COVID-19: Auto Insurance Relief Measures

Premium rebates & discounts are available during the coronavirus pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on our economy, and millions of Canadians are struggling with their personal finances during the lockdown.

In response, some insurance companies are offering relief measures to help ease the burden on Canadian drivers and homeowners.

Our COVID-19 rebate calculator makes it easy to find out what your insurer is doing.

COVID-19 Car Insurance Rebate/Reduced Premium Calculator

Based on your information, here is the potential monthly rebate you may be eligible for:

Alternatively, find your insurance provider in the list below, and click on their name to learn about the emergency support measures they have implemented. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a refund or reduction in your premium.

COVID-19 Relief Measures by Provider

Aviva Canada

Summary of relief measures

Aviva is adjusting the rate reductions that were introduced in August 2020. These changes are effective from May 26, 2021, for new business, and June 26, 2021, for renewals. Aviva policyholders rate reduction will be 11% and Traders General Insurance Company will be 15%. Please keep in mind, individual premium changes will vary.

Policyholders will automatically benefit from the price reduction. They will see their premiums reduced when they apply for a new policy or renew an existing one.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to Aviva directly:

Toll free: 1-800-387-4518

Visit Aviva’s website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Belairdirect

Summary of relief measures

As of March 18, 2021, belairdirect has added additional support to auto insurance policy holders to apply for one month of premium relief.

To access relief, belairdirect customers can apply through Client Centre, through the app or contact their broker.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to belairdirect directly:

Toll free: 1-888-280-8549

Visit belairdirect’s website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

CAA Insurance

Summary of relief measures

CAA is offering a 15% auto insurance rate reduction on a one-year policy for existing and new policyholders.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to your local CAA chapter.

Chieftain Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Chieftan is offering up to 10% for low mileage policies, but drivers who are still on the road a fair deal, the decrease will be closer to 3%.

For policies with Chieftan, the rates will be available starting May 10, 2021, for new policyholders and July 10, 2021, for existing customers.

Coachman Insurance

Summary of relief measures

If you know you cannot make your next payment, you may be able to defer it, or spread it out over the remainder of your policy.

If your payment comes back NSF (non-sufficient funds), Coachman will not charge NSF fees or cancel your policy at this time.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to Coachman directly:

Tel: 306-751-3375

Visit Coachman's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

The Co-operators Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Reduced premiums may be available to customers who are working from home and no longer driving to work. Once implemented, these reduced premiums will be available through to June, 2020.

Clients who have stopped using their vehicle entirely can contact The Co-operators to discuss suspension of some coverages.

The Co-operators is also offering flexible payment schedules and deferring payments due to COVID-19. Additionally, NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees will be waived.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit The Co-operators' website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Desjardins General Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Drivers who are only using their vehicles for essential trips to a grocery store or pharmacy may qualify for a reduced rate for three months. The exact refund is based on the annual kilometres stated in your policy.

If you’re working from home during the pandemic and have a home insurance policy, you may qualify for a temporary increase in home-based business property coverage, at no extra cost.

Announced July 2020, Desjardins will offer additional refunds ranging between 25% and 40% of one monthly premium for all eligible auto insurance customers. Drivers whose policies are active as of June 30 will automatically receive this new refund.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Desjardins' website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

The Dominion Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Dominion is offering up to 10% for low mileage policies, but drivers who are still on the road a fair deal, the decrease will be closer to 3%.

The rates will be available beginning May 10, 2021, for new customers and July 1, 2021, for existing clients.

Contact

For more information on financial assistance offered by Dominion Insurance, a subsidiary of Travelers Insurance Canada, please contact your broker or visit their COVID-19 page here.

Economical Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Effective August 1, customers who had their annual kilometres adjusted to 1 KM, will have their account automatically updated to reflect the kilometres previously noted on their file. Changes to other fields on the policy (e.g., commute or business use) will not be automatically reverted and will require updating if or when customer resumes these activities. 

Customers who continue to have reduced driving are encouraged to adjust their annual kilometres accordingly based on their individual circumstances.

