PolicyMe to gather quotes simultaneously.
Allstate Canada
Aviva
Belairdirect
CAA Insurance
Co-operators
Costco
Desjardins
Economical Insurance
Intact
National Bank Insurance
PC Insurance
Pembridge Insurance
PolicyMe
RBC Insurance
Sonnet
Square One
TD Insurance
Wawanesa Mutual
Note: This isn’t an exhaustive list of all companies selling auto insurance in Canada.
How coverage options differ between car insurance companies
Auto insurance options are fairly standardized between insurance companies in Canada. We can divide car insurance coverage options into three categories: mandatory, standard, and optional coverage.
All insurance companies in Canada offer the mandatory coverage required by provincial law in each location. In Ontario, only four types of auto insurance are required by law, and one may now be waived in writing.
On top of your province’s mandatory insurance, most insurance companies will include some or all of the following coverage in any standard policy by default. It’s not required by law, but it’s necessary for most drivers and may be required by lender contracts if you have an active auto loan or lease.
Auto insurance endorsements are fairly standardized in Ontario through Ontario Policy Change Forms (OPCFs). While all insurance companies must offer standard OPCF endorsements, some may also offer additional coverage options like roadside assistance. The list below is a non-exhaustive sampling of the most common optional endorsements, including OPCFs and proprietary offerings.
“One of the easiest ways to make sure you’re getting the right coverage is a call with a licensed advisor. An industry-trained professional can spot coverage gaps and help you optimize your coverage while getting the best price available.” —Adam Seguin, RIBO-Licensed Insurance Advisor
How to compare car insurance companies
Always compare at least three to five car insurance companies before purchasing a policy. Because car insurance coverage offerings are fairly standard, it’s important to look for other indicators that a carrier may be a good or poor match for you.
When gathering car insurance quotes, look for:
- Responsive service: Read online reviews and forum discussion and talk to friends and family about their insurance providers. Look for a company with positive feedback on service from customers who had to file a claim.
- Customizable coverage: While core coverage options are standard, some insurers limit customization. Look for a company that allows you to set your deductibles as high or low as you want or that has a long list of available endorsements that match your needs.
- Competitive pricing: Comparing multiple auto insurance quotes can help you find the carrier whose pricing model generates the lowest quotes for the coverage you need. Be sure to ask about car insurance discounts that could lower your premium even further.
- Convenience: Whether you prefer to work with a local broker or buy and manage insurance yourself online, look for a carrier whose business model and availability fit that preference.
- Trustworthiness: Research each company’s credentials, financial strength ratings from A.M. Best (if available), and history of positive or negative customer feedback. If you work with a broker, research the broker’s certifications and client reviews.
A major challenge when comparing car insurance companies online is the widespread availability of negative reviews, which often outweigh positive reviews significantly. Customers with a bad experience with their insurance company are more likely to leave an online review than those whose experience was generally positive or unremarkable, which can make it difficult to tell which companies are actually good.
The solution: read between the lines and turn to real-life sources when possible. Ask friends, neighbours, and coworkers about their insurance companies, especially if they’ve been through the claims process. Keep in mind that a lack of negative reviews may be a good sign even if few positive reviews are available.
FAQ: Car insurance companies
This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. Examples and any sample quotes or rate ranges are illustrative and do not constitute an offer or guarantee of coverage, price, or eligibility. Actual coverage, discounts, and premiums depend on your individual circumstances and the insurer provider; if there is any discrepancy, your policy and insurer documentation govern. For advice about your situation, speak with one of our licensed insurance professionals.