Transportation insurance in Quebec: protect your fleet and your cargo

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Road transport fleet — Assur360 insurance

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Transportation Insurance (Commercial Fleet)

Transport fleet insurance combines a company’s commercial vehicles (trucks, trailers, vans, service cars) under a single policy. Savings vs. individual policies reach 15-25%.

Safety programs: Fleets with on-board telemetry (speed, braking, aggressive driving) receive discounts. Mention your membership in a program like Geotab or ELD.

Road transportation is the driving force behind Québec’s economy—more than 100,000 trucks are on our roads every day. Whether you operate a fleet of long-haul trailers, a local delivery service or specialized transport, the right transport insurance is essential to protect your vehicles, your goods and your liability. At Assur360, our AMF-certified brokers compare the offers of 9 specialized insurers to find the optimal coverage at the best price.

QUEBEC TRANSPORTATION INSURANCE

Protect your fleet, your goods and your drivers

Compare offers from 9 insurers specializing in commercial transportation. Free quote, no obligation.

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The 6 essential coverage of transport insurance

A well-structured transportation insurance policy combines several coverages. Here are the coverages that every Quebec carrier should evaluate with their broker.

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Civil liability

Mandatory in Quebec. Covers property damage and bodily injury caused to third parties in the event of an accident. Legal minimum: $1 million, but $2 million recommended for interprovincial transportation and $5 million for hazardous materials.

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Cargo insurance

Protects transported goods against theft, loss, damage in transit and accidents. Essential for valuable cargo, refrigerated transport and sensitive materials.

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Fleet insurance

Covers all your trucks, trailers and tractors under one policy. Reduces administrative costs and allows for significant volume discounts (often 10-25%).

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Hazardous materials

Specialized coverage for the transportation of chemical, flammable, explosive or toxic products. Strict regulatory requirements from Transport Canada and the SAAQ/MTQ.

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Mechanical breakdown

Covers unplanned repairs to the engine, transmission and hydraulic systems. Essential for ageing fleets or high-use trucks (+150,000 km/year).

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Suretyship

The State bond is required by the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ) to obtain your carrier’s licence. Amount varies depending on the type of transport.

Transportation insurance rates in Quebec in 2026

Transportation insurance premiums vary greatly depending on the type of transaction, the number of vehicles, the experience of the carrier, and the claims history. Here is an overview of the average price ranges :

8,000 18,000 25,000 materials 35,000 transport 10,000 transport 15,000
Type of transportAnnual Premium/VehicleDetermining factors
Local transport (<,200 km)$3,000 – $Radius of operation, type of goods
Long distance interprovincial$8,000 – $Corridors, mileage, experience
International Transportation (Canada-US)$12,000 – $Border crossings, U.S. coverage
Hazardous$15,000 – $Hazard class, minimum CR $5 million
Taxi / passenger$4,000 – $Number of passengers, urban area
Bus / school$5,000 – $Capacity, routes, season

These rates are for information purposes only. The actual cost depends on your specific record, experience, and the number of insured vehicles. Get your personalized quote→

The 5 factors that influence your premium

Understanding what determines the cost of your insurance helps you negotiate better rates and optimize your coverage.

1

Claim history and SAAQ file

A clean record over 3 to 5 years can reduce your premium by 15-30%. Conversely, frequent claims or serious offences (speeding, driving hours) significantly increase costs.

2

Type of goods and radius of operation

Transporting electronics or hazardous materials costs more than gravel. The radius (local vs. long-distance vs. international) multiplies the exposure to risk.

3

Fleet size and age of vehicles

Fleets of 5+ vehicles get volume discounts. New trucks with advanced braking systems (ABS, electronic stability) are priced better than older units.

4

Driver Experience

Experienced drivers (5+ years, class 1 or 3 license without restriction) with continuous training reduce the risk perceived by the insurer and therefore your premium.

5

Security and telematics devices

GPS systems, dashcams, ELDs (electronic data recorders) and collision avoidance systems can generate discounts of 5-15% with some insurers.

Types of transportation covered by our brokers

Our specialized brokers serve all segments of commercial transportation in Quebec and Canada. Whatever your industry, we have the right insurance solution.

🚛 Long-Haul Trucking

Interprovincial and international transportation (Canada-US). Cargo cover, extended liability and surety bond included.

