Auto Insurance Quote Checklist for Canada
Auto insurance purchasing systems and mandatory coverage differ across Canada. A comparable quote starts with the correct provincial system and the same drivers, vehicle, use, history, limits, deductibles and optional coverage.
Auto Quote Checklist
Prepare the licence and insurance history for every driver, VIN and vehicle details, address, annual distance, commute and business use. Then compare the same mandatory and optional coverage, liability limits, deductibles and endorsements within the correct provincial market.
Auto quote comparison checklist
0 of 5 items reviewed
Tick each item after reviewing it. Checks are kept for this page visit; download a copy to keep your progress and questions.
| Review item | What to check and ask |
|---|---|
| Identify the mandatory layer and the optional coverages included in each offer.Ask: Does this price include every layer I need? | |
| Match listed drivers, licence experience, claims and conviction information.Ask: Has each driver's status been recorded correctly? | |
| Match VIN or vehicle specification, garaging address, annual distance and commute or business use.Ask: Are both offers based on the same use and distance? | |
| List each coverage and its limit or deductible, including optional vehicle damage protection.Ask: Which deductible applies to each type of claim? | |
| Record each selected optional feature and any condition attached to it.Ask: Will every quoted option appear in the issued documents? |
Start with the province where the vehicle is registered
IBC explains that British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba use public insurers for mandatory auto coverage, while Québec combines public bodily-injury protection with private liability and vehicle coverage. Other provinces and the territories use private insurers for mandatory coverage.
That structure changes where a consumer buys the compulsory layer and whether optional coverage can be compared separately. Do not import a coverage checklist or minimum from another province.
Prepare every driver and insurance record
List every household or business driver who may need to be disclosed, along with licence class, years licensed, training where relevant, convictions, suspensions and claims or insurance history requested by the provider.
Use the same answers for each quote. If a driver is occasional, excluded or covered elsewhere, ask how the proposed insurer wants that status documented rather than assuming it can be omitted.
Describe the vehicle and its real use
Provide the VIN when available, model year, trim, ownership or lease status, garaging address, annual kilometres, commute, delivery or commercial use, winter storage and installed safety or anti-theft features.
A different annual distance, postal code or use classification can change the quote. Keep these inputs aligned before comparing insurers or vehicles.
Create a coverage comparison row by row
Separate mandatory liability, accident benefits, uninsured automobile and direct-compensation coverage where applicable from optional collision, comprehensive, specified perils, increased liability and endorsements.
Record each deductible and limit. The phrase “full coverage” is not precise enough to show what has actually been quoted.