car insurance
#31
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2019
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 8
Re: car insurance
We moved to Calgary back in April and bought an older 2009 VW Tiguan - Got insurance through Des Jardin direct (no broker) - they took into account all of our UK history and we pay $960 per year.
I believe they are also in Ontario? If they are its certainly worth a phonecall! Don't use the online form - phonecall is the only way to get your UK history approved...
I believe they are also in Ontario? If they are its certainly worth a phonecall! Don't use the online form - phonecall is the only way to get your UK history approved...
#32
Moving to Mississauga!
Joined: Sep 2016
Location: Hertfordshire - soon to be Mississauga!
Posts: 112
Re: car insurance
hi. Insurance is such a pain!
We went with Johnson’s as they were recommended by people on this forum as accepting UK no claims. https://www1.johnson.ca/
We still had some trouble as they will only accept a very specifically worded letter from our UK insurance company. We had been with tesco for years and despite speaking to 2 managers, they refused to provide the specific letter requested as they said it wasn’t FSA approved (though I know companies like Direct Line will provide it so that’s a lie). This has details on what the letter needs https://coming-to-canada.com/2018/12...ng-in-ontario/
we pay $280 a month in Mississauga which doesn’t seem too bad.
We went with Johnson’s as they were recommended by people on this forum as accepting UK no claims. https://www1.johnson.ca/
We still had some trouble as they will only accept a very specifically worded letter from our UK insurance company. We had been with tesco for years and despite speaking to 2 managers, they refused to provide the specific letter requested as they said it wasn’t FSA approved (though I know companies like Direct Line will provide it so that’s a lie). This has details on what the letter needs https://coming-to-canada.com/2018/12...ng-in-ontario/
we pay $280 a month in Mississauga which doesn’t seem too bad.
#33
Re: car insurance
We moved to Calgary back in April and bought an older 2009 VW Tiguan - Got insurance through Des Jardin direct (no broker) - they took into account all of our UK history and we pay $960 per year.
I believe they are also in Ontario? If they are its certainly worth a phonecall! Don't use the online form - phonecall is the only way to get your UK history approved...
I believe they are also in Ontario? If they are its certainly worth a phonecall! Don't use the online form - phonecall is the only way to get your UK history approved...
https://www.desjardinsagents.com/?&g...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
#34
Re: car insurance
To show you how much postcode matters in Ontario we moved out of Toronto to Milton and our insurance for two people/two cars went down from $485 to $280.
Any province with government insurance will take your UK driving history into account but be prepared to get screwed.
3 years in Canada we moved to Calgary and insurance is private here and we pay $300 a month for one car and now I get a company vehicle thank goodness. All the news reports websites are all a waste of time apprently Calgary is one of the lower cities to be insured in but evidently not and I did lots of shopping around.
Go to Kanetix to compare or lowestrates.ca, Dejardins are not on price comparison websites and they are good. Bellair direct is usually the cheapest insurer in Ontario.
Any province with government insurance will take your UK driving history into account but be prepared to get screwed.
3 years in Canada we moved to Calgary and insurance is private here and we pay $300 a month for one car and now I get a company vehicle thank goodness. All the news reports websites are all a waste of time apprently Calgary is one of the lower cities to be insured in but evidently not and I did lots of shopping around.
Go to Kanetix to compare or lowestrates.ca, Dejardins are not on price comparison websites and they are good. Bellair direct is usually the cheapest insurer in Ontario.
Yikes, you're getting shafted. I have just shy of 3 years experience driving on my own (i'm a 20 y/o male, got my license in Canada) and I pay 260 a month fully comprehensive on a new (2 y/o) car. Though that's soon to go up i'm sure as i'm a bit of a speed demon and have got a couple tickets this year
Although i'm with a group insurance provider (The Personal) - check with your workplace to see if they offer insurance discounts.
#35
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: car insurance
$300 a month for 1 car, oh man. Haven't paid those kind of prices since I was like 20.
We are in BC so have to buy basic coverage through ICBC as well we have no choice, but we pay $146 a month currently for full coverage, 2 million liability, comprehensive etc.
If we didn't live in one of the higher crime areas of Vancouver, we would probably pay a bit less, but our postal code has a high theft/break in rate so insurance prices reflect the higher risk.
We are in BC so have to buy basic coverage through ICBC as well we have no choice, but we pay $146 a month currently for full coverage, 2 million liability, comprehensive etc.
If we didn't live in one of the higher crime areas of Vancouver, we would probably pay a bit less, but our postal code has a high theft/break in rate so insurance prices reflect the higher risk.
To show you how much postcode matters in Ontario we moved out of Toronto to Milton and our insurance for two people/two cars went down from $485 to $280.
Any province with government insurance will take your UK driving history into account but be prepared to get screwed.