📬 Delivery and courier

Urban delivery fleets, couriers, parcel transport. Solutions suitable for high volumes and frequent shutdowns.

🚕 Taxi and passenger transport

Taxis, limousines, paratransit, shuttles. Passenger and professional liability coverage.

🐄 Animal transport

Cattle, horses, domestic animals. Specialized coverage including animal mortality in transit.

🏠 Moving

Residential and commercial moving companies. Protection of customer property in addition to your vehicles.

🪵 Forestry and bulk transport

Logs, gravel, building materials. Suitable for forest roads and heavy loads.

Legal obligations of the carrier in Quebec

Before putting a truck on the road in Quebec, you must comply with several regulatory obligations. Failure to comply can result in fines of $2,000 to $25,000 and suspension of your Carrier Licence.

Permits and registrations

Compulsory insurance

  • Minimum RCA: $1M (General Transportation)
  • Minimum RCA: $2M (interprovincial)
  • Minimum RCA: $5M (Hazardous Materials)
  • Workers’ Insurance (CNESST)
  • Cargo according to the value of the freight transported

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Our specialist brokers compare the offers of 9 insurers to find the best cover at the best price. No commitment required.

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How to save on your transport insurance

Here are the proven strategies our brokers use to reduce premiums for their carrier clients, without sacrificing coverage.

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Group your fonts

Combine fleet, cargo, liability and cyber insurance with the same insurer for multi-policy discounts of 10-20%.

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Train your drivers

Invest in continuing education (defensive driving, WHMIS for hazardous materials). Insurers value documented safety programs.

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Install telematics

GPS, ELD, dashcams and collision avoidance systems. Telematics data proves your proactive management and justifies discounts of 5-15%.

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Go through a broker

A broker specializing in transport knows the insurers in the niche and negotiates rates that are inaccessible directly. Free for you.

FAQ — Transportation Insurance in Quebec

How much does transportation insurance cost in Quebec in 2026?

The cost varies depending on the type of transportation: $3,000 to $8,000/year per vehicle for local transportation, $8,000 to $18,000 for long-distance interprovincial transportation, and $15,000 to $35,000 for hazardous materials. The key factors are claims history, type of merchandise, driver experience, and fleet size.

What insurance is mandatory for a carrier in Quebec?

All carriers in Quebec must have a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance for general transportation, $2 million for interprovincial transportation and $5 million for dangerous goods. A government bond with the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ) is also required to obtain a carrier’s licence.

Do I need cargo insurance in addition to my fleet insurance?

Yes, fleet insurance covers your vehicles, while cargo insurance protects the goods being transported. These are two distinct and complementary protections. If the goods do not belong to you, your customer may require proof of cargo insurance before entrusting you with their cargo.

Does my transportation insurance cover travel to the United States?

Not automatically. Canada-US transport requires a specific extension of coverage with a minimum liability often higher (US$1 to US$5 million depending on the states crossed). Your Assur360 broker can add cross-border coverage to your existing policy.

How can I reduce my transport insurance premium?

The most effective strategies are: maintain a clean claims file (15-30% discount), install telematics devices and on-board cameras (5-15%), consolidate your policies with the same insurer (10-20%), invest in the ongoing training of your drivers, and go through a specialized broker such as Assur360 who negotiates with 9 insurers.

What should I do in the event of a claim with my transport truck?

In the event of an accident: 1) Ensure the safety of everyone (driver, passengers, other users). 2) Call 911 if necessary. 3) Document the accident with photos, videos and witnesses. 4) Secure the cargo if possible. 5) Fill in the joint report. 6) Contact your Assur360 broker within 24 hours. For hazardous materials, follow the CANUTEC protocol.

What permits do I need to operate a transportation company in Quebec?

You need a permit from the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ), a NIR number (carrier profile), a state bond, the SAAQ registration for each vehicle, and the minimum liability insurance required. For interprovincial transportation, federal registration with the CBSA is also required.

Why go through a broker rather than contact an insurer directly?

A broker like Assur360 compares the offers of 9 insurers specializing in transportation, which a direct insurer cannot do. The broker negotiates on your behalf, knows the niche insurers that accept complex profiles (hazardous materials, specialized transportation) and his service is free for you — he is paid by the insurer of choice.

Protect your transportation business today. Get your free quote→

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