How to Lower Your Car Insurance in Quebec: 15 Legitimate Ways

Car insurance in Quebec works a little differently from the rest of Canada. Bodily injury is covered by the public plan run by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), while damage to property and your own vehicle is covered by private insurers. That means the part of your auto insurance you can actually shop around and reduce is the private policy.

For drivers in the Laurentides, where commuting from Saint-Jérôme or Mirabel to Montreal on the 15, or driving the 117 to Mont-Laurier, is part of daily life, car insurance is a significant expense. Here are 15 legitimate ways to reduce it, without cutting corners that could hurt you after an accident.

Key takeaways

• In Quebec, the SAAQ covers bodily injury; private insurers cover property damage and your vehicle.
• The minimum civil liability for property damage required by law is $50,000, but most drivers carry much more.
• Shopping around and adjusting deductibles are usually the fastest ways to save.
• Telematics programs can reward safe driving but also collect data; read the terms.
• Discounts vary by insurer: always ask for them explicitly.
• Honesty matters: false declarations can lead to a refused claim or a cancelled policy.

How does car insurance work in Quebec?

Quebec’s system combines public and private coverage under the Automobile Insurance Act, available on LégisQuébec:

Coverage	Who provides it	Mandatory?
Bodily injury to people in a road accident (in Quebec or elsewhere, regardless of fault)	SAAQ (public plan)	Yes, funded through licence and registration fees
Civil liability for property damage (Chapter A)	Private insurer	Yes, minimum $50,000
Damage to your own vehicle: collision, theft, fire, etc. (Chapter B)	Private insurer	No by law, but often required by lenders and leasing companies
Endorsements (rental car, replacement cost, etc.)	Private insurer	Optional

You can learn more about the public plan on the SAAQ website. Our guide to auto insurance in the Laurentides explains the structure in more detail, and our page on mandatory insurance in Quebec covers what the law requires.

15 legitimate ways to lower your car insurance in Quebec

1. Compare quotes at every renewal

Insurers price risk differently, and the same driver can receive very different quotes from different companies. Loyalty isn’t always rewarded. Request at least three quotes for identical coverage (same liability limit, same deductibles, same endorsements) about a month before renewal. Using both a broker and a direct insurer gives you a broader view of the market. Read broker vs agent vs direct insurers in Quebec.

2. Raise your deductibles (carefully)

The deductible is what you pay on a claim before the insurer pays. Raising your collision and comprehensive deductibles usually lowers your premium. Only do this if you could comfortably pay the higher deductible if you hit a deer on the 117 or slid into a ditch in January.

3. Reconsider collision coverage on an older car

If your vehicle is older and worth relatively little, the cost of collision coverage over a few years may approach what the insurer would actually pay after a total loss. Compare the car’s realistic value with the cost of Chapter B coverage. If your car is financed or leased, your contract probably requires this coverage, so check before removing it.

4. Bundle your home and auto policies

Many insurers offer a multi-line discount when you insure your home, condo or apartment with them. Get a bundled quote, but also compare it with the best separate quotes. Sometimes two different insurers are still cheaper. See what affects home insurance cost in Quebec and tenant insurance in Quebec.

5. Try a usage-based (telematics) program

Several insurers in Quebec offer programs that use a smartphone app or a device to measure driving habits such as hard braking, acceleration, speed and time of day. Good results can lead to a discount. Read the terms carefully: understand what data is collected, how it’s used and whether your premium can increase with poor results. These programs suit calm, predictable drivers more than night-shift commuters.

6. Keep a clean driving record

Traffic violations and at-fault accidents generally lead to higher premiums for several years. Insurers can check your driving record with your consent. Avoiding speeding tickets and distracted driving fines is one of the most powerful long-term savings strategies, and it keeps you safe.

7. Declare your real annual mileage and usage

If you’ve switched to remote work, retired, or stopped commuting to Montreal, tell your insurer. Lower annual mileage and pleasure-only use often lead to a lower premium. Conversely, under-declaring your mileage or use is misrepresentation and can cause problems with claims.

8. List drivers accurately

Adding a young driver raises the premium, but hiding them is risky. If an undeclared principal driver has an accident, the insurer may refuse the claim or cancel the policy. Under the Civil Code of Québec, you must disclose facts that would influence the insurer’s assessment of the risk. Instead, ask about discounts for young drivers who complete a recognized driving course or are good students, where offered.

9. Choose your next car with insurance in mind

Before buying, get insurance quotes for the models you’re considering. Repair costs, theft rates, safety ratings and parts availability all affect premiums. Some models that are frequently stolen may also require an anti-theft or tracking system as a condition of coverage.

10. Install an approved anti-theft system

Vehicle theft has been a concern in Quebec in recent years. Some insurers offer discounts for engraving/marking systems or GPS tracking devices, and some require them for certain vehicles. Ask your insurer which systems they recognize before buying one.

