In Canada, there are a number of provincial systems that are either public, private, or a combination of both. Provinces with private insurance use brokers who represent many insurers while the publicly insured provinces have offices throughout their area. In Quebec, which mixes public and private insurance the most distinctly, mandatory personal injury coverage is purchased along with your license plates. Acceptance of credit cards varies by province, insurance company, and brokerage.
British Columbia
With a public car insurance program administered by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, you can buy insurance with a credit card, as long as you renew for a full year. In 2015, ICBC introduced cost-savings measures that prohibit using credit cards to pay premiums monthly. You can still use debit cards, cheques, or cash on a monthly basis.
Alberta
Alberta’s car insurance system is private, so it is up to the individual company or broker to set a credit card policy. Most, if not all, accept credit cards as a form of payment. Check with your individual insurer for any restrictions.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan’s public insurance program has a monthly option called AutoPay that automatically withdraws your premiums from a chequing account. You can pay annually by calling the SGI customer service center.
Manitoba
Manitoba Public Insurance has many options for using credit cards. It has three payment plans: yearly, four payments, or monthly. You can use your credit card for any option.
Ontario
Car insurance in Ontario is private, so it is up to the individual company or broker to set a credit card policy. Most, if not all, accept credit cards as a form of payment. Check with your individual insurer for any restrictions.
Quebec
Quebec’s public car insurance portion, administered by the SAAQ, combines mandatory accident benefits coverage with vehicle registration. You cannot use credit cards to pay for this. You can, however, pay online, through ATMs, by pre-authorized debits, or by cheque.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick uses private car insurance, so it is up to the individual company or broker to set a credit card policy. Most, if not all, accept credit cards as a form of payment. Check with your individual insurer for any restrictions.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia uses private car insurance, so it is up to the individual company or broker to set a credit card policy. Most, if not all, accept credit cards as a form of payment. Check with your individual insurer for any restrictions.
Prince Edward Island
PEI uses private car insurance, so it is up to the individual company or broker to set a credit card policy. Most, if not all, accept credit cards as a form of payment. Check with your individual insurer for any restrictions.
Newfoundland
New Brunswick uses private car insurance, so it is up to the individual company or broker to set a credit card policy. Most, if not all, accept credit cards as a form of payment. Check with your individual insurer for any restrictions.
Each of the territories uses private car insurance, so it is up to the individual company or broker to set a credit card policy. Most, if not all, accept credit cards as a form of payment. Check with your individual insurer for any restrictions.
Top 10 Best Credit Cards to Pay Car Insurance
- American Express Cobalt
American Express Cobalt rates #1 for the best rewards card. Customers are granted a welcome offer of up to 45,000 a year. When $3000 is spent on the first 3 months, extra points are earned. The annual fee is $120 with an income requirement of $12,000. Customers earn 5 points for every $1 spent when dining out and groceries and 2 points for every $ spent on travel. For all other purchases, 1 point is earned on every dollar spent on the credit card. Travel insurance and American Express Invites are additional benefits to having the card.
- Scotiabank Gold American Express
Scotiabank Gold American Express is a great choice for those who frequently travel. Customers are offered a welcome bonus of 25,000 Scotia Rewards Points on the first three months’ purchases of $1000 for everyday purchases. The annual fee is $120 and the income requirement is $12,000 per year. Scotiabank Gold American Express offers an earn rate of 5 points for every $1 spent on dining, entertainment, and groceries, 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible streaming services, gas, and public transit, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees and also benefit from travel insurance and 35% off Priority Pass membership.
- American Express Simply Cash Preferred
This is a great cashback credit card. Simply cash refers to obtaining 2% cashback on every dollar spent no matter what you buy. A welcome bonus of 10% cashback (up to $400) for the first three months is offered to new customers. Rewards are redeemed once a year. The annual fee is $99 and includes travel insurance, car rental theft, damage coverage, and American Express Invites.
- Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite
This cashback card offers many bonus categories and has an annual fee of $120 which is rebated for the first year. The welcome bonus includes 10% cashback on all purchases up to $2,000 in the first 3 months. The income requirement is $60,000 and additional benefits include mobile device insurance, travel insurance, Visa Infinite Dining, and Wine Country Program and concierge service. Cardholders earn 4% cash back on groceries and recurring bill payments, 2% on gas and daily transit, and 1% on all other purchases.
- TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
For frequent travelers, this is a great card choice. The annual fee is $120 and is rebated the first year as a welcome bonus along with the opportunity to earn 60,000 TD Rewards Points in the first 90 days when you spend at least $1,500. Cardholders earn 9 points for every $1 spent on travel online with Expedia for TD, 6 points via phone travel order, and 3 points on all other purchases. The income requirement is $60,000 and additional benefits include travel insurance, rental car coverage, discounts through Avis and Budget car rental companies, and Priority Pass membership discount.
- BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card
The annual fee of $120 is waived for new customers as part of the welcome offer and also includes up to 25,000 bonus points in the first 3 months and 15,000 bonus points on your first anniversary. Cardholders earn 5 points per $1 spent on food, dining and delivery, gas, taxis, rideshares, and other transit purchases. 1 point for every $1 is earned on all other purchases. The income requirement is $60,000 personal or $100,000 per household. Additional benefits include Visa Infinite Privileges, travel insurance, and new mobile device coverage of up to $1000.
- Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
The annual income requirement is $12,000, there are no annual fees and 2% cashback on 3 categories of the cardholder’s choice and 0.05% cashback on all other purchases. Balance transfers from higher fee credit cards will be offered at a rate of 1.95% for 6 months for new customers. Additional benefits include purchase assurance and an extended warranty.
- MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard
There is no annual fee and the welcome offer includes 5,000 bonus rewards points when signing up for e-statements and 5,000 bonus rewards points when you spend $500 in the first 90 days. Cardholders earn 2 points for every dollar spent on groceries, restaurants, and gas up to $5,000 spent per year and 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Purchase assurance and extended warranty are additional benefits of the card.
- TD Aeroplan Card
The annual fee is $139 but is waived as part of the welcome bonus in the first year. An additional welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points and an Air Canada Buddy Pass is also included. A huge bonus is the card grants the cardholder and up to 8 guests flying with Air Canada free checked bags. Charging $1000 to your credit card within the first 90 days also earns you a buddy pass to take a guest with you on a round trip with no base fare, only taxes and fees have to be paid. Aeroplan cardholders also get preferred pricing when paying with the TD Aeroplan card. 1.5 Aeroplan points are earned on every dollar spent on groceries and gas, and 1 Aeroplan point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. $100 Nexus rebate, travel insurance, and mobile device insurance are additional benefits.
- BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard
An annual fee of $120 is waived for the first year for new customers and includes 2,000 bonus, Air Miles. For every $10 spent, 1 Air Mile is earned. The income requirement is $150,000 per household or $80,000 per personal. Benefits include up to 15 days of out-of-province/county emergency medical protection up to $2 million, 2 free passes every year to over 1,000 airport lounges, rental car insurance, baggage, and personal effects insurance, and trip cancellation/interruption coverage.
