Insurance in Canada works differently from many countries, and the rules depend on the province. This page covers the questions newcomers often ask, and where to check the details.
Public health insurance is run by each province and territory, and you usually have to register for it. Some provinces have a waiting period before coverage starts, and the rules can depend on your immigration status. Many newcomers buy temporary private health insurance to cover that gap. Check your province's health ministry for your start date, and ask the insurer what the temporary plan covers. Each province and territory page names its health plan.
Auto insurance is required to drive in every province, and the rules differ by province. Things worth asking:
Tenant insurance covers your belongings and your liability, and many landlords ask for proof of it. If you are buying, see our page on buying a home.
If people depend on your income, here or abroad, it is worth looking at what protection you have. Employer group benefits may start after a waiting period. Ask any insurer whether there are limits if the people you want to protect live outside Canada.
Visitors are generally not covered by provincial health plans, so they usually need private visitor insurance. For a parent or grandparent coming on a Super Visa, the federal government (IRCC) sets specific insurance requirements, including a minimum amount and length of coverage from a Canadian insurer. Check IRCC's current rules before you buy.
Insurers can look at how long you have had coverage and whether you have had claims. Keep letters or documents from previous insurers, in Canada or abroad, so you can show your history if asked.
Not always. Some provinces have a waiting period, and you usually have to register. Check your province's health ministry, and ask about temporary private coverage for the gap.
Some insurers consider it, and each has its own rules about proof. Ask what documents they need, and keep letters from your previous insurer.
Visitors are generally not covered by provincial health plans, so they usually need private visitor insurance. For a Super Visa, IRCC sets specific requirements, so check its current rules.
No. Each province and territory has its own rules and regulators, and some provinces run basic auto insurance through a public insurer. See the province pages for an overview.
General information, not advice or a recommendation. Rules differ by province and by insurer, so confirm with your insurer or a licensed advisor. This page was last checked in November 2026.