Quebec and Ontario have different car insurance systems. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two:

1. System Type:

• Quebec:
  • Mixed system
  • For bodily injuries: The government provides coverage through the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). All residents are automatically covered under this system, irrespective of whether they are at fault in an accident.
  • For property damage (e.g., to vehicles): Insurance must be purchased from private insurance companies.
• Ontario:
  • Private system
  • All aspects of auto insurance, whether it’s for bodily injuries or property damage, are provided by private insurance companies.

2. Coverage for Bodily Injury:

• Quebec:
  • Public System: The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) covers bodily injuries.
  • All Quebec residents are automatically insured for bodily injuries, regardless of whether they are at fault in an accident. This coverage ensures that residents receive compensation for physical injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
  • Residents cannot sue for pain and suffering due to the province’s true no-fault system regarding bodily injuries.
  • There is no premium to be paid by residents for this SAAQ coverage; instead, it’s funded through licensing and registration fees.
• Ontario:
  • Private System: Bodily injury coverage is provided through private insurance companies.
  • The standard auto insurance policy includes accident benefits, which covers medical and rehabilitation treatments, funeral expenses, and death benefits regardless of who was at fault. Additional benefits can be purchased.
  • Unlike Quebec’s true no-fault system, Ontario has a modified no-fault system. This means that while accident benefits are provided regardless of fault, individuals still retain the right to sue for pain and suffering, economic loss beyond the no-fault benefits, and other damages under specific conditions.

3. Coverage for Property Damage:

• Quebec:
  • Private Insurance: Property damage coverage, specifically for damages to vehicles and other property, must be obtained through private insurance companies.
  • The most basic form of this coverage is civil liability coverage, which is mandatory for all drivers. It covers damage caused to another person’s property in an accident where you are at fault.
  • Comprehensive, collision, and specified perils are optional coverages that residents can purchase from private insurers to protect their own vehicle.
• Ontario:
  • Private Insurance: Just like in Quebec, property damage coverage is provided by private insurance companies.
  • Mandatory coverage includes Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DC-PD) coverage. With DC-PD, you claim from your own insurer for damage to your car when it’s involved in an accident with another car. However, your car must be insured under this coverage, and the accident must occur in a province where DC-PD is applicable. Also, the other driver must be identified and at fault.
  • Similar to Quebec, Ontario drivers can also opt for additional coverages like comprehensive, collision, and specified perils to protect their own vehicle.

4. No-Fault System:

• Quebec:
  • True No-Fault System (for bodily injuries):
    • The province’s auto insurance operates under a true no-fault system when it comes to bodily injuries. This means that if someone is injured or killed in an auto accident in Quebec, they cannot sue the at-fault party for pain and suffering, nor for additional compensation beyond what is provided by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
    • Regardless of who’s at fault in an accident, each individual’s medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income, and other related expenses are covered by the SAAQ.
    • For property damage (e.g., to vehicles), the system isn’t no-fault, meaning you claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance for damages to your car.
• Ontario:
  • Modified No-Fault System:
    • The province operates under a modified no-fault system. This means that after an accident, each individual’s medical and rehabilitation expenses, irrespective of who’s at fault, are claimed from their own insurance policy.
    • However, unlike Quebec’s true no-fault system for bodily injuries, people in Ontario retain the right to sue for pain, suffering, economic loss exceeding the no-fault benefits, and other damages under certain conditions.
    • The threshold to sue in Ontario is defined by a “verbal threshold” (based on the seriousness of injuries) and a “monetary deductible” (a set amount deducted from a court award).

5. Premiums:

Quebec:

Compared to other Canadian provinces, car insurance rates in Quebec tend to be relatively lower due to the province’s public automobile insurance system. Here are some estimated average car insurance rates in Quebec:

• Liability coverage: The minimum required liability coverage in Quebec is $50,000, and the estimated average cost for this coverage is around $640 per year, or about $53 per month.
• Collision and comprehensive coverage: Optional coverage for damages to your own vehicle can also be purchased. The estimated average cost for this coverage is around $240 per year, or about $20 per month.
• All coverage types: The estimated average cost for all types of car insurance coverage in Quebec is around $840 per year, or about $70 per month.

