auto insurance in Quebec - moving from US

[MidoRafa]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to plan for my landing and settlement in Quebec in a couple of months from now and I wanted to get some input on driving-related matters.

I'm planning to export my car and exchange my US driver's license for a Canadian one, but I am curious about insurance rates in QC, whether they consider US driving history, and how to go about the whole process. I have had a D/L for 8 years, a car for only 2, with no tickets or claims. Not a very long history, but I presume it's better than no history at all.

For example, would it make sense to buy insurance first with current US license since - I imagine - it will provide a more complete and consistent picture (US license + US driving record + prior US insurance) then later switch to a Quebec D/L (I understand new residents have at least a couple of months to switch), or is it better to apply for a Canadian D/L from day one and try my luck with the insurance companies? Or maybe it doesn't make a difference either way?

Also, if someone here has made a similar move, how would you compare insurance rates between US and QC (roughly of course): About the same? Considerably more? Considerably less?

Any insights or tips about this and the general topic of auto insurance in QC would be greatly appreciated.

 

[darxider]

1) get your complete driving record from your DMV before your move to Canada
2) get a paper from your car dealership saying that there are no recalls for your car; you'd need that to register your car in Canada.
3) call your US insurance company and tell them you're going to be in Canada for a while and you'd need the "Motor Vehicle Liability Card / Canada Inter-Province" insurance card (i've heard that some companies no longer give that to you, but call and ask for one); you'd need that to show your insurance coverage if you're stopped by the police in Canada
4) get your claims history from your car insurer (most Canadian insurance companies i talked to asked for that, but some didn't); you can do this from Canada
5) really not sure if Canadian insurers would insure a car with a US license plate; you'd need to call and ask.
6) the insurance rate in Canada is generally higher than that in the US. i was paying ~$300/yr in the US, and now i'm paying ~$600/yr. i'm currently insured with TD Meloche Monnex (they gave me the best rates for a very good coverage).

 

[MidoRafa]

Many thanks for the informative answers and good pointers!