See more articles from A Guide to Car InsuranceCar Insurance Rules in Different Provinces and Territories

Private companies sell car insurance in all the provinces and territories of Canada. However, they are not the only ones to do so since government-run companies tend to sell it as well.

Those companies operate primarily in British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where they sell strictly the required minimum insurance, which usually covers injuries to the driver and those around them. Government and private insurers also compete to sell “top-ups” or “additions” to the basic policy, such as car damage and/or theft coverages.

Quebec has a form of government-run insurance as well, which only covers injury and death claims, while the rest is covered by private companies. Private insurers also cover vehicle and property damage claims and bodily injury liability claims caused by accidents outside the province.

Other provinces and the territories deal with private companies only. However, regardless of whether the insurer is private or government-run, strict provincial laws define what they can and cannot do. Multiple government agencies, including provincial rate review boards and provincial/federal regulators, supervise these laws to make sure insurance companies do not violate them.

Provincial governments essentially dictate the basic car insurance policy in each province. However, there is still enough wiggle room for insurance companies to make choices when it comes to coverage limits, deductibles and top-ups. This means that car insurance coverage may vary from one car owner to another.

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