Here are some estimated average costs of car insurance in Quebec for 10 major cities in the province, based on a driver profile of a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record, driving a 2019 Toyota Camry:

1. Montreal: $775 per year, or about $65 per month
2. Quebec City: $645 per year, or about $54 per month
3. Laval: $720 per year, or about $60 per month
4. Gatineau: $695 per year, or about $58 per month
5. Longueuil: $705 per year, or about $59 per month
6. Sherbrooke: $630 per year, or about $53 per month
7. Saguenay: $600 per year, or about $50 per month
8. Levis: $640 per year, or about $53 per month
9. Trois-Rivieres: $625 per year, or about $52 per month
10. Terrebonne: $695 per year, or about $58 per month

Ontario:

Compared to other Canadian provinces, car insurance rates in Ontario tend to be higher due to the mix of public and private automobile insurance providers. Here are some estimated average car insurance rates in Ontario:

• Liability coverage: The minimum required liability coverage in Ontario is $200,000, and the estimated average cost for this coverage is around $1,500 per year, or about $125 per month.
• Collision and comprehensive coverage: Optional coverage for damages to your own vehicle can also be purchased. The estimated average cost for this coverage is around $450 per year, or about $38 per month.
• All coverage types: The estimated average cost for all types of car insurance coverage in Ontario is around $1,950 per year, or about $163 per month.

Here are some estimated average costs of car insurance in Ontario for 10 major cities in the province, based on a driver profile of a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record, driving a 2019 Toyota Camry:

1. Toronto: $2,100 per year, or about $175 per month
2. Ottawa: $1,300 per year, or about $108 per month
3. Mississauga: $2,400 per year, or about $200 per month
4. Brampton: $2,500 per year, or about $208 per month
5. Hamilton: $1,550 per year, or about $129 per month
6. London: $1,200 per year, or about $100 per month
7. Markham: $2,000 per year, or about $167 per month
8. Vaughan: $2,300 per year, or about $192 per month
9. Kitchener: $1,350 per year, or about $113 per month
10. Windsor: $1,100 per year, or about $92 per month

6. Deductibles:

Deductibles:

• Quebec:
  • Deductibles apply mainly to the private portion of insurance, especially concerning property damage.
  • The amount of the deductible can vary based on the policy, coverage type (e.g., collision, comprehensive), and the choice of the policyholder. For instance, choosing a higher deductible can result in a lower premium.
  • For civil liability (covering property damage you cause to others), the standard deductible might not apply. However, if a driver opts for additional coverages (like collision or comprehensive), those typically come with deductibles.
• Ontario:
  • Deductibles apply to several aspects of the auto insurance policy, depending on the specific coverage.
  • As with Quebec, the amount can vary depending on the policy and coverages selected. For example, standard deductibles might apply for collision and comprehensive coverages, but these can often be adjusted based on the preference of the policyholder.
  • There’s also a deductible applied to certain lawsuits for pain and suffering. If a person receives a court award, a set deductible amount is subtracted from this award.

7. Mandatory Coverages:

• Quebec:
  • Bodily Injury:
    • Covered by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). All Quebec residents are automatically covered for bodily injuries, regardless of fault.
  • Civil Liability:
    • Mandatory for property damage and covers damage that a driver might cause to another person’s property (including their vehicle). Typically, a minimum of $50,000 in civil liability coverage is required, but many drivers opt for more (e.g., $1 million or $2 million) to ensure broader protection.
• Ontario:
  • Third-Party Liability:
    • Must have a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability coverage, which protects if someone else is killed or injured, or their property is damaged. It will cover the claim up to the limit in the policy, as well as the cost of settling or defending the claim. Many Ontarians opt for more than the minimum required.
  • Accident Benefits:
    • Covers the cost of medical treatments, rehabilitation, attendant care, caregiver expenses, and more, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
  • Uninsured Automobile Coverage:
    • Provides protection if the policyholder and their family are injured or killed by an uninsured driver or by a hit-and-run.
  • Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DC-PD) Coverage:
    • Allows the policyholder to claim from their insurer for damage to their car when involved in an accident with another car. The other driver must be at least partially at fault, and the accident must occur in a province where DC-PD applies.

8. Optional Coverages:

Basic Structure:

1. Quebec: The province has a unique system where the public insurer, Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), provides coverage for bodily injuries, while property damage coverage is provided by private insurers.
2. Ontario: In Ontario, both bodily injury and property damage coverages are provided by private insurers.

