Auto insurance as visitor

[Panamai]

My auto insurance company has found out that I've 'moved' to Canada. They said they would have to discontinue my policy. The problem is, my car is still registered in the US and I don't think I can import it and register it here until I become a PR, right? I explained to the lady that I am not officially moving until autumn (when I hope to receive my PR) and that I am still a 'visitor' to Canada. She is going to check with her boss to see if they can keep me on the policy. If they say no, are there any insurance companies here in Ontario that will insure a US car?

 

[rhcohen2014]

at least in ontario, you will need an ontario license to get insurance, and you can't register the car without insurance. in order to be registered, it hass to be imported and inspected. there isn't a restriction about importing cars before PR, the issue is you won't be waived duty/taxes. when you land as a pr, you are able to claim your car and exempt from paying duty/taxes on it before importing, registering and insuring.

in order to get an ontario license, you don't have to be a pr. visitor's can get licenses, all you need is your driving record from the state your license is in. they don't even ask for proof of address, they just ask you to write your address down. to exchange your license in ontario, you have to go to a drive test center, and there are proof of identity documents required. the list is on the website.

i'm sure other provinces are similar, though i can't tell you specifically what to do outside of ontario.

edit: if your current insurance company is giving you issues, find another company. your car is a us car, your residence is us. there are companies out there that don't mind if you travel to canada to visit family regularly.

 

[ortofon]

Hi Panamai,

Hopefully I can provide some insight as I work as a Insurance Underwriter, generally most Canadian insurer's would not take an american risk address (meaning you park and commute with your vehicle in America) General rule of thumb would be if your mailing address and risk address is in the same location I don't see why they will deny you insurance, however different companies have different protocols. You might have to switch companies for the time being as the industry is pretty broad and there are markets out there for what your looking. Although it might come with a premium.

As for Insurer's in Canada insuring a US vehicle there are some markets that will do it but most won't due to the liability amount. it's very standard for Canadians to carry 1 to 2 million dollars in third party liability which isn't the case for America. That is why Canadian vehicles are often targeted cause they know they would be able to get a bigger settlement.

Hopefully you can reach out to the right market to insure your vehicle, I would try a insurance broker as they deal with many different insurers.

Best of luck!

 

[Panamai]

Ok, thanks. I'll check with some companies here. I've had an Ontario driver's licence since September 2014, so I'm good there. My car is just still registered in Arkansas until I get my PR and can import it.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Ok, thanks. I'll check with some companies here. I've had an Ontario driver's licence since September 2014, so I'm good there. My car is just still registered in Arkansas until I get my PR and can import it.

well then, that's probably why your insurance company has an issue considering you had to relinquish your us license. i'm pretty sure a VALID US insurance license is needed to obtain us insurance. if you don't have a current us license, then i think you are going to find issues with all insurance companies.