Economical is still offering the following relief measures for customers in Alberta: Adjustments for different types of use, based on individual needs, e.g., customers who are driving less or not currently driving, can temporarily reduce or suspend driving coverage. On a case-by-case basis, payment deferrals and waiving Economical’s first NSF fee for missed payments due to the pandemic.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Economical's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Echelon Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Customers who are driving less can request to reduce the mileage associated with their policy, for a premium reduction of up to 15%.

Customers who are no longer using their vehicles at all, can request to remove all but comprehensive coverage from their policy. This will result in a premium reduction of up to 80%.

Upon request, these relief measures will be applied to active policies retroactively for March 15, 2020, or the date of the most recent policy change, whichever occurred sooner.

In addition, Echelon will refrain from introducing planned rate increases for the next three to six months.

If you know you are unable to make your next payment, you can defer it until next month, or spread it out across the remaining payments of your policy.

If your payment is denied due to NSF (non-sufficient funds), Echelon will give you a future date when they will re-attempt to take payment. If payment does not go through a second time, Echelon will let you know, but they will not cancel your policy due to NSF at this time. You will be given time to make the payment and NSF fees are being waived.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Echelon's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Gore Mutual Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Gore is lowering its base auto insurance rate by 8%, and this is in addition to the 5% decrease announced last year. The reduction will automatically be applied to all new personal auto insurance policies beginning April 15, and July 1 for customers renewing their existing policies.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Gore Mutual's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

HTM Insurance

Summary of relief measures

HTM Insurance will be waiving NSF (non-sufficient funds) and short-term cancellation fees at this time. Other relief measures will be considered on a case by case basis.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to HTM directly:

Toll free: 1-800-263-3935

Visit HTM's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

iA Financial Group

Summary of relief measures

Quebec-based insurer iA Financial is providing monthly discounts of up to 20% for auto and home policyholders.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit iA's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

La Capitale Insurance

Summary of relief measures

La Capitale customers may qualify for a 20% rebate on car insurance until the lockdown is over.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit La Capitale's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

L’Unique General Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Quebec’s L’Unique is offering a 20% rebate for auto insurance policyholders during the lockdown period.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit L'Unique's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Northbridge Insurance

Summary of relief measures

All Northbridge in-force personal lines policyholders with third-party liability coverage as of May 31, 2020, will receive an automatic 15% premium rebate for the months of April, May and June. No application is required, and the rebate will be processed beginning June 1, 2020.

Customers who have stopped driving entirely will be able to suspend their personal coverage during the pandemic. Customers can also choose to reduce to comprehensive only.

Northbridge Insurance will be offering flexible payment schedules to their customers. They are also waiving NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees until May 31, 2020.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Northbridge's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Onlia

Summary of relief measures

Onlia customers who had an active home or auto policy as on March 31, 2020, and who have made at least one full monthly payment, will have their insurance premium payment waived for the month of May.

In addition, the company is also activating their safe-driving app, Onlia Sense™ to reward people for staying home: in May, customers can earn $20 cash for not driving at all.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Onlia's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Pafco Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Customers who had an active auto policy as of April 8, 2020, will qualify for a one-time payment of 25% of their monthly auto premium.

On June 8, 2020 Pafco announced a second "Stay at Home Payment." Customers who have active automobile policies as of July 6, 2020 will qualify to receive a one-time payment of approximately 25% of their monthly auto premium. Customers need not apply for this payment, it will automatically be sent to them by cheque in August.

If you know you cannot make your next monthly payment, Pafco may allow you to delay it by up to one month without penalty. They may also be willing to spread out the balance across your remaining payment schedule.

If your payment is denied due to NSF (non-sufficient funds), Pafco will re-attempt the payment within 3-5 business days. If that payment also does not go through, you will receive a registered letter advising you of next steps.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Pafco's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Pembridge Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Pembridge customers who had an active auto policy as of April 8, 2020, will qualify for a one-time payment of 25% of their monthly auto premium.

On June 8, 2020 Pembridge announced a second "Stay at Home Payment." Customers who have active automobile policies as of July 6, 2020 will qualify to receive a one-time payment of approximately 25% of their monthly auto premium. Customers need not apply for this payment, it will automatically be sent to them by cheque in August.

