JnQn

As I am sure most are aware, moving to Canada from the UK is not easy with respect to driving and insuring --- they won't exchange the license (there is a process to speed up the process) and insurance is a nightmare.

Does anyone have any advice in terms of how to get lower insurance rates in Ontario? We are treated the same as a young driver with no experience --- we have plenty of claims free experience in the UK (and letters to prove it) but have looked everywhere we can think of with no luck. 03 Ford Focus going to cost around $4,000 in insurance.

Any help is appreciated!

bobkhag5

Hi

I had a quick question. Let’s say I moved to Canada and had the insurance put onto my Uncles Name. After a year driving in Canada would this contribute to some experience?

p.s I to was looking at the Ford Focus and $4000 is a stupid amount to pay.

Alfaris

Is that $4,000 CDN for a year or for six months?
I may be able to help.

Alfaris

JnQn

$4,000 for the year.
Not sure about putting it in the uncle's name -- my partne (Canadian) has a car which gets MUCH lower rates (less than 50% for a car worth about $20k more. We looked at putting my car in that name and was told that it has to be the primary driver.

The Wizzard

JnQn wrote:
    > $4,000 for the year.
    >
    > Not sure about putting it in the uncle's name -- my partne (Canadian)
    > has a car which gets MUCH lower rates (less than 50% for a car worth
    > about $20k more. We looked at putting my car in that name and was told
    > that it has to be the primary driver.
    >
    >
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

yeah that's what young drivers in the UK try when they get hammered for
insurance. They put it in their parents name to get it cheap. Trouble is
if you ever make a claim and they find out you drive it primarily they
won't approve your claim and you will be screwed even worse premium wise
etc.

Insurance might get a bit better in Ontario in the future but currently
it's just bad period. Even people with years of Canadian claim free
history are being hammered and ths slightest thing can increase yoru
premium a lot. Some people are just not claiming at all and just fixing
their own damage to save premium payments. So now is a hard market to
even get insurance as a newcomer never mind one who will discount
foreign driving experience. Might just have to bite the bullet and pay
for a year or so until it comes down again. It's worse if you are buying
a used car and end up paying as much in insurance as the car is worth.
you could buy a new car every year instead.

bobkhag5

There are a few car manufactures in the UK that offer you 1 years free insurance with a particular Model you purchase. Is there such a thing in Canada?

Bob

Webcrawler

Blimey !
I have a 2000 Focus and pay around $600 USD a year here in the US.
$4000 CAD is a ridiculous amount, even allowing for the currency conversion.

I am dreading what I may have to pay when we move early next year !

"JnQn" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > As I am sure most are aware, moving to Canada from the UK is not easy
    > with respect to driving and insuring --- they won't exchange the license
    > (there is a process to speed up the process) and insurance is a
    > nightmare.
    > Does anyone have any advice in terms of how to get lower insurance rates
    > in Ontario? We are treated the same as a young driver with no
    > experience --- we have plenty of claims free experience in the UK (and
    > letters to prove it) but have looked everywhere we can think of with no
    > luck. 03 Ford Focus going to cost around $4,000 in insurance.
    > Any help is appreciated!
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

bobkhag5

They should at least give poeple coming from the USA a chance. At least you drive on the same side of the road.

JnQn

From what I see, US history will be relevant so you shouldn't have the same problems.

Alfaris

Are you guys talking about third-party insurance or all-inclusive? I am paying $4,000 CDN a year to StateFarm for full coverage and I feel like I am getting a good deal. The details:

My car is a $22,000 four-door sedan, model year 2003.

Third-party insurance coverage is $1,000,000 CDN
Collision (my fault) deductible is $500 CDN
Comprehensive deductible is $300 CDN

I have just over 5 years of driving experience. StateFarm recognized my U.S. experience after I pushed them a bit.

Do you think I am paying too much? I called around to other insurance companies and they are asking for much more money. Ontario's car insurance is the most expensive in Canada, so I think $4000 CDN per year is reasonable. Does anyone disagree??

Alfaris

Webcrawler

It is relevant, I believe, only for certain insurance providers.
Usually, only those auto insurance companies that provide coverage in both
US and Canada will truly "transfer" your policy and take into account your
US driving history and other discounts.
For example, State Farm Insurance transfers insurance policy.

"JnQn" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > From what I see, US history will be relevant so you shouldn't have the
    > same problems.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

CuriousGuest

I have 1998 Civic and I pay around 2200CAD/year, which is 1.9 times or 90% more than what I used to pay in the US. I had insurance through AAA and got a letter of experience from them when I moved. Fortunately, Statefarm Canada recognized it and this amount is supposedly a reduced rate recongnizing my 4 years of clean driving/insurance history !!!!!

I have a friend in the uS who has a similar car/insurance claim history. He's insured through AmericanExpress and pays around 750 USD for a year. Ontario auto insurance sucks big time!

Other comapny I know that transfers/recognizes US experience is a) Libertymutual (have to call them; no online quote)
b) RoyalBank (matched Statefarm's rate but couldn't go any lower)

JnQn

To me this sounds very high -- not sure if the 5 years is US or Canadian -- plug it into rbcinsurance.com and see what rate you get. We got a rate from them for a 2003 Focus worth about $25k with no North American experience (all from the UK which they will not recognize) for $3,600 -- this is basically with 0 experience credited.
Since my original posting I have found ways to get it reduced:
Driver's Training, which can cost around $500 has a real impact -- they credit you with about 3 years experience and in some cases drops the rate 40%. Combining with property insurance has a good impact, and if you do multi vehicle as well.

CuriousGuest

I have 1998 Civic and I pay around 2200CAD/year, which is 1.9 times or 90% more than what I used to pay in the US. I had insurance through AAA and got a letter of experience from them when I moved. Fortunately, Statefarm Canada recognized it and this amount is supposedly a reduced rate recongnizing my 4 years of clean driving/insurance history !!!!!

I have a friend in the uS who has a similar car/insurance claim history. He's insured through AmericanExpress and pays around 750 USD for a year. Ontario auto insurance sucks big time!

Other comapny I know that transfers/recognizes US experience is a) Libertymutual (have to call them; no online quote)
b) RoyalBank (matched Statefarm's rate but couldn't go any lower)

sysclp

I changed my car insurance to State Farm before I moved from the US to Ontario and they gave me no trouble transferring to a new agent up here and keeping my driving record and discounts. I am paying a bit more than I used to pay in Alabama, but then the traffic is about 100 times worse here. :-)

If possible, find an insurance company that operates in both countries so you can just transfer once you move. That should help a lot.