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Items that are attached to your vehicle or that you use to operate your vehicle are covered. Other items in the car may be covered by your home insurance.
How do I choose the right coverage?
There are two groups of coverage for your vehicle - mandatory coverage and optional coverage.
Mandatory types of coverage that are required by law:*
Optional Increased Accident Benefits Coverage (in most provinces)
Waiver of Depreciation
Rental Car Coverage (Liability to Damage to Non-Owned Automobiles)
Accident Forgiveness
Loss of Use Coverage
You are not required by law to purchase insurance to cover damages to your vehicle. But, if you have a newer vehicle, you may want to protect your investment with Comprehensive Coverage and/or Collision Coverage. If you're leasing or financing your vehicle, it will be required by your leasing company or bank that you insure your vehicle for both Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
At Scotia Home & Auto Insurance, we work with you to offer choices and flexibility. Optional coverages and added services allow you to customize your policy to best protect you and your family.
*Not applicable in Quebec.
Does my auto insurance provide any coverage when I rent a car?
Only if you have added this optional coverage to your policy. When traveling in Canada and the United States, this will extend Third Party Liability Coverage and physical damage protection to private passenger rental vehicles only. Some limitations apply.
How can I be sure I have the right insurance coverage?
Everybody is different, so everybody needs different coverage. It's best to work with an expert like a Service Specialist to be sure you have the right coverage. And, make sure you let your Specialist know if your circumstances change, so they can work with you to adjust your coverage.
How can I be sure I have enough or the right insurance coverage?
There is no right answer to fit everybody's situation. Talk to an insurance expert, such as a Service Specialist, and they'll help you decide. You should always review your coverage if your circumstances change. For example if you move or change vehicles.
What are different types of car insurance?
There are different types of insurance for different needs, and in some cases, for different provinces:
Third Party Liability
Accident Benefits
Comprehensive
Collision
Direct Compensation-Property Damage
Uninsured Automobile Coverage
All Perils
Specified Perils
You can also add additional "covers", depending on your needs.
What if I don't have collision coverage?
If you were at fault in the accident, you will be personally responsible for the damage to your vehicle. This also applies if you are in an accident and don’t know who hit you.
In Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island you can claim from your own insurer, as long as you weren't at fault.*
*Not applicable in Quebec. Please contact us at 1.833.223.8743 if you have questions about making a claim in Quebec.
Are the basic compulsory coverages enough?
Generally they aren't enough. Why? Here are some facts to consider:
In most provinces, the mandatory minimum Third Party Liability coverage is $200,000. You would be responsible for any damages above that amount. Many courts are awarding a million dollars or more in Canada
Most provinces don't require you to insure for damage to your vehicle. But can you afford to pay for significant damage if you're in an accident? If you've taken a loan or if you lease your car, you're still responsible for making the payments, even if your car is written off.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, you don't have to have Accident Benefits coverage. But the financial consequences of an injury can be much more than your provincial health care will cover and you won't have income loss protection either.