3 years in Canada we moved to Calgary and insurance is private here and we pay $300 a month for one car and now I get a company vehicle thank goodness. All the news reports websites are all a waste of time apprently Calgary is one of the lower cities to be insured in but evidently not and I did lots of shopping around.
Go to Kanetix to compare or lowestrates.ca, Dejardins are not on price comparison websites and they are good. Bellair direct is usually the cheapest insurer in Ontario.
Any province with government insurance will take your UK driving history into account but be prepared to get screwed.
3 years in Canada we moved to Calgary and insurance is private here and we pay $300 a month for one car and now I get a company vehicle thank goodness. All the news reports websites are all a waste of time apprently Calgary is one of the lower cities to be insured in but evidently not and I did lots of shopping around.
Go to Kanetix to compare or lowestrates.ca, Dejardins are not on price comparison websites and they are good. Bellair direct is usually the cheapest insurer in Ontario.
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2014
Location: Done with condescending old hags
Posts: 1,194
Re: car insurance
$300 a month for 1 car, oh man. Haven't paid those kind of prices since I was like 20.
We are in BC so have to buy basic coverage through ICBC as well we have no choice, but we pay $146 a month currently for full coverage, 2 million liability, comprehensive etc.
If we didn't live in one of the higher crime areas of Vancouver, we would probably pay a bit less, but our postal code has a high theft/break in rate so insurance prices reflect the higher risk.
We are in BC so have to buy basic coverage through ICBC as well we have no choice, but we pay $146 a month currently for full coverage, 2 million liability, comprehensive etc.
If we didn't live in one of the higher crime areas of Vancouver, we would probably pay a bit less, but our postal code has a high theft/break in rate so insurance prices reflect the higher risk.
#37
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2018
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 165
Re: car insurance
Thank you all for the tips and tricks. We've landed and will report back once we have sorted it all out.
#38
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 810
Re: car insurance
I just went and checked what we actually ended up paying for car insurance in ON for the first year. First quote was CAD 3000pa, but ended up at CAD2200 pa through Carr and Co brokers in Ottawa. Since reduced a bit second year as Canadian NCD starts to accrue.
Just paid CAD 2600pa for insurance on the motorbike (was GBP 250 pa in the UK).
Hey ho!
Just paid CAD 2600pa for insurance on the motorbike (was GBP 250 pa in the UK).
Hey ho!
That's the general idea I here in Canada. As a ballpark idea: Take your annual UK car insurance and than add another zero to the figure and change GBP to CAD and you'll have a rough estimate.
#39
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2018
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 165
Re: car insurance
Can you guys share who you're insured with? We had a quote from Desjardin for $212 p/m and then after we got all the letters from our UK insurers regarding no claims they turned around said actually they don't take into account foreign experience from the 20th of this month and it would be $430 p/m.
And if anyone has gotten insured in the last few months with a company who takes into account UK experience? Thanks!
And if anyone has gotten insured in the last few months with a company who takes into account UK experience? Thanks!
#40
Re: car insurance
Can you guys share who you're insured with? We had a quote from Desjardin for $212 p/m and then after we got all the letters from our UK insurers regarding no claims they turned around said actually they don't take into account foreign experience from the 20th of this month and it would be $430 p/m.
And if anyone has gotten insured in the last few months with a company who takes into account UK experience? Thanks!
And if anyone has gotten insured in the last few months with a company who takes into account UK experience? Thanks!
#41
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: car insurance
https://www1.johnson.ca/auto-insurance
see our wiki for more options and what you need to be able to prove .. https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...surance-Canada
see our wiki for more options and what you need to be able to prove .. https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...surance-Canada
#42
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 810
Re: car insurance
Dejardins I'm insured with and they would not accept any of my foreign driving experience. Bare in mind even the ones that do aren't anywhere near competitive so they suck. I found a few companies that accept it but they're not even competitive and give you a higher rate than you would get without. If your in Ontario BellAirDirect is usually cheapest insurance. Use Kanetix and Lowestrates.ca for comparison.
The cost of car insurance is one of the bigger challenges facing every immigrant. Also the great distances in Canada make it nearly impossible in living without a car. Unless you're in one of the bigger cities and your job is walking distance or via public transport to the office.
#43
Re: car insurance
Well yes, but I know very many people who don't drive or do drive and don't have a car; they rent or car share as needed. Most people do live in cities.
#44
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: car insurance
+1
There are also such things as taxi's / uber and inter town/city transit - or have good friends or family who do drive!
I've been in Canada for a number of years, don't drive, don't have a car.. still manage to get around.. as does my (adult) son - he was up in Algonquin last week.
I doubt you would choose to live in the countryside unless you at least had a license.
#45
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2018
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 165
Re: car insurance
Thank you all for your insights. We've gone with Johnsons and secured a rate of 2558 per annum.