Buying a car

[toby]

Good point Toby, I didn't think to get a letter from my Australian insurer. We did that when we bought a house here and the premium was lower. I wasn't able to convert my licence until my PR card came anyway and I needed to get a car before then. All is good now, I have just received my PR card and have now got my BC licence on the way.

I'd check with your car insurance company to see if submitting to them a record of good driving from your Australian insurer would lower your Canadian insurance premiums mid-year.

 

[TracyS]

Ok, I'll do that. Thanks for the tip Toby

 

[Sinbad]

I'd check with your car insurance company to see if submitting to them a record of good driving from your Australian insurer would lower your Canadian insurance premiums mid-year.

Ontario residents,
Will you please share the car insurance you are paying?

I paid 1650 per year in Calgary. Premiums in Toronto seems to be 300% of this amount...Is it like this?

 

[Georgiana]

Let me share my experience about the issue:
Thus, I landed in Ottawa, ON. The situation is that since you have an international driver's license, you can drive with it for 60 days, after which Ontario driving license is required to drive. As for buying a car, I found out it's not possible to buy a car with int. license with the purpose of driving in the country, because the car can't be registered, neither insured. For this, you have to pass G1/G2/G driving test. Here, if you are a G1 class driver you need to have a fully licensed accompanying driver to drive with you (I mean, as a co-pilot) at all times during 1 year until you are eligible for G2 test and passing the test successfully. Take into consideration, your car insurance will hit quite high amount if you buy a car with G1 driver license. With G2 the idea of buying would be much more reasonable. One more note: If the driving experience on your international license counts more than four years, you may do your G2 test as soon as you pass G1 (written/knowledge test) without 1 year waiting period and no need for a fully licensed accompanying driver. So it is a good deal.

P.S. I had to rent a car for over a month and had driven with my int.license. Last week I successfully passed my G1 written test, next step is to book and pass G2 road test and theeeeeen get a car to buy!!! Keeping fingers crossed.

Wish you all the very best of luck!

 

[jes_ON]

Ontario residents,
Will you please share the car insurance you are paying?

I paid 1650 per year in Calgary. Premiums in Toronto seems to be 300% of this amount...Is it like this?

Ontario IS bad, and Toronto is the highest - that sounds, how shall I say, not unusual for Toronto...

I live up north, came in w/a US driver's license, record of insurance etc., was paying $800/year for liability only on my old car. Just got a new one (new to me, that is), am paying $1250 for full coverage.

I've been told I'd pay 3x as much in Toronto. Still, was used to paying $300/year in the US, so that doesn't really make me feel much better.

 

[toby]

Still, was used to paying $300/year in the US, so that doesn't really make me feel much better.

You expect to pay less in a third-world country! (JOKE!!!!!!!!)

 

[jes_ON]

You expect to pay less in a third-world country! (JOKE!!!!!!!!)

Exactly, so why am I paying so much more? (JOKE!!!)

 

[Sinbad]

Thanks all.
I finally got insurance with 2500/-, with comprehensive and 500 (out of pocket). Canada is a sellers market.
Here "Seller is the King". For everything its agents/middlemen......
In US, I never dealt with agents for anything. Even when I first entered US and bought a car, called GEICO directly, and got insurance in 10mts. A dollar goes a long way there.

Here I called a State Farm agent and they dont not even bother to call back.

Anyway thanks for your insights..

 

[Aquib]

Thanks all.
I finally got insurance with 2500/-, with comprehensive and 500 (out of pocket). Canada is a sellers market.
Here "Seller is the King". For everything its agents/middlemen......
In US, I never dealt with agents for anything. Even when I first entered US and bought a car, called GEICO directly, and got insurance in 10mts. A dollar goes a long way there.

Here I called a State Farm agent and they dont not even bother to call back.

Anyway thanks for your insights..

Leave US. It's same with UK. I drive for a year on International licence paying 960£ a year (with 5 year NCB from India) then I get British licence and ATM got 11year NCB (protected) paying £30 a month for Toyota Avenses 2007.

And my wife paying £ 38 and got 4 year NCB.

Now it will be hard or me to pay around 200-300$ each / month .

Also,
Do we need to wait for PR card to exchange UK licence to Canadian one ?