What is collision insurance in Canada?

Updated Aug 30, 2024
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To the point Do you know what collision insurance is and how it differs from comprehensive auto insurance? That's what we explain in this article.

Collision insurance is optional car insurance coverage, but you should give it serious consideration. Whether you’re at fault or not, if you haven’t taken out this insurance, you won’t be covered for damage to your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident. Depending on your needs and financial situation, additional insurance coverage on top of your basic coverage, such as collision insurance, could allow you to drive your vehicle with peace of mind. In this article, we explain what collision insurance is and how it differs from comprehensive insurance.

Car insurance is mandatory in Canada. However, each province and territory imposes minimum insurance coverage requirements, generally focusing on liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage. We therefore recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules in force in your area.

What is collision insurance?

By law, car insurance is mandatory in Canada. Basic coverage includes liability insurance of a minimum of $200,000 (except in Quebec). Other insurance coverages are optional:

  • Collision insurance
  • Specific risks (list of risks specified in your insurance policy)
  • Accidents without collision or upset (e.g. fire, theft, vandalism, etc.)
  • Comprehensive (All Risk Insurance)
  • Additional options known as “endorsements” (e.g. replacement value, roadside assistance, car rental insurance, excess waiver, personal insurance, etc.).

As the name suggests, collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle, whether or not you are at fault in an accident. But it also covers damage caused by collision with an object (e.g. garage door) and hit-and-run accidents.

Since it’s optional, you can add this coverage to your liability insurance or other insurance policy. So if you’re involved in an accident and you’ve taken out collision insurance, your vehicle will be covered, and you won’t have to pay for repairs.

Are you covered for collision damage?

Collision insurance covers all damage that may be caused to your vehicle in the event of a collision with another vehicle or object. For example, if you’re backing up and hit someone else’s car or property (e.g. fence, garage door, underground parking wall, etc.), the damage will be covered by collision insurance and you won’t have to pay for repairs or replacement. As mentioned above, collision insurance also covers repairs in the unfortunate event of a hit-and-run. As such, it is an essential insurance coverage to add to your liability insurance policy.

Are you covered for a not-at-fault accident if you don't have collision insurance?

Basic car insurance covers only third-party liability. So if you don’t have collision insurance, you’re not covered for damage to your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident. This is the case whether or not you are responsible for the accident.

However, there is one exception. Depending on your province of residence, you may be covered if the damage is caused by a hit-and-run accident. Check with your insurer or contact an insurance broker like YouSet to find out more.

What's the difference between collision and comprehensive insurance?

There is some confusion between collision insurance, comprehensive excluding collision or upset and comprehensive insurance. Here are the main differences…

Collision insurance covers damage caused by a collision with another vehicle or an object such as a garage door or fence. It also covers repairs if you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident. In short, your insurer will cover the cost of repair or replacement, whether or not you are at fault.

Comprehensive excluding collision or upset covers damage to your vehicle not caused by collision or upset, such as fire, theft, vandalism and windshield replacement. But also damage caused by weather conditions (flooding, windstorm or hail, falling trees, etc.) and damage caused by collision with an animal.

Finally, comprehensive insurance offers the greatest protection of all types of car insurance policy. Although the insurance premium is higher, it combines collision protection, coverage for accident without collision or upset, comprehensive coverage and much more.

Check the conditions and exclusions in your car insurance contract or when comparing car insurance quotes online. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to talk to an insurance agent or broker like YouSet to understand the insurance coverage required for your needs.

Do you need collision insurance?

That’s the question many people are asking! Do you need collision insurance for your vehicle?

First of all, understand that liability insurance is mandatory by law. Secondly, the choice of optional insurance such as collision or comprehensive coverage depends on your personal and financial situation. However, if you are involved in an accident and only have basic car insurance, repair costs will not be covered.

That said, if you’ve bought a new car, collision insurance is a good way to protect your purchase. You might even consider taking out comprehensive insurance. On the other hand, if you drive a used car of low value, then basic car insurance may be sufficient for you. Take your personal situation and other factors into account so you can make an informed decision.

However, if you lease or finance a vehicle, collision insurance is generally required by the lender.

Bottom Line

In short, collision insurance is optional coverage that you can add to your basic car insurance (liability insurance). It covers damage caused by a collision with another vehicle or an object such as a garage door. If you want to add this insurance coverage, you can start by comparing car insurance quotes online.

What is collision insurance?

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle, whether or not you are at fault in an accident. It also covers damage caused by a collision with an object such as a fence or garage door. This is optional insurance that you can add to your car insurance policy. So if you’re involved in an accident and you’ve taken out collision insurance, your vehicle will be covered, and you won’t have to pay for repairs.

Does car insurance pay for repairs when you're at fault?

If you have purchased collision coverage for your vehicle, the insurance company will reimburse the cost of repair or replacement, whether or not you are at fault in an accident.

Does being the at-fault driver in the event of a collision affect insurance coverage?

Yes. If you are the victim of an accident that is not your fault, your car insurance will cover the cost of repairing your vehicle. However, if you are responsible for the accident, you will not be covered. On the other hand, if you have taken out collision insurance, you are covered, whether or not you were at fault in the accident.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Vincent Morin

Vincent Morin

Vincent Morin
My name is Vincent and I've been a stay-at-home parent to two young boys since achieving financial independence in 2021 (FIRE). Previously, I worked for 12 years in financial technology for a major US investment bank (G-SIB). I'm passionate about personal finance, stock market investing, reading, writing, cycling and gardening. I'm also the founder of Retraite 101, a personal finance blog followed by over 20,000 people on social networks and quoted in several media, blogs and finance books. Despite early retirement, I continue to write about personal finance to share my passion with Quebecers and motivate them to take charge of their finances.
All posts by Vincent Morin

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