Is La Capitale car insurance worth it in 2024?

According to 2020 data, the average car insurance premium in Canada ranged from $717 in Quebec to $1,832 in British Columbia. With such a big difference between car insurance premiums and the vast number of companies offering car insurance, how can anyone be sure that they’re getting the best coverage and value?

The answer is to do due diligence. By comparing the best car insurance providers in Canada and reading reviews on insurance providers you can streamline the process and find the best option for you.

This article is a review of La Capitale car insurance and has everything you need to know regarding coverage options and cost so you can decide if it's the right choice for you.

Our La Capitale car insurance review: A good option for multiple add-ons

La Capitale car insurance is a good option for individuals searching for multiple car insurance add-ons, a stress-free online quoting system and modern online policy administration. From beginner drivers to those experienced behind the wheel, La Capitale offers competitive insurance premiums and multiple options to round out the policy to fully comprehensive cover.

La Capitale car insurance is now offered under the umbrella of the largest mutual insurance company in Canada: Beneva Group Inc. The merger of La Capitale and SSQ Insurance was announced in January 2020 and completed at the end of 2023, with both companies rebranding under the Beneva name.

The combined strength of both La Capitale and SSQ Insurance has allowed Beneva to build on both companies' strengths and now offer a vast array of solutions for all individuals.

While, according to online reviews, the company appears to have some telephone contact customer service-related teething issues, they have developed an extensive online customer portal system where all policyholders can review their insurance details 24/7. Furthermore, the Beneva app allows clients to check coverage and make claims on the go, promising a seamless integration of modern technology with insurance.

You must compare car insurance policies before deciding on a plan. You can do it right here using our free tool below. Compare car insurance quotes from Canada's best companies based on your unique needs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of La Capitale Car Insurance?

When trying to find the best car insurance deal it is important to review several aspects. From the financials of the insurance company itself to its size, number of policies and range of insurance products. This is because the bigger an insurance company is and the healthier its financial sheet, the more likely the company will take care of its policyholders when they need it the most.

Before its merger with SSQ Insurance, La Capitale boasted an ‘A’ A.M. Best rating meaning that the company was financially sound. At the end of 2023, Beneva received its first ever A.M. Best rating which was also an ‘A’ (excellent) score which shows that it remains a strong company, financially.

Furthermore, La Capitale, now Beneva, has more than 3.5 million customers, 5,000 employees and over 25.1 billion dollars in assets. This shows that they are an established insurance provider, despite having recently re-branded.

Unfortunately, with its size, it may be possible that the company cannot keep abreast of all its policies as indicated by online reviews stating that Beneva customer service representatives are difficult to get a hold of on the phone. It should be noted, however, that with over 3.5 million customers and only double-digit online reviews, it is possible that the comments don’t offer a fair representation of Beneva’s customer support, nor do they specifically relate to car insurance.

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of La Capitale’s car insurance below.

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What types of car insurance does La Capitale offer?

La Capitale car insurance ranges from the most basic government-mandated civil liability cover, also known as third-party liability insurance, to comprehensive property damage and theft insurance policies. All the various types of La Capitale car insurance are built around the core third-party coverage option.

For example, if a driver wishes to have collision and upset coverage, they would have to add this coverage option to the basic civil liability cover. All increases in cover can be made at the inception of a policy or throughout the life of the insurance at the renewal date.

The list below highlights and explains La Capitale’s car insurance options:

• Civil liability: This mandatory insurance provides coverage if you cause damage to third parties or if your vehicle is damaged as a result of an accident for which you are not at fault. Coverage limit options are available of $1 or $2 million.
• Collision and upset: Sometimes referred to as property damage, collision and upset coverage provides financial protection for your vehicle in the event of a collision where you are at fault or if your car is damaged in a hit-and-run. Upset in insurance means overturned, so your car is also covered for damage if it rolls over.
• Damage to vehicle, except for collision and upset: Also known as all perils, this type of car insurance will cover all damage such as fire, theft, vandalism, and glass breakage to name a few. This does not include cover for collision and upset which would have to be added separately.
• Borrowed or short-term rented car coverage: This additional coverage extends your protection to any damage caused to rental cars and borrowed vehicles where you are at fault.
• Courtesy vehicle in case of an accident: Provides financial compensation to cover car rental costs and some accommodation expenses if the insured vehicle cannot be used due to an insured accident or collision.

La Capitale car insurance additional add-ons

Along with standard car insurance, providers often have optional extras. These add-ons let you choose the coverage that best suits your needs, all while managing your budget and insurance necessities.

Now Beneva, La Capital car insurance add-ons include:

• Roadside assistance: For a price of $3 per month, Beneva car insurance customers can get 24/7 roadside assistance throughout Canada and the USA.
• Claim forgiveness: This add-on prevents an increase in your premium if a claim is made. The forgiveness works for up to 2 claims.
• Purchase price option: Allows for you to be compensated on the purchase price of your vehicle as opposed to the current vehicle valuation if the car is deemed a total loss from an insured event.
• Insurance for death or injuries: Provides you and/or your beneficiaries with financial compensation if you’re either injured or pass away from an insured car accident.

How much does La Capitale car insurance cost?

Just like any car insurance in Canada, premiums are determined by a wide variety of factors. When these factors combine, they create personalized premiums for specific clients. Car insurance costs have to take into consideration a vast amount of information because the insurance doesn’t just cover the individual, like health or life insurance, it also takes into account the vehicle itself.

Fortunately, La Capitale, now Beneva, has an online calculator that allows you to input numerous factors surrounding your situation and your vehicle to get a preliminary quote.

The table below shows La Capitale car insurance costs based on a second-hand owned 2020 Honda Accord EX 4P, located in Longueuil, Quebec, mainly used as transportation to/from school and work by an individual who has never had any prior accidents or traffic violations. The coverage is comprehensive, including third-party liability, all perils with a $250 deductible and collision and upset with a $500 deductible.

You must get car insurance quotes based on your unique needs and budget. You can do it using our free tool below. Compare multiple car insurance quotes in a few quick steps with our free comparator.

La Capitale car insurance discounts

Beneva/La Capitale offers car insurance discounts to clients through multi-product insurance policies and claim-free renewals. While neither of these methods will significantly lower your premium or overall costs, little does help when managing our overall finances.

The multi-product discount offers up to a 5% discount on your overall premium when you combine some form of property insurance with your car insurance policy, or where you insure multiple cars under the same plan.

The claim-free reward doesn’t affect your insurance premium renewal but instead reduces your deductible. With every claim-free yearly renewal, your insurance deductible is reduced by $50.

Can you cancel your La Capitale car insurance?

Yes, you can cancel your Beneva car insurance policy at any time without justification. However, depending on the insurance policy a mid-term cancellation of the insurance can result in fees and it is, therefore, recommended that any policy is cancelled at expiration.

If you wait until the expiration or renewal of your policy before cancelling, you may be able to port any no-claims discounts onto your new insurance provider by providing them with a letter of experience.

What are the contact details for La Capitale?

Whether you’re looking for details to claim on your La Capitale car insurance, ask about your current policy or receive a new quote, you will have to contact Beneva’s customer support team. The contact details for La Capitale/Beneva are found in the table below.

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Patrik Shore Ex: Financial Crime Investigator

Patrik Shore has nearly a decade worth of experience in the financial industry and has been writing for HelloSafe over the past year. Having started his career investigating financial crime to moving on to financial planning, Patrik has a deep understanding of all things personal finance.