Optional Coverages:

While the specifics can vary depending on the insurer, here are some common optional coverages available in both provinces:

1. Collision or Upset Coverage:
   • Quebec: Covers damages to your vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle, person, or object.
   • Ontario: Similarly, covers damages to your vehicle from a collision. This is often one of the most commonly purchased optional coverages in Ontario.
2. Comprehensive Coverage:
   • Quebec: Protects against risks other than collision or upset, such as theft, vandalism, fire, and certain weather-related damages.
   • Ontario: Similarly, covers damages caused by things like theft, vandalism, fire, hail, and other non-collision-related incidents.
3. Specified Perils:
   • Quebec: Covers damages caused by specified risks named in the policy, excluding others.
   • Ontario: Provides coverage for damages from specific perils outlined in the policy, such as theft, fire, and earthquakes.
4. All Perils:
   • Quebec: Combines both collision/upset and comprehensive coverages. It is broader than both but may exclude certain coverages unless explicitly added.
   • Ontario: A combination of both collision and comprehensive coverages. It’s the broadest level of optional auto insurance coverage available.
5. Endorsement 43 – Change to Loss or Damage Coverage:
   • Quebec: A popular endorsement in Quebec which broadens the insurance coverage. One of its main features is the waiver of deductible if both parties involved in an accident are insured with the same company.
   • Ontario: This specific endorsement is unique to Quebec. However, Ontario insurers may offer similar endorsements or policy adjustments.
6. Rental Car Coverage/ Loss of Use:
   • Quebec: Covers the cost of a rental vehicle or alternative transportation (like a taxi) if your car is being repaired due to a covered claim.
   • Ontario: Similar to Quebec, this covers the cost of a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired.
7. Accident Forgiveness:
   • Quebec: Some insurers may offer accident forgiveness as an endorsement, ensuring that your first at-fault accident won’t increase your premiums.
   • Ontario: Many insurers in Ontario offer accident forgiveness options to prevent rate increases after the first at-fault accident.

9. Claims:

• Quebec:
  • Bodily Injuries:
    • For bodily injuries, claims are made with the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). Regardless of who’s at fault in an accident, each individual’s medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income, and other related expenses are covered by the SAAQ.
  • Property Damage:
    • If you are not at fault for the accident (and the other party is clearly identified), your private insurer will compensate you for damages to your car without applying a deductible.
    • If you are at fault or the other party is not identified (e.g., in a hit-and-run), you must claim damages under specified coverages like collision or comprehensive (if you have them) from your private insurer, and a deductible may apply.
• Ontario:
  • Bodily Injuries and Property Damage:
    • All claims, whether for bodily injuries or property damage, are made with the private insurer from whom the policy was purchased.
    • After an accident, individuals claim from their own insurance for medical/rehabilitation expenses and damages to their car, irrespective of who’s at fault.
    • If the other party was at fault, your insurance company may seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance. This process is often behind the scenes and doesn’t involve the policyholder directly.
    • Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DC-PD) allows you to claim from your insurer for damage to your car when involved in an accident with another car, as long as the other driver is at least partially at fault and the accident occurs in a province where DC-PD is applicable.

10. Driver’s Licensing:

• Quebec:
  • Managed by: Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
  • Licensing Steps:
    1. Class 5 Learner’s License: Aspiring drivers must be at least 16 years old (or 15 years and 10 months if enrolled in a driving course). A written knowledge test and a vision test are required. Learners must always be accompanied by a fully licensed driver.
    2. Probationary License: After holding the learner’s license for at least 10 months, candidates can take the road test. Successful candidates get the probationary license, which they must hold for 2 years.
    3. Class 5 Driver’s License: After the 2-year probationary period, drivers automatically obtain the Class 5 license, given they haven’t had their license revoked during the probationary period.
  • Points System: Quebec operates on a demerit points system, where points are added for infractions. Accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension.
• Ontario:
  • Managed by: Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO).
  • Licensing Steps:
    1. G1 License: A written test covering road signs and rules is required. Minimum age is 16. G1 drivers face several restrictions, like no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and no driving on 400-series highways.
    2. G2 License: After holding the G1 license for 12 months (or 8 months if you’ve taken a driver’s education course), you can take the G2 road test. G2 drivers have fewer restrictions.
    3. G License: After having the G2 license for 12 months, drivers can take the G road test, which tests advanced driving skills. Passing this test grants the full G license.
  • Points System: Ontario also has a demerit points system. Accumulating points can lead to interviews, mandatory courses, or license suspension, depending on the number of points and the license level.