RBC Insurance

Car insurance in Canada is regulated provincially, and a few provinces (BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) run mandatory public auto insurance plans (ICBC, MPI, SGI), so private insurers mainly compete in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and the Atlantic provinces. Some provinces, such as BC, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, have compulsory public car insurance plans. Here's a breakdown of the brands Canadians actually use and rate highly:

Top overall picks

Co-operators – A Canadian-owned favourite with a strong reputation for service. Ranked as the #1 car insurance in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, and as the second best car insurance company in Alberta, The Co-operators is known for their exceptional customer service and community involvement, and has been operating in Canada for almost 80 years after being founded in Saskatchewan in 1945. It's also known for early adoption of driver-friendly features — Co-operators was among the first Canadian insurers to introduce accident forgiveness, protecting drivers from a premium increase after their first at-fault accident.

Intact Insurance – Intact Insurance is Canada's largest P&C insurer and consistently ranks well for claims service. It's a go-to for many Canadians precisely because of its size and financial strength.

Wawanesa – Popular with safe/low-risk drivers looking to save money. Wawanesa is best known for its low premiums for safe drivers, with a conservative underwriting model that makes it one of the best car insurance companies for helping low-risk drivers save on premiums.

Best for online/digital convenience

Sonnet Insurance – A fully digital insurer that's grown fast in popularity for its ease of use. According to recent surveys, Sonnet Insurance has the highest customer satisfaction rating in Canada, offering a user-friendly digital platform that allows customers to manage their policies online. It's backed by a major Canadian insurer: Sonnet is a subsidiary of Definity Financial Corporation, one of Canada's largest insurance groups, and continues to operate as a fully digital insurer.

Belairdirect is another digital-first option worth comparing alongside Sonnet.

Best if you bank with the "Big Six"

If you already have accounts with a major bank, bundling can pay off: TD Insurance and RBC Insurance offer competitive rates with Big Six bank bundling. RBC in particular has a wide product range — RBC also offers motorcycle insurance, motorhome insurance, trailer insurance, ATV insurance, snowmobile insurance, boat insurance, and collector car insurance, so it's convenient if you want everything under one roof.

Best for Quebec drivers

Desjardins dominates here — Desjardins is strongest in Quebec — thanks to its co-operative roots and deep provincial presence.

Other well-regarded names Canadians use

• CAA Insurance – Trusted for its roadside assistance heritage as much as its policies. CAA is a well-known provider of roadside assistance, travel, insurance and advocacy services for Canadian motorists, with a long history of serving members and a range of insurance products including car insurance.
• Economical Insurance – One of the oldest players. Economical Insurance is a well-established Canadian property and casualty insurance company founded in 1871.
• Gore Mutual – A broker favourite.

Since you’re in Canada, the “best” car insurance really depends on your province, driving history, and how you like to buy insurance. There’s no single winner, but these are the brands Canadians actually use most, and they consistently rank well for price, service, and digital tools.

National heavyweights

These companies insure a huge portion of Canadian drivers and offer solid multi-line discounts (bundling home + auto):

• Intact Insurance – Canada’s largest property & casualty insurer. Backed by a big network, good claims service, and discount programs like Intact MyDrive (usage-based telematics).
• TD Insurance – Popular especially in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. If you’re a TD bank customer, you often get a discount. They also offer TD MyAdvantage, a mileage-based telematics program.
• Desjardins – Really big in Quebec, but also active in Ontario and the West. Known for competitive rates and good customer satisfaction.
• Aviva Canada – A strong national insurer, especially in Ontario and Alberta. Often has lowered rates for drivers with clean records, and supports broker channels.
• The Co-operators – Well regarded for customer service and community-based approach, especially in Western Canada and Ontario. Good if you prefer a broker/advisor relationship.

Direct-to-consumer, low-cost options

If you’re comfortable buying online and want to keep premiums low, these are very popular:

• Belairdirect – Owned by Intact. Very competitive, especially for urban drivers who are comfortable managing insurance online.
• Sonnet Insurance – Also owned by Desjardins. Fully online, easy quote process, and popular with younger/tech-savvy drivers.
• RBC Insurance – Not always the absolute cheapest, but if you bank with RBC you can get good bundling discounts.
• CAA Insurance – Great for CAA members. Often overlooked, but they offer usage-based programs and are strong in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and Manitoba.

Quebec-specific note

If you’re in Quebec, auto insurance is a bit different:

• Civil liability is mandatory through private companies, but injury coverage comes from the SAAQ.
• Top picks in Quebec include Desjardins, Intact, Belairdirect, and La Capitale (now part of Desjardins).

How to choose what’s “best” for you

Instead of picking one brand blindly, I’d recommend:

1. Get quotes from a mix of banks, direct insurers, and brokers — they can access different rates.
2. Check if you qualify for group/home/auto bundles — TD, RBC, and Co-operators often reward loyalty.
3. Consider telematics programs — if you drive fewer km or drive calmly, Intact MyDrive, TD MyAdvantage, and Belairdirect’s app can save you real money.
4. Look at claims reviews, not just price — the best cheap insurer is the one that pays out quickly when you need it.

Bottom line

For most people, the practical “top brands” in Canada are:

• Intact and TD Insurance for strength and benefits,
• Belairdirect and Sonnet for affordable online coverage,
• Desjardins for customer satisfaction, especially in Quebec,
• Aviva or The Co-operators if you like using a broker.

Try an online quote with a couple of these (like TD + Belairdirect + Sonnet) and see which one gives you the best coverage-to-price balance. Rates can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same driver, so comparing is the real “best” move.