If you know you cannot make your next monthly payment, Pembridge may allow you to delay it by up to one month without penalty. They may also be willing to spread out the balance across your remaining payment schedule.

If your payment is denied due to NSF (non-sufficient funds), Pembridge will re-attempt the payment within 3-5 business days. If that payment also does not go through, you will receive a registered letter advising you of next steps.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Pembridge's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

RSA Canada

Summary of relief measures

Reduced premiums are available for customers who are driving considerably less than before, or who are no longer using their vehicles.

Flexible payment options including payment deferrals are available.

NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees for personal policies after April 1, 2020 will be waived.

Contact


For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit RSA's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

SGI Insurance

Summary of relief measures

SGI implemented a Declaration of Emergency (DOE) endorsement in March, 2020, in Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, B.C. and Manitoba. This meant they were not cancelling policies due to non-payment. Announced July, 2020, the DOE endorsement is coming to an end, and policies will now be treated per the normal lapse and cancellation processes.

However, SGI says it will still work to help customers who may be struggling to pay their insurance bills.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to SGI directly:

Tel: 1-844-TLK-2SGI (1-844-855-2744)

SSQ Insurance

Summary of relief measures

All SSQ auto policyholders will receive a 20% rebate on their monthly premium for each insured vehicle until the end of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit SSQ's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

TD Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Eligible home and auto customers can request a 90-day payment deferral on their premiums.

TD is also offering temporary premium reductions to reflect changes in driving habits, and the elimination of NSF fees during the pandemic.

TD is also suspending the cancellation of auto and home policies because of non-payment.

Originally, the relief measures were scheduled to expire on July 16. On July 6, TD Insurance announced it is extending its home and auto relief measures to August 31, 2020.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to TD directly:

Toll free: 1-866-454-8910

Visit TD's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Travelers Canada

Summary of relief measures

Travelers Canada is offering as much as 10% for low mileage policies. Drivers who are still on the road a fair deal, the decrease will be closer to 3%. The decreased premiums are also available to new clients.

Ontario auto insurance policyholders with policies in effect on March 1, 2021 will qualify to get a 25% credit on one month’s premium.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Traveler's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Unica Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Unica’s personal auto insurance policyholders will automatically receive a one-time refund, equivalent to 15% of three months premium (April, May and June).

Unica customers who have stopped driving entirely can suspend their personal road coverage.

Premium payment deferrals are available on a case-by-case basis.

Unica is waiving NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Unica's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Wawanesa Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Effective June 15, 2021, Wawanesa is planning to implement an automatic 5% overall decrease on premiums. The lower rate will be available for existing policyholders and new clients.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or visit Wawanesa's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

Zenith Insurance

Summary of relief measures

Zenith will work customers to identify changes to their driving behavior that may result in a premium reduction. Customers who have stopped driving entirely will be able to suspend their personal use policy, or reduce it to comprehensive only, during the pandemic.

If you are facing financial challenges as a result of COVID-19, you may qualify for a one-month payment deferral. All NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees will be waived until May 31, 2020.

Contact

For more details, contact your insurance broker, or reach out to Zenith directly:

Toll free: 1-888-440-4876

Visit Zenith's website for more information on their response to COVID-19.

If you have questions about any of the emergency support outlined on this page, or if you don’t see your insurance company listed here, reach out to your broker or provider for assistance.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and insurance

How can I save on auto insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The vast majority of Canadians are driving less than they were before the lockdown. Here are a few ways to save on your auto policy during the pandemic.

What happens if I miss a payment on home or auto insurance?

Social distancing is important to slow the spread of COVID-19, but it has left millions of Canadians out of work and struggling to pay their bills. Here's what might happen if you miss an insurance payment during the pandemic.

Will my home insurance policy cover me for COVID-19?

With Canadians stuck at home for the forseeable future, many are wondering if their home insurance policy offers any respite. Find out if your home insurance policy covers you for COVID-19.

What does a State of Emergency mean for home insurance?

Several provinces including Ontario and Alberta have declared a State of Emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Find out what it means for home insurance.