Insurance in Canada: Why Do We Protect Others but Forget Ourselves?

WHEN we talk about insurance in Canada, auto insurance usually comes first. If you drive, you already know the law: you must carry third-party liability insurance. Why? Because if you injure someone else or damage their property, the government wants to make sure they are taken care of.

It makes sense—no one should be left stranded because of someone else’s mistake.

But here’s the twist: when it comes to your own protection—your family, your income, your life—there is no law. You’re completely on your own.

Third-Party First, You Second

Think about it:

• Auto insurance protects the other driver.
• Rental insurance protects the landlord.
• Mortgage insurance protects the bank.

Everywhere you look, the system is set up to safeguard “the other party.” The rules are strict, contracts are enforced, and premiums are mandatory.

But when it comes to you protecting yourself and your loved ones, suddenly, it’s voluntary. Optional. Up to you.

The Bigger Picture: Insurance in Canada

This creates an interesting paradox. Society punishes you for driving uninsured because others could be harmed—but it has nothing to say about leaving your spouse or children financially exposed if you pass away.

Logically, does that make sense? Protecting strangers is important, of course. But shouldn’t protecting your own family matter even more?

The Harsh Reality

Here’s the truth: if you don’t take responsibility for your own coverage, no one else will.

• The bank will still get paid, thanks to mortgage insurance.
• The landlord will be safe, thanks to rental insurance.
• The other driver will recover, thanks to auto insurance.

But your family? Your dreams? Your children’s future? Without personal life insurance or income protection, they’re left exposed.

Flip the Script

This isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness. The way insurance in Canada is structured, the priority is protecting others first. That’s fine, but your first duty should be to the people who rely on you most.

Life insurance, disability coverage, critical illness insurance—these aren’t luxuries. They’re the way you balance the system. They’re how you make sure your family doesn’t become the “forgotten ones” in the equation.

The Bottom Line

So the next time you pay your auto or rental insurance bill, pause and ask yourself: Why am I quick to protect strangers, but slower to protect my own family?

It’s not just about money. It’s about logic, values, and peace of mind. And the answer could be the difference between your family merely surviving—or truly thriving—even when you’re not there.

Want to make sure you’re not leaving yourself out? Book a free session with me here. Let me guide you through without leaving anything out.

I care,

Dupe