YouSet’s 2026 Quebec car insurance pricing data found that Montreal drivers pay a median of $128 per month for car insurance, compared with $114 across Quebec. That makes Montreal’s median premium about 12% higher. 

But why does living in Montreal affect how much you pay for car insurance? To understand the difference, we looked beyond the data at some of the location-related factors insurers consider, including claims, collisions, vehicle theft, and where you live within the city. 

We also look at how Montreal compares to other cities in Quebec, how premiums vary between Montreal boroughs, and what drivers can do to help lower their car insurance costs.

Key takeaways

• The median cost of car insurance in Montreal is $128 per month, 12% higher than Quebec’s provincial median of $114
• Montreal is among the more expensive Quebec cities in YouSet’s data, although Dollard-des-Ormeaux ($130) and Brossard ($129) have slightly higher median premiums
• Montreal’s median premium is 41% higher than Sherbrooke’s $91, the lowest among the cities analyzed
• Location can affect car insurance rates because insurers consider localized factors such as claims history, theft risk, traffic and collision frequency

How much does car insurance cost in Montreal?

The median cost of car insurance in Montreal is $128 per month, or $1,536 per year, according to YouSet’s 2026 Quebec car insurance pricing data. That’s 12% higher than the Quebec median of $114 per month, a difference of $14 per month or $168 per year.

However, car insurance premiums can vary significantly from one driver to another. In YouSet’s data for Montreal applicants, quoted premiums ranged from $33 to $334 per month. Across Quebec, premiums ranged from $30 to $283. 

Location	Low	Median	High	Annual median
Montreal	$33	$128	$334	$1,536
Quebec	$30	$114	$283	$1,368

$128 per month is a useful benchmark for the average Montreal driver, but your actual premium could be higher or lower depending on your location, vehicle, driving history, coverage, and other factors. 

How does Montreal car insurance compare to other cities in Quebec?

At a median of $128 per month, Montreal is one of the more expensive cities for car insurance in Quebec. However, premiums vary considerably across the province, and Montreal isn’t the most expensive in the dataset. 

City	Median monthly premium	Difference vs. Montreal	% difference
Dollard-des-Ormeaux	$130	+$2	2% lower
Brossard	$129	+$1	1% lower
Montreal	$128	–	–
Laval	$121	-$7	6% higher
Longeuil	$121	-$7	6% higher
Quebec City	$108	-$20	19% higher
Trois-Rivières	$106	-$22	21% higher
Gatineau	$105	-$23	22% higher
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu	$101	-$27	27% higher
Sherbrooke	$91	-$37	41% higher

The differences become more notable when we look at some other major cities in Quebec. 

• Montreal’s median premium is about 19% higher than Quebec City, a difference of $20 per month or $240 per year. 
• Compared to Gatineau, Montreal is about 22% more expensive, for a difference of $276 per year. 
• The largest gap among the cities above is between Montreal and Sherbrooke. At $91 per month, Sherbrooke’s median is about $37 lower than Montreal’s, meaning Montreal’s median premium is about $41% higher. 
• Although Montreal is Quebec’s largest city, it’s not the most expensive for car insurance. Dollard-des-Ormeaux ($130/month) and Brossard ($129/month) were slightly higher. 

Insurance costs don’t just vary between cities in Quebec. YouSet’s data shows substantial differences within Montreal itself, with median premiums varying from one borough to another. 

Montreal car insurance cost by borough

YouSet’s data shows that median quoted premiums also vary considerably across Montreal boroughs, with a $58 per month difference between the highest and lowest boroughs analyzed. 

Montréal-Nord had the highest median quoted premium at $154 per month, while Saint-Léonard had the lowest at $96 per month. That’s a difference of about 60%, or $696 per year.

Montreal borough	Low	Median	High
Montréal-Nord	$36	$154	$389
Saint-Laurent	$35	$139	$328
LaSalle	$35	$136	$298
Verdun	$32	$131	$312
Anjou	$33	$126	$306
Lachine	$30	$113	$320
Pierrefonds	$30	$110	$304
Saint-Léonard	$28	$96	$303

Year over year, Anjou saw the largest increase among the boroughs analyzed, rising 28.6% from $98 to $126 per month. Meanwhile, Saint-Léonard’s median declined 13.5%, from $111 to $96. 

This data shows that two drivers both living in Montreal can face different local risk factors depending on where they live. Insurers consider location-related factors such as claims and collision frequency, vehicle theft, and other area-specific risks when calculating an insurance quote. 

Why is car insurance more expensive in Montreal?

There isn’t one single reason Montreal drivers pay slightly more for car insurance. Insurers consider various factors when calculating premiums, including several location-related risks:

More collisions and insurance claims

Even if you’ve never been in an accident, your location can still influence your insurance premium. Insurers consider the risk level in different regions, including how often drivers make claims and how much they typically cost. 

According to the GAA, Montreal’s central and eastern region had the highest auto insurance claims frequency in Quebec in 2025, at 12.36%, compared to 10.24% across all regions. 

Montreal had 6,181 reported road accidents in 2025, up 6.7% from the 2020-2024 average. 

A higher frequency of claims can signal a greater overall risk to insurers, which can contribute to higher premiums across an area. 

Vehicle theft risk

Even if your car has never been stolen, living in a city where theft claims happen more often can contribute to a higher premium. 

In 2025, central and eastern Montreal had a 0.26% vehicle theft rate, while western Montreal had a 0.18% frequency, among the highest rates in Quebec. 

That said, vehicle theft in Montreal appears to be trending downward. Montreal police recorded 6,667 vehicles stolen in 2025, down from 8,812 in 2024. If this trend continues, it could ease pressure on car insurance premiums over time. 

Your postal code and neighbourhood 

Where you live within Montreal can also influence your car insurance premium. Insurers consider geographical risk when setting rates because claim frequency and cost can vary between neighbourhoods. 

In 2025, central and eastern Montreal recorded 66,410 claims, the highest number of any region in Quebec, as well as the highest claims frequency at 12.36%. These geographic differences in claims risk can contribute to differences in insurance pricing, although your postal code is only one of many factors insurers consider when calculating your premium.

Other factors that affect car insurance rates

Differences in the drivers and vehicles insured in Montreal compared to other Quebec cities may also contribute to a higher median. When determining your premium, insurers consider other factors such as:

• Your vehicle’s make, model, and value
• Your age and driving experience 
• Your driving and claims history 
• Annual mileage
• Coverage and deductible 

Does moving within Quebec change your car insurance rate?

Yes, moving to a new address can affect your car insurance rate because your new location may have different rates of claims, collisions, vehicle theft, and other risks, which can affect how much you pay. 

However, the city medians above don’t guarantee how much your premium will change. For example, moving from Montreal to Laval wouldn’t automatically save you $7 per month – your rate will still depend on your individual profile. 

How can Montreal drivers lower their car insurance premium?

While you can’t control every factor that affects your premium, there are a few ways you may be able to lower it:

• Compare quotes from multiple insurers: Rates can vary between insurers, so shopping around can help you find a lower price for the coverage you need. YouSet makes it easier to compare quotes in Montreal by checking multiple insurers, helping you find a competitive rate without having to shop around yourself.
• Consider raising your deductible: Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premium, but make sure you’re able to pay the higher out-of-pocket cost if you need to make a claim. 
• Bundle your insurance: Some insurers offer discounts if you bundle your car and home or tenant insurance. 
• Reduce risks where you can: Maintain a clean driving record and take steps to protect your vehicle from theft or damage. You may also get a discount from some insurers by using winter tires during the colder months.