Auto insurance by province
Canada's auto systems differ sharply — public vs private, no-fault vs tort, and minimum coverage by jurisdiction. Pick yours for the rules, regulator, and figures that apply, each sourced and dated.
Three systems, one country
Auto insurance is regulated province by province, so the same driver faces very different rules across the country. Three things vary the most: whether coverage is bought from a public insurer or a private market; whether injuries are handled by no-fault benefits or a tort right to sue; and the minimum liability the law requires. Here is how all thirteen compare.
| Province / territory | System | Min. liability | Insurer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Private market, tort-based | $200,000 | Private market |
| British Columbia | Public (ICBC), Enhanced Care no-fault | $200,000 | ICBC |
| Manitoba | Public (MPI), no-fault (PIPP) | $200,000 | MPI |
| New Brunswick | Private market, tort-based | $200,000 | Private market |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Private market, tort-based | $200,000 | Private market |
| Nova Scotia | Private market, tort-based | $500,000 | Private market |
| Northwest Territories | Private market, tort-based | $200,000 | Private market |
| Nunavut | Private market, tort-based | $200,000 | Private market |
| Ontario | Private market, hybrid (no-fault + limited right to sue) | $200,000 | Private market |
| Prince Edward Island | Private market, tort-based | $200,000 | Private market |
| Quebec | Hybrid — public no-fault bodily injury (SAAQ) + private property damage | $50,000 | SAAQ (bodily injury) + private (property damage) |
| Saskatchewan | Public (SGI), no-fault base | $200,000 | SGI |
| Yukon | Private market, tort-based | $200,000 | Private market |
Open your province
Alberta
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
OpenBritish Columbia
ICBCPublic (ICBC), Enhanced Care no-fault
OpenManitoba
MPIPublic (MPI), no-fault (PIPP)
OpenNew Brunswick
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
OpenNewfoundland and Labrador
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
OpenNova Scotia
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
OpenNorthwest Territories
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
OpenNunavut
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
OpenOntario
PrivatePrivate market, hybrid (no-fault + limited right to sue)
OpenPrince Edward Island
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
OpenQuebec
SAAQ (bodily injury) + private (property damage)Hybrid — public no-fault bodily injury (SAAQ) + private property damage
OpenSaskatchewan
SGIPublic (SGI), no-fault base
OpenYukon
PrivatePrivate market, tort-based
Open
Frequently asked questions
- Which provinces have public auto insurance?
- British Columbia (ICBC), Saskatchewan (SGI), and Manitoba (MPI) run public auto insurance. Quebec is a hybrid — bodily injury is public through the SAAQ while property damage is private. Everywhere else, auto insurance is a private market.
- What is the minimum liability coverage across Canada?
- Most provinces set the statutory minimum third-party liability at $200,000. Nova Scotia is higher (commonly cited at $500,000) and Quebec's private property-damage minimum is $50,000 (bodily injury is covered by the public SAAQ). These minimums are low for a serious injury — most drivers carry $1–2 million.
- What's the difference between no-fault and tort auto insurance?
- In a tort system you can sue an at-fault driver for your losses. In a no-fault system your own insurer pays your injury benefits regardless of who caused the crash, and your right to sue is limited or removed. Several provinces are hybrids that combine both.
- Is auto insurance cheaper in public or private provinces?
- It varies by province, driver, and vehicle, and comparisons are contested. Rather than assume, focus on what you control: carry enough liability, choose deductibles you can absorb, and, in private markets, shop across insurers at renewal.
Figures verified July 2026 against IBC and provincial regulator sources. Auto rules change — confirm current requirements with your regulator or broker. Education, not advice; no coverage is sold here.