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Insurance Bureau of Canada/qc/Insurance 101/How to Buy Insurance

How to Buy Insurance

​Vous pouvez souscrire une assurance automobile, habitation ou entreprise auprès des compagnies d'assurance privées. L'assurance pour les dommages corporels subis lors d'une collision est fournie par la Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).

Buying Auto Insurance

Since 1978, Quebec's mixed public-private auto insurance plan differentiates between insurance for bodily injury and insurance for property damage. Consequently, there are 2 auto insurance plans:

  • A private plan, which covers civil liability and property damage, and can be purchased from private insurers.
  • A public plan, which is administered by SAAQ and covers bodily injury sustained in a collision.

Insurance Options

When securing insurance coverage in Quebec, you can choose which insurance representative best suits your needs. Options include:


Where to Buy Insurance

Most insurance representatives provide some form of home and business insurance. Make an informed choice before you buy.

Throughout the province, private insurance companies compete on the basis of price, coverage and service. They offer consumers and businesses choices when buying mandatory auto or optional home or business insurance. Private insurers provide expert guidance on the best value and coverage for your needs.

Auto Insurance 

By law, if you own and drive a car, you must buy auto insurance from a private insurer. 

Home Insurance

While the law does not mandate it, banks or mortgage holders may insist that you purchase home insurance 

Business Insurance

Also called "commercial insurance," business insurance is not mandatory in the province.