What each part is for
Liability generally responds when you are legally responsible for injury or damage to others, subject to local insurance rules. Collision is generally about damage to your own vehicle from a collision or upset; comprehensive commonly addresses specified non-collision events such as theft or fire. Exact protections and exclusions depend on the policy and province.
Match the coverage to the decision
Ask which protections are legally required, which are optional and which a lender requires. Compare deductibles and limits for each part. A calculator's “basic” and “standard” choices simplify the issue and cannot tell you whether a specific loss would be covered.
Three different questions
Imagine you damage another person's vehicle and your own car in one crash. The policy section addressing the other person's loss may differ from the one covering your car. A separate theft of your parked car raises a different damage question again. Ask your insurer to walk through all three examples using your actual coverages.
Quick check
- Identify mandatory protection
- Read damage exclusions
- Compare limits and deductibles
General educational content, reviewed September 28, 2026. Rules, availability and policy wording can change. Confirm current details with the linked authority or a licensed insurer or broker.