New Brunswick

Last updated: January 2026

Insurance in New Brunswick (NB) covers a wide range of protection—from mandatory auto insurance to home, tenant, life, travel, and business coverage.
If you’re new to the province or simply trying to compare policies, the rules and wording can feel overwhelming.
This page breaks it down in plain language and links you to official NB resources so you can confirm details.

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only and is not legal, financial, or insurance advice.
Coverage, eligibility, and pricing vary by insurer and by individual circumstances. For personalized guidance, contact a licensed broker or insurer.

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Auto Insurance in New Brunswick (NB)

Auto insurance is mandatory in New Brunswick. Your policy must include certain minimum coverages, and you can purchase additional protection
depending on your vehicle, driving habits, and risk tolerance.

Mandatory auto coverages in New Brunswick

New Brunswick requires specific minimum coverages, including:

  • Third-party liability (minimum required coverage)
  • Direct Compensation—Property Damage (DC-PD)
  • Accident benefits
  • Uninsured automobile / unidentified automobile coverage

You can confirm the mandatory coverage types with FCNB (New Brunswick’s financial and consumer services regulator) here:
FCNB – Automobile Insurance

A useful overview of mandatory minimum requirements (and links to the standard policy wording) is also available here:
Insurance Bureau of Canada – Mandatory auto requirements by province

What is DC-PD (Direct Compensation—Property Damage)?

DC-PD is a feature of auto insurance used in New Brunswick. In simple terms: if another driver is responsible for damage,
you generally deal with your own insurer for repairs and related covered losses (like loss of use), rather than pursuing the at-fault driver directly.
Your insurer then handles the behind-the-scenes process according to the rules.

FCNB explains how Direct Compensation—Property Damage works in New Brunswick:
FCNB – DC-PD overview

Optional auto coverages (common add-ons)

Optional coverage can be added to increase protection beyond the minimum. Depending on the insurer, common options include:

  • Collision (damage to your vehicle from a crash, subject to deductible)
  • Comprehensive (theft, vandalism, fire, hail, falling objects, etc.)
  • Increased liability limits (higher protection if you’re responsible for major damage/injury)
  • Rental / loss of use (temporary transportation after an insured claim)
  • Accident forgiveness / claims protection (availability varies by insurer)
  • Roadside assistance (often as an add-on or separate membership)

Proof of insurance and vehicle registration (NB)

When registering or transferring a vehicle in New Brunswick, you may need to provide proof of insurance along with other documents.
Service New Brunswick is the official hub for vehicle registration information:
GNB – Motor vehicle registration

New Brunswick has also approved the use of electronic proof of automobile insurance (digital insurance cards) in certain contexts.
Official government PDF:
Approval of electronic proof of automobile insurance (PDF)

Home, Tenant (Renter), and Condo Insurance in New Brunswick

Home insurance (owners)

Home insurance helps protect your house and personal property from covered losses and typically includes liability coverage.
Policies differ by insurer, but many include a combination of:

  • Dwelling coverage (repair/rebuild after insured damage)
  • Contents coverage (furniture, electronics, tools, clothing)
  • Personal liability (injuries or accidental damage to others)
  • Additional living expenses (temporary housing if you can’t live at home after a covered claim)
  • Optional riders (jewelry, bikes, collectibles, business-from-home, water damage options)

Tenant insurance (renters)

If you rent in NB, your landlord’s insurance usually covers the building—not your belongings or your personal liability.
Tenant insurance can protect your contents and help cover liability if you accidentally cause damage or someone is injured in your unit.
Many landlords require proof of tenant insurance as a lease condition.

Condo insurance (unit owners)

Condo ownership typically involves two layers:
(1) the condo corporation’s policy for common elements/building, and
(2) your unit owner policy for improvements, contents, liability, and potential loss assessment.
Ask for the condo corporation’s insurance summary so you understand where the condo policy ends and your responsibilities begin.

Tip: Pay special attention to water-related coverages and deductibles (a common source of surprise costs).

Life & Disability Insurance

Life insurance is designed to provide financial support to your beneficiaries if you pass away.
Disability insurance can help replace income if you can’t work due to illness or injury, depending on policy definitions.

