Nova Scotia Car Insurance

Insurance rating in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia insurers use a variety of factors to determine your auto insurance rates. Among the common factors used to determine what you will pay for insurance are:

• Your driving record and experience
• The value, make, and model of your vehicle
• Your vehicle's safety and theft history
• How often and how far you drive
• The level of coverage and deductibles you choose

As of the 2003 insurance reform, insurance companies cannot use the following to determine your rates:

• Your age
• The age of the vehicle
• Gender
• Marital Status
• Previous insurance history including denied coverage or lapses in coverage of less than two years not related to a license suspension
• Accidents in which you were not at fault

Accident fault and claims in Nova Scotia

As of April 1, 2013, Nova Scotia enacted a Direct Compensation for Property Damage system to handle property damage claims. The DCPD system can also be called no-fault insurance, and it means that drivers will make claims for property damage to their own vehicle to their own insurance company regardless of who is at fault in the accident.

At the same time, Nova Scotia introduced the Automobile Insurance Fault Determination Regulations. This document outlines how fault should be determined in any given accident, regulating how insurance companies handle the fault determination process.

Laws affecting drivers in Nova Scotia

In order to drive in Nova Scotia you must have the minimum insurance and you must carry proof of that insurance at all times, presenting it to law enforcement when requested.

If you are involved in an accident, you are required by law to stop. In an accident causing more than $2,000 in property damage or any injury or fatality, you are required to report the accident to the police.

Traffic violations can have a direct impact on your auto insurance rates, and the severity of the violation will determine how much of an increase you will see.

Shopping for car insurance in Nova Scotia

With a large number of insurance companies available to select from, shopping for car insurance can be time consuming. Comparing is the easiest way to save on your car insurance premiums. 

If you are a high-risk driver, your choices for an insurance company may be limited. Nova Scotia drivers who are unable to obtain insurance with a standard company may purchase a policy through Facility Association, a non-profit organization created to ensure all drivers can obtain coverage regardless of driving record.