Frequently Asked Questions
Insurance Basics
Intact Insurance is Canada’s largest personal and business insurance company. We offer vehicle, home, and business insurance through a network of brokers across Canada.
To lower your premium, ask your insurance broker about the following:
- increasing your deductible (i.e., your share of the cost of a claim) – by increasing the amount you are willing to pay, you will decrease your premium;
- dropping collision coverage on an older car;
- bundling your car and home insurance;
- installing an approved theft deterrent system in your vehicle;
- buying a car with a lower-cost insurance rating.
Your insurance broker will assess your needs based on the details you provide about your home or vehicle. In case of home insurance, a complete inventory of your belongings will help you get the right coverage and make it easier to file a claim.
Replacement cost is the total cost that your insurance company would pay to fully reconstruct your home if it were destroyed. Replacement costs include things that may not be included in the resale value, like the cost and availability of skilled labour, debris removal, extra expense due to more stringent building codes, and more. If you made upgrades or did renovations, talk to your broker to make sure you have the right coverage.
A deductible is the portion you are responsible for paying in the event of a claim. For example, if your car insurance policy has a $1,000 deductible for collision and there are $5,000 in damages, you will pay the first $1,000 and the insurance company will pay the remaining $4,000.
Car Insurance
If you drive in Canada, car insurance is mandatory, no matter what the vehicle. But when it comes to the type of coverage, the choice is yours:
- A policy that covers repairs for damage to your vehicle caused either by a collision with another vehicle or by an impact with an object (wall, tree, etc.).
- A policy that covers repairs for damages to your vehicle caused by unexpected situations such as theft, vandalism, fire or natural disasters.
- Coverage that protects your vehicle against specific dangers (theft, attempted theft, riots, specific natural disasters, etc.)
To learn more, contact an insurance broker! Making sure your policy covers exactly what you need is what a broker does best.
You could save money and pay a lower premium in return for choosing a higher deductible. In other words, you risk having to pay the higher deductible amount if you ever need to make a claim. Talk to your insurance broker about the right insurance coverage and deductible amount for you.
When calculating your premium, various factors are taken into consideration. Some examples include:
- The type of car you drive
- Where you live and work
- The number of years you’ve been driving
- How frequently you drive
- Driving lessons you’ve taken
- Your driving habits
- The type of protection you require
- The amount of deductible you pay
Yes. You could save on your home and car insurance if you insure them both with Intact Insurance. Savings amounts will vary based on your insurance profile and province. Learn more about how you can save with our Bundle and Save program.
my Driving Discount® is a car insurance program based on your driving habits and rewards good driving behaviour. Through this program, you could save up to 25%* off your car insurance premium. Our my Driving Discount page will answer your questions.
No, unfortunately we do not offer a discount for winter tires.
If you’ve made the environmentally responsible choice to buy an electric car or a hybrid car, you can receive up to a 20% discount on your car insurance premium! Talk to your broker or visit our Car Insurance page to learn more.
There are many ways that you can save on car insurance.
- Bundle and save
- Sign up for my Driving Discount®*
- Shop around for insurance. Get a quick quote now
- Choose a higher deductible to lower your premium
- Ask about group insurance
Yes, we cover RVs and motorcycles! We also cover ATVs, snowmobiles and boats. To learn more visit our Vehicle insurance page.
Yes. We offer coverage for most kinds of personal (private passenger) vehicles, including classic car coverage that complements your existing coverage:
- Cars, SUVs, Minivans or Pickup Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Motorhomes, RVs
- Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
* Certain conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply.
Intact Insurance, belairdirect and Jevco allows personal automobile insurance customers to participate in ridesharing, provided that the customer has notified their insurance company, and the ridesharing company has an approved commercial automobile insurance policy in place. Drivers participating in ridesharing must inform their insurance broker or insurer directly of their intent to participate in ridesharing activities and obtain approval from the insurance company to do so, to ensure they are properly protected for the use of the vehicle.
How you pay your bill is up to you: automatic debit, Internet payment or cheque, or pre-authorized credit card payments are all available.
We recommend that you talk to your insurance broker, who can advise you on any changes you would like to make to your policy, including cancellation. Your broker is listed on your insurance policy.
Yes, it is! You can reach us at any time at 1 866 464 2424. Plus, when you call Intact Insurance to report a claim, we guarantee that within 30 minutes of answering your call, one of our dedicated claims representatives will start your claim.
Digital Proof of Insurance
You can access your digital proof of insurance in the Car or Documents section of the app. For secure access, add the widget to your iPhone or Android device. If you have an iPhone, you can also use the Wallet app. Visit the help page for your iPhone or Android device, and follow the instructions.
If you have an iPhone, use the Wallet app and select the 3-dot menu to access the share feature. You can also use AirDrop, iMessage, or email to share your digital proof of insurance.
It's not possible to share your digital proof of insurance with an Android device. Only policyholders* have access through the app, but you can email a PDF version.
*The policyholder is the person whose name the insurance policy is registered.
We are committed to protecting your privacy, which is why our digital proof of insurance is available on your phone’s lock screen. This feature allows you to lock your screen and restrict access to your phone's content when sharing your digital proof of insurance.
For added protection, you can also turn off notifications, but remember to be careful not to unlock your phone through fingerprint or facial recognition accidentally.
By using this digital proof of insurance, you accept all risk and responsibility associated with its use.
