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How does car insurance in Montreal work?
Matt Hands, VP, Insurance
The auto insurance system in Quebec (and therefore, Montreal) is unlike any other across Canada as it combines both public and private insurance components. As a driver, you'll receive some form of coverage from the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). However, you'll also need to purchase more coverage from other insurance providers. Here's a quick overview of how it works.
| Public auto insurance | Private auto insurance |
|---|---|
| The public portion (which is managed by the SAAQ), covers personal injuries resulting from car accidents. If you’re injured in a collision, the SAAQ takes care of related costs, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation, and income replacement – this is regardless of who’s at fault. | Private insurance protects you against property damage and liability. It covers the cost of repairing your vehicle, pays for damage you cause to someone else’s property, and provides coverage if you’re found legally responsible for injuring someone or causing damage in an accident. |
While Montreal operates under a no-fault auto insurance system, that doesn’t mean fault is never assigned in an accident. Instead, no-fault means that anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident – be it a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist – is covered by the SAAQ, no matter who was responsible.
For vehicle damage, Montreal uses a direct compensation for property damage (DCPD) system. If your car needs repairs or replacement after a collision, you deal directly with your own private insurer, regardless of fault. This simplifies the claims process and helps ensure faster service.
Additionally, when you register your vehicle with the SAAQ, you’re automatically enrolled in the public insurance plan, with your registration fees covering the personal injury premium. On top of that, you’re required to purchase private insurance from a licensed insurer. It’s a good idea to compare quotes and coverage options from different providers to find the best fit for your needs.
Mandatory types of car insurance in Montreal
To operate a vehicle in Montreal, you'll need the following types of auto insurance as the minimum legal requirement:
Civil liability
Accident benefits (provided by SAAQ)
Optional types of car insurance in Montreal
For added protection, you can also consider adding optional coverages to your auto insurance policy – here, we cover a few common ones:
Collision
Comprehensive
Specified perils
All perils
Emergency roadside assistance
Quebec endorsement forms
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How much is car insurance in Montreal?
While sources estimate that the average cost of car insurance in Montreal is around $800 per year, your actual premium can vary significantly based on your driving profile and vehicle. To give you an idea, we pulled three sample hypothetical quotes from three different Montreal addresses. Each policy includes $1 million in civil liability coverage, as well as collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible. To find the exact cost you'll be paying, be sure to compare auto insurance quotes with us.
- $131/month
50-year-old female
driving a 2023 Toyota Camry
- $158/month
35-year-old female
driving a 2025 Honda Civic
- $163/month
45-year-old male
driving a 2021 Ford F-150
The average cost of car insurance in Quebec
Comparatively, the average cost of auto insurance in Quebec as a whole was found to be $897 in 2023 by Groupement des assureurs automobiles (GAA).
Factors that impact your Montreal car insurance quote
Auto insurance companies consider several personal factors when calculating your quote. In general, the higher your risk, the more you’ll pay for your car insurance in Montreal. Here are a few key factors that can impact your rate.
Age
Younger drivers typically face the highest insurance premiums. The good news? As you get older, your rates generally go down.
Gender
Statistically, men are involved in more accidents, which often means higher premiums. It might seem unfair, but insurers base rates on risk.
Location
Living in a busy areas of Montreal, like Downtown, can drive your rates up due to higher risks of collisions, theft, and claims.
Vehicle type
Cars that are expensive to repair or replace – or are popular targets for theft – usually come with higher insurance costs.
Driving history
Tickets and traffic violations can raise your premiums. Safe driving keeps your record clean and your rates lower.
Driving behaviour
The more time you spend on the road, the higher your risk of a claim. If you drive less, you could benefit from lower premiums.
License class
Moving up through Quebec’s licensing system and earning your full license shows experience – and can help reduce your insurance costs.
Vehicle use
How you use your car matters. If it’s for business, expect to pay more. If it’s mainly for personal or leisure use, your rate be lower.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Montreal
While market factors significantly impact your auto insurance rates, there are still plenty of ways to secure the best possible price. Here are eight tips to help you find affordable auto insurance.
Shop and compare
Different auto insurers will offer different premiums, even with your same profile. Be sure to compare quotes across the Montreal market with us today.
Stay loyal
Switching to a different insurer for a better rate is one option, but many insurers also offer discounts to long-term customers. Ask your insurer about loyalty rewards.
Bundle your policies
Bundling multiple policies, such as auto, home, condo, or tenant, under one provider is a great way to save – on all types of insurance.
Get a multi-car discount
Aside from bundling different policy types, you can also bundle multiple vehicles under one auto insurance plan for a discount.
Ask about discounts
You won't know which discounts you're eligible for until you ask. Specifically, group rates for alumni and professionals are often available.
Pay annual premiums
Auto insurance is typically cheaper paid annually, instead of monthly. This not only limits administrative costs but locks you in for longer.
Maintain a good driving record
Safe drivers get the best rates – those without a blemish on record will notice the difference. Plus, getting your full license in Montreal can help.
Take a course
Especially in the early years of becoming a driver, taking an accredited course can help lower your rate – it shows insurers you're less risk.
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