In Canada, auto insurance is regulated at the provincial level, meaning each province has its own requirements. However, across all provinces, the rule generally is that if someone has a valid driver’s license and may operate the vehicle, they need to be insured. This could mean that they are included on the primary vehicle holder’s insurance or they hold their own policy.

Here’s a province-by-province breakdown:

1. Alberta: All drivers must be insured. This includes members of the household. If a household member is not listed as an occasional driver and they have an accident, it could result in denial of the claim.
2. British Columbia: In BC, insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. However, if other drivers in the household will be using the car, they should be listed in the policy.
3. Manitoba: Like BC, insurance is tied to the vehicle, not the driver. However, all drivers of the vehicle should be identified to the insurer.
4. New Brunswick: All drivers in a household must be listed on the policy.
5. Newfoundland and Labrador: All drivers must be insured. This includes members of the household.
6. Northwest Territories: All drivers must be insured. This includes household members.
7. Nova Scotia: All drivers in a household must be listed on the policy.
8. Nunavut: All drivers in the household should be insured.
9. Ontario: All drivers in a household must be listed on the policy.
10. Prince Edward Island: All drivers must be insured. This includes members of the household.
11. Quebec: In Quebec, the law requires that any person who owns a vehicle be insured against liability for property damage caused by their vehicle.
12. Saskatchewan: In Saskatchewan, insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. However, it’s recommended that other drivers of the vehicle should be identified to the insurer.
13. Yukon: All drivers must be insured. This includes household members.

This is a simplified summary and individual insurance companies may have their own rules and requirements. Also, if a household member has their own vehicle and insurance policy, they would typically not need to be listed on another household member’s policy. It’s always a good idea to check with the insurance provider or broker for exact details.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance?

In Canada, the general rule is that a person can drive another person’s car, provided that the car is insured and the person driving has a valid driver’s license. However, there are some nuances depending on the province:

1. Alberta: Yes, as long as the car is insured and the person driving has a valid driver’s license. However, frequent usage by an unlisted driver may be a problem if a claim needs to be filed.
2. British Columbia: Insurance typically follows the vehicle, not the driver, so someone else could drive your car. But if they’re a regular user, they should be listed on the policy.
3. Manitoba: As in BC, insurance follows the vehicle. However, frequent usage by someone not named on the policy could lead to complications with claims.
4. New Brunswick: Yes, as long as they have a valid driver’s license. However, if they’re a frequent driver, they should be added to the insurance policy.
5. Newfoundland and Labrador: Yes, but if the person is a regular driver, they should be added to the policy.
6. Northwest Territories: Yes, provided the car is insured and they have a valid driver’s license.
7. Nova Scotia: Yes, as long as they have a valid driver’s license, but regular drivers should be added to the policy.
8. Nunavut: Yes, provided the car is insured and they have a valid driver’s license.
9. Ontario: Yes, but if they’re a frequent driver, they should be added to the policy.
10. Prince Edward Island: Yes, but if the person is a regular driver, they should be added to the policy.
11. Quebec: Yes, as long as they have a valid driver’s license and permission to drive the vehicle.
12. Saskatchewan: Yes, as insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. But if they’re a regular user, they should be listed on the policy.
13. Yukon: Yes, as long as they have a valid driver’s license and the car is insured.

In most provinces, if the other driver causes an accident and isn’t listed as a secondary driver on your insurance, your rates could potentially go up as the primary policyholder. Always check with your insurer to ensure you understand their specific rules. This summary is a broad view and individual cases may vary.

Do I have to add my child to my car insurance?

In Canada, the rules can vary depending on your province and the insurance company, but generally, once your child gets their driver’s license and will be driving your vehicle, even occasionally, you should notify your insurance company and add them to your policy. Here’s why:

1. Coverage: If your child is not listed on your policy and gets into an accident while driving your car, the insurance company may refuse to cover the accident. Even if they do cover it, you could face penalties such as higher premiums in the future or even policy cancellation for not disclosing the information.
2. Accurate Premiums: The premium you pay is based on the risk the insurance company assumes. If a high-risk driver, like a new teenage driver, is not listed, your premiums are not accurately reflecting the risk.
3. Avoiding Fraud: Not listing a regular driver in your household is considered a type of insurance fraud called “fronting.” This could lead to your insurance company denying a claim or cancelling your policy.

Note: If your child has their own car and insurance policy, they generally would not need to be listed on your policy.

What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident?

If someone else is driving your car and they get into an accident, several factors will determine what happens next:

1. Insurance Follows the Car: In most jurisdictions, auto insurance follows the car, not the driver. This means that your insurance would be the primary coverage that responds, regardless of who was driving at the time of the accident.
2. Fault: If the person driving your car was at fault, a claim would likely be made against your insurance, potentially increasing your future insurance premiums. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance should cover the damages.
3. Permissive Use: Generally, if the person had your permission to drive the car, your insurance policy will cover the damages up to its limits. If the person did not have your permission, the situation can become more complex. You might need to prove to the insurance company that the person did not have permission to use your vehicle.
4. Uninsured Drivers: If the person driving your car was uninsured but had your permission to drive, your insurance typically would still cover the accident. However, your premiums might go up as a result.
5. Underinsured Drivers: If the cost of the accident exceeds your policy limits, the driver’s insurance (if they have any) might act as a secondary coverage if their policy allows it.
6. Regular Drivers Not Listed on Your Policy: If someone regularly drives your car and they’re not listed on your insurance policy, your insurer might refuse to cover the claim. This can also lead to increased premiums or policy cancellation.

These are general rules and can vary based on local regulations and specific insurance policies. Always check your specific insurance policy’s terms and conditions or consult with an insurance professional to understand exactly what would happen in your situation.

1. Alberta: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
2. British Columbia: Insurance follows the vehicle. If the driver had your permission, your insurance should cover the accident.
3. Manitoba: Insurance follows the vehicle. If the driver had your permission, your insurance should cover the accident.
4. New Brunswick: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
5. Newfoundland and Labrador: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
6. Northwest Territories: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
7. Nova Scotia: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
8. Nunavut: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
9. Ontario: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
10. Prince Edward Island: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.
11. Quebec: Insurance is a bit different in Quebec, where the public insurance covers injury to people while property damage is covered by private insurers. If the driver had your permission, your private insurance should cover damage to the vehicle.
12. Saskatchewan: Insurance follows the vehicle. If the driver had your permission, your insurance should cover the accident.
13. Yukon: If the driver had your permission and holds a valid driver’s license, your insurance would cover the accident.