When you renew or make changes to your policy, the changes will appear the next business day in the app and widget.
If you have the Wallet app, visit the Car or Documents section of the app and select "Add to Apple Wallet" to get the latest version.
When you add the widget to your iPhone or Android device or use the Wallet app, you can access your digital proof of insurance even when you're offline.
The digital version of your proof of insurance is valid in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. Make sure you always carry the paper copy when travelling outside the province.
If you need to print your proof of insurance, download the PDF version available in the app or your Client Centre account. Print it in colour on white paper to make sure all the information is clear and legible. We recommend that you always keep the paper copy of your proof of insurance in your vehicle when travelling outside the province or to share with other drivers and law enforcement.
The digital version of your proof of insurance is valid in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. If necessary, a police officer can confirm your coverage by calling 1-833-436-4116.
We recommend that you always keep the paper copy of your proof of insurance in your vehicle when travelling outside the province or to share with other drivers and law enforcement.
On your digital proof of insurance, you will find the name of your broker and insurance company with your policy number, coverage dates, name, address, as well as the year, make, model and the serial number of your vehicle.
If you choose to use digital proof of insurance, you're responsible for any risks that may arise, such as damage to your phone by a third party, including a police officer.
As long as the vehicle is covered by a personal auto insurance policy, you can access your digital proof of insurance through the app or your Client Centre account.
The digital proof of insurance is equipped with several safety features to prevent fraud and protect your privacy. The app will never allow access to your location or personal information without your explicit consent.
It's the driver's responsibility to have a valid proof of insurance at all times. Be prepared for the unexpected by keeping a paper copy in your vehicle.
Home Insurance
Intact Insurance offers insurance for your house, condo, apartment, cottage, home-based business and rented dwellings. We can also cover identity theft and offer liability insurance. Read more about home insurance.
Intact Insurance offers tailored home insurance coverage to fit your lifestyle, so you can choose exactly what you want covered: your home, its contents, or yourself. Visit our home insurance section to learn more, or if you have specific questions about your coverage, contact your broker.
When calculating your premium, various factors are taken into consideration. Some examples include:
- The location of your home
- The age and condition of your home.
- The number of years you have lived in that home
- If your home is built for or used by more than one family
- How your home is heated
- Proximity to fire-fighting support
- If you work at home
- How much protection you want
- The number of claims you have made in the past
Absolutely! Bundling your car and home insurance can help you save money on both your car insurance and your home insurance. Plus, only one deductible applies if you need to make a claim on your home and vehicle at the same time. And, when you think about it, it makes things so much easier: one bill, one payment, one renewal date. Visit our savings and discounts page for more details.
The premium you pay is determined by different factors. The good news is, there are actions you can take to reduce your premium and simultaneously protect your home:
- Evaluate your coverage every year to make sure it reflects the current value and condition of your home, and takes into account major improvements or purchases.
- Implement preventative measures like an alarm system, main line backwater valves, water sensors, alarmed sump pumps, and tankless water heaters. You should also perform regular maintenance to your plumbing, your electrical and heating systems and your roof.
- Ask your broker about discounts you may be entitled to - you might qualify for additional discounts if you are mortgage or claims free.
- Bundling your home and auto insurance policies could help lower your premium.
- Avoid a cancellation penalty by waiting for your renewal date if you want to switch insurance companies.
- Some coverage options might allow flexibility. Your broker can help you determine precisely the level of coverage you need.
- Paying your premium annually can help you avoid interest charges or service fees.
No, we don’t currently offer coverage for water losses.
There are many steps that you can take to help avoid water damage. Read our water damage checklist for prevention tips.
Business Insurance
Business insurance is not a single type of insurance coverage – it’s different insurance policies tailored for businesses based on their exposures to risk.
A professional business insurance broker is qualified to determine what types of insurance coverage your business needs, based on a comprehensive risk analysis. Intact Insurance works with more than 6,000 broker offices across Canada. We can refer you to an insurance broker in your community – someone who understands your business and can help you find the right business insurance coverage.
Every business has unique risks. A business insurance broker with experience in your industry can determine whether or not your business risks justify specialized insurance coverage (for example crime, professional liability or sewer back-up).
Business insurance premiums may increase for a number of reasons. Increased property values, or increased sales will cause a premium increase because the exposure to loss has increased. General Liability and Professional Liability premiums reflect your business’s sales. As sales increase, premiums typically increase even if rates stay the same.
No – nothing can prevent your business from being sued. Good business practices reduce the probability of a lawsuit but a person or organization can sue your business for almost anything – frivolous or justified. Your business insurance coverage can help you pay to defend allegations or actions against your business.
The deductible on your business insurance is the amount you pay towards repairs or replacement in case of damage or theft. If you choose a higher deductible in return for a lower premium, it saves you money. The tradeoff, however, is the risk of having to make a claim and pay the higher deductible amount.
Talk to your broker about the right deductible amount for your business.
When it comes to managing your company’s budget, don’t you want to keep it simple? We offer two convenient methods of payment to make things easy for you. All you have to do is pick the one that best suits your needs!
Automatic debit
A single withdrawal or up to four equal consecutive monthly instalments with no interest charges, or monthly payments for the duration of your policy, meaning 12, 18 or 24 months (interest charges will apply).
Internet payment or cheque
One payment for the full premium, or two equal payments (a $20 fee applies to the first payment and the second is due 60 days after the policy effective date).