gryphea

So last march after a long long time (for ever) of no claims I sort of drove my car into my FILs. Not sure how it happened / what came over me etc.

Over here I have protected no claims but essentially I actually only have 1 year no claims. How much is my car insurance likely to be in Calgary given my situation?

Am I better only declaring my clean licence from DVLA? Should I get a letter from my insurance company as well for just the one year?

Gryph

Roos here

Hi Gryph..

I've just got a quote for my wife who is only young and only had her license 1 year, 2nd driver experience on my policy, and it was ~$2000 for a new SUV so it seems comparible if not cheaper to the uk on that basis, as she's be paying more than that here.

But i have 5 years no claims and i got quotes $1300 on a Grand cherokee SRT 8 (high performance SUV) wich i could probably insure here for about £500.

so swings and round abouts..

i can give you a couple of insurance contacts in calgary if you wish.

Roo.

gryphea

That would be good. Could you pm me?

My current insurance is £330 fully comp for 3 yr old scenic. I think we are going to feel the pain! Interestingly my PH pays around £480 for his volvo and since the accidient it is still cheaper to have me as a named driver than not have me on at all?!

Can you pay monthly do you know, even with no canadian credit history?

Thanks

Cookie

I am not in Calgary but I got insurance in NS for an 8-month old Honda CRV for $950. I had proof of no claims letter from UK insurers. Quotes varied from $950 all the way up to around $2700. Definitely shop around.

ann m

Gryph - we went through an agency in Cochrane and 'bundled' two car insurances and house insurance all together through ING. There were discounts for putting it all together. We pay monthly and there was no issue with this. Again, happy to recommend if required.

Ref your accident - Ooops !

Maybe get driving record and a letter from your insurance company anyway. Then you can provide either or both as required. You would still be asked how long you had been driving etc, regardless of the mishap (bet FIL was impressed). So the fact that you have been driving, for example, for 15 years, rather than one year should also still have a bearing on your quote, I would have thought.

By the way - keep a photocopy of your UK licence (both parts) to hand over also - or just don't swap your UK licence to an Alberta licence till you've got your insurance or taken that photocopy ! A clean UK licence will also go some way to a better quote.

gloveman

Both OH and I have full UK no claims but it isn't being accepted in BC no matter how many letters we get from insurers so we have had to pay the full wack and start from scratch. It is costing $5000 for 2 vehicles!!

JonboyE

Try Canadian Direct for the optional coverages - they accept UK driving experience as the equivalent of North American experience. This has saved us thousands of dollars over the last few years.

benjy

Hi Everyone,

Just looked at Canadian direct and as I am moving out in Oct, checked the quote for a Chrysler 300c, came in at $1000.00. Can someone explain what additions you actually need, as in the UK fully comp means fully comp. Canadian Direct along with others talk about lots of other things....so what do you actually need...to get the UK NCB decucted do you have to send the proof or can it be done over the phone?? Help

Benjy

JonboyE

In BC, you have to buy basic insurance from a Crown corporation called ICBC. This is monopoly and is bloody expensive but there is nothing you can do about it.

There are several types of optional insurance you can buy. I suggest these three are very worthwhile:

Collision: covers damage to your vehicle in a moving accident
Comprehensive: covers any other damage to your vehicle
Third Party Liability: covers other people's medical bills if you are responsible for an accident.

You can buy the optional coverage from ICBC, but Canadian Direct is much cheaper if you have a clean record.

ICBC will allow up to 40% discount if you provide written proof, in the specified format, that you have a claim-free record in the UK. Canadian Direct took my word for it.

benjy

That makes it clearer. I have kept my letters with max NCB. Next nightmare is finding a dealer to buy the car from!! What extras do you pay ontop of screen prices and are they negotiable??

rabrol

Can't answer your 1st question well other than to suggest that when Canadians talk of "comprehensive" cover it is more like "third party" by UK standards.

To get the UK NCB taken into account it is recommended that you provide a letter from your current UK insurer (dated close to the time you move) stating how many years you have been driving claim-free and what discount you are entitled to.

I have used 2 insurance companies since being here, and both accepted the UK letter.
Rob

JonboyE

Everything is negotiable. You never pay as much as the screen price, but don't forget that there is GST and PST on top of the final negotiated price. Buying a car is not a fun process. The dealers will only quote the sticker price and you have to make a lower offer which they will always say is too low. They are skilled negotiators and you always end up feeling you have been screwed.

The final sales contract usually has a few extras you don't expect - they hope you are sufficiently beaten up by then to argue.

My tip would be to refuse to negotiate the sticker price, but say "I will give you $X to drive this car of the lot, taxes and everything else included". They won't like it, but then they want to sell you a car.

gloveman

Thanks Jonboy - it is too late for this year but will try them next time.

JonboyE

I would definitely look at these sites:

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/canada.htm

http://carcostcanada.com

And save yourself a bundle.

gryphea

Thanks for those tips ann. I am rapidly beginning to think that my little prang almost stationary, a sideways scrape, will end up costing me way more than if I'd paid the repair myself (although it was a few K)

Gryph