11. Ask for every discount you might qualify for

Discounts vary greatly from one insurer to another. Possible discounts include:

• Multi-vehicle discount
• Claims-free or loyalty discount
• Professional association, alumni or employer group plans
• Electric or hybrid vehicle discount
• Winter tires (even though they’re mandatory in season, some insurers still reward them)
• Paying annually rather than monthly, if the insurer charges fees for monthly payments

12. Review your optional endorsements

Endorsements such as rental car coverage, replacement cost (new-for-old) or loss-of-use can be valuable, but check whether you still need each one. For example, replacement cost coverage is time-limited and may no longer make sense on an older vehicle. Don’t remove liability or coverage you truly need just to save a little.

13. Increase liability only where it’s cost-effective

This one sounds backwards, but it’s about value. The legal minimum is $50,000, which is low compared to the cost of damaging a modern vehicle or property. Higher liability limits often cost relatively little more. Review your limit so you’re not paying for a policy that leaves you exposed.

14. Avoid small claims when it makes financial sense

Under Quebec’s direct compensation agreement, when another identified vehicle is involved, you usually deal with your own insurer for vehicle damage, and responsibility is determined using standardized rules. At-fault claims can affect your premium. For very small damages close to your deductible, some drivers choose to pay out of pocket. Weigh the cost of the repair against the potential premium impact before deciding.

15. Prepare your car for Laurentides winters

Fewer accidents mean fewer claims and lower premiums over time. Winter tires are mandatory in Quebec from December 1 to March 15, according to Québec.ca, but many drivers in the Hautes-Laurentides install them earlier given early snowfalls. Keep your windows and roof clear of snow, slow down on the 15 and 117, and watch for wildlife at dusk. These habits protect your record and your wallet.

What not to do to save on car insurance

Some “tricks” circulate online, but they can cost you much more than they save:

• Insuring the car in a parent’s name when you’re the main driver (“fronting”).
• Using a fake address in a lower-risk area.
• Hiding modifications, a business use, or delivery work.
• Not disclosing a previous cancellation or a licence suspension.

False statements can lead to a refused claim or cancellation, and a cancellation can make it harder to get insurance afterward. Read our guide on insurance cancellation and non-renewal in Quebec.

Car insurance considerations for Laurentides drivers

Long commutes

Many residents of Saint-Jérôme, Mirabel, Saint-Colomban or Prévost commute to Laval or Montreal. Commuting distance and annual mileage are rating factors. If your commute changes, inform your insurer.

Wildlife collisions

Collisions with deer and moose are a real risk on rural roads in the Laurentides. Damage from hitting an animal is commonly handled under the comprehensive or “all perils” part of Chapter B, depending on your policy. If you remove that coverage to save money, you’d pay this damage yourself.

Recreational vehicles

If you own a snowmobile, ATV or boat, it usually needs its own insurance. Bundling it with your car insurance may lead to savings. See snowmobile insurance in Quebec and boat insurance in Quebec.

Before each renewal, take 20 minutes to review your policy: drivers, vehicle use, mileage, deductibles and endorsements. Small updates often lead to real savings.

Who can help if I have a problem with my car insurer?

Start with your insurer’s complaint process. If you’re not satisfied, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) provides information and can review complaints about insurers and representatives. For questions about bodily injury compensation, contact the SAAQ. Organizations such as CAA-Quebec also publish consumer tips on car insurance.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum car insurance required in Quebec?

Private civil liability insurance for property damage of at least $50,000 is mandatory. Bodily injury is covered by the SAAQ public plan.

Why is car insurance cheaper in Quebec than in some other provinces?

Part of the explanation is that bodily injury is covered by the public SAAQ plan and is not part of the private premium, and there’s no lawsuit system for bodily injury between drivers. Your private premium covers property damage and your vehicle.

Do insurers in Quebec use my credit score for car insurance?

Some do, but only with your consent. According to CAA-Quebec, you can refuse, and the insurer must still give you a quote, though it may not be the best available price.

Does a speeding ticket affect my insurance in Quebec?

Traffic convictions can lead to higher premiums at renewal, depending on the insurer and the offence. Serious offences have a bigger impact.

Is it worth joining a telematics program?

It can be if you drive smoothly, rarely at night, and are comfortable sharing driving data. Read whether the program can increase your premium and how long the data is kept.

Can I pause my car insurance in winter if I don’t drive?

Some owners of seasonal vehicles (like summer cars or motorcycles) can reduce coverage when the vehicle is stored, for example by keeping only comprehensive coverage. Ask your insurer; don’t simply cancel, since the vehicle may still need coverage in storage.

Have a question we didn’t answer? Contact us.

This article is for general information only and is not insurance advice. Laurentides Insurance Guide does not sell insurance. Always confirm with a licensed broker or your insurer.