Common choices to compare:

  • Term life insurance (coverage for a set period such as 10, 20, or 30 years)
  • Permanent life insurance (coverage designed to last longer-term, often with additional features)
  • Short-term vs long-term disability (waiting periods, benefit durations, definitions matter)
  • Critical illness (lump-sum benefit for covered diagnoses, varies by plan)

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may help cover emergency medical costs, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss/delay, and more—depending on the plan.
If you travel frequently, compare single-trip plans vs annual multi-trip policies.

Travel insurance checklist:

  • Pre-existing condition clauses and “stability” periods
  • Medical coverage limits and evacuation coverage
  • Activity exclusions (winter sports, adventure travel, work travel)
  • Claim documentation requirements (receipts, medical reports, delay confirmations)

Business Insurance in New Brunswick (Small Business Essentials)

If you operate a business in New Brunswick—contracting, retail, professional services, trucking, hospitality, or online commerce—
business insurance can help protect against risks that personal policies may exclude.

  • Commercial General Liability (CGL) – third-party bodily injury/property damage claims
  • Commercial property – tools, equipment, inventory, tenant improvements
  • Business interruption – income support after a covered loss
  • Professional liability (E&O) – service/advice-related claims
  • Cyber insurance – data incidents, ransomware response, liability
  • Commercial auto – vehicles used primarily for business

If you bid on contracts, read insurance requirements carefully (limits, additional insured wording, certificates).
A broker can help ensure you match contract requirements without overbuying coverage you don’t need.

How to Compare Insurance Policies (Simple Checklist)

To compare quotes fairly, make sure the coverage is actually comparable:

  1. Match coverage limits (especially liability limits) across quotes
  2. Match deductibles (a cheaper premium may have a higher deductible)
  3. Check exclusions (water, business-from-home, certain breeds, short-term rental use, etc.)
  4. Confirm settlement basis (replacement cost vs actual cash value for contents)
  5. Ask about claims process (how fast, how repairs are handled, preferred vendors)
  6. Look for discounts (bundling, alarms, claims-free history, winter tires, etc.—varies)

Before working with any insurer or intermediary, FCNB recommends checking licence databases to confirm they are authorized to do business in NB:
FCNB – Insurance overview & licence databases

Claims Tips: What to Do After a Loss

The steps you take immediately after an incident can make claims smoother:

  • Safety first: check injuries, call emergency services if needed.
  • Document everything: photos/video, names, licence plates, addresses, and a brief timeline.
  • Prevent further damage: if safe (e.g., temporary tarp, shut off water)—keep receipts.
  • Report promptly: delays can complicate coverage decisions.
  • Keep a claim folder: claim number, adjuster info, estimates, receipts, emails.

Official New Brunswick Insurance Resources (Start Here)

Insurance Companies & Providers in New Brunswick (with Links)

Below is a directory of well-known insurers and provider brands that commonly operate in New Brunswick.
Availability depends on your location, eligibility, and the product line (auto vs home vs commercial vs life).

Best practice: Before purchasing, verify the insurer is licensed/authorized to do business in New Brunswick using the official FCNB insurer database:
FCNB – Insurer Listing

Common personal & commercial insurers (brands)

Note: The brands above may sell direct, through brokers, or both. Some insurers focus on specific niches
(e.g., high-value homes, commercial fleets, specialty risks).

Broker options (how many NB residents shop)

Many New Brunswick residents purchase insurance through a licensed broker who can compare multiple insurers.
When requesting quotes, ask the broker to quote the same limits and deductibles across companies so you can compare apples-to-apples.

FAQ: Insurance in New Brunswick

What auto coverage is mandatory in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick requires minimum coverages including third-party liability, DC-PD, accident benefits, and uninsured/identified coverage.
Confirm details and current rules with FCNB:
FCNB – Automobile Insurance.

What does DC-PD mean for drivers?

DC-PD generally means you claim certain vehicle/property damage-related losses from your own insurer (even when another driver is at fault),
and your insurer handles the process according to the rules.
FCNB explains it here:
FCNB – DC-PD.

How do I know if an insurer is legitimate in NB?

Use the official FCNB Insurer Listing to verify the insurer is licensed/authorized in New Brunswick:
FCNB – Insurer Listing.

Do I need tenant insurance if I rent?

It’s strongly recommended. Landlord policies typically cover the building, not your belongings or liability.
Tenant insurance can protect your contents, liability, and temporary living expenses after a covered loss.

Where do I find official NB vehicle registration info?

Service New Brunswick and the Government of New Brunswick provide motor vehicle registration information here:
GNB – Motor vehicle registration.

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